Prince William and Kate Middleton Split
You heard it here first. Two weeks ago I wrote about a “screeching of brakes” in Royal circles around the long-standing relationship between Kate Middleton and Prince William. Now they have split up.
The breakup is said to be amicable but, reading between the lines, it’s clear it was William’s decision.
Both were said to be disturbed by the media pressures, especially on Kate in recent months. But does the answer lie deeper than that? Did the pressure translate for William as the public urging him to take on Kate, when he felt he wasn’t ready? Kate may have believed she was being carried along by the tide of opinion — more than 70 percent of the British public approved of her as a future Queen, around the number that supports the Monarchy.
But that pressure clearly worked negatively for William. We know he likes to be in control, to make up his own mind. He is said to be stubborn in private, never allowing courtiers to railroad him into anything he doesn’t want to do. We now know his mind. Should we have known it sooner?
There may have been other forces at work too. Some of the major aristocratic families surrounding the Monarchy may well have taken exception to stories about Kate’s family. The Mail’s piece calling her a “coal-miner’s daughter” must have struck home. Also tales about her mother’s background can’t have helped.
Although Princess Diana was the most outgoing of people and loved mixing with all manner of folk, she was a high aristocrat by birth and upbringing. It showed in her choices for her two sons. She wanted both boys to go to Eton and then into the Guards, a very upper class path through life. Despite her absence from the scene for 10 years, both William and Harry have done just that.
Personally, I’m sorry that they have split. Kate is a very pleasant personality and added a non-flashy glamour to the Royal Family. She proved she could do the job by her ability to cope with crowds and cameras. Of course, we haven’t heard her speak yet, so have no idea of what she’s like as a private person. That is probably unlikely to follow now, unless she takes up a career in broadcasting.
It has to be said, Prince William’s reputation will suffer from this. The aura of solidity and stability created by a steady girlfriend of five years has gone now, leaving him with only the Army as the mainstay in his life.
His next choice of regular female companion will be indicative of whether he’s beginning to look into the longer term, or if he’s still locked into cheap nightclub pickups. We await the outcome with interest.
One final thought : could this be a ploy to give both of them a breather, only for the relationship to begin again in a year or two with an engagement announcement?
I don’t think so … but you never know.
Royal Anecdotes will be counting them all out, and counting them all in.
John I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before they broke up. I am willing to wager that the picture of William holding that girls breast was one of the final straws.
By Trudie on April 14th, 2007 at 11:04 am
It all went very quiet a month or so ago, Trudie. We can see now that this was brewing up. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Lets blame Diana again./Diana chose another School for Harry cause he was dyslexic.The school she chose was focusing mostly on sports related studies.His father and Tiggy decided Eton,Diana was already one year dead by then.
She wanted William to study in the Us.And if she was alive today,i think this decision would have been taken much sooner,Marry her or leave her,not dragging her around for so many years.William is the making of Charlea and the Highrove set.As i said,she served her purpose and when she started becoming unpopular and called unsuited by Williams friends,she was dropped.Actually John i predicted the break up months ago.
By shake on April 14th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Shake, you make a lot of negative claims about the Royal Family out of antagonism. When some of them prove true, you claim you were right all along.
But it’s like playing a roulette wheel and backing red every time. You’ll win a few, but you’ll lose money in the long term.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Blablablabla John.So no Easter engagement after all?Stop blaming Diana.There is nothing else to say.
By shake on April 14th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Or even better,as so many Royal boards and William fans do now,Lets blame poor Kate while Golden boy comes out clean after dragging Kate around for so many years.I hope she walk throu this stronger and i hope her family in the long term will be happy,cause she escaped.
By shake on April 14th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
If you read my post, carefully, Shake, you’ll see I don’t “blame Diana” at all. She was an aristocrat’s daughter and behaved like one.
Nor do I blame Kate. In fact, I’m very sympathetic towards her case. As for William, I think he’s not come out of this well, but will recover in time.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I have read enough of your posts.Maybe a summer engagement then?Well thats all.By bye.
By shake on April 14th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Shake, I’m weary of your whining already. Go and post on the more hysterical, hate-filled boards that you seem to prefer.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
John, the jury is still out on this one. It doesn’t smell right. But even if it’s true, I don’t think their story is over yet. The key is what happens when he leaves the military. I feel rather sorry for him and for any woman who follows behind this relationship.
As usual, I think William and his family have made a PR blunder. If the film The Queen is to be believed at all, that family of his is tone deaf.
But in the end if all of this is rock solid true and their romance is done for good, I hope he picks someone as appropriate and lovely as Kate. I will support his next choice just as much as I support Kate. Why? Because William seems a decent and nice person who deserves a little happiness and stability in his personal life. That is all that I wish for him. Despite all of his vast privilege, I feel sorry for him that he has to live under a microscope like this. I also feel badly for Kate, but she’ll be ok.
By Positive on April 14th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I love how you are like “I PREDICTED IT” but for years you would have bet your life savings that they would get married.
By Margaret on April 14th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
The fact is, people do change their minds. What’s true in January may not be true in April. That’s life. Get over it.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Pos, I’m a bit disappointed too, and no doubt we’ll hear more of the facts in due course. We won’t now have a Queen Catherine, but no doubt someone else will hove into view.
By John on April 14th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Hey Margaret. I was woefully WRONG. Sue me.
But if they end up together, how about a promise from you to reciprocate and admit the same???? With a smile and with grace??? No??? Didn’t think so.
By Positive on April 14th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I agree with Positive that this appears to be a PR blunder by the Royal Family. Nevertheless, the young couple must do what is best for them. Royal life is difficult enough without the problems being compounded by a troubled marriage. As for what Prince William chooses to do now, we must wait and see. This may be a wake-up call for the tabloid press. Prince William is not going to allow them–or anyone else–to choose his bride for him, nor the time schedule of his engagement and wedding. It may also be a veiled warning to the officious men at the Palace who see it as their business to manipulate everyone within the Royal sphere to suit their agenda. Prince William apparently is adamant that he will not be ‘managed’ by them or anyone else. That will be a decision that works to Prince William’s advantage only if he does not make any serious blunders on his own. If, as has been theorized by others here on this site, Kate simply got tired of Prince William not paying her enough attention, she is less clever than I thought. I don’t even live in the UK, but I certainly know that one does not make demands of a member of the British Royal Family. It just isn’t done. In the meantime, we appear to be back to Square One. This all may be for the best and from our points of view, we now have before us a blank slate that may prove to be quite interesting.
By Gigi on April 14th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
i don’t know what to think..but, I don’t think its a pr stunt.
By Ziny on April 14th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
And I even thought they were maybe already engaged, as Kate looked very happy these last weeks.
Something has changed since she complained about the photo published in the Mirror. Maybe the Queen asked William to take a decision, who knows, thats why we heard she thinks theres no rush to marry. Anyway, Im disappointed but not surprised. William acted like if he wanted to be dropped.
Positive, the thing is not a question of being deaf, William must take the better decision for him and for his country. He must marry the woman he loves, instead of marrying the woman the people love. Everyone still remember his father’s mistake.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 14th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I don’t think it’s a PR Blunder, I just think they were University lovers,girlfriend-boyfriend and the relationship took it’s course, it’s over. William should NEVER be forced into a marriage and I’m glad he stood his ground and did not propose , despite constant press prodding. Kate is a big girl, she lived with him,she modeled in underwear, she waited for him, maybe those were the PR Blunders for her, everything was too public. Other future brides took their romance behind the scenes after being found out they were dating. Sophie was given a Palace apartment for use on weekends. Kate was followed by the media all the time, but I think the Queen’s statement about attending friends house parties , (instead of nightclubs, falling out of the doors all hours of the night , bringing even more Paparazzi attention.) If William was serious about marriage with her, he would have seen to it, Kate was given some privacy at Clarence House, so they could conduct their romance privately. William will move on and so will Kate, I hope. William is allowed to end it with Kate, she was a girlfriend, not his fiancee. It was obvious he wasn’t ready.
By mandy on April 14th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
This is why, John, that I never believe your predictions that they’ll be engaged.
Sad to hear they’ve split….and good luck…
By Julius on April 14th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Lots of couples have split and gotten back together, so let us not err by overcorrecting and counting anyone out just yet. The final act of this play has yet to be performed, and it may not even be written yet. John was only one of many who predicted and believed the signs coming from the Palace and the couple in question that made us all think Prince William and Kate would be engaged in the near term. None of us can know the dictates of another’s heart.
By Gigi on April 14th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Excellent post John. It’s not anyone’s business to know what happpened. They were a lovely couple to look at but something never quite seemed right.
The nicest thing is that both of them have bright futures ahead.
By Mrs. Peperium on April 15th, 2007 at 12:15 am
While Kate’s seemingly WAG lifestyle was a put off for me, I think that she had a sense of normalcy that we could relate to. I hope that the next girl isn’t some snooty society girl with four names, all hard to pronounce.
By Leanna on April 15th, 2007 at 12:52 am
i dont know, but in the good part of this is that it shows he is not like Charles… he is young and he wants to get to meet someone else before settling down.. I mean, who knows? they might even get back together in the future..
By Ziny on April 15th, 2007 at 12:57 am
But, doesn’t this seem like Charles? Think about his first romance with Camilla (pre-Diana). Does anyone see the similarity? This seems like a rash decision to me. Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago that someone spoke on Prince William’s behalf that he was talking about marrying Kate? I hope that he isn’t just reacting to the press. It would be a shame for Prince William to hurt Kate just to stand his ground with press and other Royal manipulators. After all these years, you would suspect that he would be better at handling these pressures. The outstanding issue is if Kate refused to be patient. He could have been reacting to an ultimatum. Some girls do think that is necessary, but I can’t see how that would work with Prince William. Kate may have never understood that she would always be #2 after his duty. If that is the case, then this breakup may be better to have occured now then later. I suspect their will be more to come on this.
By Cate on April 15th, 2007 at 2:30 am
John I’m glad you let Shake come back!!!!! She was right all along. I had a funny feeling when William allowed his friends to mock Kate with references to her parents former jobs as airline attendants that he did not care one iota for her feelings. The golden boy humiliated her so many times that if she even thinks of going back to him it would only be the same boorish behavior we can expect from his father. I hope that Kate finds a man who will openly love her and respect her. William is just an emotionally devoid dud!!
By Trudie on April 15th, 2007 at 3:08 am
I hope he doesn’t regret this like in 10 years when/if he’s married to someone else. I hope Kate is able to move on with her life. Kate, come to America for a few years, where you can go on the mend in peace. What a terrible thing to be dropped by him so publicly. I’m sure she is miserable right now, but this has probably been coming for a while. I think the death blow came when the Queen told him he did not have to be pushed into anything.
The hopeless romantic in me thinks they need a few years more of separateness, he needs to sow his oats, she needs to begin a career, and then, later on, three or four or five years down the road, when he’s tired of bars and society girls, they reconnect. On Kate’s terms. Or not. Never say never.
I’m going to go to the other growup board, the one where I feel like the kid, and hear what they have to say about all of this.
By Positive on April 15th, 2007 at 4:41 am
I think William is showing that he HAS A MIND of his own, which is good. No family, no press, no girl, no one can make him commit to a union he doesn’t want. I think he is decisive because HE NEVER SAID ,HE wanted to marry Kate….the PRESS always said they were getting married. William dated her, she was his girlfriend, he was her boyfriend and it has ended. It was not sudden by many reports, it started unraveling around the Passing Out ceremony, despite all the pretty pictures, things
were not working. The Cheltenham outing, William looked tense,I think some of the press noticed and made references to it, but most people wanted to believe the Fairy Tale so they ignored it.
By mandy on April 15th, 2007 at 6:17 am
Actually he was advised to dump her by his father while his grandfather told him he should reach a decision,I was suspecting the Queen wanted the mariage in order William to setle as soon as possible to family and duty life.I heard it by courtiers that Kate seems perfect cause nor she or her family talked,and she puted up with some mean stuff without reacting dramatically.It was Ch and Charles who didnt wanted William to marry ,it will have overshadowed great daddy,who told William numerous times he was too young and he is thought to be the one who told William the 28-30 is a good marying age,remember Charles said it himself once..For just another time Willie does what makes his papa happy.I do hope its true that Kate will work in Italy in the next months on her art degree(she did this in her gap year too)and i hope she will find a rich Italian,who will show her affection and love.I read the articles today,and Yes how i arrogant i iam i had predicted this,how she and her family are being blamed.As if the NOTW is getting quotes straight from Ch.They have learned nothing.He was out partying signing iam free last night and drinking heavily.All his chums are out accusing her and her family/Poor Kate.
By shake on April 15th, 2007 at 6:32 am
In fact Kate and her family are coming out as the class act in this,cause they have remained silent,while Ch has leaked everything and Williams friends are in every paper saying how common,midle class was,how pushy was her mum,how Kate was pressuring William(THEY WERE TOGETHER FOR 5 YEARS,WHAT WILLIAM EXPECTED?TO WAIT FOR 20 YEARS?)and all that/I wont blame her family if they get angry and do a kiss and tell on golden boy.After all he made it heavily public,by inviting her family in his Sandhurst papare,a sign he was going to marry her.He went very publicly in summer vacations with her and her family in Ibiza where he hugged and smooched Kate and showing how comfortable he was with her family.Sorry but in Greece we have a think called honor.William not only betrayed Kate by her whole family too cause he used them.I do think he make them all believe he was about to marry her at some point.Now there are leaks from his friends that he even liked Chelsy more calling her more bright than Kate.
The more i hear the more i feel kate had a lucky escape.All the best to her.She is becoming again the girl i used to like so much at Uni.
By shake on April 15th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I think the best article around By far and the one the Mail chose not to put on their Internet site is by Christopher Wilson.He says it as it is without being afraid.One of my favourite Royal writers.
Ahistoric act of follyand supreme egotism on the partof the Prince
By shake on April 15th, 2007 at 6:56 am
You see how she was perfect Princess Material,great girl,better than Diana,from a midle class good bonded family and all that two days ago,to unsuited not posh enough,her mother was pushy,she was a doormat and pressuring poor William,want to be a Princess at all odds woman today?The dead mad Diana said it so many times,used to serve their purpose and then dropped and let be eaten by the wolves.Her family especialy who took William in their family bond,must understand now,what it means being a Windsor,how easily they drop you,and in all of their sadness feel a litle lucky their daughter escaped.
By shake on April 15th, 2007 at 7:52 am
The truth is Kate was dating the future King of England. For 5 years she had a wonderful opportunity to see inside a world few ever get to see. During those 5 years, the ‘Firm’ did treat her well. They are treating her well today.
She just wasn’t the girl for William.
As for the Prince Charles/Camilla comparison that one poster made, the truth is Kate could only end up being like Camilla, if she really is like Camilla. Camilla wanted to be Queen more than any other woman in the world and lived her life accordingly. Amazingly, after 35 years, she pulled it off. most women would have moved on a long time ago.
By Mrs. Peperium on April 15th, 2007 at 11:56 am
John,there are heavy rumors around from this morning.Already two publications are willing or will name “the reason”.I must say i never believe it would have been out.Who knows,they will probably save it until the last minute/Try and find why Clive Goodman was realy jailed.Things are heating up,so i must go back in again.Its a huge backlash againt William,thousands messages on Papers websites and Channels against William.I who iam so negative of him didnt expected this,and the papers who went soft on him and heavy on Kates family ,i doubt they expect it either.But the mood has changed dramatically.Except the usual William devoted fans who will excuse everything on him,now 90% of the people talking writing and sending messages says,Like Father like son.Email me for more details.
By shake on April 15th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
William has had a lot of conflicting advice and finally made up his mind. I think the Mail story of, “It’s not fun anymore” is probably as close to the truth as we’ll get.
The News of the World has the Queen saying to William, “We don’t want another Diana”, which is absurd, as the Queen would never be so insensitive as to say that to Diana’s son.
The Sunday Times says, “Friends said Prince William and Kate Middleton would remain firm friends but they were both too young for a relationship”.
Too young? They’re 24 and 25. If they’re not mature enough now, will they ever be.
Most of this stuff is just plain wrong. I think my post above comes closest to the complexity of the situation and the difficulties around taking a decision. (Shameless self-promotion
By John on April 15th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Oh for me I would love to know what was “real reason” about Goodman’s imprisonement. Sounds incredibly interesting.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 15th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Clive Goodman was convicted in a court of law on phonetapping charges. It’s a major offence and he deserved to be imprisoned.
No conspiracy was involved, unless, of course, you’re paranoid.
By John on April 15th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Absolutely John.
It hilarious to read that everything they do or don’t have a link with conspiracies.
They split and thats life. Thats all
By Lilyfromfrance on April 15th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I want to add something that I read in an American tabloid a few days ago that the problem lies with CH. In the article it was said that Camilla was giving Kate advise on the RF and trying to befriend her like she tried to with Diana to further her own agenda. It seemed the Queen was thinking of the crown skipping to William and Kate as they are young and popular and the public simply do not want C&C on the throne. But Camilla is determined to become Queen so although I usually do not believe tabloids this does seem plausible that C&C and their courtiers applied pressure to William in hope of a break up. Fortunatly for Kate she has escaped a life of pain and misery that poor Diana endured.
By Trudie on April 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I don’t think Camilla’s wishes are superior than what William wants, or more important than the Queen’s wishes. William is stubborn he does what he wants, why should he listen to his father and Camilla’s advices? They aren’t an example to follow. Don’t believe “the fun has gone”, “Kate’s mother was a problem” etc. Thats rubbish.
Since the last time she complained against the Mirror, his family asked William to take a decision. He has discovered a fantastic lifestyle, boozing, girls, freedom, and I think it an enough reason for dumping Kate. It could be the reason but I don’t believe it. Theres no conspiracy nor secret reason. My feeling is just there is someone else in the background. Maybe he met someone else. Otherwise the Queen would never have said she is sad. Thats not the first time they split, but before it was almost hidden. This time, somebody wants the whole world to know. And I hardly believe it is Kate’s choice. Just wait and see for knowing who is the next girl.
As conclusion I would say we can be sure one day he will regret Kate. He could never find such a nice and patient girl. Whatever she hasn’t any blueblood in her veins. Shame.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 15th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
John, I was saddened to hear about the breakup, I had really hoped that they would make it as a couple. I’m currently attempting to wade through the morass of articles and tabloid headlines to make sense out of the whole thing, but it seems that the bottom line is simply that Prince William decided that the relationship was no longer working for him.
I firmly believe that the decision was on his side, but I also believe that when William informed Kate of his feelings on the matter, she realised he was serious and let go of the relationship as any normal woman would.
I would dearly love to speculate that they might get back together after a considerable cooling off period during which Prince William would be able to enjoy the life of a single adult man, but I’m not sure that wouldn’t just be wishful thinking on my part.
Some of the stories I’ve read regarding Kate’s mother Mrs. Carole Middleton, make her sound as if her personality puts her beyond the pale, which would never do for the mother-in-law of the future King of England. What’s funny is that none of the stories claim that Mrs. Middleton has actually done anything untoward per se, (other than the unfortunate gum chewing episode during Prince William’s passing out parade) it seems to be observations on her personality, labelling her pushy and ‘twee’ and calling her a rabid social climber, as well as describing incidents wherein supposedly William’s friends have made fun of Carole Middleton’s former profession and made fun of Kate for having a mother who had been a former stewardess.
Those things sound very cruel to me, but they also sound like this is considered to be very permanent, and that Prince William is allowing them to bad-mouth Kate’s family because he has no intentions of ever getting back together with Kate.
I’m saddened by the cruel comments that seem to be popping up from all over, I find it in very bad taste, and as the english say: Not cricket at all. I like Prince William, and I’m hoping that he actually isn’t even aware of the cruel comments that are being made, and I’m hoping that he doesn’t condone them at all.
By Mapleleaf on April 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I hope Kate will find what she wants to do and do great things. She will rise above this. Top gal.
By pip on April 16th, 2007 at 10:14 am
I have to agree with Mapleleaf this sounds like a permenant split if William is not willing to defend the Middletons from all the cruel comments he truly is a lesser man and Kate and her parents are showing what true class is all about. Gigi and Pos I will be off to my own royal wedding taking place on Friday I just hope my princely son and new daughter in law have a truly happy life I’ll let you know the details when I get back. I just wish Kate finds a truly good man and has the life and family she probably would not have had if she had married into the royal family.
By Trudie on April 16th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Best wishes and blessings to the bridal couple, Trudie~! I know it will be beautiful and I can’t wait to hear all the lovely details!
By Gigi on April 16th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Trudie, send me some pics and I’ll put them up as Royal Anecdotes’ own Royal wedding.
By John on April 16th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Excellent notion, John! What a lovely idea!
By Gigi on April 16th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
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