Royal wedding could mean extra day's holiday

The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton raises the prospect of an additional bank holiday to mark their marriage next year.

Downing Street was non-committal on the subject today, but expectations of an extra day off were the talk of the Twittersphere after it emerged there was to be a royal wedding in 2011.

The marriage of William's parents, Charles and Diana, in July 1981 was accompanied by a national holiday.

There will also be an additional bank holiday - to the regular eight - in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. That was announced earlier this year by the former Labour government.

Coalition ministers must decide whether to grant another day's holiday when William and Miss Middleton tie the knot in spring or summer next year.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "Those sorts of discussions are yet to be had."

Saturday August 13 is the bookies' favourite for the big day. It's the current favourite with Paddy Power at 3/1.

Saturday August 6 has odds of 4/1, while Saturday July 30 - which is just a day after what would have been the 30th wedding anniversary of William's parents, the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales - is on offer at 10/1.

Less likely, according to the bookmaker, is a May wedding, with overall odds for the month standing at 12/1.

A Paddy Power spokesman said: "Now that Will and Kate have finally confirmed their engagement the big question on everyone's mind is what date the couple will choose for their big day.

"The first to find that out will be able to make themselves a right royal mint out of such sought-after information."

The bookmaker is offering odds on a number of wedding-related bets, including the designer Ms Middleton will choose to make her wedding dress, where the wedding will take place and the title the couple will take after their marriage.

The current favourite venue is Westminster Abbey with odds of 6/5, followed by St Paul's Cathedral at 15/8.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is the favourite for the title the couple will assume, at odds of 5/4, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at 13/8.