William and Kate delay honeymoon as they head off to weekend retreat

The couple married at Westminster Abbey on Friday and, after spending last night partying at Buckingham Palace with family and friends, are taking a break at an undisclosed location.

But William will return to his job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot next week before the couple finally jet off on their overseas honeymoon.

It had been thought that the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would take two weeks off for the traditional post-wedding break.

But it appears they want some private time in familiar surroundings after one of the most important days in their life saw their marriage celebrated by the nation and beyond.

They will probably travel to the Queen’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland, which will afford them privacy and stunning countryside in which to unwind.

They left Buckingham Palace this morning like a couple very much in love, walking hand in hand to a waiting helicopter which flew them off for their secret weekend break.

Before they boarded the aircraft, palace staff had carried out some of their luggage, which included a bouquet of white blooms.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately.

“Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, the Duke will return to work as a search and rescue pilot next week.

“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.”

St James’s Palace stressed that the couple had asked that the media respect their privacy over the weekend and during their holiday.

The couple are said to still be on a high after their marriage ceremony which was both an intimate family affair and a global event televised across the world.

Yesterday, Kate said of their glittering wedding: “I am glad the weather held off. We had a great day.”

Speculation has been mounting about where the couple could spend their time away together.

The Duke is known to have a deep affection for Africa, and would be on safe romantic territory if he chose to take his wife to Kenya, where he proposed to her last year.

Jordan, with its plethora of ancient sites, has also been touted as a possibility for the couple’s honeymoon.

The Middle Eastern country would no doubt have nostalgic appeal for Kate as her family spent two years there when she was a child.

However its proximity to hotspots such as Syria could count against it.

If they are keen to escape the prying eyes of the media, a secluded Caribbean island might be a safe choice.

Bequia and Necker Island both have the benefit of being easily secured, as does the ultra-exclusive Mustique, where Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, are frequent visitors.

Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has also emerged as a contender.