LONDON (AP) — Britain has taken Prince William's fiancee Kate Middleton to its heart, Prince Andrew says.

Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and uncle to William, tells Britain's Press Association that the upcoming royal wedding is "the most wonderful piece of news that the UK has had for a long time."

He says it is wonderful that "the UK has taken Kate to their heart."

Andrew was speaking Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, where he joined the queen and her husband Prince Philip in a five-day state visit.