Prince William and Kate end Seychelles honeymoon

[May 21, 2011]  NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Britain's newly married Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, have left the island nation of the Seychelles after a 10-day honeymoon, officials said Saturday.

"They left happy and clearly content with their stay," said the head of the Seychelles tourism board, Alain St Ange, who saw the couple leave Friday.

William's office at St. James's Palace confirmed the couple had returned to Britain.

The palace said the couple "thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special 10 days."

The island nation's foreign minister said the nation was proud to host the couple.

"The people of Seychelles are truly honored that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway," Jean-Paul Adam said in a statement released by the government.

The string of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Kenya is known for its sandy beaches, clear waters and secluded hideaways.

"We hope their stay was everything they had hoped for and we look forward to welcoming them back to our shores again in the future," Adam said.

The Seychelles coast guard helped ensure the couple's privacy as they stayed on North Island. On their last day the royal couple invited the coast guard ashore to personally thank them for their efforts.

The couple married last month before heading off to the island chain. The royal family and the Seychelles government had refused to disclose their location, saying the two were entitled to privacy on their honeymoon.

"In a world of so much turmoil they bring a welcome and much-needed breath of fresh air with their warmth and humility," said the Seychelles high commissioner to Great Britain, Patrick Pillay, who was also present to see them off.

[Associated Press]

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