Prince William & Kate Middleton is Engaged

Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton pose for a photograph in St. James's Palace, in central London November 16, 2010. 

LONDON - Britain may be reeling from deep public spending cuts but the announcement of Prince William's engagement on Tuesday brought cheer to many, and could boost the country's tourism and souvenir sectors. Prime Minister David Cameron described the announcement that William, 28, would marry long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton next year as "a piece of unadulterated good news that everyone can celebrate." 

Sitting in autumn sunshine outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, where the ill-starred wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer took place nearly 30 years ago, Britons were more optimistic about their son's marriage prospects. He proposed with his mother's blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

People generally smiled when they heard the news that the second-in-line to the British throne had become engaged.

"It will cheer people up as we go into the dark months," said Christopher Fowler, 57, a novelist.

The wedding, to be held in spring or summer, will show the level of affection Britain retains for its monarchy, which has recovered its dignity after the scandals and tragedies of the 1990s that culminated in Diana's death in a 1997 car crash after a high-speed chase through Paris pursued by paparazzi.

Companies including supermarket giant Tesco, British souvenir vendor Glorious Britain and ceramics manufacturer Portmeirion Group PLC were counting on it to help lift sales as austerity measures bite.

"(Tesco) will be helping the nation celebrate with a wide range of gifts, mementoes and products to allow everyone to enjoy the big day and the parties and events taking place across the country," Tesco Media Director Trevor Datson said.

Plates, key rings, thimbles, mugs and spoons will feature among a flood of memorabilia commemorating the engagement and subsequent wedding of the photogenic couple.

For Glorious Britain, which usually caters to the millions of foreign tourists who visit Britain each year, the engagement is a chance to tap the domestic market for souvenirs.

"Royal events, weddings ... events like these appeal to the home crowd as well as visitors," said spokeswoman Karen Sharpes.

(Additional reporting by Mohammed Abbas: Editing by Paul Casciato)

Copyright © 2010 Reuters Foto by(Suzanne Plunkett)

source : The Star Online