Why Kate Middleton Missed Her February Date With Destiny
I wasn’t going to write this post as I thought it might be a bit sensitive for some. However, Royal Anecdotes’ readers are grown up so it should not be a problem with them. If the views expressed here seem to contradict earlier pieces, let me explain the distinctions. I don’t believe what happened to Kate Middleton had anything to do with snobbery. It was certainly Realpolitik and, in particular, the preservation of the world’s greatest Royal house.
In the clash of dynasties, who you are is more important than what you are.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the English Monarchy was for centuries regarded as French by the English people. To this day, some Parliamentary documents are still written in 11th-century Norman French.
When the Elector of Hanover was put on the throne as George I in 1714, he spoke only German. Three hundred years later the British Royal Family is still called “the Germans” by its enemies, despite George V’s name change from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor in the early 20th century.
By contrast, Prime Ministers disappear when they quit office. Most of them leave little trace. The next one may be totally different in type, character and background. But a King needs the right connections on his escutcheon or his perceived failings will reverberate for centuries.
Back in February it was commonly believed that Prince William would announce his engagement to Kate Middleton. Well-connected journalists Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy thought so. Kate herself expected it, we’re told. Most of us thought it was a done deal.
Now they have split up. What went wrong in February?
I have no direct knowledge of what happened, but looking at the situation from a Royal historical perspective — which won’t be understood by many in these democratic times — I believe the following scenario prevailed :
On the 22nd of December, Christopher Wilson wrote an article in the Daily Mail about his researches into Kate Middleton’s lineage. He called the piece, “Kate, the Coal Miner’s Girl“.
It was around then that the atmosphere cooled dramatically. Kate didn’t go to Sandringham for Christmas. William didn’t turn up at the Middleton’s Scottish retreat for New Year, and a tension was perceptible between them. After a few month’s grace, the relationship was called off.
Undoubtedly, many words have been spoken in private — words we’ll never hear, nor should they ever be released into the public domain. This is not about snobbery or personal superiority, or even about Carole Middleton. The public will judge it as such, of course, but in fact it goes way beyond that.
It is essentially about dynastic survival. Were William to marry Kate — as personally suitable as she is — the House of Windsor would be changed forever.
The aristocracy can be very curt about lineage, especially the lesser families. European Royalty is particularly cutting about alliances not seen to be Royal. You can imagine a future European Royal occasion in which the hosts sigh and say, “Do we have to invite the coal miners?”
Left-wing rags would stop writing about “the Germans” and adopt the same term instead. In the clash of dynasties the House of Windsor would be diminished forever.
A country can always change its Prime Minister or President. Britain will even survive the depredations of Tony Blair. But once the Royal house is marked by genetic inheritance, it’s judged by that forever.
I believe that is what happened between late December and February. I may be wrong, but we’ll never know the truth of the case. The Royal Family keeps its secrets well, as it should.
This is not about the Middletons personally, but the long timelines of Royal inheritance. At the level of Monarchs, times don’t change much.
You are being kind John and I believe you. But what I see as more apparent is a young man who cut bait when the heat got too hot. Now his reasons for that are many and/or debatable: fell out of love, wanted to focus on career, too young to be so serious, no fun anymore, etc. I wish him well. I wish more for Kate, who should ditch that place for a while and come to the States, where you are more respected if you reach the pinnacle from a humble background.
Whatever Kate’s family history, she conducted herself flawlessly for five years, and with class has held her head high, smiled at the camera, and vowed her loyalty by keeping her mouth shut. She is a case study in dignity and grace. And she will ALWAYS be more regal than any of those snobs, junkies, degenerates, who call themselves royal or aristocratic or better than the next human being because of a bloodline. Kate got one thing right: she won’t be marrying BENEATH her by marrying into William’s lot.
By Positive on April 20th, 2007 at 10:48 am
She certainly looked the part, Pos, probably more so than whoever succeeds her. And I believe William genuinely cares for her. But dynastic voices prevailed and history won.
By John on April 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Who can believe the latest comments in the press today - if not content to let it lie and settle down! “Prince William cut a lonely figure as he attended a film in Poole”, “William’s friends are saying that William is already missing Kate”. Nothing like hyping it all back up again is there, after a few days of quieter times.
By SuffolkSim on April 20th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I believe you too, John. The heir of the Spanish Royal Family can marry a commoner, the heirs of Scandinavian Royal Families can marry a commoner, so did the heir of the Royal Family of Jordan, etc.
But we will never see the heir of British Monarchy marry a commoner.
Wills and Kate would have probably spoken about marriage, like every 5 five years couples do. But I begin to think that he probably made her hope too much and used her. She gave him seriousness while Harry was perceived like the party prince. He acted like a cad these past few weeks in order of persuading us that the fun has gone, that he was young and wants to have fun etc. Well, it seems that all these speculations about Kate’s background are maybe true. I agree that all the things took place in February. Maybe someone has taken a decision for William, and he is not the person who wanted to split. Who knows. If all that is true, then this poor Kate has been shamefully exploited.
I can’t believe William showed her at some of his offical things and suddenly realised “the fun has gone”, despite the fabulous army lifestyle he discovered. Too weird.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 20th, 2007 at 11:47 am
John, I don’t disagree with you. We all think about the person of Kate and how flawless she has been, but in the bigger picture it sometimes isn’t about the individual. I wished that the Royal Family would have coached Prince William on this sooner than later, if this was their intent. I suspect they didn’t consider a university girlfriend an issue. What is interesting about this is, aren’t these events so similar to his father Prince Charles? Also, how might this situation be different for Prince Harry? Might he not receive the same sort of pressure?
By Cate on April 20th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
That’s the tragedy for Kate. She did everything right and won the approval of the British public. But, as you say, this goes beyond individuals. William was right to insist it wasn’t snobbery. I don’t think it was at the highest level.
In the end, it comes down to the fact that the qualifications for a Queen Consort are very high indeed, and William may well end up marrying a foreign Princess in his thirties as many European Princes do.
As for Harry, I’ve always had my doubts about Chelsy’s father’s career, although I’ve been totally won round by Chelsy herself, who seems a very worthy girl.
As the spare rather than the heir he may be given special dispensation, as other members of the Queen’s family have. Charles, of course, was persuaded into a suitable but unsustainable marriage.
The Queen must be wondering how these circles can ever be squared.
By John on April 20th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Who are those Europian royals that would object to coal miner’s offsprings? Just recently we’ve had a series of royal mariages to middle-class women in Europe - that in Spain, the Netherlands, Norway… Grimaldi’s icon Grace Kelly was not very blue-blooded, too.
It only takes right aspect and obviously Kate wasn’t fit for that in the end. Not because of her lineage, though.
By Helige on April 20th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Very interesting and well-written article, John, and what you say makes a great deal of sense. If, however, the Royal Family expect Prince William to marry someone suitable of Royal blood, they need to introduce him to some Royal princesses before he gets much older. In the shrinking world of European Royalty, princesses who are good partis for Prince William may be in short supply. The candidate must be suitable, of the right age, attractive enough to tempt the Prince, available, willing to marry into the House of Windsor, and Royal, too. That is a pretty tall order! Furthermore, time melts away.
By Gigi on April 20th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Spot on, Gigi. It is a tall order. Maybe he should retire to a monastery.
By John on April 20th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Of course you’re probably right, but what a pity for William and Kate. Charles did the same thing with Camilla thinking that she wasn’t beautiful enough to be P of W, but in the long run and after lots of heartache for everyone, he married her. Hope this isn’t the past repeating itself.
By Cindy on April 20th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Here is the major problem I see with this particular theory. None of the current Crown Princes of Europe have married royalty and just one has married someone of the aristocracy. Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, commoner Mary Donaldson (in business); Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, commoner Letizia Ortez (news anchor); Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby (who had a child and was a known former drug user), the current Crown Princess of Sweden is dating a business owner and the only nobel who married a crown prince was Countess Mathilde d’Udekem. So now what precedent is there or reason for snobbery from other royal houses? Not even the Japanese can claim superiority since their Crown Prince married a commoner.
By Jessica on April 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Well, Diana was a commoner, but she had almost as much Royal blood as Charles, albeit from the Stuart line. Same for the late Queen Mother.
I agree the latest alliances in Europe are of a different degree — nobody wants inbreeding these days — but big risks are only worth it if there are no alternatives.
By John on April 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Jessica, the Europeean princesses are Roman Catholic. Even Prince Philip had to change the religion before getting married under the British Constitution.
Being a princess is not enough for marrying a British heir of the Throne. If the Constitution doesn’t change and if William wants to marry a Roman Catholic then he will have to forfeit his rights of succession.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Princess Madeleine of Sweden is a Lutheran Protestant. And she’s the same age as Prince William.
By Christine G on April 20th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Others once said similar things to what you have written. As for Kate Middleton behaving flawlessly that is not true, she was photographed in see through underwear type garments, on her introduction to the press, it wasn’t her fault, but that image was never going to make it to Queen of England, it was the first image many Newspapers used in announcing the break up and they always mentioned that William eyes were dazzled seeing her sashay down the Runway in a see through garments. She didn’t help herself further by being seen bleery-eyed falling into a taxi or two, leaving nightclubs. She didn’t help herself waiting two years to get some type of Job, It gave the appearance of a young woman who might be on the lazy-side or just waiting for a tiara.
I do think some of what John has said is reasonable. William has f Royal blood on both sides, even if Diana was a highborn Aristocratic commoner. I think Kate fell for him like almost any college girl would, but moving into his room., giving up her real career goals etc, with no assurances from him…may not have been the smartest thing to do. Live and learn.
Princess Madeline is NOT Roman Catholic, she could marry William, they were born about 10 days apart. Who knows what the future holds. They met once when young, but never really are in the same circles, unless they meet at some Royal function, wedding or something in the future. There are dozens of Aristocratic ladies who conduct themselves well and are already familiar with the inner-working of life in that world. I hope William finds happiness with whomever he marries, I think he will choose someone he is in love with and will eventually be a wonderful Queen Consort. It seems he fell out of love with Kate or it was nearing it’s end of the road. He did the right thing.
By mandy on April 20th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Well Mandy I would like to know who are the dozens of aristocratic ladies who conduct themselves well. All I know about a lot of them are anorexia problems, drugs, alcohol, laziness. Thats not because the press don’t talk about them that does mean they are perfect little rich girls. Not sure thats what William wants, even if they have the good background. Yes Kate like to party but she is not the only one. These “aristocratic ladies” do the same. But they don’t have photographers behind them. Im sorry but Kate conducted her very well. She never tried to hit a photographer, she was never drunk, she has never be seen cuddling with other men. As for the “lazy-side or just waiting for a tiara”, thats a thing that many girls from aristocracy want to aswell. Every body agree that William musn’t be forced to marry a girl that all the press and the public want. Thats the same with princesses.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I could be wrong, but I cannot see Britain being willing to budge on the requirement that the Heir Presumptive marry a Protestant. Too much blood has been shed over that very point, and the British honor their history to an extent rarely equalled by other nations. Therefore, in addition to the many other prerequisites I listed above, the Princess must also be Protestant. The field now narrows alarmingly. Someone had better do something swiftly or I am very much afraid the game is up.
By Gigi on April 20th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Yes, the field narrows, if we must look for a Protestant royal of the right age frame. That would point to northern Europe: Norway, Sweden, Denmark (all Lutheran), the Netherlands (Dutch Reformed).
Would it suffice for a royal/princess to renounce Catholicism and join the Church of England, as Prince Philip did? Then there would be the question: would she?
And of course, the overarching question would be love. If William doesn’t love her, will it work, will it last? Will William go along with the plan, only to find that Kate still has his heart? That could be too reminiscent of Diana/Charles/Camilla.
By Evelyn on April 20th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
William is actually the heir apparent to Charles, as is Charles to HM. HM was heir presumptive because she is female and thus was presumed the heir until a brother was born (and this did not happen)…
By Elizabeth on April 21st, 2007 at 2:49 am
Good clarification on a useful point, Elizabeth. I have been referring to Prince William as the Heir Presumptive, but of course he is the Heir Apparent. My memory was good until I reached fifty, then things began to get a bit misty.
By Gigi on April 21st, 2007 at 3:55 am
I QUOTE FROM ABOVE:
“Others once said similar things to what you [John] have written. As for Kate Middleton behaving flawlessly that is not true, she was photographed in see through underwear type garments, on her introduction to the press, it wasn’t her fault, but that image was never going to make it to Queen of England, it was the first image many Newspapers used in announcing the break up and they always mentioned that William eyes were dazzled seeing her sashay down the Runway in a see through garments. ”
This is laughable. Kate was in a charity fashion show and modeled what is tantamount to a bikini swimsuit with a sheer cover. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that outfit unless it is only appropriate for someone who wasn’t even dating William during that time to wear a burka down the runway because MAYBE she MIGHT SOMEDAY BE QUEEN. That swimsuit pales in comparison to what I see at the beach on a regular basis. In the States where we are notoriously prudish on the beaches. Additionally, I highly doubt that outfit was Kate’s choice, as in all likelihood the designer or organizer(s) matched that suit to her figure and it was DECIDED by SOMEONE ELSE that Kate would wear it. That Kate can be accused as scandalous or manipulative for wearing a swimsuit in a charity show is ludicrous.
I have seen many pictures of Kate coming out of the clubs at night and never have I seen her bleary eyed or drunk, I think the paparrazzi would agree as they wrote a piece about her freshening up before she leaves, always appearing fresh at 2am. Of course she was attacked for that by the same quarters who accuse her of stumbling out of clubs drunk. I did however see William plainly toasted in the back seat of the car with Kate beside him, looking none too pleased at his condition.
The reasons Kate Middleton is attacked by A FEW are flimsy, grasping, and mean spirited. Also sounds as if some people are privy to Kate Middleton’s innermost thoughts and aspirations, which I highly doubt.
Please if you’re going to dislike Kate Middleton, a private citizen, dislike her to your heart’scontent. But let’s not kid a kidder about the trumped up, phony reasons for disapproving of her.
By Positive on April 21st, 2007 at 4:11 am
Does anyone have any opinions as to why Sophie , a commoner was not give much trouble, entering the House of Windsor? I’m just curious , I’ve been reading their engagement announcement from 1999 I think , here is a old link…
Do you think it was because Pr. Edward was third born Prince without much chance of ever attaining the Throne, so it didn’t matter who he married. What about Prince Harry will it matter who he marries since he is not heir???
Excerpt from link
Sophie:
She said it was “slightly nerve-wracking” to join the royal family but she said she was ready.
Queen ‘delighted’
The Queen is “utterly delighted” with the announcement, which followed a proposal by the prince over the Christmas holidays.
Edward:
The Sun said Prince Edward hesitated to take the plunge because of he was “painfully aware” of his brothers’ failed marriages - Prince Charles’s with Princess Diana and Prince Andrew’s with Sarah Ferguson
News of their relationship was first revealed in December 1993 by Andrew Morton, unofficial biographer of the late Diana Princess of Wales.
By mandy on April 21st, 2007 at 4:19 am
I will watch in amusement the rush to embrace the next woman William dates by all who have attacked Kate Middleton from Day 1.
By Positive on April 21st, 2007 at 4:20 am
Mandy, please don’t post long links. For people using older browsers, like Internet Explorer 6, they break the site.
Our editors are instructed to delete all comments with long links, so you’ll be zapped if you do.
By John on April 21st, 2007 at 8:43 am
Positive, I must say that your post at 4:11 is the smarter I’ve read since ages. Too bad you write your comments when it’s time to sleep in Europe
Now sweetheart William is free and Kate won’t be queen, everybody should let her alone.
To folks who keep criticizing Kate while it is outdated now: go in a monestary for searching a wife for William. It is the only place you could find gooder and more wellbehaved than Kate. Maybe you would be appeased then
By Lilyfromfrance on April 21st, 2007 at 10:24 am
Off-topic .. I guess sites like http://tinyurl.com/ actually have their useful purposes (re deletion of Mandy’s long link!)
By HART (1-800-HART) on April 21st, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Well it’s easy enough to turn the longest link into a text link, HART.
We have a lot of readers with old computers who get no sidebar and a link stretching across the page. It’s a matter of courtesy really.
By John on April 21st, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Regarding Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Sarah, Duchess of York, I believe there was no problem with them not being of Royal blood because there was thought to be little chance that either Prince Edward or Prince Andrew would become King. By the time these two younger brothers of Charles wed, the Royal Succession was secured. That is just my opinion, however. John, what do you say to this?
Positive, I also agree with you and with Lily From France. Somewhere in the not-too-distant future, I have a feeling that many people are going to devoutly wish that Prince William had married Kate Middleton. Among those persons, I believe, will be a significant number of members of the British Royal Family. Neverthless, let us hope for the best.
By Gigi on April 21st, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, how do you do. I’m following this site from about six months, really enjoying it. But after the split, i see a rising number of curious interpretations, and this article seems the apex: in fact, I was waiting for it, sure it will come out: ‘Noblesse obliges urged the future King to reconsider his love’. Sorry John, no one trusts this masquerade. First (like also Jessica said), there’s no royal family that hasn’t accepted a commoner - money and social placements being the only qualification. Moreover, i think that the possibility for the Windsor family to be potential object of derision depends primarily on the lack of prestige (and lack of powerful representatives) of the family. To joint this observation with the ‘Middleton affaire’, i agree with who says “..it wasn’the family that lend her respectability, but she who lend respectability to the family”. From some diffent points of view, imnsho.
By Kappa on April 21st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
So becomes to me more understandable the opinion here in Italy about what happened: obviously it’s not a clue to ‘the truth’, just antoher (external) point of view. Usually, royal affairs in our media share the same space of the starlettes’ bedroom stories and candid cameras. That Charles will never be king was almost clear, partly cause his Diana-past, partly for his embarassing initiatives (i.e. his exilarating biology opinions), partly after wedding taht lumberjack called Camilla. Harry is just a binge-drinking jerk, no one cares of him. the fact is that this situation revealed much about Wills. No mention to snobbery , where if also 1/10 is true, is a question of incredible stupidity and meanness. Just the initial motivation of the split, ‘devote himself to the army career’, shows the real extent of the prince’s interests. No cultural temptation (dunno, high-energy physics? or modern poetry? or cellular biology? or British empire’s history?), no concrete initiatives (something for the english society? support to some ngo?), No, just ‘to be a gunman’, When whoever served as a middle level officer in the last five years knows that’s one of the dumbest occupation in the world. If this is the motivation to let fall a lovestory, it seems to me that we’re on a Monty Phyton sketch set. Anyway, drive a tank and overdrink in pubs is really really poor for a 24yr old boy (especially for a future king!)..So, dunno. My opinion is that wills has lost , by a personal and public point of view, someone very important, and class-filled. And much more, i think England’s too great and illustrious nation to deserve that kind of little men.
By Kappa on April 21st, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Sorry about the long link attachement ,I forgot once again. So sorry.
But for anyone wishing to see the article about Kate clubbing since her break up with William can go to the Daily Mail , the article is called, “Look What you’re missing Wills” and there is another called, William who, Kate goes clubbing. There are the photos of course of Kate leaving the club, into the back of a taxi. She seems to be getting on with it. It is the same club she used to go to with William, but this time she’s with girlfriends.
By mandy on April 21st, 2007 at 4:11 pm
The word “commoner” is often misrepresented. Diana Spencer was a commoner, as was Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons (the Queen Mother). Both were daughters of Earls who married future Kings, although Bertie wasn’t meant to be and Charles has yet to be.
No future Monarch has married anyone outside the cream of the aristocracy. Maybe William thought he’d be the first, but when the “coal miner’s girl” article came out, it seemed less likely.
I see Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy are now blaming William for “treating Kate badly”. Kate is unlucky, but she now has a huge global profile and can do anything she wants. Let’s not victimize her. She may not have won her man, but the world’s her oyster.
By John on April 21st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I disagree about Kate conducting herself flawlessly. When people spoke about her presenting William with a nudie painting for his birthday and the Queen being horrified, people said it wasn’t true, but Royalty magazine clearly tells of the situation. pg.25 “Kate’s present to William for his 24th birthday was a faux pas, most significantly in the eyes of the Queen. What was the cause of controversy? Well, a nude portrait of you and your boyfriend”,with you and your boyfriends, it must be said the couples, bits(modestly) covered up” It was too risque for Royalty, the Queen was said to be aghast.
Kate going to sex shops for toys, modeling under-garments,giving her Prince boyfriend nudie paintings,living with him for years with no committment assurances(if she wanted marriage) was not smart, no real job for two years after University,clubbing and coming out looking worse for wear. She is once again putting her feet back into the nightclubs, but not up the aisle as a Royal bride, oh well.
By mandy on April 21st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Come on Mandy you should focuse on something else and leave her alone.
She is the past now. Im glad John has not put recent pics of what you said above. Thats voyeurism. Now she became flesh for photos for all her life and I feel really sorry for her. It begins to be annoying to see the same reproaches. Come on let her alone now. I know this affair of modeling in underwear is awful for you. But really, I think aristocracy ladies wear underpants too.
I don’t know whats wrong with giving a nude painting to your boyfriend. Thats humour to me. She was his girlfriend, not his fiancée, then I was not shocked. I doubt the Queen was “horrified” just because of that. Charles does a lot of faux pas aswell and we never read “the Queen is horrified”. Most important, I doubt she tells her opinions in front of people, her servants, her advisors, her husband, her corgis. At least her corgis don’t sell their stories.
By Lilyfromfrance on April 21st, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Valid points yes, Either way something was right for her to get to the top of the Throne. The Daily Mail photos also are on the UK and US international newstands ,it’s basically more of Kate clubbing, which is fine she’s a 25 yr old young woman having fun , after a break up. Much luck to her in the future. She was perrrrrrrrfect Princess material and Queen material. Wonderful choice.
By mandy on April 21st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Actually, I would not put much faith in the padlock loyalty of the corgis. I have heard rumors that they tell all for a dog biscuit or a meaty tidbit.
Every dog, as they say, has his day.
By Gigi on April 21st, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Mandy, don’t think I was attacking you, I wasn’t. It’s just, everybody should move on. She won’t be queen, no need to talk about her for ages again.
Gigi, you are hilarious
By Lilyfromfrance on April 21st, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Oh MORE NEWS on the Middleton front
ANOTHER break-up in the MIDDLETON fam….
it’s on the DMail pages.
Kate’s younger sister, Pippa, has separated from her wealthy aristocratic boyfriend JJ Jardine Patterson, whom she has been dating for three-and-a-half years.
The 22-year-old Edinburgh University student has told friends that she ended her relationship because of his reluctance to commit to a serious relationship.
(her sister is pretty)
By mandy on April 21st, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Thank you, Lily From France.
Regarding Mandy’s revelation of another dissolution of a relationship because the man won’t commit, what on earth ails the young men these days? This is what comes of not digesting one’s food properly. Young men are in a hurry, bolt their food, and this is the result. It is either that or an obsession with video games. 
I’d suggest a goverment enquiry, but that will get us nowhere.
By Gigi on April 21st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
John, you’re spot on…
By Mrs. Peperium on April 22nd, 2007 at 2:45 am
After the fact……a break up
it’s easy to surmise.
By mandy on April 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 am
The Middleton female clan have no luck for the moment.
Gigi, I don’t think Pippa’s bloke was scared about a commitment. Maybe he thought one day he could be the brother in law of the future queen consort and broke up with her because he was disappointed for his future plans. Simple as that to me
(But I agree, whats wrong with people and engagements nowadays???)
By Lilyfromfrance on April 22nd, 2007 at 10:10 am
Well according to the report in the Mail, Kate’s sis Pippa is still pining over the son of the Duke of Northumberland.
“One of the problems is that Pippa has a soft spot for her flatmate George Percy, the son of the Duke of Northumberland.”
(Daily Mail 4/22/07)
the Daily Mail seems to be covering more of Kate’s nights out
“Kate was getting quite tipsy but she wasn’t making a fool of herself,’ said one onlooker. “She’s an excellent dancer. She only left the dancefloor once, to go and have a chat with a friend.”
Kate’s decision to go to Mahiki, one of William’s favourite haunts, was taken as sending a message
Quote: The Daily Mail
(This can’t be true , Kate doesn’t party or drink or get tipsy.)
By mandy on April 22nd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
The heir to the Percy clan was always known in medieval times as “Hotspur” because the Percy men were known for their violent and even murderous tempers. Perhaps Pippa should steer clear of the current Hotspur and find a more congenial beau.
By Gigi on April 22nd, 2007 at 11:37 pm
She may go for those types….(if what the DMail says is true)
Dmail excerpt:
“Pippa and JJ are going through a rough patch and have agreed to a trial separation,’ says a chum.
“They have always had a tempestuous relationship and have broken up a couple of times before.
By mandy on April 23rd, 2007 at 1:15 am
I agree that an heir to the throne must have an eye to dynastic survival but in these modern times that is not done by looking at lineage; it about looking at the person themselves. Kate had (and has) an inherent class which is sorely lacking in many so called upper class drawing rooms.
If William had brought her into the family, he and the family would have gained alot more than you suggest they would have lost. The Windsor dynasty would have been far richer with her genes in it instead of diluting it with the Tara Palmer Tomkinsons of this world. [I mean no disrespect to Tara, she seems a grand girl and doing the best she can but her ilk strike me as slightly disfunctional]
I wish Kate the very best in the future and I sincerely hope that her life has a second Act. I would hate to see her tagged with the line ‘ex girlfriend of Prince William’ forever. She seems to be have great strength of character and so I have great hopes for her ability to move on from this.
By Eliza on April 23rd, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Good points, Eliza. There are many sides to this story.
By John on April 23rd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Well said, Eliza, I agree with you. Thank you for posting those wise arguments.
By Gigi on April 23rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
William will decide who he wants for his wife. Kate Middleton obviously wasn’t the best choice for William, afterall it was HIS decision in the end. Why does he need to marry her, they had a mini-faux marriage at University for a few years, it didn’t work into a real marriage for them, so the decision has been made to end it. I think it’s time to move on. Good luck to Kate, surely there are a lot of future Kings calling her up, she is such a great catch.
By mandy on April 23rd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
The only person who knows whose decision it was for Prince William to end his relationship with Kate Middleton is Prince William. My guess is that there was undue influence. We may never know.
By Gigi on April 23rd, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Hi everyone, this is a little off topic, but I was just watching this game show called Deal or No Deal and the contestant playing looked just like Kate Middleton, except for some reason she was wearing a cheerleaders uniform? Just thought I’d share that.Bye.
By Jean on April 24th, 2007 at 1:02 am
I wouldn’t tend to think an article could cause such surprise (other than hurt for Kate) to the Royal Family who has unlimited resources for background information on any British citizen.
I am more inclined to believe that William’s military commitment was a direct threat to Kate’s aspirations and with the additional pressures of the media (the article you mentioned) a desparate situation arose where Kate needed Will’s devotion and royal interjection that he apparently did not give. It is my opinion that the psychological aspect of separation was in tact as early as January and the physical split was doomed to follow. For whatever reason, the bottom line is Will’s affection for Kate was secondary to his commitments and personal feelings and this realization is devastating for any woman who is truly in love.
By Susan on April 24th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Well said Susan, in light of yesterdays/todays articles around about their engagement being arranged for them by royal circles, it seems true as you say that William’s affections had dwindled. And it seems with the pressure put on William decided to back out - as you say devastating for Kate.
By SuffolkSim on April 25th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Kate being a common sort of commoner (not the daughter of an Earl kind, I mean) may have had something to do with the split, but I think the main reason for it is much simpler - William just fell out of love with her. It happens all the time - why shouldn’t it happen to him? You don’t marry somebody just because other people think it’d be a good idea - that’s just crazy. William and Kate seldom looked at ease or happy together during their last few months together and let’s not forget they had broken up before. This was no ‘fairytale’ relationship, just an ordinary uni one where two young people hit it off, lived together, got fed up (well, at least one of them did and it showed) and finally screwed up enough courage to end it. You’d think by the way certain sections of the press went on about it that it was an arranged marriage that he was trying to get out of!
As for Kate’s supporters, well I’m sure if they think about it they’ll be glad she isn’t with a man who doesn’t love her. She can now find someone who will love her, also since she doesn’t need to keep long weekends free to be with William she can pursue a career and work the normal number of hours everyone else does. She complained about press harrassment and of course while she still visits nightclubs and events which are haunts of the Royals the press will be there in force. But later, when William has a new girlfriend, the press will most likely leave Kate alone and she can get back the privacy she wanted. At any rate she will now be able to prove to everyone that she’s more than a prince’s ex-girlfriend, as she now has freedom to do whatever she wants and to make a success of her life in her own right. She is well-educated and comes from a well-off family, she’s young, healthy and attractive - surely success in career and in a fulfilling relationship are both just round the corner?
By Isobel on May 8th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Isobel, I agree, these things are usually more mundane than the conspirators like to think.
Royal affairs, though, often have a lot going on under the radar. No doubt someone in the know will spill the beans in a book eventually.
By John on May 9th, 2007 at 10:23 am
It’s pointless speculating why Ms Middleton got dumped. Most of us can only use our intuition and as many comments above have stated, the reasons were probably far more pragmatic than romantic. We are talking about the survival of an institution not just a family. And if you look at it from that point of view, my intuition tells me Kate became too popular for the liking of William and his family. She may not be another Diana but she sure was heading in that direction. She definitely has an unwritten quality about her and creates an air of mystery the way Diana did. You can argue the media created it but she needed to have something to sustain that. In contrast, Chelsy Davey may be sweet but she doesn’t appear to have that same quality, even when good things are written about her I’m only interested because she is dating Harry and nothing more.
I think at this stage William and his family didn’t know enough about Kate to trust her behaviour within their institution. Whilst she may have possessed plenty of talent and potential for a role in the family, even the most capable and willing person cannot prepare themselves for the media intrusions, fame and lack of privacy. And by all sources, Kate was not coping well at all (not that you could blame her). She may have reasoned if she has to put up with all of this, then why is she yet to have a committment from William as to her future. This is fair enough. Whilst ordinarily, she may be the motherly type who always wanted to settle down and start a family but she was probably willing to wait until both she and William were ready for that step earlier. Now her life was changing so rapidly, she didn’t have William by her side, she no longer had the privacy that brought their relationship to the level that it was at, all she had was herself - to put her best foot forward, smile and hide her real feelings to a growing international audience.
William was forced into making a decision at the risk of the growing media intrusion into Kate’s life which ultimately meant bad publicity for both him and his family. And so they say it was bad timing.
I do find it disturbing that William didn’t offer more protection to Kate despite his true feelings or confusion about her. If he had any maturity, he would not have to play media wars by being photographed with young women before he had officially ended it with Kate. Regardless of what he felt about Kate at the time, no future King should behave that way.
It seems the requirements of a royal partner are to be less in the spotlight than the royal that they’re courting. Prince Charles hated being outshone by Diana and so does William by Kate. People seem to underestimate the impact Diana had on the family. I wonder how William and Harry reconcile the fact their mother is used as an example of what not to do. The royal family need to be the main stars and their partners must take a back seat for their legitimacy. Especially if they are not blue blooded like Diana but rather ordinary middle class stock with the ability to prove that anyone can do it, anyone can be a royal just as well as the Queen. Kate is a vivacious and talented young woman who would be extremely capable of proving this but perhaps she was unaware of what her true role should be. Perhaps like Diana, the fame would go to her head and it would be about proving her own worth (especially coming from middle class roots) rather than accepting ones limitations within the grand plan of monarchy. Kate showed signs of not coping well with fame. If anything, she was enjoying the limelight and William was probably left wondering what happened to the girl he fell in love with. You could see the strain on Kate’s face trying to be someone she’s not to please William and possibly to prove to herself that she could go all the way! Yet all William and Harry seem to want is to be convinced their partners love them for who they are. You see this reiterated by Harry when he compares his girlfriend with Kate.
If you think about it, why would any woman want the life of royalty when they have choice? You cannot blame these intelligent boys from being obsessed with this. It would be difficult to trust anyone and yet they know they need to love and be loved. What they require is a woman who is not ambitious for fame or acceptance on a large scale. Whilst it would be entirely appropriate for her to pursue her own interests she musn’t want the approval of the public as much as the Royal family need it. She may like Sophie of Wessex be successful in her own right but Sophie knows how to handle fame by keeping out of the spotlight and continuing to work hard thereby justifying her position. It also keeps Edward secure in that she loves him for him and not his position which is the ingredient of any happy marriage.
I think Kate like most people wanted more than a life of privilege and suffocation. When you’re talented it makes you want more. Unlike Sophie who already had time to prove herself to the world, both Kate and William hadn’t had this. It appears Kate was using her role as patient girlfriend of future King to achieve her own ambitions and who wouldn’t under such pressure and risk of it failing. Which in the end it did! Thanks to her making the most of it, she has many job offers. It was not merely her connection with William that generated these offers, but her hard work in being media savvy and protecting her own future. That is exactly what Diana did and did even more so when she knew her marriage was failing.
I would hazard a guess that Chelsy is certainly not made of the same stuff as Diana and Kate but she understands not to overstep the mark with Harry. The irony is I heard Chelsy say she wants to be more ambitious than her father and part of her strategy is to date a prince. So much for loving Harry for who he is. Marrying up is an important goal for many women, but perhaps in the end although Kate wanted to marry her prince, all she may have wanted is to form a stable loving family and be the envy of the world’s women while she did it. This is the background she came from herself - a loving and stable home. I’m sure that was what Diana wanted to create.
By Charlotte on May 11th, 2007 at 4:11 am
If lineage is overshadowed by Prince William’s love for Kate, I foresee him following his great uncle’s exact (Edward VIII) footsteps to marry Wallace Simpson as a possibility with William stepping down from his rightful succession to the throne in favor of his brother, Prince Harry? It was announced he and Kate are back together again today (June 24, 2007).
By Kent on June 24th, 2007 at 5:21 pm