According to Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Princes William and Harry’s private secretary, “The couple were moved to choose the venue because of its staggering beauty, its 1000 years of royal history and its relative intimacy despite its size.”

He is talking about Westminster Abbey, where Prince William will marry Kate Middleton on Friday, April 29th, 2011.  Speculation had been that the couple would marry there, especially after pictures appeared of Kate Middleton having a private tour of the Abbey last Wednesday evening.

But today it was made official, and the couple are said to be “over the moon”. Lowther-Pinkerton added, “I’ve never seen two happier people which is fabulous.”

Westminster Abbey is steeped in royal tradition—15 royal weddings have taken place there, including Queen Elizabeth II’s, as well as the Queen Mother’s.  Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, also got married there, to Sarah Ferguson in 1986.

The Abbey is 1000 years old, but only really became popular for royal weddings in the last hundred years.  Previously they were typically held at Winsor or the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace.

It is known as a “Royal Peculiar” meaning it belongs directly to the Monarch and not the diocese or any province of the church.

Royal Expert Alastair Bruce said, “it means it is her (the Queen’s) church and what goes on in it is up to her and so it is even easier than it would otherwise be for Prince William and his future wife to make the plans they want to in Westminster Abbey and it will be an opportunity really for the whole family to gather within the traditions of that Abbey Church and celebrate the wedding on the 29th of April.”

It was made clear today by St. James’ Palace that the couple wants to be very involved in the planning of their wedding.  They want it to be an event that the public can really enjoy.  It was even floated that some members of the public might be invited into the Abbey for the event.  But the couple is keeping cost in mind too.

It’s a place of coronations, but also it is where Princess Diana’s funeral was held.  Many people speculated that Prince William might want to avoid the venue for that reason, but as we have seen from his presentation of his mother’s engagement ring to his fiancée, he is quite keen to keep her spirit very much a part of his wedding events.

Alastair Bruce said, “I think Prince William in giving the ring that his mother wore to his future wife he’s shown how much he wants to associate with his mother.  The fact that his mother’s very moving funeral took place in Westminster Abbey underlines why it means so much to him and also that is where he will one day be crowned and as that will be the focus of his life with his wife it is a very suitable place for his marriage in April.”

St. James’ Palace has said that the Royal Family and the Middletons will cover the cost of the wedding.  The taxpayer will pay the costs of security and cleaning the streets.

The date, April 29th, will be a national holiday in the United Kingdom.  And fittingly, it is also the feast day of St. Catherine.