Posted by Adam

Monday December 7, 2009

BRITAIN’S Prince William and his longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, have hired a wedding planner.

And it isn’t Jennifer Lopez.

The couple have reportedly retained the services of Sarah Sienesi, a “wedding and event consultant”.

Sienesi has quietly been appointed as a lady-in-waiting to the Countess of Wessex, according to the Mandrake column in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“It’s no longer seen as lazy or extravagant to hire someone to help you organise your wedding,” Sarah is quoted as saying.

“People get their groceries delivered at home and employ cleaners, so why not have someone with insider knowledge do your groundwork on the big day?”

Recent reports have claimed that William and Kate — who have dated for around eight years — will marry in 2012 to coincide with Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

“Nothing is set in stone but 2012 is the date that is now being talked about,” a source said.

“The Queen has said she doesn’t want to be overburdened in the year of her jubilee. Having a Royal Wedding is the perfect compromise for keeping the limelight on the Royal Family but taking the pressure off the Monarch.

“Whether William and Kate get married in 2012 or the year before, it will be the Queen who will throw them the most wonderful party and the line of thinking at the moment is that 2012 could be the perfect date. It would be the opportune time to put Britain and the Royal Family on the world stage.”

Tags: kate middleton, prince william