LONDON: Royal officials say Prince William and Kate Middleton have decided to take their honeymoon at a later date, and William will return to military duty after this weekend. Officials said Saturday this is the couple's “personal preference.” There were earlier indications that William would use two weeks leave for an immediate honeymoon. But they will spend the weekend in private in Britain, and then leave for a honeymoon abroad some time in the future. Prince William will resume his job as a helicopter pilot next week before going on a honeymoon abroad with his new wife, royal officials said Saturday. After partying through the night as the pomp and splendor of Friday's service gave way to dinner and dancing — and a chance for the younger royals to let their hair down — the couple were expected to set off for a mystery location. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately,” St James's Palace said in a statement, referring to the couple by their new titles bestowed by Queen Elizabeth. “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,” it said, adding that the couple will spend the weekend in Britain, although not at their Welsh home. William has reportedly not even told his new wife where they are going on honeymoon, leaving speculation to grow over possible destinations. The second-in-line to the throne has a deep love of Africa and he proposed to Kate in Kenya last year, so that has been mooted as a possible honeymoon spot. Jordan has also been touted as a possibility and would have nostalgic appeal for Kate as her family lived in the kingdom for two years when she was a child. But given the current upheaval in the Middle East, it would be considered a compromised choice. A secluded Caribbean island would allow the couple to escape the prying eyes of the media. Bequia and Necker Island all have the benefit of being easily secured, and Kate's wealthy parents are frequent visitors to the ultra-exclusive Mustique. Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has also emerged as a contender. Whatever the choice, the honeymoon is set to be the first test of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's relationship with the British press. William is believed to be determined that after the couple shared their wedding with the world and an estimated one million people on the streets of London, he wants to have some private time with his new wife. He is known to harbor deep resentment against the media after the death of his mother Diana, princess of Wales, killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 as she was being pursued by photographers. The royal family is believed to be prepared to take legal action to prevent any media outlet attempting to disrupt the honeymoon. Following the wedding of Diana and Prince Charles in 1981, they spent the first stage of their honeymoon in England, staying at the home of the groom's great-uncle. They then embarked on board the royal yacht Britannia, visiting Gibraltar before cruising to Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, the Greek islands and Egypt and then going to Scotland to spend time with the royal family at Queen Elizabeth II's private Balmoral estate. But the Britannia — which solved the headache of royal security for holidays — was decommissioned in 1997.
