110 Responses to “The new narrative for Kate Middleton”

1. There is one key difference between Anne Elliot and Kate; Wentworth actually proposed to Anne when she was eighteen and she refused him because her Aunt thought he wasn’t suitable, Kate hasn’t had a proposal to refuse.
   I do agree with the tenor of your article, this limbo is not good for her or their relationship.
   I sincerely hope they get engaged this summer, I fear that if the deal is not sealed this summer the whole thing will end.
   I’m pro Kate so I have my fingers crossed.

   By Eliza on May 19th, 2008 at 11:48 am

2. Well, analogies are never exact, Eliza.

   I fear you may be right about summer-or-bust. It can’t surely drag on much more than it has.

   By John on May 19th, 2008 at 11:56 am

3. I agree too John, the situation has rather a ‘now or never’ air about it at the moment. I would like nothing more than to see Kate and William engaged so I too am keeping my fingers crossed Eliza.
   I do agree John that they must have discussed “their Future” before and I feel sure that an unofficial engagement may well have taken place - may this be the reason that Kate has not taken to one particular job etc since Uni? Could they have been unoffically engaged for a while do you think?
   Fingers crossed for an anouncement at the end of the month then!

   By SuffolkSim on May 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

4. Sim, I suspect they have been unofficially engaged for a while. Trouble is, it’s all beneath the surface leaving Kate to sink or swim by her own devices. Her reputation is suffering. They need to bring it out into the open.

   By John on May 19th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

5. I wouldn’t put too much credibility in those negative comments though. I get the impression that the “courtiers” the papers cite are no others but the posters that repeatedly get banned on your site John but unfortunately make up all sorts of negative things about William and Kate on others. They also post at the comment sections of the papers and it’s natural that they would pick some of it up. Somehow the idea to have two handsome Princes and two beautiful, likable girlfriends seems unbearable for the papers. Drama sells!
   While a summer engagement would be lovely, I don’t see it coming. By all accounts William is set to finish his military service first and I don’t see him bowing to public pressure. And rightly so. I’m sure all the slander and negativity hurts but both of them will have to learn to live their lives regardless. They must not allow the tabloids to dictate their schedule. Once she’s a Princess and carries out Royal engagements regularly noone will give a damn anymore that some called her “Waity Katie” or lazy before she married. It’s what she does after the marriage that counts.

   I still expect Zara and Mike to be the next to announce their engagement.

   By Isana on May 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

6. Isana, these are genuine Palace insiders I’m quoting here. They may be minor servants and footmen, but they quickly pick up the tone of their masters. They also see a lot of what’s going on. There’s definitely a move against Kate, especially now that Chelsy has breezed in on the scene.

   By John on May 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

7. I remember when Fergie breezed onto the scene………didn’t end too well for her though lol

   I don’t believe that those at the top i.e. The Queen etc. are moving against Kate, I think that most of this is coming from the press - they are trying to build up Chelsy and they can’t possibly do so without knocking Kate down. If Kate and William get engaged during the summer, at Christmas or even next year the press with begin the isn’t Kate wonderful campaign at the expense of the fun loving Chelsy. Why they feel they have to have one good girlfriend and one unsuitable one I will never understand.

   However I do think that if Kate and William are planning on marrying in the future they should probably let it be public knowledge. I know that Royals don’t do long engagements but there is always a first time for everything. Some the ill-feeling that is directed towards Kate at the moment comes from the fact that people are a little fed-up waiting, which is very unfair for the couple but it is they way things are. Of course the majority of the ill-feeling comes from those who envy her but not all of it. The only thing I can really say is that I’m glad it is them and not me!

   By Ash on May 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

8. No one can really say what Kate does with her time, and that’s unfortunate. If she at least went out and did some sort of charity work, she’d probably be critized for acting like she was already a Princess. She’ll be damed no matter what, I think. Chelsy is still in school, but does anyone think she’d go out and find a “real job” if she wasn’t? What if she went out to clubs all the time? Then she’d be looked down on too.
   William needs to get his act together and look at the big picture for Kate and not just him.
   Of course, none of us know what’s been said between them. If we did, I’m sure we’d all feel much better…but we’ll never know.

   By Claire on May 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

9. I enjoy reading the blog and keeping up with the Royals from over here in the US. From what I read I take away a couple of things. Somehow Harry seems to be the more mature of the two, willing to go to battle, staying out of the limelight and not making rash decisions. As for PW, he seems to reverting into a quieter almost argonant personality. The wedding this weekend, any royal wedding should trump a friend’s wedding (no matter how close) but learning the groom was his ex gfs brother, is just poor showing on PW part. And having kate show by herself (it may send the message Kate is one of us) but it certainly gives the feeling PW is taking advantage of the situation of Kate. Sooner rather than later PW needs to propose, he is a Prince, its time for him to start acting and behaving like one.

   By American Cousin on May 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

10. I wish she could have went with William to the Kenyan wedding so it wouldn’t look so bad (I blame William for that). I’m sure the Craig’s would have allowed him a guest (unless they had motives for him being there alone…)
    I would have personally had a cow if he had went and left me to be hammered by the press. Plus if any photos show up of PW and JC together you can just imagine what those stories will be.

    I still don’t understand why she doesn’t “work” for her parents so that it seems she is busy and not lazy. It is strange to see someone her age that is in the limelight and frequently criticized for not working to continue not working unless she does have an understanding with PW.
    I also want to point out that Chelsy sure doesn’t seem to be your typical student. I may be wrong, but doesn’t it seem like she misses a lot of class due to vacations and PH? As a professor, I would not be too keen on any of my students, famous or not missing class for extended amounts of time.

    By happydally on May 19th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

11. John

    I’m genuinely worried…. The girl has put in 7 years and to think it could all fall apart is really upsetting. I remember last year in April you made another prediction just based on comments by courtiers, aides and feelings like this and it wasn’t long after that that they split.

    William does need to man up so to speak. I would hate to see this fall apart again. It’s funny how fickle people are. Chelsy for the longest time was seen as a party girl and now all of a sudden she is almost seen as the next best thing. The whole thing is just not fair. What’s the problem with announcing now?? I mean the whole Batian Craig wedding still baffles me. I’m not a royal and there is no way I would miss a family wedding to be with my ex-boyfriends brother. Do you think that it could really all end in tears John?

    By jackie Mccoy on May 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

12. John, what do you think is the reason behind there being no mention of the wedding on the Royal website? Might it be the Hello thing?

    I recall the engagement was announced on the site. They should post something about the result, even though it was officially a “private” event.

    Maybe they just haven’t updated it yet?

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

13. Guys I have to admit that I do worry too but I try not add to the little fire that is there. Somehow I think William will get engaged to her soon but I think back to when Charles married Diana, he finished all his training up in tht 70’s so in the 80’s he had all the time in the world to get married. I just think that’s what William is doing. But what I think he should do is acknowledge her more and take her to events. Let the public know that this is the woman that will be your wife soon. Even though William’s position is higher, look what Peter did, he took his wife to Ascot, to Her Majesty’s birthday party and the public thought it was a lovely thing to see them together. Yes Kate does go to private events with him but none of them is big public occasions. I don’t find him presenting her to public life is bowing down to the press but it would be nice for Kate to be seen as his wife to be, instead of his longtime girlfriend.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

14. Also the paps didn’t make anything better by not taking pictures of her smilling at the wedding. Which I sure she did smile. But I do think William & Kate is bigger than this and will not become affected by all the negitive attention. Kate & Chelsy are both princesses in waiting and both should be treated fairly by the press.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

15. john and guys, I just want to make it clear that I don’t think he should bow down to any media pressure but just let everyone know that this is the woman that attend to marry and we will wait until I get done with my training to do it. You know what I mean? Somehow that’s not registering to the public’s knowledge. Also because we are not seeing her go to work like she did before, the media think’s she is just waiting for her wedding day to come and I don’t think it’s true.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

16. Jackie, I think this more a problem of perception that actuality. She’s been in limbo for too long, leaving her open to many spiteful attacks. My point is that William should start protecting her reputation now.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

17. Claudius, we should get a good idea once the Mustique holiday is over. There’ll be a lot of buzz, I’m sure. Just need to tread carefully through the verbiage.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

18. Dan, I don’t know why that is. We know the Queen vetoed the mag’s presence in the Chapel and refused to be photographed, so the atmosphere will be very icy — glacial, perhaps.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

19. Well John, some unsettling news you are putting together for us. As a long time partisan for PW/KM it makes me sad to hear all this, but I’m somehow not surprised to to find that I feel that it has some ring of truth. I do want to hedge my bets though, I’m voting for all this speculation to be overkill because what can we really know………

    Having said that though,relationships can become like comfortable habits and maybe this has happened here. Imagine how difficult it is for PW. He has had this relationship for so long, obviously he cares a lot for Kate, she’s an anchor, she’s comfortable and she is loyal and clearly loves him. How difficult it would be for him to duplicate that in the press obsessed fishbowl he has to operate in. And any of us who have been in a long term relationship that ended knows how painful the starting over prospect is.

    As for Chelsy suddenly to be held up as the royal girlfriend paragon, I honestly don’t see a great future there. They make an adorable couple and I’d love to see them together but she seems to have such different priorities in an important way. She is highly educated and apparently intellectual and people can disagree on this but mariage has the best chance when individuals are well matched in educational attainments and intellectual pursuits.Nothing against Harrys interests, just pointing out how different their fundamental life choices seem to be. Much is made in the press about the longevity of PH/CD but have they really been in the together slog of the everyday or has it been mostly the unreality of holidays and partying? Just asking.

    Watching all this play out from my distance I see obvious passion between PH and CD sometimes, that is’s not so obvious between PW and KM. That does not mean it’s not there though. And everyone with any experience knows that initial relationship passion ebbs and changes into deeper affection when the couple has much to share. So visible passion isn’t the most reliable indicator of the durability of a relationship!. Maybe this is what bothers onlookers. PW has shown by his actions that he want Kate as part of his life so here we are as always, waiting………

    By Claudia on May 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

20. Claudia, that’s a great summary of the situation. I totally agree.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

21. Kate does seem to be in limbo, but what choice does she have? She should be working, but Diana proved that that was impossible for the future Princess of Wales. The media would make any workplace she inhabited completely unworkable. The usual tongues would wag over the kind of work she was doing, whether it was appropriate for a future queen, whether she was doing anything at all (as at Jigsaw), etc.

    As we all know, future Princesses are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. But I think she’ll survive if she’s committed to the relationship. The fact that she attended the wedding alone seems to say she’s prepared to tough it out.

    And let’s face it. She and William must talk about this kind of thing a lot. I like to think that, after what his mother went through, William is hyper-sensitive to Kate’s predicament. (Although skipping off to Africa to attend another wedding doesn’t indicate such!)

    But let’s remember that rushing into a Royal marriage has not been a recipe for happiness in the past. And 2009 is only 7 months away!

    True, WE can’t wait, but perhaps it’s best if they do, no matter the talk it generates.

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

22. Well, Dan, it must be good for them to read sympathetic and supportive assessments of their situation from outside their own narrow circles.

    Whether they take notice, though, is another matter.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

23. John, what do you know about the Daily Star reporting that “on May 16, sources close to Kate and William, both 26, revealed that their own wedding announcement is already being planned after the prince ends his stint with the armed forces this year.”

    “Senior members of the Royal Family are understood to be already checking their official diaries for suitable free dates. (ANI)”

    I pulled this from an Indian media outlet on the web.

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

24. The Star has an appalling reputation for veracity. It’s part of the Express newspaper group owned by a pornography publisher. If it was an agency report, like AP or Reuters, it would have been picked up by the other papers, so I expect it’s yet more idle gossip.

    The Indian press usually copies whole what’s printed in the British press, so it’s probably an exact copy.

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm

25. In my opinion, the staff and courtiers at the Palace talk a great deal too much to far too many people about matters which are none of their business. Someone who is employed by the Royal Family, from the highest to lowest capacity, should be “padlock” and the soul of discretion. It is disloyal and disreputable of these employees to make their opinions known about members of the Royal Family or their closest associates. That said, I must admit that I am growing a bit uneasy that Prince William is behaving like his father in several ways, one of which is allowing this matter of the engagement drag on and on. It is unchivalrous to allow Kate to suffer the speculation and the criticism of the media and onlookers. Further, I agree with others of our dear RA clan who are baffled and disapproving of Prince William flying off to Africa to attend the wedding of the brother of his former girlfriend and not taking Kate with him. Further, to attend that wedding in Africa and by consequence miss the wedding of his cousin, Peter Phillips, is a decision that I find difficult to understand or support. In America it is the accepted custom, even in the most rarified circles of society, to include in the invitation to a wedding guest the accepted girlfriend or boyfriend of that guest. This has been the accepted protocol for years and was certainly the protocol followed by my very proper parents when extending invitations to my and my husband’s friends for our wedding nearly forty years ago. I am pleased that Kate, dressed beautifully in soft pink, was at the Kelly-Phillips wedding to represent herself and Prince William, and I am further pleased to read that Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy were supportive and attentive to Kate. Nevertheless, Prince William appears to be asking a great deal of Kate and placing her in awkward situations, unnecessarily I feel. This behavior cannot be described as gentlemanly and I find any evidence of less than gentlemanly behavior in a Prince to be most worrisome.

    By Gigi on May 19th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

26. Have any photos or reports of William in Africa surfaced?

    I still can’t reconcile his absence at Peter’s wedding with normal behaviour. If William wasn’t going to be there, wouldn’t Kate have bowed out? Is she so close to Peter and Autumn on her own that she would attend regardless of her relationship to, or the presence of, William?

    Call me stubborn, but I don’t think we’ve heard the whole story yet. Something ain’t right about all this.

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

27. Duncan Larcombe of The Sun was in Kenya last week covering the story, but nothing yet. The Sunday Times believes Hello! also bought rights to that wedding. Amazing!

    By John on May 19th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

28. No pictures of William surfaced, Dan, but I wouldn’t be aware of any pics of him in Kenya from previous years. Looks like the Craigs have a very secluded estate that guarantees privacy. Actually I’ve never seen a picture of William and Jecca together period.
    I cannot imagine that Kate would have attended Peter’s wedding on her own with Harry and Chelsy if there was anything wrong between her and William. IMO, William is just extremely ignorant when it comes to the public perception of his behaviour. All of this might make perfect sense, if one knows the whole story (maybe Kate had other responsibilities in England and hence couldn’t make it to Kenya). I’m also sure that Jecca’s boyfriend (one of the van Cutsems?) was there with her but his presence convenietly left out by the papers.
    Still from the outside it looks like a very insensitive decision on William’s part. Yet, I wouldn’t call their future together in question because of it.
    I hope for pictures of William and Kate happily united at his Garter ceremony.

    By Isana on May 19th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

29. Yes I was just thinking of the Garter ceremony next month. I do hope she will go.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

30. Guys, there are more pictures of the wedding on Rex Features website. Somehow there are pictures there that aren’t published on other sites.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

31. i think william and kate are “engaged” and are waiting for the right time (whenever that is) to announce to the public - once that happens we all know its going to be a circus.

    By coni on May 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

32. Dan, I agree with you that something smells fishy about all of this. I still think we’ll find out later that Prince William is serving with the military somewhere and the African wedding was a story meant to cover his exact whereabouts for safety purposes. If this doesn’t turn out to be the case, then I hope for his sake that William learns sooner rather than later how damaging his PR mistakes can be to those he loves.

    By Kris on May 19th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

33. Coni, excellent notion and I am clinging to the hope that you are correct! Claudius, thanks for the Rex Features tip and I am on my way there now.

    By Gigi on May 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

34. As for Kate’s demeanor, does it surprise anyone that she would be reticent around Palace employees, courtiers, and hangers-on? William will have warned her away from their lot, if in fact Kate needed any warning after a lifetime of watching the media hound her mother-in-law-to-be to an early tragic death and her “aides” profit from their association with her.

    They would get the cold shoulder from me, too. None of them is to be trusted. I hope Harry has given Chelsy the same wise counsel. She seems a more open personality (like Fergie was?), quick to relax in different circles. I hope she doesn’t come to regret it.

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

35. That is a good point Dan. However up until recently the press always complained about Chelsy scowling in pictures and never smiling . Now she has been introduced to the Queen they are taking her seriously and she is something “new to write about”. John is right though the press have had at least 5 years to write about Kate and as we have seen many times before they can put individuals up on a pedestal only to take great pleasure in knocking them right back off of it, which is what is beginning to happen with Kate. The waity Katy sneers have gone on for far too long, and she deserves to be made official.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

36. i believe kate is “official” with those that matter…which is certainly not the press or the public…

    By coni on May 19th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

37. The Royal family does seem to have closed ranks recently, particularly around those whose future is not planned to be Royal. Edward and Sophie, while performing Royal duties, have foregone a dukedom, the HRH–and their son’s christening seemed unusually private, with only 1 picture. Lady Louise has been virtually under wraps her whole life thus far. That’s a far cry from how much Charles’s and Diana’s boys were seen by the public. Reportedly the Wessexes will become Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh when Charles becomes King. I wonder if they’ll take the HRH at that time?

    Now the Phillips wedding has taken place behind closed doors (although 2 pictures have just gone up on the Royal website). And Clarence House routinely has no comment on William and Kate’s “private” life. That life will not be private for long, so maybe they’re savoring it while it’s still possible.

    Perhaps this is a sign of Royal life to come, a return to Royal life of olde: “don’t let light in on the magic.”

    By Dan on May 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

38. Lets hope so Coni, remember Royal aides are also making negative noise about Kate which problaby wouldn’t happen if she were “official” with those that matter.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

39. perhaps those royal aides are not “in the know” as far as kate’s status - the fact that she went to peter’s wedding w/out william i think says it all. as long as its all good with the royal family - meaning the queen, charles, etc who gives a hoot about those “aides” they need to remember they work for the family are not part of the family.

    By coni on May 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

40. hello John and everybody, I did not comment for some time now. But indeed, I followed the discussions. Here is my guess:
    First, William and Kate were invited to the wedding. Kate accepted the invitation, and this was published.
    When it came about that the photo session was sold up to hello! William and Kate tried to get out of it.
    My guess is, it was because of the ‘agreement’ that while the senior royals refuse to be photographed by hello!, the younger appear to have done so. (might be an arrangement with hello! , insisting they had a signed contract of any sort).
    I imagine, William being extremly wexed, to have to follow this compromise, choose to call out of the game, with the pretext of a former duty in Africa. Yet it would have been odd, if Kate did likewise, as she had already accepted. So to cover the trail, it was twisted into her stepping in in Williams stead, and at the same time mounting her position within the royal circle.
    I may be at fault, but I sincerely remember Williams frustration about commercial exploit of his relationship to Kate. This wedding photos would have been just the opposite of what he and Kate try all theese months to force through. The message is clear: no exclusive photographing without their consent.

    By Gena on May 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

41. Some place I read that the wedding in Kenya had something to do with the charity work PW did in his gap year and that he was the guest of honor. That would put a completely different picture on the subject. Does anyone know anything about that?

    By Grandma828 on May 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

42. An article echoing John’s thoughts

    http://tiny.cc/xgwDU

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 19th, 2008 at 11:11 pm

43. What I don’t like about all of this is that we just celebrated a wonderful occasion of Peter & Autumn’s wedding and now we are talking about a very depresseing story. We all just have to wait for William & Kate to get engaged. It may take awhile but I think because of the recent wedding people are now getting worried about them getting married and how long it will take for it all to happen. As I read, BRW website and reading the other articles, I do think it’s all getting out of hand and everybody need to calm down. Let’s all take a breather. Things would have been alittle different if William would have shown up to the wedding but his plan for Kate to represent him at the royal wedding was a good idea, it speaks folumes and somehow people aren’t catching on to that.

    By Claudius on May 19th, 2008 at 11:45 pm

44. Kate and William appeared very happy just one month ago, during William’s wings ceremony at RAF Cranwell. They certainly didn’t look like a couple on the verge of a break up. I believe their relationship is as strong as ever and they are just doing things according to their own timetable.

    Once William and Kate become engaged, the couple, especially Kate, will be hounded unmercifully by the press, the public and dare I say it, Royal Anecdotians. We will be clamoring for a Royal wedding sooner rather than later. William wants to complete his military training, before embarking on married life, which is a smart move on his part. If the couple were to become engaged now, before William completes his time with the Royal Navy, Kate would not have a minutes peace for the next year. She would be without her fiance by her side, at least for the next four months, to help her navigate the minefield of press intrusion.

    I’m probably one of the few who does not believe an official engagemnt, now, would be the best thing for Kate. Permit William to finish his Navy training, enjoy the holidays and become engaged early in the new year and married by Spring 2009. This will shorten the time between engagement and wedding, allowing William and Kate to face the onslaught together.

    By Arthur on May 20th, 2008 at 12:34 am

45. Arthur you raise some good points. We do get some peeks into their behavior with each other during their private times or among friends. We have the article about them in Hello regarding the charity event We also know that Kate went with William to a wedding not too long ago. I do know that I would like to see them more together. I would also like to see them engaged. It would just be nice if the prince would acknowledge her more often in public. I do have to remind myself that they are on their own time and not my time. There are pros and cons to have an engagement sooner than later. I thought by her standing in for william it would put her on a more official stance. However, it seems that is not really the case. If I read
    everyone’s comments they are pulling for both girls. I know that I am.

    By kat on May 20th, 2008 at 2:37 am

46. Actually, I don’t think that Prince William and Kate’s relationship is cooling at all, and I confidently expect the engagement to be announced within the next year. Until they decide to do so, we shall all have to bide our time and be patient, if possible. Frankly, after what happened to Princess Diana, I would not blame either Prince William or Prince Harry if they imposed a news blackout on every event they choose to attend as a member of the Royal Family. I do not think that they will do this, but I do think that the more stringent controls on publicity and media access will continue and perhaps increase, especially after Prince William ascends the throne.

    By Gigi on May 20th, 2008 at 6:03 am

47. If William were smart and a gentleman he would make his intentions regarding Kate known. The fact that employees are now making comments negative toward her points to comments made about Diana once she married Charles while on her honeymoon at Balmoral as demanding, spoiled, and a fiend.

    It was only a matter of time before they started knocking Kate which to me means she is there to stay and they are resenting it.

    By Trudie on May 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am

48. I remember a couple of years ago reports saying how everyone at CH loved her because she was so open and friendly and had no airs at all. If she truly acts differently now (and the tabloids didn’t merely make this up), I guess she has her reasons. A lot of private things about William and Kate became public especially during their break-up. They both probably suspected the staff to leak some things especially some of the more nasty remarks against Kate’s family, her mother especially. I wouldn’t be smily and open after that anymore either. To know that some of these people look down on you because you as a “commoner” are dating the future King must make it virtually impossible to be more but merely polite.
    I’m sure we’ll read similar things about Chelsy sooner or later. One article already indicated that she had dropped some of her friends (like Kate supposedly has).
    I fear the snobbery among the staff is very much alive though the actual members of the RF do not seem to care about someone “social status” at all.

    By Isana on May 20th, 2008 at 11:43 am

49. Has anyone thought that he might just actually be in active service somewhere?

    It is a possibility, and he did want to go.

    By james on May 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

50. Everytime I make a negative comment about Kate I don’t get a warm response. Once again, I have nothing personal against Kate and most certain I do not have a crush on William. I am a mother of two in my forties. Now, an still not sold on Kate. I must be one of the minority in this forum, but so be it. I somehow don’t see Kate as a queen, especially when we compare her to the current queen who in her eighties is so hardworking. Let’s face it, Kate hasn’t done much since her graduation. I don’t buy the excuse that she can’t work because the press won’t leave her alone. She can still work with her parents. But she MUST show that she can handle all the workload that comes with being queen. Once she marries she will HAVE to work, but from what I know, I’m not sure she is capable of it.
    As for the Peter wedding, her dress was awful, and with the black hat and net she looked like a widow.
    As for Chelsy, she might even surprise us an get engaged before Kate. I really like Chelsy, she brings fresh air into the monarchy. SHe will probably work after graduation, or be engaged so she won’t have to.

    By Marilyn on May 20th, 2008 at 12:41 pm

51. She brings “fresh” smoky air! sorry I couldn’t resist. I really like her.

    By happydally on May 20th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

52. So if she gets an engagement ring she won’t have to “prove” her work ethic anymore? I don’t get this logic. Either you expect a future Royal to prove themselves through hard work before they enter the firm or you don’t. But if Chelsy gets engaged right after she finishes her degree next year, she won’t have worked any more than Kate has. She was just lucky enough to be younger than her and hence still go to university and thereby look busy. At Chelsy’s age Kate was still a university student as well. I could as well claim that Chelsy’s law degree is nothing but a facade to spare her the kind of criticism Kate faces. If her and Harry are as serious as they appear right now, she’ll never get a job in law anyways. Noone would hire her with the prospect of a royal marriage in the near future. Maybe it would have been wiser for Kate to put up a similar facade and go for some postgraduate degree but at least she has always been honest where her priorities lie and it’s not with a “career” of any sorts. Why bother to get a degree and take a spot away from someone else when you don’t plan to get a job in the field anyways?
    Whether either woman turns out to be a “good” royal will only surface once they actually enter the Royal Family and go about engagements on a regular basis.

    By Isana on May 20th, 2008 at 1:31 pm

53. I actually rather like Kate’s outfit - I thought it was very appropriate and as a potential Royal, I can see why she feels she has to be careful not to attract criticism for her fahsion sense.

    As for her suitability to be Queen, I think she’d be very suitable; after all she still young and will adapt easily, I’d think. The problem is, she doesn’t seem to be doing anything whilst I think she at least ought to be participating in charities if nothing else. I honestly don’t understand why her parents haven’t stepped in and advised her she needs to start working at something, anything to keep herself busy. No man has a respect for a woman who sits about all day waithing for him to make a move.

    By NCKat on May 20th, 2008 at 1:39 pm

54. When I wrote this piece I didn’t intend to stir up a hornets’ nest of ant-Kate sentiment. I was pointing out that her position is so tenuous and undefined that she’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t — across the board.

    We simply don’t know what Kate does when she’s out of the public eye. She may be writing the novel of the century. As a writer myself, I can confirm that’s a “proper job”.

    By John on May 20th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

55. If Chelsy gets engaged after graduation, she will have to “plan” and do things with the wedding, and then off to work with the royals. She may never work in a law firm, but her education will give her more credibility and an edge. SHe will have to mingle in the future with well educated people anyways. Nothing wrong with a graduate degree. On the contrary, good for her.
    Maybe Kate should think about getting a graduate degree. I don’t think she will be criticized for it.

    By Marilyn on May 20th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

56. In Chelsy’s case, as for anyone else, education is never a waste. In the course of a law degree you study all manner of things—history, philosophy, rhetoric, debating, even public presentation—that stands all its practitioners in good stead. It also requires intellect and discipline, two things any future princess could put to good use (the same goes for future duchesses, one of which we hope Chelsea becomes, to avoid being known as Princess Henry!)

    Fact is, John is right: we have no idea what Kate does all day, so are in no place to judge her. Besides, being gainfully employed does not guarantee that one is working hard and exercising sound judgment and discipline. If she marries into the Family, she’ll be joining a branch of the government, for Pete’s sake! How disciplined, honorable, and ethical must she be for that lot?

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

57. Well said, Dan. Regarding the whereabouts of Prince William, if he is still in Africa, this must be some wedding! Of course, he may have returned under cover of night and be on military duty, as one of our RA clan suggested.

    Regarding Kate, I do not care if she chooses to sit in Hyde Park and play tiddlywinks from dawn until dusk. She does not have to prove anything to anyone, in my view. She is the choice of Prince William and is lovely, well-bred, well-educated and beautifully mannered. If she is more sedate than some, well and good in my view. She suits the more sedate and contemplative nature of Prince William. They will make a splendid King and Queen and their reign will usher in a new golden age for Britain. As for Prince Harry, Chelsy Davy’s more sprightly personality suits his nature, which is high-spirited, playful and merry. I am absolutely delighted that we have two such suitable young ladies for our Golden Princes. This is a gift straight from God and I, for one, am grateful!

    By Gigi on May 20th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

58. Let’s keep in mind that, once married, they might wait 20 years or more to take the throne. They’ll have plenty of time to find something productive to do. Maybe some time on a bench in Hyde Park to think—tiddlywinks or no—is called for. William, Kate, Harry, and Chelsy (who may never have a defined role to fill!) have a lot of reflecting on their future(s) to do.

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

59. Excellent article on Kate and her situation.

    Like another commentor, I am also in my 40’s and I look at these girls, not just Chelsy and Kate but most of their generation, and wonder when they are going to grow up. I was working full time and putting myself through grad school at Kate’s age. It’s not a matter of being jealous of her having parents willing to support her (what appears to be from the outside) do-nothing lifestyle, it’s a matter of when will this girl (and thousands like her) grow up and take on adult responsibilities? She had something in the neighborhood of 12 vacations last year. She quit her “job” at Jigsaw because she needed more time for herself and wanted to study photography. Excuse me? Her life is really that stressful? How will she ever handle being Princess William if she can’t manage a simple, part-time “job” and hobby without 12 weeks vacation?

    She not only makes herself look really bad, it also reflects badly on her boyfriend and his family. I agree that if she starts doing social service work now it will look like she’s just trying to get some good PR for herself - why wasn’t she doing this years ago? Where were the critical royal staffers after graduation when she neither had a job nor a charity to turn to? And why do her parents support this lifestyle? While I think Kate needs to grow up and take control over her own life, she has also been let down by those around her. There is a lot of blame to go around here, but in the end Kate is 26, not 16, and it’s high time for her to start acting that way. I give her credit for, the most part, flying under the radar and keeping quiet, but she has to get a life for herself and stop being “Waity Katy”.

    Hopefully Chelsy won’t make the same mistake, but my guess is she’ll be a Princess long before Kate is.

    By Laura on May 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm

60. Gigi I agree nobody has any right to judge what Kate does from morning until night. She is very beautiful dresses appropriately and is doing her best.

    John made a good point she is damned if she does or doesn’t. I am hoping she will be ok and that the engagement will follow at some point sooner rather than later. I don’t like the negative talk with the Royal aides but she may have to face much worse than that in the future. William needs to get on with it. I understand the need for Royal protocol but a lot of suffering seems to take place because of this. Is it necessary? or just another part of the outdated pattern that the Royals follow?

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

61. I don’t know if this has to do with protocol, but once a royal couple is engaged, do they have do wed within a certain time frame? or it doesn’t matter?

    By Marilyn on May 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

62. Gigi, William will be joining Kate on Mustique tomorrow, Wednesday. Not sure whether he’s flying from Kenya or England — I’d guess the latter.

    By John on May 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

63. Let’s hope someone snaps a picture of him, to end the speculation about his true whereabouts. That string of photos of him on the Prince’s website is still there, almost like evidence of his last documented sitings. If he doesn’t show up somewhere tomorrow, they ought to put his picture on a milk carton:

    “Last seen May 8, working with a Mountain Rescue team in Mid Glamorgan.”

    (Hmm. Why would a young Army officer need mountain rescue experience at this time in his military attachment?)

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

64. Dan

    That is hilarious!!!!

    Laura and Marilyn you do sound a tad bitter I’m afraid. All I can really say is that if I could afford for my daughter if she was in a similar situation to Kate to not have to work I would ensure it. There are plenty of women in the world who choose not to work because they don’t have to.
    Whether she takes one vacation in the year or 150 vacations in a year that is quite up to her and her parents. The public are not paying for her vacations and the last time I checked it is not illegal for her to do so and she has to answer to none of us.
    She is not claming any money from the English government so go forth and sun tan if she must I say!!

    I do hope some pictures arise from Mystique soon

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

65. If a woman has a husband to take care of or children it is certainly fine for a woman to stay in the house. But this is not the case here. When my daughter is all grown up she will certainly be working while she is single at least.
    Jackie, I think you are missing the point here. Why are Kate’s parents working so hard, they built everything from scratch while she gets a free ride? What lesson is this for young women everywhere, not just in England? All the other commoner princeses in Letizia, Mary, Maxima they were hard workers before marrying into the royal family. Why should it be different with Kate?
    I agree it’s none of my business what she does in her spare time, which she has a lot of, but if she is going to marry William, then she needs to be a positive role model for women. ANd doing nothing certainly is not positive.

    By Marilyn on May 20th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

66. I still think Kate’s life would become untenable if she tried to get a job now. Her job applications would be leaked to the press, her colleagues would be harrassed for details on every word she spoke and every morsel of food she ate (and some of those same colleagues would try to profit from the association), her phone would be bugged, the paparazzi would be going through the trash at whatever place she worked, etc. etc.

    Look at how Edward and Sophie Wessex’s attempts at having real jobs worked out? They were uniformly panned for “trading on their family connections.” Tell me, who in business does NOT trade on every good connection they have in order to get ahead?! They would have been mocked as fools had they tried to separate their Royal lives from their careers.

    Let’s face it—the Royal family is not held to a higher standard; they are held to a double standard. They are at once extremely privileged, and damned for whatever they do or don’t do.

    There simply is no possible career for a member—or potential member—of the British Royal family. Ultimately, that is not what we want from them. What we really want, if we’re honest with ourselves, is living proof that fairy tales do come true. That’s a Princess’s—or a Princess-in-Waiting’s—primary function. The inevitable criticism of them is born—let’s be honest—from covetousness, jealousy and envy. Yes, the angels of our nature still believe in Princes and Princesses, but the devil in all of us still wants to say, “why does it have to be THEM and not ME?”

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

67. Well said, Jackie Mccoy, I agree with you! The current trend of the feminist segment of modern society would have us believe that unless women of every age are gainfully employed their lives are worthless and without meaning. I do not believe that, nor do I believe that is a healthy attitude. At sixty years of age, which I am, I look back at my life, which included a college degree, marriage, teaching in two secondary schools and working in investment banking and I have no regrets at all that my husband and I decided that we would live on his salary so that I could stay home and raise our children. In the course of being a homemaker and doing a great deal of volunteer work in the community, I felt as if I was just as productive, useful, and industrious as when I was gainfully employed. I find it counterproductive and unseemly for those who choose to work for pay to cast slurs on those who choose not to work for pay. We are not all the same, we must accept.

    By Gigi on May 20th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

68. Gigi, what is the difference between being a homemaker/mother/volunteer and being gainfully employed?

    I understand your meaning, but we have to put an end once and for all the idea that, for employment to be considered “productive, useful, industrious,” and “gainful,” it must be performed outside the home and it must draw a paycheck.

    Many of the breakdowns in society are ascribed to the absence of good parenting and a stable family life. Just because you don’t earn a paycheck staying at home, you are certainly “making a living,” not just for yourself, but for those in your care, and also for your community’s safe and sound future.

    As you surely know, some of the best investments are not those made in dollars, pounds, and euros.

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

69. Exactly Gigi we are not all the same and everyone must be able to choose their own path! Isn’t that the whole point of the freemdom of choice??

    Dan also raises very good points about the nightmare that Kate’s life would become if she tried to work. It would be a nightmare and cause alot more harm than good. Everyone has their price and work colleagues could be easily lured into sell stories truthful or not about her. When you weigh it up it’s just not worth it for her. And again as many have said before we don’t actually know that she isn’t in Bucklebury helping out with her parents business as we speak…

    But the underlying point here is exactly what John was trying to point out that her not being engaged to William is leaving her open to this sort of criticism, which is not fair and not necessary. The firm really needs to get on top of this and protect her. She’s worth it and we want her as our future Queen!

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

70. Marilyn a couple of other points. First of all the other European princesses which you mentioned who knows what their situations are like… They are living in different cities and the pressures may or may not be the same. They may or may not face the same media attention that Kate faces we don’t know. & secondly you made a point about Kate’s parents working hard for what they built and her getting a :free ride”. Well the answer for that is they are her parents and it’s their decision to make what to do with their daughter. Until I hear them complaing about it on the news I am going to assume that they are fine with the status quo. My daughter will work but she’s not in Kate’s situation the point was if she was in her situation I would be happy to know that I was in a position to be able to support her financially if needs be.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

71. Dan also excellent point about being a home maker and being gainfully employed.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

72. Yes, Gigi, that’s exactly my point. You had a career and then with your husband you decided to be a homemaker. Good for you. I am also a homemaker, making a smooth transition back to the corporate world so to speak. But I decided to stay home to care for my children. Kate has no children, no husband and no fiance as far as I know.
    She is lucky that her parents can afford her not to work because most persons single persons can’t afford not to earn a paycheck, especially considering the way the economy is right now.
    I don’t really care about a paycheck, but I don’t like a queen who just hangs out. SHe can work with in her parents business and enjoy privacy. SHe can do some volunteer work, charity work. There are many things she can do and a paycheck is not important since she doesn’t need the money. But the point here is that a working “future” queen is much better that one who is not productive or lazy, so to speak. SHe is a private citizen, but eventually much more will be expected of her. Besides, work is good. It keeps you active and informed.

    By Marilyn on May 20th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

73. Marilyn
    The reason that it is different with Kate is because she met her prince will still in college, she never had the chance to build her career. Maxima, Mary and Letizia were all in the late 20’s, early 30’s when they started their relationships so they had to establish their careers without the constant intrusion of the paparazzi, in fact in Letizia case the media did not know about her until their engagement. The situation that Kate finds herself in is one that, as far as I’m aware, no other girlfriend of a prince found themselves in. She has spent the last 4 years in the media spotlight being insulted by immature twats on message boards, being held up as a perfect future princess by the press who are just waiting for her to put a foot wrong so they can tear down the image that they imposed on her, all at an age when most of us are only truly finding out who they are. The very fact that Kate has not cracked under the pressure should tell people a lot about what type of person she is, the fact that regardless of what is said about her she can still go about her life with a smile on her face earns her a great deal of respect from me. Is she a hard worker - well she seemed to do well at school, she got in St. Andrew’s University and graduated with a degree. The staff at Jigsaw never had a problem with her, those that did talk to the press about her seem to only have good things to say about her but they did complain about the press attention that she brought with her. I think that if you look at it logically the only person/company that would hire Kate Middleton right now would be one that is only interest in using her high media profile and those are they very ones that she needs to stay away from. Kate is in a no win situation and I think that The Royal Family have a lot to answer for if they allow it to continue.

    By Ash on May 20th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

74. “SHe can work with in her parents business and enjoy privacy.”

    That’s the thing maybe she does, we don’t know what Kate does with her time - a lot of what is said about her is just presumption on people part.

    By Ash on May 20th, 2008 at 7:02 pm

75. wow john! you’re right a hornets nest indeed! none of us knows what kate does on her own time - it was my understanding she left jigsaw to work on a career in photography which would certainly allow her the freedom to “make her own schedule” its also an untraditional type of career thats not really 9-5 . so lets cut the girl some slack here people…

    believe i mentioned before i think they already are engaged and her “status” is clear with those that matter which is certainly not the public or the “royal aides” who if i remember correctly diana and sarah called the “men in the gray suits” we all know once an engagement is officially announced its going to be a circus for her and her life will truly never be her own - lets hope she’s enjoying the space she has now….

    By coni on May 20th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

76. If she’s interested in photography (which HM is as well, I believe) she may be toiling away in a darkroom (or with photoshop) somewhere. As an artist, she’d be lucky not to have to divide her time between her creative pursuits and working a 9-to-5er.

    I could see her working in a gallery somewhere, but again, the media attention to that gallery would be as much a curse as a blessing. And just wait until they exhibited something even vaguely controversial!

    I’ll repeat, no matter what she does—unless it’s curing cancer or feeding the world’s hungry—she’ll catch flak for it.

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

77. exactly dan..

    By coni on May 20th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

78. If I knew at 20-something that until I was in the grave I would be required to work I would put it off working at anything as long as was possible. This young woman will carry the expectations of millions forever when she marries PW - forever - without a break, without “real” vacations, without sympathy because of the wealth, without compassion from haters and without empathy from supporters because they really will not know what her world has become. The next thing on her after a wedding is to reproduce.

    Good grief, she should put it off as long as possible. She should spend this time doing whatever she wants because life will never be this easy again.

    By MexicoMom on May 20th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

79. “Laura and Marilyn you do sound a tad bitter I’m afraid.”

    I’m not at all bitter, I don’t like what I’m seeing in the 20-something generation - and Kate is a prime example. Taking 12 vacations you have not worked for - that someone else is paying for - speaks volumes about character.

    If she’s ever done any humantiarian/charity work, I’d love to read about it. If she had, I think we’d know. I don’t buy the argument that she’s not a public person so no one can comment on her if, at the same time, people defend her lack of a job on the media intrusion in her life. You can’t have it both ways.

    “The current trend of the feminist segment of modern society would have us believe that unless women of every age are gainfully employed their lives are worthless and without meaning. ”

    I don’t buy this either. One does not have to receive a paycheck to contribute to society. If her parents are willing to support her, couldn’t she be working as a volunteer in a hospital, nursing home, school… some where? Maybe she is, but as there is zero evidence of this in seven years, I highly doubt it. As I said before, if she started doing so at this point she would be slammed for it. However, if she kept at it until the engagment she would earn herself some respect.

    And she needs that right now. The staff wouldn’t be commenting if there wasn’t cause.

    By Laura on May 20th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

80. “I don’t buy the argument that she’s not a public person so no one can comment on her if, at the same time, people defend her lack of a job on the media intrusion in her life. You can’t have it both ways. ”
    How is that having it both ways. Kate is a private citizen who has the press constantly intrude on her private and personal life. She is not a public person and won’t be a public person unless she marries William.

    “but as there is zero evidence of this in seven years,”
    Kate graduated from University in June 2005 before then there was very little know about her, the main press coverage has come in the last few years. Little is know about her time in university and indeed her life before university for you to really say what she did and didn’t do. As for now, Kate has all but disappeared since last October(maybe even a little before that)the press have no idea what so ever about what she is doing, where she is going etc. and unless she has turned in a hermit and never leaves home but for the few times we have seen media coverage of her this year, whatever she is doing with her time and whomever she is doing it with, people aren’t talking.

    By Ash on May 20th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

81. Actually, I did not have a “career” to speak of. My husband and I married a few months after we graduated from college. It was during the war and my husband was in the military by that time. When he finished his military commitment, he took two graduate degrees before beginning his civilian career, so I was really working to provide an income for us while my husband completed his education. I retired from gainful employment as soon as he graduated and began his career, two years before we had our first child. The point is, as Dan well-stated, that no woman should have to feel bullied into having a career in the business world if she does not choose to do so. When I was growing up, the only women who worked outside the home were those who were widowed or divorsed and had to support themselves. All other women, many well-educated and grounded, were homemakers and volunteers in the community, providing the know-how and the workforce for the cultural and service organizations that so enriched daily life in America in those days. It is absurd, in my opinion, to suggest that if a woman can support herself through other means of income and chooses not to be in the workforce she is somehow proving herself unworthy or lazy. I confess I have little patience for those who make a choice that is right for their life circumstances and then attempt to enoble their decision by criticizing the different choices of others. We need to be less intolerant on this point, for all our sakes.

    By Gigi on May 20th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

82. Well said Ash. I just think that some people need to get over it. What people do with their time and money as long as it is not illegal is their business really. As Dan said once she marries the circus begins so she had better enjoy her “vacations” and as many of them as she can while she can!

    On a positive note I’m going to try and see if I can get away to a few of those resorts. Mustique and the De Roche Islands look absolutely beautiful!!! Has anyone on this website ever been to any of these places?

    The furtherest I’ve been in the caribbean are the British Virgin Islands and Barbados later on this year. In fact this year alone I will have gone to
    Honolulu, Barbados, Tahoe (skiing) St. Louis, Las Vegas, London, Rome and Philadelphia. Anyone think that makes me a bad person?????? If they do tough anyway I need and little R& R every now and again

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

83. Didn’t Kate intend to take part in that boat race across the channel, and wasn’t that for a charitable cause? As I recall, she was drummed off the team—by the Royal family and “Palace insiders”—because of fears of an “unsuitable appearance.” I don’t blame her for keeping a low profile since then.

    Remember also that she may be receiving advice from certain quarters to keep a low profile due to William’s involvement in the military. We simply don’t have the facts to judge.

    If she were a lazy layabout, it’s doubtful the Family would consider her a suitable match for William. I give them, and her, the benefit of the doubt until otherwise is revealed.

    By Dan on May 20th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

84. Kate also took part in the “a time to reflect” to raise money for the UNICEF children chairty last year so she has completed some charity work. But I had forgotten about the sisterhood boat race which she had to pull out of. I think their relationship is much better off under the radar for now. It takes the pressure off of her. As much as I love to see pictures of them I think it’s probably better if it is kept low key and private.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

85. Jackie will you adopt me and take me vacationing?

    By dally on May 21st, 2008 at 2:09 am

86. Sure Daly all are welcome!!

    By jackie mccoy on May 21st, 2008 at 2:18 am

87. I feel that the whole situation has taken on a life of its own. In the absence of any real news a lot of what is being said is just speculation. First, we have not a clue of what she is doing. We have various sources saying different things. The truth could be she is at CH, her apt., her parent’s house, or another rented place near William. She does nothing all day to she is practicing photography. I do like Kate. I have been in her corner routing for her. I think that she and William are soul mates. They have come through good times and some rough times. The problem for us is that lately they have the good times more in private.
    We see the wings ceromony, skiing, or charity event. That is only a tiny part of their time together. Most people object to her not working. What if she is working but not in public? What if her occupation turns out to be photography? The problem is again is we just don’t know. With the absence of facts people are
    saying things about her. For me, if Kate and William truly love each other then things will work out. I do think whenever they make things official her life will no longer be her own. I think that by her going to the wedding Saturday a declaration of some sort was made. I do hope that an engagement will come soon for her sake. However, it might be just as well for them to agree to become engaged at a some point in time when he can be more with her. I do agree that he needs to make it clear to everyone just where he stands with her. Too many people are saying too many unkind things for him not to do so.

    By kat on May 21st, 2008 at 4:37 am

88. folks,

    there is a poster on the other blog who always seems to have inside info on the situation….a very genteel individual this is, and an admirer of K

    this individual suggested that when k and w went to the seychelles last year, post breakup, k paid her own way and was treated rather shabbily by w….she had to go snorkeling alone, etc….

    this poster also intimated that, recently, w was unfaithful to k at his cousin’s stag party events…and that things are quite rocky now and have been for at least a year…that k and w have, presently, what, at best, might be termed a ‘friendship’ and that the romance has long cooled, perhaps never to return

    this person also predicted that no engagement would materialize before 2009, if then….

    By tabatha on May 21st, 2008 at 5:26 am

89. Personally I think that people who supposedly know Kate and William that well, would never post on such a blog/forum. Those are actually the posts I tend to believe the least. And this story didn’t even seem likely.
    Yes, it’d likely that they won’t get engaged if “the romance has long cooled, perhaps never to return” But who would know something like that and post it. Funny really.

    By dagga on May 21st, 2008 at 5:36 am

90. True, dagga. And why would William still attend public events with her if she was nothing but a friend? He knows how their appearances are interpreted by the press and public. He could meet her in private if she was merely a female friend to avoid too much specualtion (like he does with Jecca). William comes across as very private and has stated himself that he hardly talks about his feelings. I’m sure there are only a handful of people whom he would confide in about his relationship with Kate. Those people certainly would not post any such intimate knowledge on some gossip blog. This sounds like wishful thinking by those who still haven’t gotten it into their heads that Kate IS William’s girlfriend for now and will likely be his fiance by next year. This probably comes from the same people who back in 2004/2005 wouldn’t believe that Kate wa sWilliam’s girlfirend at all and now have changed their tune to believe that at least hed oesn’t love her and is only stringing her along (for whatever reason). Why keep up a “mock relationship” if he doesn’t love her?
    I’m sure the press would have picked it up if something had happened at the stag party. There were plenty of reports about it and none suggested that William had cheated on Kate. So far all of William’s supposed infidelity never turned out to be more but allegations by the press. I have yet to see any woman who claims that William cheated on Kate with her. If they confirmed that anything had happened at all it was usually small talk (maybe some flirting) and dancing and that was that.

    By Isana on May 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am

91. They’ll be together in Mustique now, well away from all those bossy people telling them how to run their lives.

    As for the poster on another site who knows all … as you Americans say, “Go tell it to the Marines.”

    By John on May 21st, 2008 at 8:59 am

92. I so enjoy reading the responses on this site and would like to give you my personal thoughts regarding Kate’s work ethic. Speaking through the eyes of a younger generation (with all due respect to those older than I).
    “When she becomes William’s wife…… When she is Princess……, When they announce their engagement. Well the fact is, she isn’t, they haven’t and there is a possibility that she will never be. There are no guarantees in life. “Here today and gone tomorrow”. It is not the responsibility of William or the Royal family to speak up for Kate. The responsibility lies purely with Kate. I too was born into a very privileged family but I chose to make my own way in life. This is a modern world and my decision was entirely out of a sign of respect and appreciation to my parents. They had given me a brilliant start in life. I did not expect them to continue paying for my life style for the rest of their lives or until I married a suitable partner. For my own self worth I pursued a successful career which gave me immense satisfaction and independence. I too met my Soul mate at a young age, (granted he was not a future King) but having a career of my own fundamentally changed the dynamics of my relationship with him. Now as his wife, I dedicate my time to supporting him in his career and charity work. A new chapter of fulfilment. This is the modern, changing world we live in. Regardless of your status, wealth, gender, age or education every human being needs goals in life and something to aspire to. The world is full of suffering, immense poverty, illness, wars, orphans and much pain - (Burma & China). I am sure if Kate does not feel the need to work and she has her reasons, she could at least throw her energy into helping others who are not as fortunate as her family. Put on her takkies, jeans and get down to some hard but tremendously self-rewarding charity work. Regardless of what the press coverage. For one, it can only be viewed in a positive light and at the end of the day more people will respect and admire her for that. Marrying a future King, if and maybe when, will just be the cherry on the cake.

    By Sam on May 21st, 2008 at 9:24 am

93. Sam, as many of us keep saying, we simply don’t know what she does with her time. I don’t “go out to work” either, but I’m busy all day beavering away at various projects, including this website.

    Kate may be studying for a second degree with London University’s external student plan, for all we know. How would we know? It’s private.

    Anyone who assumes the worst, that she sits watching daytime television and does nothing else, is just filling in the gaps in their knowledge with the most negative assumptions.

    As any lawyer will ask, where are the facts?

    By John on May 21st, 2008 at 9:35 am

94. Agreed. There are no facts.

    By Sam on May 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am

95. Sam, I am intrigued by your use of the word ‘takkies’, to the uninitiated, its an Irish slang word for runners/sneakers/tennis shoes and is used only in a very localised area ie where I’m from!
    So Sam, its great to have another Irish commenter!
    As for my view on Kate working, there’s one clear difference between Sam’s privileged backround and working and Kate, (I am assuming!) the world’s press were not hounding your workplace, quizing colleagues and taking pictures of you going to work, leaving work, trying to get information about you 24/7.
    I think Dan is right, it isn’t possible for Kate to work a regular day and if she did do obvious charity work I think she would be accused of being presumptious and pushy.
    But still I think it is unfair of William to leave her in this position for the length of time he is, paraphrasing Prince Philip either propose or let the girl go.

    By Eliza on May 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am

96. can it be simply that William is a ditherer like his father?

    By Mary on May 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am

97. The guy is 25 for God’s sake and who says that he hasn’t made his decision already? He obviously doesn’t have a problem with committment or he wouldn’t have been in a relationship for almost 5 years now. I don’t recall Charles having such a long term relationship before his marriage with a young woman he only knew for about a year. If it wasn’t for the constant press speculation we wouldn’t even be discussing this. Noone was bothering Peter to get engaged though he was dating Autumn for well over 4 years, too, and noone is bothering Zara or Harry either. Only William is constantly being written about. The only one who would have any right to complain would be Kate and she doesn’t seem to mind (since she probably knows when she’ll get married already).

    By Isana on May 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm

98. We wouldn’t even have this discussion if William would at least give us a hint about the status of his relationship. Kate fills in for him at his cousin’s wedding, which says that their relationship is solid, but on the other hand, he goes alone to an ex’s brothers wedding. Sometimes I get too confused. Too many mixed signals, while we can only speculate what’s going on. As for me, I don’t think I would have been a girlfriend for so long without at least an engagement ring. And I think this goes for most women because I’ve had discussion about this with my girlfriends. After a year or two in a relationship you know if the person is right for you, get engaged and married. That’s it. But of course W is taking all the time in the world. What’s the hurry? In the meantime people are speculating about K. W might not even realize the “damage” he might be doing to K by not making clear his engagement with K.

    By Marilyn on May 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm

99. John if anything you have proved your point with this topic. If this is the kind of debate which the relationship creates just between us, imagine what the firm are doing. I hope they are having fun in Mustique…. they are going to need it.

    By Jackie Mccoy on May 21st, 2008 at 3:07 pm

100. I have the internet version of Hello. And I can tell you that there are several photos of Kate there from the wedding, from the chapel and the reception. And she is smiling and laughing and looking really happy. She’s with Chelsy and Harry in almost every photo. They seem to have a very nice time together. Both the girls look really good in their outfits and they are laughing and smiling and talking to each other and to other guests. In one photo they are dancing. Kate really has a wonderful smile and her teeth are so white;) Chelsy is also very pretty in those photos. I must say that after having read so much negative the last couple of days about Kate and how sad she is, it was terribly nice to look at those photos and see “a different story”.

     By dagga on May 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm

101. Are the pictures on the internet or just in magazine?

     By Claudius on May 21st, 2008 at 4:14 pm

102. There is a digital version of Hello that one can subscribe to. You can subsribe for a year or for only one issue.

     By dagga on May 21st, 2008 at 4:23 pm

103. I saw the pictures too. There are very lovely. Still, I can now understand why William might not have wanted to attend. The photographers obviously stayed the whole evening taking pictures in church, at the reception and the party afterwards. I would have felt very awkward knowing that I’m being photographed and that the pics would make it into a glossy magazine. Under those circumstances it’s very telling that they all seem so relaxed and happy.

     By Isana on May 21st, 2008 at 4:54 pm

104. Hi everyone,

     We made a few changes to the code in the comments section overnight and I understand this may be causing some problems for some contributors.

     I’ve fixed it now, so there shouldn’t be any problems. Please let me know at john (AT) SyntagmaMedia (DOT) com if you still have problems.

     John

     By John on May 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm

105. James and Dan: I enjoyed reading your comments on May 20th. Really addresses some fine points. However, I cannot believe K would keep her life on hold this long, if she did not have some kind of MARRIAGE commitment from W. Yes, we have all read, that 2009 is the magical year for the big event. It just seems like the world is putting a mandate for him to marry. I just think K should tackle some of the media attention and not present herself as a sheltered person. How will she or W ever, ever handle
     their big day and the days to follow. On another note, is it any truth that Camilla has or is consulting divorce lawyers? Why
     would she be furious Charles hired Debbie Goodenough ,
     to supervise his gardens at Highgrove?

     By Judy on May 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm

106. I know Debbie Goodenough is Head Gardener at Highgrove but has there been any hint of jealousy on Camilla’s part regarding Mrs. Goodenough? I haven’t heard anything. I sincerely hope not because the Royal Family’s got enough to worry about without Charles philandering about again. I’n not sure he’d make it to the throne if he got divorced from Camillia.

     By NCKat on May 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm

107. Something about this seems fishy (as in red herring.) First of all, we read, only quite lately, that constant togetherness with Charles was fraying Camilla’s nerves rather badly and that she needed more frequent solitary getaways to cope. It seems unlikely that Camilla would consider divorcing Charles because he hired a lady as Head Gardener at Highgrove. Unless, of course, the Head Gardener is quite a petunia and can charm the birds right out of the trees! Also, one of the reasons Charles married Camilla, I feel, is that he wants a woman to act as his Queen Consort when he becomes King. If he messes up this marriage and it ends in divorce, I truly cannot imagine Charles weedling the Queen into permitting a third marriage. That would require enough gall to be divided into three parts!

     By Gigi on May 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 am

108. Yes, my sentiments exactly, Gigi. Whilst there’s sure to be rough spots, any talk of Camilla divorcing Charles is mere speculation and idle gossip. Mind you, I’m no fan of hers, but she’s grudgingly gained some of my respect for handling her new life as a Royal in a low-key manner with class.

     By NCKat on May 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 am

109. This alleged story about Camilla contemplating divorce has all the hallmarks of wishful thinking by their sworn enemies. I don’t believe it.

     By John on May 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am

110. I don’t believe it either, John. This is a dog that won’t hunt, as they say here.

     By Gigi on May 24th, 2008 at 2:17 am

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