Bride's family to contribute to costs of next year's Royal wedding

The cost of next year's Royal wedding – including the church service, music, flowers, decorations, reception and honeymoon – will be split between the Queen, Prince Charles and Miss Middleton's millionaire parents, Michael and Carole.

The precedent was set by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's wedding in Westminster Abbey in 1947 and Price Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's nuptials in St Paul's Cathedral in 1981.

It has not been decided who will pay for what, but a senior Royal aide stressed: "The Middleton family from the outset have been extremely generous. They are very very keen to contribute."

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The couple would like to strike a balance between making it an enjoyable day and recognising the precarious state of the UK's finances.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to the young Prince, said: "Prince William and Catherine have made it very clear that they wish everybody to be able to enjoy the day with them. Consequently the day will be a proper celebration for the nation and the realms.

"Having said that, the couple are very mindful of the current situation, and for example Prince William has already expressed a clear wish that any involvement by the armed forces should rely in great part on those servicemen and women already committed to public and ceremonial duties."

Miss Middleton was born Catherine Elizabeth, and April 29 is the feast of St Catherine of Siena.