THE Queen is "absolutely delighted" at the news of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement, Buckingham Palace said today.

After months of speculation, the couple finally announced they will marry in London in spring or summer next year.

William and Miss Middleton, both aged 28, became engaged while on holiday in Kenya last month.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are absolutely delighted for them both."

After the wedding the couple will live in north Wales, where the Prince is serving as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Clarence house said in a statement: "The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.

"The wedding will take place in the spring or summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.

"Prince William and Miss Middleton became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya.

"Prince William has informed The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father.

"Following the marriage, the couple will live in north Wales, where Prince William will continue to serve with the Royal Air Force."

The Prince of Wales today said he was "thrilled" by the engagement of his son and Kate Middleton.

Speaking at his Poundbury model village in Dorset, the Prince joked: "They have been practising long enough."

Miss Middleton, who comes from a wealthy middle class background, was born a commoner but is now in line to become Queen one day.

She met William at St Andrews University in 2001 while they were studying history of art.

Miss Middleton was credited with persuading the Prince to continue his studies when he considered quitting as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year.

They moved into a shared house with two other friends in 2002 and reportedly became a couple around Christmas 2003.

The couple briefly split up in April 2007, reportedly because of the strain caused by William's military career, but they were secretly back together within weeks.

Miss Middleton's millionaire parents Michael and Carole, who is a former air hostess, run a mail-order business called Party Pieces which sells toys and party paraphernalia.

She was privately educated at the £15,000-a-year Marlborough College, where she was a keen netball and hockey player, and has two younger siblings, Pippa and James.

Miss Middleton was dubbed "Waity Katey" for her patience as she waited for the Prince to pop the question.