On the 20th November 2008, HRH Queen Elizabeth will celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss with her husband Price Phillip.

The winter that they married had been one of the worst on record and the country remained in the throes of strict rationing and economic hardship after the Second World War.

Nonetheless, millions of well wishers the world over watched and listened as Elizabeth arrived in the magnificent stage coach at Westminster Abbey to marry her Prince.

Her royal wedding gown was designed by the infamous Sir Norman Hartnell, and was fashioned from ivory satin woven from Chinese silkworms and imported white seed pearls.

A spectacular 13 ft silk train was affixed to the shoulders of the gown and Elizabeth wore ivory satin sandals, trimmed with silver and pearls. Her tiara had previously belonged to one of her predecessors, Queen Mary.

Prince Phillip sported his Royal Naval Lieutenant attire, displaying his medals, the Star of the Order of the Garter and the Star of the Greek Order of the Redeemer. He also carried the royal sword that was later used to cut the royal wedding cake and which had been a gift to him from the King.

A national newspaper has recently reported that Prince William is planning to propose to his long time girlfriend Kate Middleton this Christmas with Royal Courtiers currently alleged to be considering Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral as possible wedding venues.

The revelation comes amid increasing rumours that the announcement of a royal wedding is just round the corner.

26 year old Kate has seen a substantial shift in her position within the Royal family of late. After separating with William for a short time in 2007, she has become engaged in an increasing number of public appointments since their reunion, attending a number of Royal events.

In May she was present at the Windsor Castle wedding ceremony of Prince Williams’ cousin Peter Phillips to his bride Autumn Kelly, even though William was not in the UK for the nuptials.

Insiders anticipate that William will propose to Kate in the near future, with a wedding to be planned for sometime during 2009. The commitment is expected as the Prince achieves a year of various secondments in the armed forces, intended to educate him the inner mechanism of the Military he will one day command.