Prince William and Kate Middleton to marry in April at Westminster Abbey

Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry on Friday April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey.

The date, which falls on the Feast of St Catherine, and venue were announced by Clarence House this morning, just under a week since they made their engagement public.

Prime Minister David Cameron has already confirmed that a Bank Holiday will be held to allow people to take part in the celebrations.

The Prince’s private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, said the couple were “on cloud nine” and “over the moon” as the wedding continues to take shape.

Westminster Abbey was expected to be the chosen venue after Miss Middleton paid a visit there last week with aides.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said: “The couple were moved to choose the venue because of its staggering beauty, its 1,000 years of royal history and its relative intimacy despite its size.

The cost of the wedding, the reception and honeymoon will be shared between the Royal family and the Middletons. The public will only pay for associated costs such as security.

Westminster Abbey, the coronation church since 1066, has long been the venue of choice for the Royal family. The Queen and the Queen Mother both wed there and it was the venue of Princess Diana’s funeral.

“The venue has long associations with the Royal family – it is in many ways the Royal family’s church – and of course with Prince William personally,” said Mr Lowther-Pinkerton.

“For Miss Middleton, the associations she has with the Abbey are quite simply the same as any British person would have for such a glorious and holy place.”

He added that the couple were keen that their wedding should strike the balance between being an “enjoyable day” for the nation whilst also bearing in mind the current economic situation.