Bookies close betting on Prince William Kate Middleton Engagement

After 10 years of betting on when and if the couple are to tie the knot, Hills have decided that 2011 looks to be a certainty.

Whilst closing betting on the year of the Royal Wedding, Hills have opened a market on the month that the union will occur. June looks to be the odds on favourite with 1/2 with July coming in at a 3/1 shot. Punters are also able to bet on honeymoon destinations with Mustique being the 4/1 favourite. Australia comes in at 10/1, Scotland 16/1 and Magaluf on the Spanish island of Majorca, the outsider at 500/1.

William Hill's Royal Correspondent Rupert Adams says "Almost every bet we have taken in the last six months suggests a 2011 wedding and as a result we have decided that the market is no longer viable. It is now simply a question of which month and where they are going on honeymoon."

Speculation has been rife over the status of the relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton since they met at university in 2001. Since then, royal watchers, the media and general public alike have held a fascination over when the Royal Engagement will be announced. Supermarket chains have long manufactured Engagement memorabilia despite the fact that no engagement has yet been announced.

However, there seems to be no doubt in the minds of most that the announcement will soon be made. This should also put an end to Kate's nickname of "Waity Katie" as she has been dubbed by some of the media in reference to the very long period of time she herself has been waiting for the official marriage proposal.

Since meeting in 2001, Kate Middleton has endured intense media scrutiny. On October 17 2005, she complained through her lawyer about media harassment. In February 2006, it was announced that she would receive 24 hour Security Detail supplied by the Royal and Diplomatic Protection Department. This further fueled speculation that an announcement would be made. No announcement was made and Middleton was not granted funding for this security.

Media speculation became more frenzied at the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007. This prompted warnings from Prince Charles, Prince Willam and Middleton's lawyers, who threatened legal action. As a result, two newspaper groups have decided not to publish any paparazzi shots of Middleton.

On April 14 2007, it was reported that the couple had split. In June of 2007, there were reports of a reconciliation and Kate was seen in the Prince's company at a number of events. Since then, the relationship seems to have been going strong and the wait for an announcement should be drawing to an end.

What month do you think the Royal Wedding will be in 2011?

1/2 June, 3/1 July, 4/1 January-May, 7/1 August, 10/1 September-December.

Royal Honeymoon Destination:

4/1 Mustique; 5/1 Tanzania; 11/2 St Tropez; 8/1 Caribbean; 10/1 Australia; 12/1 South Africa; 14/1 Kenya; 16/1 Scotland; 25/1 Monaco; 25/1 Gibraltar; 28/1 Cornwall; 33/1 Singapore; 50/1 Japan; 80/1 Germany; 100/1 Las Vegas; 125/1 Desneyland Florida; 250/1 Butlins UK; 500/1 Magaluf.