Prince William, Kate Middleton will not 'tie the knot until 2010'

Melbourne, Sept 7 : Prince William's engagement with his girlfriend Kate Middleton could be at least 18 months away.

A senior Royal Household source has insisted that any Royal wedding talk was premature, for the couple may not tie the knot until 2010.

The couple sparked a flurry of excitement as they posed for photographs at a friend's wedding in Austria.

It was the first wedding the pair has attended as a couple for nearly three years, with Middleton having appeared by herself at two royal nuptials this year while William was away working with Britain's armed forces.

However, the source has played down the chances of the couple's marrying any time soon.

"There is a lot of planning involved in a royal engagement announcement of a member of the family as senior as Prince William," News.com.au quoted the source, as saying.

"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 source added.

ANI