William-Kate wedding 'not to be aired in 3D'

London: Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton's marriage, considered as the wedding of the
century, will not be aired live in 3D because of space constraints, Britain's Royal Palace has said.

Several broadcasters were reportedly in discussions with the Royal Family about the three-dimensional coverage of the April 29 wedding from Westminster Abbey.

However, a palace spokesman said the idea to cover the wedding in 3D has been ruled out because of the space needed for the format's cameras and its relatively small audience, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Broadcasters had hoped to be given permission to use the technology to show the event which is expected to draw a huge worldwide audience.

In an email to the BBC, Sky News and ITN, Patrick Harrison, the press secretary of Prince of Wales, cited a range of issues for the refusal.

Advertisement

He said the "additional camera footprint" in the Abbey was a factor along with not wanting to be "distracted" from organizing the event for traditional forms of coverage, and the low, but growing, audience for 3D.

Harrison explained that the decision had been taken in consultation with the prince and his fiancée, William's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and Westminster Abbey officials.

Advertisement

"I'm afraid I have to say that we have decided not to progress with 3D coverage of the service on this occasion," the Royal aide said in his email.
     
"There are a number of reasons for this, most notably the additional camera footprint in the Abbey, the relatively small (albeit growing) audience for 3D, and our desire to not be distracted away from negotiating and facilitating the optimal 2D, radio, photographic and online coverage of the day."