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29 March 2024

William and Kate unveil new wedding details

The Archbishop of Canterbury will marry Prince William and his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton. (AGENCY)

Published
By Agency

The royal family has released more details about April's wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Clarence House says the April 29 wedding will take place at Westminster Abbey in front of 2,200 guests.

The Dean of Westminster will conduct the service but Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will marry the couple.

Ms Middleton will travel to Westminster Abbey by car through some of London's most historic sites including The Mall, Horse Guards' Parade, Whitehall and Parliament Square, before the service starts at 11:00am (local time).

The bride and groom will return to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession where the Queen will hold a reception.

A party for close friends and family hosted by Prince Charles will be held later in the evening.

William and Ms Middleton, both 28, announced their engagement on November 16, 2010, after an eight-year courtship that began at St Andrews University in Scotland.

With Britain facing sharp cuts in public spending, officials have said the royal family and the Middletons would jointly pay for the service, reception and honeymoon and that the couple are mindful of the current economic situation.

Royal commentators say the decision for Ms Middleton to arrive at the church by car, rather than by carriage, was an example.

Retail researchers have estimated the wedding could give a $1 billion boost to the British economy through the sale of mementoes and increased tourism.

UK prime minister David Cameron, who revealed he had camped out on The Mall the night before Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981, has confirmed that April 29 will be a public holiday in Britain.