PRINCE William and Kate Middleton have today announced they will marry in April next year.

The couple will celebrate their big day at Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29, St James’s Palace has announced.

It is understood the cost of the event - including the costs of the church service, music, flowers, decorations, reception and honeymoon - will be shared by the Royal family and the Middleton family.

Prime minister David Cameron has already said the public will enjoy an extra Bank Holiday to celebrate the occasion.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Prince William, said the couple chose Westminster Abbey for its “staggering beauty”, 1,000-year Royal history and intimacy despite its size.

In a briefing at St James’s Palace, he said: “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.”

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said those planning the nuptials were very conscious of Britain’s precarious finances.

“All parties involved in the wedding, not least Prince William and Miss Middleton, want to ensure that a balance is struck between an enjoyable day and the current economic situation,” he said.

“To that end the Royal family and the Middleton family will pay for the wedding.”

He said this move drew directly from the precedent set by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s wedding in 1947 and Charles and Diana’s nuptials in 1981.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said William and Miss Middleton were “completely over the moon” about their engagement. “They’re now getting stuck into organising their wedding. They’re giving us and the Household office very firm direction indeed.”