William, Kate put off honeymoon

London: Royal officials say Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge have decided to take their honeymoon at a later date, and William will return to military duty after this weekend.

Officials said on Saturday this is the couple's "personal preference."

Previously, officials said William had scheduled two weeks of leave from his military duties amid indications that the honeymoon would begin a day or two after the wedding.

But the couple said on the website that they would take an overseas honeymoon at a later date.

The couple, who married on Friday at an opulent ceremony at Westminster Abbey, walked to the helipad on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, wearing casual clothes and stopped to shake hands with staff members before heading off.

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They boarded a helicopter to a secret location.

The royal newlyweds started the day by asking the media not to intrude this weekend and to leave them alone when they eventually start their honeymoon.

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Separately, palace officials also asked the media not to reveal where the couple live near William's Royal Air Force base in Wales.

He will return to military duty there as a helicopter rescue pilot after the holiday weekend, which ends Monday.

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The request for privacy was in stark contrast to their accessibility to the public over the previous two days.

William and Kate, who have the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, now seem determined not to let paparazzi armed with long-lensed cameras make it impossible for them to go about their business without constantly feeling they are being stalked.

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Officials have not said where the couple is going for their honeymoon.

The ultimate destination remains a closely-guarded secret, although a number of idyllic locations, including private islands in the Seychelles and in the Caribbean have been mentioned.

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