Kate Middleton and Prince William put honeymoon on hold

Kate Middleton and Prince William are staying close to home

Kate Middleton and Prince William will married at Westminster Abbey

Prince William and Kate Middleton left London by helicopter this morning.

The happy couple, who partied with friends and family at Buckingham Palace until 3am last night, are believed to have been heading for the Queen's Balmoral Estate in Scotland for a mini-break.

'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately,' explains a statement.

'Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, The Duke will return to work as a Search and Rescue pilot next week.

'The locations of both their private weekend before the Duke returns to work and their future honeymoon, which will be overseas, will not be disclosed in advance.

'The couple have asked that their privacy be respected during the coming weekend and during their honeymoon.'

Various honeymoon spots have been tipped for the newlyweds including Kenya - where William proposed to Kate last year, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia - and even the Scilly Isles.

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