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November 18, 2010

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Wedding starts speculation frenzy

NOW it's all about the details.

Prince William and Kate Middleton were sitting down with advisers yesterday to begin planning the royal wedding that some Britons have waited years to see - as the media settled in for months of juicy speculation.

The second in line to the throne and his long-term girlfriend will marry next spring or summer, but they haven't announced a date - some say May is likely, others August - or a venue.

Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral, where William's parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana married in 1981, are considered the front-runners.

A spokesman said the couple would be closely involved in organizing all the details of the event.

"It's very much their day like any other couple, and they will make the decisions all the way through - they want the day to be enjoyable for everybody," he said, speaking anonymously in line with palace policy.

Palace officials said only that the wedding would be held in London. It was too early to estimate its cost.

Funds will likely come out of the Civil List - money provided by Parliament to meet official royal expenses, the Queen's household allowance, or drawn from her personal wealth. That is, unless Parliament votes to give the royal couple extra money for the wedding.

Taxpayers will, at the least, have to pay for security, which will require large numbers of police.

The biggest fashion decision Middleton faces will be her wedding dress.

Deborah Joseph, editor of Brides Magazine, said Middleton will face substantial pressure to choose an English designer. Hilary Alexander, fashion director of The Telegraph newspaper, said she expects the princess-to-be to come up with a surprising choice for a wedding dress.

"It's a British royal wedding, there's no need to look abroad," said Joseph. "Obviously there will be lots of speculation on the designer now, it depends which route Kate takes. She may give a nod to Princess Diana, and use one of her designers, like Bruce Oldfield or Amanda Wakeley, or she may make a statement of her own."

Joseph said Middleton's decision could define bridal wear for the next decade, much as Diana's choice in 1981 became the most-copied wedding dress in history.

One easy bet, however: Middleton is likely to use much softer fabric, like tulle or organza, than the stiff taffeta Diana used.

Tuesday's long-anticipated announcement by the couple was a gift for the British media and government, weary of economic uncertainty and austerity.

As commentators dredged up memories of the dazzling nuptials of Charles and Diana, newspapers splashed pictures of Kate and William across their front pages. "The New Romantics," said The Times of London, while several papers noted that William had given his betrothed his mother's engagement ring. "With Mummy's ring I thee wed," said The Sun.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the wedding would be a "great moment for national celebration" that would unite Britain.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, said they were "absolutely delighted for them both," Buckingham Palace said. Prince Charles said he was "thrilled."

Prince Harry said he was "delighted that my brother has popped the question!" - and adding that Kate was the sister he had always wanted.



 

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