PRINCE William and Kate Middleton go their separate ways yesterday to spend the final days before their wedding apart.

The couple said an emotional goodbye knowing the next time they meet it will be to tie the knot at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

Wills headed to Clarence House. Kate will be with her parents in Berkshire before moving to a London hotel. A source said: “They are nervous, but hugely excited.”
THEY’VE been side by side for weeks enthralling crowds around the nation as a couple head over heels in love preparing for their big day.

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But yesterday, Prince William and Kate Middleton went their separate ways to spend their last days as singletons apart.

And after an emotional goodbye, the couple headed off to different homes, knowing they would not see each other again until the bride walks up the aisle at Westminster Abbey on Friday to be reunited with her groom.

The separation will have been a wrench for William, 28, who knows his support for Kate has eased her nerves in the run up to the wedding, that will be watched by two billion people around the globe. He will spend the next two days at his London home Clarence House and is expected to have a “quiet” last night as a bachelor with brother Harry, his best man.

Kate will stay with her parents Carole and Michael before heading to the Goring Hotel in Mayfair on the eve of the ceremony.

No doubt their separation will give them both time to contemplate the enormity of the day – and the excitement will turn to nerves.

A source said: “Of course they are nervous and they have been using recent time to take stock and talk each other through the day. They are very much in love and can’t wait to be married.”

But the cleric who will be the first to meet Kate as she arrives at the Abbey insists the 29-year-old bride will be calm before the wedding.

Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: “I’m not sure exactly what I will say to her.

“I suppose I might have to make up a joke or two.

“I think I will just welcome her and assure her that everyone is with her, that’s one of the key things.

“The congregation is made of up people who will be thrilled to be here. I feel she will have a sense of calmness.

“I’m sure there will be a great sense of excitement. It’s important that she’s enjoys it. It’s important William enjoys it.”

William, who has admitted his knees have been “tapping” as the big day approaches, yesterday drove himself out of the driveway of the Middleton’s £1million home in ­Bucklebury, Berks, at 9am to head for London.

Just six hours later Kate also drove herself and sister Pippa in her black Audi out of the house – returning within 45 minutes. It is believed Kate was making some final wedding arrangements with close friends and picking up some last-minute items from local shops.
The couple had spent Easter weekend in the country with the Middletons.

On Sunday, three Royal Protection Squad cars accompanied William as he pulled into their driveway with a mystery brown package on his knee.

And as the happy pair’s moment in the ­spotlight draws closer friends say they have been trying to stay calm by spending time with their nearest and dearest and keeping life as “normal” as possible.

The source said: “They wanted to spend this last weekend with their families.”

Preparations at Westminster Abbey are now in full-swing, with the 1,000-year-old building closed to the public from today. Flowers were being put in place last night by busy staff. Public prayers were said from the pulpit of the Abbey for the couple for the first time yesterday.

And parts of Central London were in lockdown as late-night rehearsals took place along the procession route to determine timings and help security.

William and Kate will have received numerous lavish presents since announcing their ­engagement but one pen maker is hoping his gift may make an appearance at the ceremony itself.

Rodney Neep, from Cinderfor, Glos, has specially crafted one from Kenyan soapstone.

The 66-year-old former teacher said: “Because they got engaged in Kenya I wondered if it was possible to make a pen from ­soapstone. I made some, put them in a parcel and sent them to Clarence House.

“A week later, I had a very nice letter back. They were pleased and said William and Kate were looking forward to using them. I hope it will be used to sign the marriage ­certificate. I have every confidence because of the enthusiasm in the letter and I’ve already seen William using one in Australia. The signing is done privately, so I don’t know if it will be broadcast. But I’m excited.”

A sailor who claims to be a third cousin of Kate will be among the Navy personnel lining the route of the wedding procession. Able Seaman Dennis Brown, 39, said he discovered he was related after researching his family tree online.

He will be joined by Leading Physical Trainer Gavin Rees who ran PE lessons when the prince was on board Iron Duke. The 26-year-old, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, said: “The first time I had contact with William I gave him 10 press-ups for being late.” Let’s hope Wills is on time on Friday...