The wait is finally over. After a suspected ten year relationship, including a break up, Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally tying the knot on Friday, April 29, 2011. 29-year-old Kate, or soon to be known as “Catherine” as she wishes to be called henceforth, grew up in Berkshire, England and studied in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews where she met her fiancée, Prince William of Wales, son of Charles and Diana, and third grandchild to Queen Elizabeth II. Kate had remained the “undeclared girlfriend” of Prince William for a while, which resulted in mass media coverage and unwanted attention from paparazzi. The gossip surrounding their courtship has been in tabloids for years, making it difficult to keep their relationship private and healthy, especially when in April of 2007 the couple was said to be split up for several months, though Kate was still publically seen with the Royal family on various outings and vacations.
The engagement, after many arduous years dealing with the press, happened in Kenya, Africa in October of 2010 and was announced to the public on November 16, 2010 by Clarence House. The two are to marry in Westminster Abbey. This celebration is said to be the biggest royal wedding since Charles and Diana’s, almost thirty years ago.
Kate’s royal title, having no previous title of her own, will depend upon the name that Prince William will take. Royal princes usually enter into dukedom when they marry, which would make Kate a duchess, making her name “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of …” and whatever name William takes on if he chooses to be a duke. However, if Prince William decides not to take on that title, Kate would either be called “Her Royal Highness Princess to William of Wales” or possibly “Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine.”
Kate and William’s wedding will be an extravagant affair, including a carriage procession that could end up being the Glass Coach in the case that it rains, trumpeters from the Central Band for when the couple signs the register as husband and wife, the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace for the reception, and a fly-past by an RAF aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Typhoons and Tornados. The bride and groom have also included a charity gift fund that will represent 26 charities for anyone who wishes to donate. The nuptials are even said to attract close to 2 billion viewers globally.
The wedding will be available to watch at 6 A.M. EST on multiple channels such as BBC, BBC America, E!, and Good Morning America. Any facts and information about the wedding can be found online at www.theroyalweddingwilliamkate.com.