Prince William will not get engaged to girlfriend Kate Middleton for at least another 18 months, it has been claimed.


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The royal – who has been dating the 26-year-old since 2001 – would have to speak with several members of the royal family and the government before going down on one knee, according to a senior at the Royal Household.

The source told the News of the World: “There is a lot of planning involved in a royal engagement announcement of a member of the family as senior as Prince William.

“A number of high-profile people have to be informed formally, and the couple have to be introduced to the Prime Minister of the day, among others. All this takes time.

“As far as I am aware I cannot see there being an engagement between the prince and Miss Middleton for at least 18 months.”

The royal couple were together at a wedding for the first time in three years when they attended a friend’s ceremony in Austria on Saturday (05.09.08).

William requested SAS-trained bodyguard Dominic Ryan – who usually minds his father Prince Charles – look after Kate for the day.