Royals

Prince William, Kate to Wed April 29

At Westminster Abbey.

Mark your calendars! Prince William and Kate Middleton have set a date—April 29—and a location—Westminster Abbey—for their royal wedding, the palace announced Tuesday. The date was chosen to coincide with the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena (Middleton’s full name is Catherine). The couple, both 28, decided against St. Paul's Cathedral, where William's father and mother married in 1981, instead opting for Westminster Abbey, chosen for its “staggering beauty,” 1,000-year royal history and intimate feeling despite its large size, the prince’s private secretary said. The London church was also the site of Princess Diana’s funeral and Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding. Calling the wedding a “happy and momentous occasion,” Prime Minister David Cameron said the event would be a public holiday. Millions of working people throughout the British realm will be especially pleased with the chosen date, as it falls near Easter, giving them a four-day weekend. The cost of the wedding, sure to be an extravagant affair, will be borne by the royal family and the Middleton’s, but British taxpayers will have to cover the cost of extra security and transportation.