[ Prince William and Bride-to-Be Meet the Press - NTDTV ]
Prince William is to marry his long-term girlfriend Katherine Middleton next spring or summer, the Prince of Wales’ office announced on Tuesday.
The couple got engaged during a holiday to Kenya last month, with Prince William asking Katherine’s father for her hand in marriage, according to Clarence House.
With the prince being the second-in-line to the throne, and a highly popular royal figure, the wedding is widely billed as the biggest royal wedding since that of his father to Lady Diana Spencer 30 years ago.
Katherine Middleton has been William’s long-time girlfriend. The couple met nine years ago while the prince was studying at St Andrews University, where the couple were relatively well-shielded from the attention of the media.
The Prince of Wales said he was delighted to announce the engagement, news of which had been passed on to the prime minister earlier in the day.
The wedding will take place in London in the spring or summer of next year.
Appearing at a photocall just a few hours after the announcement on Tuesday, the couple were barely audible over the noise of media flashbulbs as they fielded media questions for the first time together.
Asked about the proposal, Katherine described the prince as a true romantic, but he refused to say whether he went down on bended knee, saying it would remain a secret.
Asked why it had taken so long for them to get engaged, the prince said, “The timing is right now. We are both very, very happy.”
“It just seems a natural step for both of us,” chimed in Katherine.
Prince William confirmed that Katherine’s engagement ring was Princess Diana’s own engagement ring, saying that it was his way of including his mother in the occasion. “It’s very special to me,” he said. “It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today, on the excitement, and the fact that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said, “I am delighted to hear this wonderful news. I am sure the whole country will join Samantha and me in wishing them great joy in their life together.”
Clarence House said that the prince would continue to serve as a pilot in the RAF after the marriage.
The couple got engaged during a holiday to Kenya last month, with Prince William asking Katherine’s father for her hand in marriage, according to Clarence House.
With the prince being the second-in-line to the throne, and a highly popular royal figure, the wedding is widely billed as the biggest royal wedding since that of his father to Lady Diana Spencer 30 years ago.
Katherine Middleton has been William’s long-time girlfriend. The couple met nine years ago while the prince was studying at St Andrews University, where the couple were relatively well-shielded from the attention of the media.
The Prince of Wales said he was delighted to announce the engagement, news of which had been passed on to the prime minister earlier in the day.
The wedding will take place in London in the spring or summer of next year.
Appearing at a photocall just a few hours after the announcement on Tuesday, the couple were barely audible over the noise of media flashbulbs as they fielded media questions for the first time together.
Asked about the proposal, Katherine described the prince as a true romantic, but he refused to say whether he went down on bended knee, saying it would remain a secret.
Asked why it had taken so long for them to get engaged, the prince said, “The timing is right now. We are both very, very happy.”
“It just seems a natural step for both of us,” chimed in Katherine.
Prince William confirmed that Katherine’s engagement ring was Princess Diana’s own engagement ring, saying that it was his way of including his mother in the occasion. “It’s very special to me,” he said. “It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today, on the excitement, and the fact that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said, “I am delighted to hear this wonderful news. I am sure the whole country will join Samantha and me in wishing them great joy in their life together.”
Clarence House said that the prince would continue to serve as a pilot in the RAF after the marriage.
