RESIDENTS in a New Forest village will miss out on Hampshire's wedding of the year.

The Hon Ralph Montagu, eldest son of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, has confirmed that his marriage on April 16 will take place in Belgium.

He and fiancee Ailsa Camm have vowed to stick with tradition and tie the knot in a church chosen by the bride.

Lord Montagu's first wedding was held at Beaulieu in 1959 and his daughter Mary got married in nearby Buckler's Hard in 1997.

However, hopes that Ralph Montagu would also wed in a local church have been dashed.

He and his future wife have picked St George's Memorial Church in Ypres, the Belgian market town destroyed during the First World War.

Beaulieu residents wishing to share in the celebrations will have to wait until June when a tea party will be held at Palace House.

A Beaulieu spokesman said: "Ailsa's parents live in Belgium.

"She has wanted to get married at St George's ever since she developed an interest in the First World War and became involved with associated organisations.

"It's the bride's prerogative to get married in the church of her choice and Ralph was happy to go along with Ailsa's decision.

"However, the family don't want Beaulieu residents to miss out and will be staging a special celebration in the summer."

The service at St George's will take the form of a blessing.

The spokesman added: "The couple are complying with Belgium law, which says people getting married must take part in a civil ceremony prior to any church service.

"However, as far as Ralph and Ailsa are concerned, their real wedding will be the event that takes place at St George's."

The civil ceremony will be held in the UK but the couple are refusing to give details.

Miss Camm will be driven to St George's in a 1914 Alpine Eagle from the National Motor Museum. After a reception at a local hotel, the newlyweds will leave for a honeymoon in the south of France.

Miss Camm was raised in the Netherlands, where her father worked as a scientist for NATO.

She and Mr Montagu, both 43, met at a reception hosted by Lord Montagu three years ago.

Chris Fairweather, chairman of Beaulieu Parish Council, said: "The village is totally delighted that Ailsa and Ralph are getting married. Ailsa's family live in Belgium and it's normal for a wedding to take place in the bride's parish."