William and Kate postpone honeymoon
Prince William and his new wife Kate Middleton have decided not to depart for their honeymoon immediately and have instead opted to spend the weekend in the UK, St James's Palace announced today.
It had been thought that the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would take two weeks off for the traditional post royal wedding break.
But it appears they want some private time in familiar surroundings after one of the most important days in their life saw their marriage celebrated by the nation and beyond.
They will probably travel to the Queen's Balmoral Estate in Scotland, which will afford them privacy and stunning countryside in which to unwind.
They left Buckingham Palace this morning like a couple very much in love, walking hand in hand to a waiting helicopter which flew them off for their secret weekend break.
Before they boarded the aircraft, palace staff had carried out some of their luggage, which included a bouquet of white blooms.
A St James's Palace spokesman said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately.
"Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, the Duke will return to work as a search and rescue pilot next week.
"The locations of both their private weekend before the Duke returns to work and their future honeymoon, which will be overseas, will not be disclosed in advance."
St James's Palace stressed that the couple had asked that the media respect their privacy over the weekend and during their holiday.
Speculation had been mounting about where the couple could spend their time away together.
They had been expected to travel either to somewhere in Africa, perhaps Kenya where Prince William proposed, or possibly Jordan where Kate spent two years as a child.
There were reports that the couple had booked a tailor made private tour of southern Jordan, including a visit to the ancient city of Petra.
