news uknews royal-wedding 8137967 ----- # Royal wedding: Prince William and Kate Middleton say time is right for marriage ## Prince William and Kate Middleton have said the time is now right for them to get married. 620 349 TelegraphPlayer-8138458 [<][1] [>][1] * [![][2]][3] Video [From university to Royal engagement][3] * [![][4]][5] Article [History: Kate will be sixth Queen Catherine][5] * [![][6]][7] Article [Kate will be 'oldest Royal bride'][7] * [![][8]][9] Pictures [Kate Middleton: A very royal style icon][9] * [![][10]][11] Article [Live: reaction to wedding announcement][11] * [![][12]][13] Article [Background: the Middleton family][13] * [![][14]][15] Article [Prince hopes to emulate Queen's solid marriage][15] * [![][8]][16] Article [Fashion: Kate is 'conservative style icon'][16] * [![][17]][18] Article [How does Kate compare with Princess Diana?][18] * [![][8]][19] Article [Offer your own tributes to the couple][19] [1][1] [2][1] [3][1] [4][1] By Peter Hutchison and Laura Roberts 5:13PM GMT 16 Nov 2010 [Comments][20] Announcing their engagement [Prince William][21] said: "The timing is right now, we are both very, very happy." [Kate Middleton][22] added that joining the Royal Family was a "daunting prospect" but said: "Hopefully I'll take it in my stride." The couple were speaking at a photocall hours after Clarence House announced that they planned to marry in spring or summer next year, delighting the couple's parents, politicians and well-wishers. Prince William asked for Miss Middleton's hand in marriage while they were on holiday in Kenya last month, and the wedding will be held in the spring or summer next year. She will then move in with her husband in Wales. ## Related Articles * [PM congratulates William and Kate][23] 16 Nov 2010 * [Royal wedding: Prince William's stag do][24] 17 Nov 2010 * [In pictures: Prince William and Kate Middleton][25] 16 Nov 2010 * [Harry Mount: Kate makes for perfect wife material][26] 16 Nov 2010 * [Foreign newspapers toast Royal engagement][27] 17 Nov 2010 * [Kate and William plan wedding amid July date rumours][28] 17 Nov 2010 This afternoon it was confirmed that the Prince proposed with the blue sapphire and diamond ring that his father, the Prince of Wales, gave to [Diana, Princess of Wales][29], in February 1981. Diana chose the ring, which cost £28,000 at the time, from a selection presented to her by jewellers Garrard. Prince William said that giving Kate his mother, Diana's engagement ring was "my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement". The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are said to be "absolutely delighted" by news of the engagement, while the Prince of Wales said he was "thrilled". Speaking at his Poundbury model village in Dorset, Prince Charles made reference to the length of their eight-year relationship, joking: "They have been practising long enough." The parents of Kate Middleton said they were "absolutely delighted" and "thrilled" at today's announcement. Miss Middleton's father Michael Middleton read a statement on behalf of the couple outside their home near the Berkshire village of Bucklebury. He said: "I would just like to say that Carole and I are absolutely delighted by today's announcement and thrilled at the prospect of a wedding some time next year. "As you know Catherine and Prince William have been going out together for quite a number of years which has been great for us because we have got to know William very well. "We all think he is wonderful and we are extremely fond of him. They make a lovely couple, they are great fun to be with, and we've had a lot of laughs together. "We wish them every happiness for the future." Mr Cameron, who was given the news during a Cabinet meeting, said the announcement was met with "a great cheer" by his ministers as well as a "great banging of tables". The Prime Minister said: "A great day for our country, a great day for the Royal family and obviously a great day for Prince William and for Kate." A statement from Clarence House read: "The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton. "The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course. "Prince William and Miss Middleton became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya. "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." In his statement, Mr Cameron said that he had spoken to Prince William and passed on his congratulations this morning and in doing so told him that the government "stood ready to do everything it could" to ensure the wedding would be a great success. He described the engagement as "unadulterated good news" and an occasion when the "whole country will come together". Mr Cameron also revealed that he himself had "slept on the Mall" by Buckingham Palace on the eve of the wedding of the Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales as a young man. His sentiments were echoed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam also sent their best wishes. Mr Clegg said: "I am thrilled to hear the fantastic news of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement. "Miriam and I would like to send our very best wishes to the happy couple ahead of their big day." Labour leader Ed Miliband added: "I'm delighted for Prince William and Kate Middleton and send them my very best for their wedding. "The whole country will be wishing them every happiness." Meanwhile speaking on behalf of the royal family the Countess of Wessex said: "I think it's absolutely thrilling. We couldn't be more excited." She added: "I think everyone's absolutely thrilled and we wish them all the love and luck in the world." Earl Spencer, William's uncle and the brother of Diana, said in a statement: "It's wonderful news. Very exciting. My family are all thrilled for them both." A spokesman for Lambeth Palace said the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams had expressed his "delight" at the news. William and Miss Middleton will pose for photos at St James's Palace later today, at which they are expected to show off her engagement ring. They will also give their first interview together to ITV News's political editor Tom Bradby, an old friend of the Prince, which will be broadcast at 7pm. Miss Middleton, who comes from a wealthy middle class background, was born a commoner but is now in line to become Queen one day. She met William at St Andrews University in 2001 while they were studying history of art. Miss Middleton was credited with persuading the Prince to continue his studies when he considered quitting as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year. They moved into a shared house with two other friends in 2002 and reportedly became a couple around Christmas 2003. The couple briefly split up in April 2007, reportedly because of the strain caused by William's military career, but they were secretly back together within weeks. Miss Middleton's millionaire parents Michael and Carole, who is a former air hostess, run a mail-order business called Party Pieces which sells toys and party paraphernalia. She was privately educated at the £15,000-a-year Marlborough College, where she was a keen netball and hockey player, and has two younger siblings, Pippa and James. [X][1] Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! 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