Prince William and his longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton announced their engagement in a surprise statement from the Royal Family early yesterday morning. The wedding will take place in London during the spring or summer of 2011, with further details to be announced “in due course.”
“Prince William and Miss Middleton became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya,” the statement said. “Prince William has informed the queen and other close members of his family. Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton’s father. Following the marriage, the couple will live in north Wales, where Prince William will continue to serve with the Royal Air Force.”
Prince William is currently 2nd in line to the British throne, only 1 step behind his father, Prince Charles. Many Royal watchers have long believed that Prince Charles may never ascend to the throne, mostly due to a messy affair with Camilla Parker Bowles when both of them were still married to others. Although Prince Charles has since married Parker Bowles, following the death of his famous wife, Princess Diana, many Brits have still not warmed to the idea of Charles and Camilla as head of the British Royal empire. This is important because, if true, Prince William could soon become King William (following the death or retirement of Queen Elizabeth), which would mean the now current “Princess-in-waiting” Kate Middleton could soon become Queen Kate. But regardless if it is sooner or later, William and Kate will eventually be King and Queen of England.
Great Britain hasn’t seen a majestic royal wedding since the memorable nuptials of Charles and Diana in 1981. Palace officials are already speculating that the marriage ceremony between William and Kate will be an enormous affair, which could rival the pomp and splendor from 1981. And for Brits who have increasingly grown distant with the idea of a Royal Family, the wedding of the “seemingly more normal” William and Kate could go a long way to restoring honor and trust in the monarchy.
Congrats to the Happy couple!Sadly, Princess Diana had a tough time of it (adjusting to a royal life dogged by 24/7 hot lights and constant scrutiny). To say nothing of having to accept the harsh reality that her husband (Prince Charles) was actually in love with another woman_smh.Hopefully Kate has a better grasp of what she's actually getting herself into and is better prepared to cope with that challenging life.