02 May, 2011

Prince William plans exotic honeymoon

Prince William, centre left, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, centre right, pose for a group photograph with, from back row left, Master Tom Pettifer, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, James Middleton, Philippa Middleton, and front row from left, Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Lady Louise Windsor, and William Lowther-Pinkerton in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, following their wedding at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (Hugo Burnand / Clarence House) 


Prince William is set to whisk his new wife away to a secret hideaway in the Indian Ocean for their belated honeymoon.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- who married on Friday -- had to cancel their initial plans for a romantic break this week so William is making sure he pulls out all the stops when the pair jet out to the exclusive location for a 10-day stay.
The newlyweds are due to fly out by private jet later this month before being taken by helicopter from the mainland to the tropical retreat, which offers almost complete isolation.
A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Kate will have the time of her life. It's everything you could want from a honeymoon destination and more. The prince's protection officers flew out two-and-a-half weeks ago to check it out and their villa has been booked and confirmed.
"It's a real Robinson Crusoe kind of place. If you fancy some company there is a little beach bar and a restaurant. Most people, however, prefer to eat meals brought by the butler on the privacy of their deck while watching the sunset."
It was widely expected the couple would go on honeymoon this week but William -- who is an RAF search and rescue pilot -- had to return to work and have his holiday at a later date.
After their luxurious break, the couple are set to be separated for two-and-a-half months while the 28-year-old duke serves in the Falkland Islands.
William and Catherine have been told the 10-week posting in the remote South Atlantic in September is too short for the duchess to be allowed to go.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "It is a bitter blow for Kate. They have known about the Falklands for several weeks, but Kate was very upset when she first heard. It is an awful way to start married life, especially hard because it destroys the first magic of being together.
"William could probably pull some strings and get out of going. But he is determined to be treated like any other search and rescue pilot."