(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Britains Prince William and Kate Middleton are planning to get married at Westminster Abbey next spring.
Kate, 28, was accompanied by Williams closest aides and church officials as she made a private visit to the abbey in London last night and the couple are believed to have set their hearts on the venue. Williams grandmother Queen Elizabeth was married there and it was also the location for the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.
It has been reported the nuptials could take place as early as March 2011, however there are also indications they may be held in July or August.
Kate knows St Pauls fairly well but she wasnt familiar with Westminster Abbey. So she wanted to get a feel for the place, a source told British newspaper The Daily Mail. Now that she has, the two of them will make a final decision. They are very close to that already, but want to discuss further with both their families.
The venue and date are expected to be confirmed today or tomorrow after the couple have finalised ceremony details with senior courtiers and cleared them with Queen Elizabeth.
Miss Middleton met staff at the abbey which she visited in order to consider it as an option for the wedding. No decision has yet been taken on the venue, a palace spokesman said.
Williams private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton has been put in overall charge of organising the wedding, along with Helen Asprey the princes personal secretary.
Sources close to William and Kate insist they will have the final say on the arrangements and their wedding will be very much their day.
Williams brother, Prince Harry, is expected to act as best man at the ceremony, along with one of Williams best friends.
It is expected Williams father, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth will pay for the wedding, with the royal family believed to be mindful of the economic situation and hopeful it will provide a boost to the nation.
William proposed to Kate last month while they were on a private holiday in Kenya. The couple have been dating for around eight years and once they are married they will settle in north Wales, so the 28-year-old royal can continue his work in the air force. (C) Cover Media