William and Kate 'eye honeymoon in Jordan'

The Middle East's Jordan is rumoured to be high on the list of preferred honeymoon destinations for Prince William and his new bride.

The newly-wed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were due to set off on their honeymoon to a mystery location on Saturday but St James's Palace announced they were not going to leave immediately and were staying in the UK for the weekend.

The newlyweds “have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately,” St James’s Palace said. “Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, the Duke will return to work.”

The couple's destination has been a closely guarded secret but the UK's Sunday Telegraph reported that Jordan is their favoured destination.

UK bookmaker Paddy Power said it has Mustique as the favourite, followed by Jordan, the Seychelles and Australia.

It said the couple were understood to be considering several options for their honeymoon break, but the Middle East country was their preferred foreign destination.

Jordan would have great nostalgic appeal for Kate as her family spent two years there when she was a child, the paper said.

It added that there were reports that the couple have booked a tailor made private tour of southern Jordan, including a visit to the ancient city of Petra.