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William WILL get married to Kate, MPs told
Last updated at 16:52pm on 06.03.07
The Prince and his potential bride
Prince William and Kate Middleton will get married, MPs have been told.
A House of Commons select committee has heard that William, 24, had spoken openly about his plans.
Respected royal photographer Arthur Edwards - who has been honoured with the MBE by the Queen - told the MPs: "She's in love with Prince William. I'm sure one day they'll get married.
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"I have talked to him about that and he's made it clear... he wants to get married."
Clarence House today refused to comment on his plans to marry, saying: "Prince William has no plans to get engaged."
The couple met at St Andrews University in September 2001 when they both studied History of Art.
At the time Miss Middleton was dating another student, Rupert Finch, but was sharing a student house with the prince.
They began dating, in secret, around Christmas 2003. Their relationship first became public when they were photographed together on a ski holiday with Prince Charles in 2004.
Since graduating the couple have holidayed together regularly and spend weekends together at her Chelsea apartment.
Discussing the alleged hounding of Miss Middleton by paparazzi on her 25th birthday in January, Edwards told the Commons culture, media and sport committee: "I felt very sorry for that girl. I just didn't want anything to do with that."
Edwards also stressed that a scrum of photographers outside her London home in the days before her birthday reminded him of the "feeding frenzy" over Diana.
"When I saw the pictures the next day I was horrified. It does remind me of what happened to Princess Diana and I do hope we don't make that same mistake again here," he said.
The Commons committee was examining self-regulation of the press and called on Edwards to give evidence.
His comments emerged during questioning by MPs about the intrusion suffered by the Prince's girlfriend and the impact it could have on a future privacy law.
News International chairman Les Hinton was also giving evidence to MPs and said that the media scrum outside her home in January this year was fuelled by speculation that they were about to get engaged.
Mr Hinton also stressed there was a feeling that "something is going to go wrong here" when it emerged how many photographers were trying to take shots.
Reader views (6)
There are some seriously petty minded people out there if all they can do is dump on a young couple's wedding plans. It smacks of envy, for the most part. Sad really.
- Rogan M., TX USA
If its true then thats great news, I just hope all the voyeurs who fuel the press and paparazzi just leave them to get on with there lives, and not hound them like Williams parents.
- Brian, Swindon
Thats right Lloyd, and no doubt we'll also get an invite to mess around with trident when it arrives, oh and free tickets to the olympics, and a ride in two jags' cars etc. Maybe we could get to travel around the world in Tone's jet!
- Dave, London,
Have a great party! Just don't tell Gordon B or Ken L or they will tax it to death...
- Georgie, London
Why can't everyone just leave them alone? William is only 24 for God's sake and who wants to think about settling down at that age. I feel rather sorry for him - and I don't even like the royal family!
- Sarah, UK
Will we all be invited to the wedding seeing as we'll probably end up paying for it?
- Lloyd, London
