Has Prince Harry become too military for Chelsy Davy?
There are reports today that Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy are once again on collision course for breakup.
Chelsy Davy in despondent mood
Last year’s split came as a result of Chelsy’s despair over Harry hardly ever visiting her at Leeds University, where she suffered considerable initial culture shock over the city’s cold, dark climate and generally grubby demeanour.
However, that breakup was later put down to the couple creating a cover story for Harry’s top secret mission to Afghanistan. Whatever the real reason, it’s well known there were tensions in their often sparky relationship.
Now, with Chelsy flying off to South Africa at the end of her first year of a two-year post-graduate course in law and business, the same complaint seems to be repeating itself.
With Harry on a training exercise with the Army, some believe his new passion for being around “military types” is interfering with his long-term need for Chelsy.
The couple are set to holiday together soon and friends hope they can sort out their difficulties as they have in the past. Friends of Chelsy and Kate Middleton have said that young men become “impossible” when they join the Army. The intense comradely pull to be part of the group can easily destroy other non-military relationships.
A friend of Harry is reported as snapping, “Harry is incorrigible. He is at that age when he likes drinking with his mates. Chelsy will have to resign herself to that or it will be over.”
This powerful influence on both Harry and to some extent Prince William has apparently convinced some courtiers that the Royal brothers need to be exposed to other lifestyles.
William’s new press officer is likely to be very different from the Equerry and military minder types to which they have been long exposed.
Harry and Chelsy are both young, they are only beginning to find roles for themselves (military, career, Royal, etc.), who they are and what they want to become, and one hopes they are being mature and thoughtful about whether they want to move onward together. There is no pressing need for them to marry so it is best they take their time.
John, I’m a bit incommunicado this week. Is there more background to this post? Aren’t they both on their way to Africa this summer?
By Dan on July 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Dan,
You’re spot on. Harry really doesn’t need to settle down now. He isn’t in the same position as his brother. Maybe time apart will do them both a lot of good. It certainly seemed to give William perspective on his relationship with Kate when they split last year.
By Lizzy on July 3rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Dan, they are due to holiday together soon, presumably in Africa somewhere.
Later, Harry and some regimental colleagues are going to Lesotho to build something for Harry’s charity. That’s purely Army though, so Chelsy will not be there.
By John on July 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Having served in the US Army a few years ( decades !! ) ago I can say from personal experience that it is very tough on relationships. The military is genius at creating camaraderie and solidarity between soldiers that just does not translate easily to the homefront. It was a completely insular world even for me having been in the medical field.
I think that PH and CD make an adorable couple but they are sooo young and seem a little on the immature side. However thats OK as they have time to grow up but what a fishbowl!!
By Claudia on July 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I think with the royals in Scotland it is now going to be slow with news and this is to fill columns. zzzzzzzzzzz
By Trudie on July 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I agree Trudie. Since there are no current William and Kate news the papers switch to Harry and Chelsy. Should Harry not have left for his Africa mission already? I’m sure he’ll eventually holiday with Chelsy once his charity project is finished. We’ll probably get pictures of them together in a couple of weeks. They seem to lead rather separat lives anyways. Chelsy is out and about with her own friends a lot (judging by the flood of facebook picturs of her) so I doubt she minds if Harry does the same. They are used to a long distance relationship. They probably don’t feel the need to see each other too often. I wonder how they’d cope with living together.
By Isana on July 4th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
The military screws people up in the head, there’s no doubt about that. And the problem is that Harry isn’t just playing at it like William, he’s actually doing it. Mind you, you’d think you couldn’t get more screwed up than from being Prince?
By ClassyCanuck on July 5th, 2008 at 2:31 am
That isn’t a very “classy” comment. I wouldn’t say they are screwed up. They’ve had a complicated, though pampered life. I think the military has improved their public images. None of us know them personally…or do we
?
By dally on July 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
ClassyCanuck, that is quite a sweeping generalization, and quite unsupported. To which military are you referring? My husband, my father, my grandfather, my great grandfather and most of the male relations in my extended family have served in the American military and none of them were ’screwed up in the head’ by their military experience, even those who served in forward areas during WWI and WWII. As for the members of the British Royal Family who have served or who are currently serving in the various branches of the military, none of them can be accurately described as ’screwed up in the head.’
By Gigi on July 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Has anyone seen the new DM article about Kate and Chelsy? I’ll find the link and post it. They are thin on royal news it seems
By jackie Mccoy on July 6th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Here it is. Nothing earth shattering. Just basically saying that Kate has been advising Chelsy on some ‘adjustments’ to her life.
http://tinyurl.com/6dndte
With regards to classy chanucks comments I think that different individuals in the Navy/Army have different experiences. I also have friends and family in both & I would say that the Army/Navy is a lifestyle as well as a career. Depending on the individuals personality it can affect them in different ways. I have friends who love the discipline, stability and controlled environment that the Navy/Army gives them & several who want out as soon as they can get out… It’s like any position some love & can embrace it, some hate it & some are born into it and know no different……
By jackie Mccoy on July 6th, 2008 at 12:25 am
The Telegraph is reporting that a “close friend” of Catherine’s has told her that courtiers have advised that she NOT have a regular job between now and engagement. So part-time photographer for her parents seems to fit the bill.
By Evelyn on July 6th, 2008 at 1:30 am
I think a lot of us knew this all along. If she was seen just sitting and waiting for William to produce a ring then that would have been a bad move. I knew that when she quit her job at Jigsaw that the Palace had something to do with that.
By Rman on July 6th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Evelyn, that was obvious even when the Mail’s front page header stating that the Queen had ordered Kate to get a job was published a few weeks ago. We scorned it here, and next day Richard Kay rubbished it in his column.
When RA and RK agree, you can be sure we’re right.
By John on July 6th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Yes, we were sure we were right
, but it is nice to get some kind of confirmation!
I hear that the first potential hurricane of this season (Bertha) is moving west across the Atlantic. While I don’t wish anyone to have to suffer from a hurricane, I did think of Prince William’s mission to provide hurricane relief.
By Evelyn on July 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Judging by our weather, Evelyn, it’s already here. We have a very deep low over the country right now. Not nice at all.
By John on July 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
John,
Do you think the Queen tells Kate to get a job story came from the anti-Kate faction within Buckingham Palace or some of the aristos around the royals?
By lizzy on July 6th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
It came from Katie Nicholls.
I think she’s very well capable to think something like this up herself.
By Isana on July 6th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Lizzy. if it came from an external source I don’t think it would carry much credibility. There is an anti-Kate faction in Palace circles and they were clearly briefing against her.
By John on July 6th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Isana, I don’t think Katie Nicholl would make up something like that. She has too much to lose by doing it. The Mail was clearly briefed by an inside source which sought to do mischief to Kate Middleton.
Incidentally, Katie has commented here under an alias, so she’s probably reading what you say.
By John on July 6th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Really, John?
By Evelyn on July 6th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Yup. You’d be surprised at how many “interesting” commenters we have here.
By John on July 6th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Hello! is reporting that Prince William will receive his first medal for active duty from the US Coast Guard– a Joint Services Achievement Medal, for last week’s Caribbean drug bust. I’m happy for William, and proud that our country is giving him this honor.
On the hurricane front, Bertha is still a tropical storm (50mph winds). Current projections show it near Bermuda next weekend.
By Evelyn on July 6th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
John, the article in the Telegraph about Kate being told by courtiers not to get a job was written by Mandrake. I feel that Mandrake is a more reliable source than Katie Nicholl, but I’m interested in your opinion.
What do you think of their sources? Do you feel that Mandrake has a better or more accurate ‘ear’ for Royal gossip and scuttlebutt than Katie Nicholl, or is it vice versa? I’ve noticed that Mandrake’s little tidbits seem to be more accurate than Katie’s columns, but I’m interested in the opinion of someone like yourself, who’s familiar with the ins and outs of journalism and royal gossip.
By mapleleaf on July 6th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
So Katie Nicholl gets her information from inside sources which seek to “do mischief to Kate Middleton”. When will she start questioning her sources? Does she have no integrtity at all ? She is now starting to look rather silly in my opnion, as more and more of her stories turn out to be a bit too far from the truth. Soon I will believe almost everybody else before I believe her. Why does she want to spread the information she most likely knows is not true? What is her agenda really? To become the journalist the Kate-haters at the palace understood they could use?
By dagga on July 6th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
dagga,
In my opinion these people are cowards. How dare they use the Queen’s name all because they have a problem with Kate! And these courtiers aren’t royalty anyway. They work for the monarchy. They have no right to try and undermine William’s future wife. Katie Nicholl should have more respect for her work and not allow herself to be used for this kind of venom.
By lizzy on July 6th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
And I bet it was those horrible courtiers who went to the press last year after the breakup to trash Kate and her family for being too middle class. They probably thought they had won & would never have to see Catherine Middleton of Bucklebury again. Well, Prince William sure has shown them who is really in charge!
By lizzy on July 6th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Mapleleaf, Katie Nicholl undoubtedly wants to get at the truth, but sometimes her basic story is elevated to the front page and sub-edited for effect and a killer headline. Mandrake is a bit of a joker, so you have to watch the tone of what he’s writing.
Like all reporters who dabble in Royal affairs they get nods and winks from various people. Some are just passing on secondhand information that lacks precision, so can be easily misinterpreted.
For example, “The Queen wants Kate to get a job” by a Palace cleaner, may have been overheard from other servants who got that impression from a tabloid newspaper. You can see the possibilities for error there.
The same snippet from the Queen’s dresser or assistant private secretary is a very different ballgame. But these are very rare. Most of the stuff comes from the former scenario.
Of course, when the Royal editor of the News of the World was tapping into William’s and others’ mobile voicemail, that info, properly unpacked, would have real authenticity — although you would still have to strip out jokey comments and throwaway lines made in the heat of the moment. People who know each other well usually talk in a kind of shorthand — again leaving the way open for taking the wrong end of the stick. Nothing is ever as clear as you would want it to be.
I should really do a post about this.
By John on July 7th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Lizzy, there’s a gaggle of young women who follow William and Harry around. Most are well-connected so can turn up at an exclusive nightspot and gain entry. They hate Kate Middleton with the fury of a woman scorned. They see her as an interloper on their territory.
The whole “doors to manual” nonsense had their fingerprints all over it.
By John on July 7th, 2008 at 9:12 am
But why don’t the journalists see those “fingerprints” and ignore what they are told by these people? Do Katie Nicholl and others have to print every rumour they hear? Can they not use their common sense and intelligence?
By dagga on July 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Editors want Royal stories, Dagga, and a few may turn out to be true.
By John on July 7th, 2008 at 9:50 am
If Kate did offer advice to Chelsy re her friends I think it would be couched in very careful language, criticising someones friends is a dangerous thing to do and could easily backfire.
The most she would say is to be careful that the people you hang around with aren’t the type to blab to the press or to others that will then blab to the press.
The idea of Kate saying so and so isn’t suitable as friend of a potential princess is ludicrous, she didn’t get where she is by being that stupid.
By Eliza on July 7th, 2008 at 11:26 am
John, thank you for explaining things so thoroughly.
I understand what you’re saying, and now that I’m enlightened, I feel that I know even less than I thought I did!
I’ll continue to take what Katie Nicholl and Mandrake and the other columnists write with the proverbial grain of salt, and wait for your articles on the subject.
I’m glad we have you and RA to help us navigate around the treacherous waters of royal gossip, because I can see that the inside shorthand is completely beyond me.
By mapleleaf on July 7th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I think KM could easily advice CD on a few things f. inst. having her friends put pictures of her on Facebook. There are now hundreds of pictures of CD on the net that are copied from her friends’ Facebook albums. In most of them she is partying, at least looking rather drunk. I’m afraid once the papers decide to start publishing them, her reputation might suffer slightly!
There are no such pictures of Kate, just a few from when she was very young. She can trust her friends obviously.
A strange result of this is of course that some people on certain royal forums have seen many pics of CD and they see her as very down to earth , funny, having lots of friends , while they have not seen such private pics of KM and therefore see her as cold, having no friends , being no fun or Wills doesn’t love her and … well you know. But I think Kate’s has done the right thing, there are after all just a handful of posters on the forums and their opinion doesn’t count in the real world. I think CD would be smart if she also started keeping her private life private. Then she needs help from her friends and Kate can advice her on that. I’m sure there are more areas where she can offer advice too.
By dagga on July 7th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I’d like to get everyone’s opinion about William and Kate’s living arrangements when he returns from the Caribbean. Would they be allowed to officially live together either at Clarence House or St. James’s Palace like Edward & Sophie? And I believe Camilla moved in with Prince Charles a few years before their engagement.
By lizzy on July 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I’m under the impression that Kate may have de facto moved into Clarence House already. In any case, it’s their own business.
By Amity on July 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I agree about the pictures, dagga. Several of them already made it into the papers usually attached to not very flattering articles. I would have understood when Chelsy’s African friends did so simply because they may not be aware of the British gossip papers and their coverage of Chelsy but quite a numer of pictures of her also turned up that look like they are recent and were taken in Leeds. It is certainly worrisome that her friends would be so careless. I guess her outgoing fun loving nature may turn against her in that respect. She may be a little too trusting with strangers and so-called “friends”.
Chelsy is apparently back in SA and according to the Sun attended the Durban races.
By Isana on July 7th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I don’t know Lizzy John would be able to advise you better on that point, but in my opinion they won’t officially live together before they become engaged. That would undo all of the hard work that they have achieved with the low key approach. Although stories have been written they have been very thin on the ground except with major ceremonies and Kate’s occasional outing to an event sans William. Which makes the nasty stories which were appearing on a regular basis before harder to write.
If they moved in together it would just send the media into an engagement frenzy & we still have at least 6 months to wait before they announce anything…. but who knows as John has said many times before this couple dance to the beat of their own drum!
By Jackie Mccoy on July 7th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Jackie,
I hate to criticize William because I know he’s in a tough position. But I think if he had elevated Kate’s status sooner many of those nasty stories about her wouldn’t have been written. He’s corrected that now, but I just wish that Kate didn’t have to be dragged through the mud for him to get the message.
By Lizzy on July 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Hurricane Bertha’s path may cross directly over Bermuda this weekend.
By Evelyn on July 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Lizzy
I agree.. & no offense Dan, John Arthur or any other men who contribute to this website, but Lizzy they are men they are always the smartest tools in the box when it comes to relationships and sometimes even if they are they can be downright stubborn!
By Jackie Mccoy on July 7th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I tried your link, Rman, but all I get is text written in Swedish. Are the photos available anywhere else?
By Gigi on July 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hello,
The same thing happened to me. However, when I typed “Kate Middleton” in the box on the right, some photos came up.
By Anne on July 7th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Yes you can do that or here’s the link.
http://tinyurl.com/6othj3
By Rman on July 7th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Did anyone see this hilarious article about Zara?? I didn’t know that she had signed up for strictly come dancing. Maybe she won’t be getting married this year after all??
http://tiny.cc/JVZhG
By Jackie Mccoy on July 7th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Nice link Rman…I hadn’t seen the Wimbeldon pics of KM. Some very unfortunate pics of Chelsy on DM today. I am especially grossed out by the cigarette pictures but that is just me. I am wondering if someone outside her “circle” took these and sold them or if they ended up on Myspace or something like that.
By dally on July 7th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
John,
Small rant: What is the big deal about Kate not working? I visit several royal websites and some of these people cannot stop obsessing about it. It’s insane! Is this a big deal in Britain that Kate isn’t a career woman? I believe I read that Sarah Brown no longer works. Here in the States, the wives of many of our presidents have not worked 8hr jobs. If they have careers they usually quit just as soon as their husbands start campaigning. Laura Bush used to be a librarian, but she stopped working to support her husband. And you often read in magazines about the wives of business executives who do not have careers. They serve on museum boards & go to charity balls. Since when did it become a crime not to work?
By lizzy on July 7th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Since the middle-class woman who allegedly isn’t working snagged the Prince and the threw cold water on the fantasies of many a young heart. LOL
By Positive on July 8th, 2008 at 4:18 am
I would be happy not to have a job
I wouldn’t be lazy, I’d just spend my time doing the things I enjoy (like teaching abroad) minus a boss 
I must give her credit-it is likely a job in itself to stay so fit. She always looks nice.
By dally on July 8th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Yes those are unfortunate pictures of Chelsy but she is younger and is who she is…. For now she is just having fun….. Just like William. She doesn’t apologize for who she is and that is that. Eventually if things get more serious I’m sure the pressure to conform will increase but who knows if these two will go the distance or not….
By jackie Mccoy on July 8th, 2008 at 4:54 am
Sorry I meant just like Harry…
By jackie Mccoy on July 8th, 2008 at 4:55 am
I found photos ( linked by Rman) of Kate leaving a job interview at an art gallery. I don’t know the gallery didn’t give her a position because of her relationship with PW or paparazzi, but she did try to get a job!( I knew it).
We know Kate is helping her parents’ business, and isn’t it good enough to say “she is working”? Helping family business is a lot harder than people think.
By Mikado-watcher on July 8th, 2008 at 7:25 am
they are men they are [not] always the smartest tools in the box when it comes to relationships and sometimes even if they are they can be downright stubborn!
Jackie, you know us so well.
By John on July 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Job interview for an art gallery? How do they know this?
Lizzy, Kate is working for her parents and studying the finer points of photography. Why do many people not believe that?
It’s no big deal here in Britain what she does, apart from a few puritans for whom “a proper job” defines who you are. Being a photographer doesn’t count, of course, and working in the family business is a sinecure. They obviously have no idea of the long hours worked in small, family businesses.
By John on July 8th, 2008 at 9:02 am
The current storm track for Hurricane Bertha projects that it will pass east of Bermuda. That’s good for the folks there. The HMS Iron Duke (and Prince William) will have to wait and see if there are other opportunities to provide hurricane disaster relief.
By Evelyn on July 8th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Those photos of Chelsy in the DM are not good for her or Harry. Especially the one of her with those 2 guys. I’m becoming more skeptical that she’ll become more than a royal girlfriend. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be for Prince William if Kate had photos like that out there?
By lizzy on July 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I also think that these pictures are bad for Chelsy and Harry. I would even go as far as saying that this may be the beginning of the end for them.
By Madelaine on July 8th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Wonderful photographs of Prince Harry in Africa! As for the photographs of Chelsy, are we certain that they are current photos? If so, they are evidence of a misstep on her part, in my opinion. They give the appearance that she turns into a self-indulgent wild child while he is off digging roads and constructing buildings in Africa. This will never do.
By Gigi on July 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Gigi, I could be wrong, but she seems to be wearing the same thing she was wearing in the pics from another story this week where she was at some type of race in SA I think.
By dally on July 8th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
You’re right, Dally, they look like shots taken at the after-race party.
After her attempts to be more “ladylike” and taking Kate’s advice, this is certainly a regression to type. She may live to regret them.
By John on July 8th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
By Gigi on July 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
It seems the DM have now taken down the article about Chelsy. I wonder what caused them to do that?
By Ash on July 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I guess in the end Gigi it all depends on how much of herself she is willing to change. She is still very young and probably already feeling the pressure of dating a Royal. It’s not as if we didn’t know that this is what she was like initially, she has always been like this (likes to have fun & a bit of a loose cannon ) and so has Harry…… Maybe it is a sign that things are more rocky than we think as per John’s post..
This should to Kate haters really high light how suitable she is for William. Can you imagine if pictures of Kate doing similar things were to surface?? It would be off with her head I think
By Jackie Mccoy on July 8th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Jackie,
Kate will make a good consort for William exactly because she has handled herself with class and dignity for over 4 years now. She went from being totally unknown to having her picture taken doing the most mundane things. She had horrible stories written about her, attacking her and her family. But she has remained loyal to Prince William and discreet. She hasn’t melted under the pressure. I just hope William appreciates what he has.
By Lizzy on July 8th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Lizzy, I know what you mean about some people obsessing over Kate not having a conventional job. I think those certain posters have issues about their own lives or lack of that leads them to such hate and anomosity toward someone they don’t even know.
By maddie on July 8th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Well said, Maddie, I agree with you. Some time ago, in answer to my bewildered question about what on earth could possibly motivate these naysayers to berserk on Catherine Middleton, John commented that many of these negative posters are unemployed, embittered and envious of others who are well-off and well-connected. They certainly seem to have a tremendous amount of discretionary time–and venom! Most unseemly, and also un-British!
By Gigi on July 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
And they comment from all over the world, Gigi. Just like on this site, many are in America. The power of fantasy is very strong, it seems.
By John on July 9th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Unfortunately, John, this type of ‘crash and burn’ venting–criticism without conscience, commentary without courtesy– has been present in America for as long as the internet has been accessible. Petty people with angry agendas feel emboldened by the curtain of secrecy afforded them by the ability to say anything they want, anonymously, in a public forum. Such brazen and cowardly commentary is not characteristic of Great Britain, the last bastion of civility, but it has become, I am sorry to say, characteristic of America.
By Gigi on July 9th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
John,
Can you shed any light on the plan to downsize the royal family? My understanding is that some of the members like Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and the Earl & Countess of Wessex will play a smaller role. So the focus will be on the Queen, Charles, and William.
By Lizzy on July 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
That is so true. What do you make of the DM taking down the pics of Chelsy?
By maddie on July 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Gigi,
That’s the word- envy. Here is Kate Middleton, a fairly ordinary British girl in comparison to some of the other women in the royal social circle, seriously dating the future King of England. Most of us want her to succeed and be happy. But there is a small percentage of people who can’t stand to see someone get what they could never have. And what’s worse is their venom is illogical. Who in their right mind would believe anything and everything written in the British tabloids about Prince William and his girlfriend?! I absolutely cannot wait until Kate is able to show off her engagement ring. I hope it’s a huge diamond from the Queen Mother’s collection. And I’m praying William gives dozens of interviews where he just goes on & on about how much Kate means to him. Sorry to get carried away here, but I really want all the naysayers to choke on their words.
By Lizzy on July 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
From your mouth to God’s ears, Lizzy.
By Gigi on July 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
That would be nice Lizzy. I can’t wait for the announcement either. All the ‘kate haters’ say they aren’t jealous, but Kate is beautiful, intelligent, courted by a real prince, she excels in many sports, friendly, and looks fabulous in a bikini. What is not to envy? As a matter of fact just posted some positive comments on a site full of these people just to get them riled up. LOL
By maddie on July 9th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
There will be those who won’t stop their negative statements until William and Kate get married. Others will never be happy. Those people will be counting down until they get divorced. I tend to agree with those on this site who believe that people who speak out against Kate are living in a fantasy world. They see themselves with William, so they have to hope that they split permanently. People who give negative comments will always have something negative to say. Instead of sitting back, letting events unfold, and wishing them well, people see themselves as William’s protector against Kate. Those people cannot admit to themselves that she is is soul mate and that they blelong together. I can’t believe that Kate was at the events she attended without the Queen’s approval. I think that there was a big step forward for their relationship recently. In the end, it is how William and Kate feel about each other. It looks like they love each other and will be good to each other. I just hope that everyone will be happy for them and in the end support them.
By kat on July 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
The Telegraph (Mandrake) is reporting that Peter Phillips will be organizing the Gatcombe Park horse trials this year. With Capt. Mark Phillips away at the Olympics, Peter will be taking over. Peter is quoted as saying it “has been on the cards for a few years.”
By Evelyn on July 9th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
whats amazing to me is the how the “kate-haters” can be jealous of someone they dont even know about a situation they know and will never know about…these sorts need to get a life… !
i am not climbing down off my soap box
By coni on July 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
mean “am now climbing down off my soap box” sorry for typo
By coni on July 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Why is Captain Mark Phillips going to be at the Olympics, now that Zara is no longer going to be competing? I am sure that Peter can run the Gatcombe Park horse trials quite nicely, I am just wondering why Captain Phillips will be in Beijing. John, do you know?
By Gigi on July 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
gigi - think that mark phillips is coaching/managing the american team…
By coni on July 9th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I am on the same soap box as you, Coni, wondering the same thing, in utter bewilderment. It really is the limit!
By Gigi on July 9th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Thanks, Coni, that makes perfect sense. Wait–the American team?! Who is coaching/managing the team for Britain?
By Gigi on July 9th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
dont know who’s coaching/managing the brits - but am almost positive about the american team (someone jump in here if i’m wrong) am looking forward to your “tea” for the wedding…wouldnt it be great if we could all be online during the big day…!?
By coni on July 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Coni, you’re right. Mark Phillips coaches for the American equestrian team.
By Evelyn on July 10th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Reading these comments about the Kate haters here, it’s good to know that I am not alone in my view that their words are despicable. We know nothing of Kate but what she has shown us, that she conducts herself wonderfully and seems to be a lovely young lady. I wish her and William the best and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will become engaged next year. And I am anxiously watching the calendar and the airline ticket fares for flights to London next year. And looking at 4 to 5 star hotels for our stay.
By Positive on July 10th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Positive, I am so excited that you are going to London! My Great Aunt stayed at Claridge’s when she went to London and her sister, my other Great Aunt, stayed at the Connaught. Both are said to be wonderful hotels. Try to record every detail of your visit so we can all live vicariously through you!
By Gigi on July 10th, 2008 at 3:02 am
WHU has some pics from July 1 of Kate riding her bike to her parents workplace.
By Isana on July 10th, 2008 at 9:56 am
If anyone is planning to come to London for the Royal wedding, you’ll need to book a hotel the moment the date is announced. So choose your hotel, plus alternatives, carefully and get the details ready. Bear in mind there’s an outside chance it could be in Windsor, so check that out too.
I’d guess the big ones will be full up with people who have been tipped the wink in advance, and, if it’s a summer wedding, the lower priced ones will all be block-booked by travel agencies and tour operators.
However, there are lots of excellent middle-range hotels around the Strand and Regent Street areas that you may get into if you’re quick.
You can forget Claridges and the Connaught. They often have whole floors booked by Arab Princes and their families, or some supermodel or other.
Failing all that, buy a tent.
By John on July 10th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Link to the photos Isana is referring to: http://tinyurl.com/6othj3
By Ash on July 10th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
How strange that it says she is riding to work…she doesn’t look like she would be going to work. Is her parent’s home near their office? I think it is cool that there are all those cars and they probably have no idea that KM is the one on the bike! I really like that website-it has lots of great pics. She seems to be with Holly Branson at a lot of events.
By dally on July 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I did not make the comment “maddie- how do you know kate is intelligent?” John could you take that off? Someone is posting under my user name.
By Rman on July 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I was thinking differently:
+ Enjoying a ride by herself, while she can still do this without security people tagging along.
+ A green commuter!
By Evelyn on July 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Yes evelyn, I can see the headlines now about Kate going green. What a nice role model for young girls.
Unfortunately they would never probably put out a story saying she actually works, that would be too nice of them. My husband works for a magazine publisher and they recently went “green” by allowing a lot of the designers to work at their home offices full time. It has really helped us with fuel costs.
By dally on July 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I saw her pictures riding a bike, but it doesn’t look like she is going to work, unless she will take a shower at work. No backpack, etc. It probably is a leisure ride.
My question is, shouldn’t she wear a helmet? Here in the US is the law to wear one out on the street, specially with so many cars next to her.
By Marilyn on July 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
We published a picture like that some months ago. Looks like a leisure ride to me. No-one goes to work like that, even in summer.
By John on July 10th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Rman, I’ve zapped “rman” from the site. Clearly a troll.
By John on July 10th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
john - perhaps you can pitch a tent for the “r.a.” group along the wedding route
hee hee
By coni on July 10th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Coni, I think a large marquee might be more appropriate. We’d needs lots of space for Gigi’s food.
By John on July 10th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Positive
I can recommend the Dukes hotel. It is in central london around the corner from the Ritz a little bit hidden but a very luxurious hotel, with excellent service.
By Jackie Mccoy on July 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
We will, indeed, need the large marquee, John, as we will have to fit the large tea table under it and at least two smaller tea tables for the champagne and for the Royal Anecdotes wedding cake!
I am planning on going hog wild (metaphor!) in preparing the menu! 
In the event that Prince William and Catherine are going to announce their engagement in August, rather than in January of 2009, as is supposed, I do hope that you will not mind once again preparing a toast for our Royal Anecdotes Gala Royal Engagement Tea!
By Gigi on July 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Rman, Someone posted under my name as well as yours on BRW.
By maddie on July 10th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Gigi, I’m inclining towards an post-Christmas announcement now, since we believe Kate will be at Sandringham on Boxing Day but not Christmas Day.
The chances are, as Jackie says, they will clear the decks first — wait until William finishes his military involvement — give him a breather to get used to Civy Street again, then get down to business.
It’s beginning to look as if my dubious toasting skills will have to wait a little longer.
By John on July 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am
John, a post-Christmas announcement will suit me equally well, as January is always a rather glum, gray time and a Royal Engagement announcement would light up January like the fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Times Square!
As for your toasting skills, we all know they are excellent!
By Gigi on July 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Gigi, since it looks like we will have to wait a while to toast William and Kate, might we have a small Royal Anecdotes Tea to celebrate the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor on July 19th? The wedding is going to take place in the private chapel at Kensington Palace, but I’m sure a few photographs will be released afterwards. I don’t know if the Queen will be in attendance, so we will just call it a “Royal-ish” wedding.
By Arthur on July 13th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
My goodness, Arthur, you astound me! I had no idea Lady Rose Windsor was marrying! Whom is she marrying, may I ask? We will most certainly have a Royal Anecdotes Gala Royal Wedding Tea to celebrate her nuptials on the 19th! The wedding of a member of the Royal Family is, in my mind, a Royal wedding, whether or not the Queen attends the nuptials.
RAers, be ready to attend the Royal Anecdotes Tea next Saturday, July 19th, to toast the wedding fetes of Lady Rose Windsor and her betrothed. For those of you who may wonder, Lady Rose Windsor is the younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the granddaughter of the late Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. Henry, Duke of Gloucester was the brother of the late monarch King George VI, and therefore uncle to Queen Elizabeth II.
By Gigi on July 13th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Gigi, here is the engagement announcement that appeared in the Court Circular on November 16, 2007. Since the announcement was so close to the Queen’s and Prince Philip’s Diamond Anniversary, it may have been overlooked by most of the press:
Kensington Palace
16th November, 2007
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are delighted to, announce the engagement of their daughter, The Lady Rose Windsor, to be married to Mr. George Gilman, son of Mr. Peter Gilman and Mrs. Gillian Gilman.
I don’t know very much about Lady Rose’s fiance, Mr. George Gilman, but his father, Peter, is a property developer and former director of the Leeds Unlimited Football Club . While director of the Leeds Unlimited Football Club, Peter Gilman was involved in a bit of a scandal, so some suggest that is the reason the Queen will probably not attend the wedding. Perhaps John can enlighten us more about the Gilman family.
By Arthur on July 13th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Thank you, dear Arthur! You are a veritable fountain of information! I Googled “George Gilman” and found three photographs of Lady Rose Windsor with George Gilman, dated as early as 2004. He certainly appears to be a very good-looking young man and if the photographs are to be taken as best evidence, the young couple had already formed an emotional attachment. I do hope that the Queen attends, but even if she does not, I hope there will be some lovely photographs available for viewing so we can see the bride in her bridal gown.
By Gigi on July 14th, 2008 at 12:59 am
George Gilman is 26 and the son of a property developer. Incidentally, the football club is Leeds United, not Unlimited.
I can only find one pic of George, from the wedding of Peter Phillips in May. He’s at the very top.
By John on July 14th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Thank you everyone for the kind referrals. I’m not too worried yet, as there are so many wonderful hotels to choose from in London! Kate and William just have to let me know because I have a calendar to consider!! LOL
By Positive on July 14th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Positive, we must get you an appointments secretary! Perhaps you could share the person being hired to take one these responsibilities for Prince William! Talk about access–that would be something!
By Gigi on July 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm