Royal Wedding: Ciara Hunt answers your questions about William and Kate

Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton leave after signing a book of condolence for earthquake victims at the New Zealand High Commission in London. (Luke MacGregor/Reuters)

Mark your calendars: the Royal Wedding is now just two months away!

The internet is abuzz with rumours and speculation: what colour will the bride's dress be? what will Prince William wear? where will the couple travel for their honeymoon?

It's more speculation than most brides-to-be suffer.

Then again, Kate Middleton is no ordinary bride.

The 29-year-old brunette has long been a focus of media attention, as journalists around the world tracked her eight-year on-and-off relationship with one of the world's most eligible bachelors.

But in recent days the focus shifted somewhat as Middleton attended her first two official events, including a lifeboat launch in Wales and a fundraising launch at University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

The royal appearances are the first true signs of a monumental transition for the Berkshire native -- from modern bride to modern-day princess.

Ciara Hunt is a royal expert and the CBC's official commentator for this year's Royal Wedding. Formerly the editor-in-chief of Hello! Canada magazine, Hunt has a long history of covering the Royal Family.

In 2010, Hunt covered the visit of Queen Elizabeth II for CBC News has regularly appeared on CBC News for other breaking royal stories. She is currently based in Boston, Mass.

As part of this special interview feature, Ciara agreed to field your questions about the upcoming royal nuptials. You submitted your questions via e-mail, Facebook and our comments section, and now we encourage you to read on to see all of Ciara's answers to your William and Kate queries.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
Read Ciara Hunt's responses to audience inquiries about the upcoming royal wedding below.

shariati: What does she [Kate] dread most about becoming a Royalty?

Ciara Hunt: Hello Shariati,

Kate (or Catherine as she now likes to be called) has had much time to grow into her role within the Royal Family as she has been dating Prince William for eight years. Following the engagement she stated that the road ahead was nerve-racking as she didn't "know the ropes" but was "willing to learn quickly". William has supported Kate throughout their courtship and will continue to guide her especially through their first official tour of Canada.
 
One encounter that definitely kept Kate on her toes was an orchestrated meeting with the Queen. It wasn't until May 2008 that she met the head of the Royal Family at the wedding of Peter Phillips to Canada's Autumn Kelly. According to Kate the meeting went well which no doubt was a huge relief to her.

But there's no denying that Catherine Middleton's most daunting task will be the four-minute walk down the aisle to her Prince at Westminster Abbey. With an estimated 1 billion people due to watch this historic occasion she will not want to put a foot wrong. There can be no doubt that she will carry it off regally.

Denise Sevier-Fries: Did Kate have to undergo a physical examination by the Queen's Physician to determine if she were ale to conceive and carry a child to full term? I remember reading somewhere that Princess Diana did, as all potential Royal brides do, to ensure the propagation of an heir.

Ciara Hunt: Hello Denise,

The Palace would never comment on such a private matter although it has been inferred that Princess Diana did have some tests before her. Prince William and Kate have stated their desire to have children and hope to do so in the future. Then the bigger question will be that of primogeniture, which puts male heirs ahead of females, if their firstborn is a girl.
 
Janet Cobban: Does Kate speak French? Does William? They are visiting Quebec City when they are here in July.

Ciara Hunt: Dear Janet,

The Queen is fluent in French and many of the royals have studied and also speak it. Although the results were not released at the time it is thought that Prince William studied French at Eton and did well at his GCSE exams. The itinerary for the Royal Tour of Canada has not yet been released but if William makes a public address in Quebec one can assume he would open it in French as the Queen did during her tour in 2010. Having seen Kate learn the Welsh National Anthem during her first official engagement she will no doubt be able to converse in French too if needs be.
 
Sean Stephane Martin:
To Kate: Do you guys ever think the hoopla is a bit much and maybe you'd be happier just running off and eloping? I can't imagine getting married under those media-circus circumstances; how do you two keep it together?

Ciara Hunt: Dear Sean Stephane Martin,

I can't speak for Kate but can say that she understands what comes with marrying into the Royal Family - she has had eight years of training! As heir to the throne Prince William's wedding will have the pomp and pageantry of many royal ceremonies. It would be inconceivable that he and his bride elope - the public demands to see this historic occasion and the Royal Family understands this interest.
 
Prince William and Kate have been fortunate enough to have led a sheltered life in the early years of their courtship at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. They treasured this time as they kept their courtship under wraps and away from the prying eyes of the press. As their big day draws near they realise the public's fascination in them and will share their wedding with the world. But thereafter the newlyweds intend to retreat to their sheltered lives in Wales where William is a Search and Rescue Pilot with the Royal Air Force. They have insisted on living without staff and will try to lead a somewhat normal life.