Wills and Kate to remain two-dimensional

LONDON - The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be broadcast in 3D, after the British royal family rejected any plans to use the technology inside Westminster Abbey.

"We decided not to progress with 3D coverage, most notably because of the additional camera footprint in the abbey," a spokeswoman for the family said.

Also considered was the "relatively small, albeit growing, audience for 3D and our desire to not be distracted away from negotiating and facilitating the optimal 2D, radio, photographic and online coverage of the day".

British Sky Broadcasting Group, the pay-TV provider controlled by Rupert Murdoch, had been negotiating with royal officials.

The talks, which involved the BBC, included shooting the event in 3D and transmitting it to cinemas, sources said.

The 3D plan drew interest from cinema chains including British operators Cineworld Group and Vue Entertainment.

BSkyB, which started a 3D television channel last year, confirmed the wedding would not be shot with the technology.

The engagement of William - son of Prince Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales - was announced on November 16.

William, second in line to the throne, has dated Middleton since 2003. Their wedding is scheduled for April 29.

- Bloomberg