William and Kate delay honeymoon

Newlyweds William and Kate flew out of Buckingham Palace today for a weekend break – but not their expected honeymoon.

After the excitement of their wedding day, which was said to have left the couple “buzzing with happiness”, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have escaped to a mystery UK location.

But it will be quickly back to business as usual for William when he returns to his job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot next week, before the couple finally jet off overseas for their honeymoon.

They celebrated their marriage last night with 300 close family and friends at a black-tie do at the palace that lasted until dawn.

Millie Pilkington, the couple’s private photographer who took informal pictures throughout the day, described the couple as “buzzing with happiness” and the party’s atmosphere as “absolutely extraordinary”.

Asked about the speeches by best man Prince Harry, Kate’s father Michael Middleton and others, she said: “They were hysterical, absolutely hysterical.”

She added: “The evening was buzzing, absolutely extraordinary. The daytime was wonderful – it was very, very relaxing and exciting and spectacular – but the evening was almost more magical.”

The delight of the bride and groom and their immediate family on their wedding day was clear to see in the three official photographs released today.

Hugo Burnand, famed for his shots of the royals, took the images in the palace’s ballroom – with the most striking picture an informal photo of the bride and groom surrounded by the bridesmaids and pageboys.

The excitement of the wedding day – both an intimate event and a national spectacle – was watched by a combined average BBC One and ITV audience of more than 24 million viewers.

In contrast to all the pomp and ceremony of the occasion, Kate’s family quietly returned to their home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, today and slipped back inside without any fuss.

In keeping with royal tradition, Kate’s bridal bouquet was returned to Westminster Abbey where staff placed it on the grave of the unknown warrior today in honour of Britain’s war dead. It was a tradition started by the late Queen Mother in 1923.

Earlier today William and Kate left the palace like a couple very much in love, casually dressed and walking hand in hand to a waiting helicopter which flew them off for their secret weekend break.

It had been thought that the Duke and Duchess would take two weeks off for the traditional post-wedding holiday.

However, it appears they want some private time in familiar surroundings after one of the most important days in their lives.

They will probably travel to the Queen’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland, which will afford them privacy and stunning countryside in which to unwind.

Then, after William has completed a number of search and rescue helicopter shifts next week, it is thought the couple will jet off on their honeymoon.

Speculation has been mounting about where they could spend their time away together.

The Duke is known to have a deep affection for Africa, and would be on safe romantic territory if he chose to take his wife to Kenya, where he proposed to her last year.

Jordan, with its plethora of ancient sites, has also been touted as a possibility for the couple’s honeymoon.

The Middle Eastern country would no doubt have nostalgic appeal for Kate as her family spent two years there when she was a child.

However, its proximity to hotspots such as Syria could count against it.

If they are keen to escape the prying eyes of the media, a secluded Caribbean island might be a safe choice.

Bequia and Necker Island both have the benefit of being easily secured, as does the ultra-exclusive Mustique, where Kate’s parents are frequent visitors.

Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has also emerged as a contender.