In an official announcement made by the Clarence House on November 16, 2010, the royal wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, and Ms. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton will take place on the 29 April 2011.

HRH Prince William proposed to Ms. Middleton on October 19 2010 while on vacation in the Lewa game reserve in in Kenya, and it was immediately accepted by Ms. Middleton, as related by the groom’s father, HRH Prince Charles of Wales. HRH Prince William presented Ms. Middleton with his late mother’s, the Lady Diana, diamond and sapphire ring with his proposal. HRH Prince William was reported to have sought the permission of his future bride’s parents, Mr. Michael Francis Middleton and Mrs. Carole Elizabeth Middleton, prior to making the proposal, which was wholeheartedly given.

The wedding will be held in the historic Westminster Abbey, and will be presided by The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, revealed Mr. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the Private Secretary for HRH Prince William. Dr. Hall has expressed his delight on the choice and pledged to ensure that it “will be a great and happy occasion for the couple themselves, for their families and friends, for the country and Commonwealth and for well-wishers across the globe,".

In an immediate reaction, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, released the statement, "We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a public holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day,”

The royal wedding is seen not only as a source of pride for the people of the land, it will also present an economic boon as the event is expected to generate in excess of £620 in additional revenue, mainly from tourist related and merchandising activities. It also offers the country an immeasurable amount of worldwide publicity that will create secondary economic activity further down the line.