After a long day of celebrating their wedding among loved ones and friends, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were photographed Saturday morning departing Buckingham Palace, where they spent their first night as husband and wife.
William held Kate's hand as the couple strode across the grounds and flew away in a helicopter, The smiling bride wore wedge heels (the same shoes she chose for rehearsing the wedding earlier this week) and a short blue dress with a jacket; meanwhile, the groggy King-to-be donned khaki and navy casual wear.
What's next for the royal lovebirds? Not a honeymoon, according to a royal press release.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately," the statement read. "Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, The Duke will return to work [in rural Wales] as a Search and Rescue pilot next week. The locations of both their private weekend and their future honeymoon, which will be overseas, will not be disclosed in advance."
By signaling the press to simmer down and take a breather, the Palace certainly seems to be collaborating with the couple on a singular priority: shielding William (and his new bride) from the type of paparazzi-ducking adulthood his late mother, Diana, endured. Not that photogs won't still hightail it to any far-flung holiday spot once news leaks about where the honeymooners end up. But today's official missive from "the Firm" makes it clear. This much-watched relationship thrives on privacy.
