Prince William & Kate Middleton to embark on world tour?

Prince William and Princess Catherine are to set off on a world tour next year.

The couple who married at London’s Westminster Abbey on Friday will make official visits to Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean, as well as other Commonwealth countries in Africa and Asia, to ease Queen Elizabeth’s workload in her Diamond Jubilee year.

With the queen reportedly having told fellow members of the British royal family they must rally round as she celebrates 60 years on the throne, it is thought Buckingham Palace officials are hoping to capitalize on the success of Friday’s nuptials, which were watched by an estimated two billion people worldwide.

“Demand for William and Catherine is expected to go through the roof following the incredible reaction to their wedding,” a source said.

“They are keen to settle into married life and only plan the minimum of official engagements. But the Jubilee is different. Next year is major for the royal family and William and Catherine are keen to play their part in it.”

Meanwhile, the couple whose official titles are now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly be jetting off to a secret hideaway in the Indian Ocean for their belated honeymoon after RAF search and rescue pilot William returns to work in Angelsey, North Wales, for three days beginning today.

“Kate will have the time of her life. It’s everything you could want from a honeymoon destination and more. The prince’s protection officers flew out two-and-a-half weeks ago to check it out and their villa has been booked and confirmed,” said the source.

“It’s a real Robinson Crusoe kind of place. If you fancy some company there is a little beach bar and a restaurant. Most people, however, prefer to eat meals brought by the butler on the privacy of their deck while watching the sunset.”