Royal couple back from island honeymoon

LONDON, May 21 (UPI) -- Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton are back from their honeymoon in the Seychelles Islands of the Indian Ocean, the palace said Saturday.

''The duke and duchess of Cambridge have returned to the U.K. from their honeymoon in the Seychelles," a spokesman for St. James' 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.''

William briefly returned to his posting as an RAF search-and-rescue helicopter pilot after the April 29 wedding in Westminster Abbey, and the couple took off about a week later.

On their last day in the Seychelles, the couple thanked the local coast guard for protecting their privacy, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean-Paul Adam saw the couple off at North Island Friday and said, "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," Sky News reported.

Their accommodations are believed to have cost $6,500 a night.