Mother-to-be Kate Middleton pulls out of society wedding fearing she could go into labour

Duchess was due to attend wedding of Thomas Van Straubenzee and Lady Melissa Percy
Ceremony to be held at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, tomorrow
Kate decides not to risk 300-mile trip just weeks before due date
Best man William will still go - as will brother Harry and girlfriend Cressida

PUBLISHED: 06:02 EST, 21 June 2013 | UPDATED: 06:22 EST, 21 June 2013

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Not taking any risks: The Duchess of Cambridge, who is now heavily-pregnant, has decided not to attend a society wedding in Northumberland

The Duchess of Cambridge has been forced to pull out of attending the society wedding of the year amid fears she could go into labour.

Pregnant Kate, 31, and husband Prince William, were expected to be guests of honour at the wedding of Thomas Van Straubenzee, 30, and the Duke of Northumberland's daughter Lady Melissa Percy, 26, at Alnwick Castle tomorrow.

But while her due date is still some weeks off, the Duchess has decided not to risk the 300-mile drive to the North East.

It is understood William, who is best man, will still be attending with his brother Prince Harry, 28, and his girlfriend Cressida Bonas, 24.

Guests are also expected to include Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

'The birth may be a few weeks off, but there is still a very slim risk she could go into labour,' a source told The Sun.

'Kate is gutted - as are Tom and Melissa - but she decided not to take any chances.'

The Duchess's final official public appearance was last weekend when she attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony with other members of the Royal Family.

But with the wedding taking place in Northumberland and her baby due in mid-July, Kate has decided not to travel.

The groom is a long-time friend of both William and Harry, and the brothers were at the chartered surveyor's London stag do earlier this month.

Mr van Straubenzee travelled to New Zealand with William on a gap year and was reportedly on the phone to Harry when he was mugged in London last year.

'Gutted': Thomas Van Straubenzee and Lady Melissa Percy are getting married at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland tomorrow

Fairytale wedding: The couple will tie the knot at Alnwick Castle, which doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, tomorrow

It was said that Harry alerted police and went out to find his friend after the ordeal.

Lady Melissa is the Duke of Northumberland's second daughter and she will exchange vows with Mr van Straubenzee in a parish church close to her family's ancestral home, Alnwick Castle, near Newcastle.

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Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, attended the 2011 wedding of the bride-to-be's older sister, Lady Katie, to Patrick Valentine.

Ms Middleton is a friend of the Duke of Northumberland's son, Earl George Percy.
Chelsy Davy, who dated Harry, will be among the 500 guests tomorrow.

The bride will leave Alnwick Castle - which has doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films - in a restored horse-drawn carriage that is almost 200 years old.

Close friends Princes William and Harry are still planning to attend the wedding

Cressie Bonas is expected to be at the wedding alongside boyfriend Prince Harry

Celebration: Best man Prince William is still travelling to the wedding along with his brother Harry and girlfriend Cressida Bonas, right

She will wear a Bruce Oldfield dress with flowers by local florist Caro Dickinson, who has also decorated the church and castle.

Lady Melissa, who is a tennis coach, will be attended by her sister and Ms Davy, as well as 12 pages and bridesmaids.

After the 5pm service, a reception will be held in the castle's State Rooms, followed by dinner in a marquee.

There will be fireworks in the evening which the public can watch from the Pastures below the castle.

Soon after the wedding, Lady Melissa's dress will be displayed alongside her sister Katie's wedding dress in The Coach House at Alnwick Castle.

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Thirty years ago when I was pregnant with my first child we had ordered a new car to be collected in Germany. I was so looking forward to the trip but the night before we were due to go I went into labour and our son arrived at 9 am, three weeks early. I never did get my trip to Germany and I always hated that BMW!

- JuliaP , Edinburgh, 22/6/2013 01:05

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Ah to be young, filthy rich and in love! At this point, I'd settle for just filthy rich!!

- Aseret , USA, 22/6/2013 00:25

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Why do you keep referring to her as Kate Middleton when that is not her name or title

- footielad , Brisbane Australia, 22/6/2013 00:24

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Could not care less about the woman and this silly story- JonW , Melbourne, 21/6/2013 23:38...... so why did you click on it then?!

- Such Fun , Cambridge, 22/6/2013 00:01

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I think it's Cressida Bonas. Harry will be preoccupied and William can relax haha! I bet they'll have a great time.

- farfetched , Boston, USA, 22/6/2013 00:01

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Leave her alone. If she feels she shouldn't make the journey at this time, then it is her decision. The baby comes first. Stop criticising her. If she risked it then there would be letters about this, she can't do right for doing wrong.I just hope she will be able to relax before the baby is born, and then enjoy the baby after. Every happiness to both the Duke and the Duchess

- Lancashire Lass , Leyland, 21/6/2013 23:58

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When did she revert back to the name of Kate Middleton?

- dbd68 , London, 21/6/2013 23:49

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Oh I do hope you get comment of the year! Sums it up really... And no, I am not some bitter, loser person, thank you very much.

- Caroline , UK, 21/6/2013 23:48

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are you daily 'fail' journalists living in an alternate universe, or just reading the comments and thinking- we want to wind our readership up? no one cares, even your readers! I just read this rag to amuse myself with the sycophanticsm!

- Robert , Newton Le Willows, 21/6/2013 23:48

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Ooh!!! Chelsea, Harry and Cressida in the same room........ interesting

- millie , exeter, United Kingdom, 21/6/2013 23:45

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