Prince William and Kate Middleton to marry next April

LONDON - Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton are to be married April 29 at Westminster Abbey in London, St James’ Palace announced Tuesday.

The wedding day, a Friday, will be a public holiday, a statement from Downing Street said. Prince William and Middleton, both aged 28, announced their engagement last week.

The Middleton family would take over part of the cost for the wedding, which is expected to be attended more than 2,000 guests. They will include global statesmen, European royalty and friends.

For William, the wedding venue will have strong associations with his late mother, Princess Diana, whose emotional funeral service was held at the Abbey Sep 6, 1997.

William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, married Prince Philip at the Abbey in November 1947.

“The venue has long associations with the royal family - it is in many ways the royal family’s church,” said a spokesman for Prince William, referring to the Abbey’s history as the coronation church of British monarchs.

However, despite the tradition and the glorious surroundings, both William and Kate were keen to “ensure that a balance is struck between an enjoyable day and the current economic situation”, said the spokesman.