More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Caption: Prince William's visits to Kent
The future Queen of England has Kent connections!
Kate Middleton's forbears hail from the county town, according to political sources.
It's said Kate's great-great-great-grandfather John Goldsmith, on her mother's side, was born in Maidstone, and was a general labourer in 1882.
The news was revealed as it was announced today that Prince William is to marry girlfriend Kate next year.
But the engagement was so secret a Kent magician who met the prince last night didn't have an inkling.
Etienne Pradier, of Wye near Ashford, who has performed magic tricks for the royals on several occasions, including a Christmas party at Highgrove, dazzled the prince at Windsor Castle last night with his sleight of hand.
Speaking to kmfm's Katie Lamborn today, Etienne said he was "overjoyed" at the great news.
He hoped there was a chance he would be invited to perform magic at the heir's wedding to Kate Middleton next year.
Etienne said he knew nothing of the royal announcement last night, as he performed for one of Prince William's favourite children's charities.
He described the prince as "a nice, sensible man - a lot of people appreciate him."
Audio: Magician Etienne Pradier's reaction to the royal announcement
And he would be delighted to congratulate the groom-to-be if he meets him soon.
Etienne added: "I would say 'well done. Congratulations!' If I knew about this yesterday I would have made a few magic tricks on the back of that."
Etienne told of a trick last night in which he took a friend of William's watch from him and gave it to the prince.
But the shock news was not as much a surprise to everyone.
Kent psychic Charlotte Clark said she had predicted the Big Day to the Sheerness Times Guardian on October 28.
The Minster medium said she had goose bumps when she heard the announcement.
She said her psychic guide David had told of a spring wedding, with streets lined with flowers and a big and happy occasion.
And a Kent wedding planner predicts a raft of wedding bookings in the royal year.
Haylie Harrowell, who runs Violet Weddings in Maidstone, said she was overjoyed.
She was certain there would be more weddings as a result in the county.
Haylie added: "I think there will be a lot of copycat weddings appearing - whatever colours she chooses or table decorations will automatically become very popular."
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams expressed his delight at the news, but wouldn't confirm whether he would be conducting the ceremony.
According to an official statement, the wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London.
The couple became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya.
Prince William has visited Kent on several occasions, including a funeral at Canterbury Cathedral and a football match at Charlton Athletic's training ground in Bexley (pictured above).
