Has William bolted from Kate Middleton?
What are Prince William’s motives for choosing the RAF over Kate Middleton?
Whichever way you look at it his motivation for deciding on four more years in the military is hard to read. The choice is made more puzzling by his apparent sudden change of mind.
Just a few weeks ago William seemed set to spend 2009 learning about constitutional affairs, interspersed with some Royal engagements and other duties. Although it was never explicitly spelled out, most observers had pencilled in a summer wedding with Kate Middleton.
Then, anonymous voices claiming inside knowledge began to put it about that marriage had been postponed for 18 months at least. No reason was given, which made the claims less credible at the time.
Last week the absent bits of the jigsaw puzzle fell into place. William had decided to train for the RAF’s Search and Rescue unit and was intent on becoming a helicopter pilot on active duty around Britain’s shores and wild places.
So what were his motivations, and how does Kate feel about his apparent desertion? The obvious reason is that he enjoys the excitement of service life.
It may also be true that he views marriage as a millstone round his neck. However much he likes being with Kate, it may simply be “the institution, stupid”.
It’s possible that only one of these motives is the real one. Which one would be interesting to know. There’s a lesser probability that both figured in his decision, in which case maybe the French Foreign Legion would be a better choice.
If the first reason is the primary cause of his sudden change of heart, it holds up to the world that he may never be ready to settle down into the boring routine of marriage and Royal duty — at least until he is considerably older.
An even longer life for his grandmother, and an extended reign for his father, might be very welcome to the reluctant Prince.
I’m also beginning to think that Kate may share those views, although not to the extent of being separated from him for the best part of four years.
She may recognize that you have to swallow some bad stuff in order to realize your dreams. As a middle-class female she probably has a better grasp on the realities, like the necessity to compromise a little and settle for what you get.
William, though, as a Prince born to greatness and worldwide fame, may just believe he can have it all without any diversions down unwanted paths and alleyways.
There’s a disconnect somewhere here. Let’s hope neither of the two personalities in this affair gets hopelessly hurt.
It may be that a Christmas announcement is still in the schedule for a May or June wedding next year. In which case the trajectory remains intact. But some sources are warning this is not so, and normal life has been postponed in the foreseeable future.
Since the future of the Monarchy rests on their shoulders, it would be of great assistance if someone known and credible explained the reasons behind this radical change of tack to the great British public.
A very insightful piece but I think it is based on a wrong premise. I don’t think there was such a sudden change of mind. The Sun has reporeted back in May that William applied for this air sea rescue position. Here’s a link to the article. http://tinyurl.com/6xqr9c
I feel the other reports were just ill-informed as the British media so often are. After all Clarence House did not confirm them at any point except for those referring to this year. William himself seems to have been determined to continue working with the RAF ever since May - maybe also the reason why his navy attachment was shortened so much.
Whatever that means for him and Kate is of course hard to tell.
By Isana on September 19th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Isana, thank you for finding that article– that is the one I vaguely remembered reading months back.
From what I’ve read about Search and Rescue recently, I think William’s service will be a great benefit to him and the UK. There are plans to reduce the number of Sea Kings in SARF so that more helicopters and pilots will be available for service in Afghanistan. Since William can’t serve operationally in Afghanistan, it makes sense that he would help fill the gap with a vital force like SARF.
I am still hoping William & Kate are taking a page from HM’s playbook, and will spend their early married years in a relatively normal newlywed life.
By Evelyn on September 19th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Evelyn, I’m with you in thinking that it would be great to see Kate as a military wife. I recently read several biographies of the Queen, and it would seem that those early days in her marriage were some of her happiest. We shall see!
By Greycella on September 19th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
True, Isana, but the central plank of the piece still holds, it’s just taken back to May.
The fact remains that William’s plans for next year were released by Clarence House recently. They included a spell in the Foreign Office, the MoD, a newspaper, learning about the Constitution with an academic expert, and much more. All that is now shelved, apparently.
This does appear to be a sudden change of tack in recent weeks.
By John on September 19th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Oh John, I do hope you’ve just said these things to stir the pot a bit????
I’m seriously crossing my fingers and toes wishing that W & K stay on the December/Spring, engagement/wedding path!
I’ll be fine either way but certainly one would make me happier than the other!
By Julie on September 19th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I believe the offer of the Search and Rescue job was on the table, but that William didn’t make up his mind until recently. His people clearly had plans for a different outcome.
By John on September 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
John, if I’m not mistaken, Clarence House never released a statement about William’s “royal training” you mentioned. I know it’s been published in almost all major newspapers, but I think the original source was News of the World and/or the Telegraph quoting “royal sources,” but never Clarence House. I could be wrong of course…
By frands on September 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Frands, the reports I saw had all the hallmarks of a Clarence House briefing, including massive detail, naming of names and locations. It was not by any stretch of the imagination made up by a rogue journalist.
By John on September 19th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I agree frands. As far as I read the articles about the “King training” next year none of them quoted Clarence House. I do not know where it came from but it was not an official statement by the palace. I do not remember where this story originated but the NOTW refers to the plan as “secret”, i.e. non offical. The DM didn’t attribute it to CH either. The Telegraph as well does not cite a CH statement but just said such plans “will be announced soon” by CH alas such announcement never came at least I couldn’t find it.
Here are some links:
http://tinyurl.com/482tjj
http://tinyurl.com/5qz2ad
http://tinyurl.com/5w96wm
So it remains, IMO, that those plans were nothing but media speculation and were never official.
By Isana on September 19th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
John,
I’m in total agreement with you. There were just too many reports from too many different newspapers, not just the tabs, about William’s plans for the next few years. There is no way they all made it up at the same and with that kind of detail. This seems like William very much wanting to avoid any and all responsibility, including Kate. It’s very sad because I was hoping William would be more like the Queen and follow her example. Doesn’t seem like that’s the case. Hopefully Kate will get the message and leave on her own accord with her head held high.
By lizzy on September 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Maybe CH had a plan B in case the RAF thing wouldn’t work out and some royal aid got ahead of himself and leaked it to the papers without actual official approval because an official statement to that effect was definitely not released.
By Isana on September 19th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Might the alternate plans have been conceived in the event his application to SARF was ultimately rejected? Perhaps it simply took the RAF this long to process his application. I understand SARF is being reorganized, and perhaps this caused delay in the application process and the need for a contingency plan B.
I don’t think life in the RAF and life with Kate are incompatible, but we know as little about what Kate wants as what William wants. They’re a couple of inscrutable Sphinxes, which is the quality that keeps us all chattering!
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
John
A thought just occurred to me of another possible explanation for the change in plans. Over the last couple of months, PW as well as Kate has come into criticism about his lack of work ethic. Also some “people” looked at his different secondments this year as not real work and as more of a PR exercise. I think that if PW had carried out the plan that was being laid out for him of another series of secondments to different organisations, with no real job that it would have had a very negative impact on his image. Given that it could possibly be another 15-20 years before PW is King he needs to build up credibility doing something. I think that this search & rescue role will (a) allow him to hsow people that he is actually interested in something other than enjoying himself & (b) will, given the nature of the role allow lots of positive PR as PW is seen to be helping others.
So on that basis I think that taking the role is the right move. My concern is Kate Middleton as I think she appears a nice girl and I think that the treatment that she is getting in the press is inhuman. I really wish that Prince Willam would visably support her or if he doesn’t think she is the one that he wants to marry then they should split. I really hope that this isn’t the case, espec after the way that her profile has been raised this year and the fact that only a few weeks ago he was on holiday with her family. If he dumps her for a second time after all this I will lose alot of respect for him - to be honest he will have behaved like a complete s**t (apologises for the language!)
By Helen on September 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Nail on the head, Dan. And, yes, it looks like a Plan B was fully prepared. Its leaking has confused us all, and now we’re looking for reasons why William prefers a Sea King helicopter to marital bliss.
It is, of course, possible that the Christmas scenario will go ahead. Kate is reported to be going to Sandringham on Boxing Day.
As for an official document, my memory is nagging me that I saw one on the PoW site, which is a Clarence House briefing. I don’t have time right now to follow that up, though.
By John on September 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
All I’ve found in a search of past CH press releases is this about the Autumn, posted July 31:
“The autumn programme will continue and complete this learning process by enabling Prince William to work with The Central Staff - including with the Chief of Defence Staff at The Ministry of Defence in London - as well as allowing him to undertake a series of non-operational visits to Special Forces and a non-operational attachment to the Army Air Corps.”
I didn’t find anything official that refers to his life in 2009 and beyond.
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Isana, you and I appear to have been thinking the same thing at the same time.
It must be true!
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
It does seem at this point Kate is getting the run around from Wills. It’s a positive sign she did attend a couple weddings without him and did recently go to a wedding with him, but is there a reason why he didn’t attend her recent charity event?
I guess what we are all looking for is some sign he is committed to her. Whether he likes it or not, he is a royal and heir to the throne. Some point he’ll have to act like it. Having a long term g/f and then deciding to go to the RAF with no marriage does give the view of being not ready and immature. If he is jealous of Harry and what he did in the army, that’s to bad. Grow up, you’ll be King, he won’t, let him have his moment in the sun.
I do hope their is some sort of engagement, the monarchy doesn’t need their heir playing boy soldier while stringing along a girl, then if they do break up, good luck with the PR.
At some point and hopefully soon, he needs to act like an heir, marry her or let her go…
By American Cousin on September 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I saw something that he reported for duty already…maybe that’s why he was not at the charity event?
By Julie on September 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Isana, thanks for refreshing us on those articles. They do have a very official feel about them, naming names and placements. But although coming from an official source, they may well have been leaked.
In the circumstances it was easy to discount the outside chance of William remaining in the military, which is the point of my article and its psychological speculation.
Clarence House didn’t rebut them either, presumably assuming they were going to happen, nor did John Major or Vernon Bogdanor. The upshot was that this seemed a done deal until a week ago.
By John on September 19th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…regarding Kate…PAINT OR GET OFF THE LADDER! At this point I believe she is a sitting duck in the middle of hunting season!
I don’t think that PW’s career (in the RAF or the RF) should make an engagement or marriage off limits. Unless, the other pilots are not allowed to marry? Of course that’s not the case so why not PW? The rest of the world manages to work and marry at the same time…can you imagine if we all said that training or working was too much to add to marriage?
By Julie on September 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
We have to assume that an arrangement is in place between them. I don’t believe that Kate is idly waiting around for something that may never come, as the tabloids suggest. But ultimately it will come down to what the two of them want, and neither one of them is talking.
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Given that Prince William isn’t finishing his military commitments at the end of 2008, as had been supposed and suggested, it doesn’t seem as necessary for him to wait until after Christmas to announce an engagement. He’s in the military now, and he’ll be in the military then. In that view, anytime this fall would be entirely appropriate to make his engagement official.
The only thing that might be different would be Kate’s plans to spend Christmas with her family.
By Evelyn on September 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
i dont believe william’s miltary service will prevent him from marrying kate - am sure a plan is in place - if william was backing away from her we wouldnt be seeing kate at some of these functions…
thoughts
By coni on September 19th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
One of us said something recently (I scrolled up but didn’t spot it; sorry I can’t cite you properly) about the potential for W&K as a married couple to overshadow Charles and Camilla, and I wonder if there’s something to this. I can’t imagine Charles forbidding his much-loved son from taking a very beautiful bride while he remains Prince of Wales, but I can imagine an undercurrent along these lines. Let’s be honest: in the golden afterglow of William’s marriage, Charles and Camilla will, at the very least, be overshadowed, if not rendered entirely invisible. There would follow even greater calls for Charles and Camilla to be skipped over in favor the new Royal couple.
There might be real strategy to bungling William offshore (or at least along the shore
) for a couple of years. Were there to be two full-time working royal couples named Wales, they would compete for attention and for charity dollars, and W&K would win that competition hands down.
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I am curious to know when Pr. Charles 60th Birthday Party is? Mostly because, if William and Kate appear there as a couple then I think that there will be an engagement.
I am not sure about the latest developments, I am a bit confused by William’s motives, but the Palace does have their way of doing things, but couldn’t William solve all the mystery by simply proposing Officially to Kate soon and making her Official fiancee, thus putting her under Palace care and training.
By joanne on September 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I apologize for my ignorance, but would it really matter if William is with Search and Rescue? Couldn’t he be a married man and still have a career? It seems that even though he is employed he could still enjoy wedded bliss.
And are William and Kate even dating? It’s almost as if they are seen together as friends, in friendly-type environments.
By Meg across the pond on September 19th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Dan, I was the one who mentioned that idea. I think I read it somewhere this week, so I can’t take credit for it. I, too, think this might be part of the reason for the current change of plans. I am hoping that the plan also includes Prince William & Kate’s wedding and a few years of relatively normal married life. In the long run, it would strengthen their relationship.
By Evelyn on September 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
This doesn’t look good for our Kate, does it.
She obviously knew about it, seeing that it was in the papers last May. Since then, there’s been a great deal of togetherness going on - including William vacationing in the Caribbean with the Middleton family.
So, either they will marry and live as a military couple.
Or, William simply doesn’t want to get married and all this tarrying around, finding something else to do when the moment is imminent is his way of saying this.
Obviously, he is uncomfortable just dumping her and she will never leave of her own accord. Her entire adult identity is based around her relationship with him. So, in a passive aggressive away, he simply avoids marriage without assertively ending the relationship.
It’s especially telling that he needed a “reason” to postpone. As opposed to simply not getting married next year.
More and more, it looks like the relationship won’t be over until he finds another girl.
By Alicia on September 19th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
There certainly are men who string along a woman who he has no intention of marrying because he doesn’t want “to hurt her.” I hope he is not that type of man, and I hope she is the type of woman who would see through it and walk away.
I am reminded of how Diana tried (or so she said) to make her relationship with Charles work despite every sign that it would not. I hope Kate is not clinging to false hope, and that she has good cause, with assurances, for staying.
By Dan on September 19th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
In all the recent pictures of Kate she has had a look of pure radiance and deep happiness….just the way someone who is engaged should look. This keeps me hopeful that they will announce an engagement soon. I also hope she isn’t clinging to false hope but unless she’s a superb actress she has an inner glow that doesn’t go away.
By Dot on September 19th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I agree, Dot. And I doubt William would have felt comfortable spending their vacation with Kate’s family if his intentions toward Kate were not honorable. I think an announcement of their engagement will come with time– the sooner the better, in my book!
By Evelyn on September 20th, 2008 at 12:03 am
John, that was a great choice of picture. I watched the concert and looked for a sign that everything was going in the right direction for William and Kate. It wasn’t until the next day that I saw the picture and became hopeful for them. I guess we are all waiting for that same sign which will tell us in what direction that they are going. Maybe, I am making too much of all of it. Mayble, William loves flying and wants to do good things for other people. This would be a great choice for him. Now, that things are settled for him, he can turn his attention to Kate.
With the lessening of responsilities of royal life, maybe he feels that he can now have the freedom of being with the woman that he loves. It could be that he has the best of both worlds. That is a career and the love of his life. Was there a Metallica charity concert over last weekend? I read somewhere that William and Kate were there. That would show that they are still going strong.
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Allow me to chime in with the observation that Kate has managed to look radiant both before their breakup last year, as well as shortly after their breakup last year, so almost to the same extent as William can be, she is very hard to read.
That’s a wonderful trait for a professional poker player, and a public figure such as a future Royal. It is, however, sometimes frustrating for royal watchers and fans of Kate.
Logic would indeed seem to dictate they’ll marry soon or not at all. But, knowing William and Kate, there might have been a wee little tiff this week, which could very well be followed by a Decemeber 2009 announcement/2010 wedding.
These two will always keep us guessing and that is why they are the most fascinating couple on the planet.
By alsgal on September 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
I will agree with you alsgal. They are indeed a fascinating couple who has everyone guessing. Everytime I think that I have things figured out for those two, one of them throws a monkey wrench into the picture. I still though in my heart of hearts think that everything is great between them. If there was truly trouble with them would have Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend attended the event? I would have doubted it.
I wish that they would make it official. I am an impatient
person who would like some answers.
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Kat, I recognise and sympathise with your impatience, for I too, am cut of the same cloth!
Excellent point about the fact that Princess Beatrice was in attendance, as that should indeed imply all is good in Kate’s world as Beatrice is said to be rather picky about the events she chooses to attend I have heard.
By alsgal on September 20th, 2008 at 3:04 am
It would be a good thing to see them together again so we would know that things are ok…I am rather worried. This speculating is making me crazy!!!
By Julie on September 20th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I am sure if she attends Charles’ birthday party in November all of this talk will immidiately be dismissed and proven wrong. Unfortuantely it is another 2 months till then and I do not know whether any other high profile events are scheduled in between that would allow them to diffuse such gossip. Is polo season over already or may we get a chance of them attending a polo match together? I read someting about a charity photo excebition William will hold. Maybe they will attend that event together. It certainly sounds like something right up Kate’s alley.
By Isana on September 20th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I agree with Amanda Platell that Kate’s outing at the “Day-Glo” roller-skating ball was a complete disaster. Pictures of her lying on her back in scanty shorts were a PR disaster at a time of economic collapse.
Amanda also follows RA’s line on William’s apparent desertion of her. Link to Amanda Platell.
Another piece by Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy shows that many people “whisper-close” to William are shaking their heads over his decision, which was his alone.
Read also Geoffrey Levy’s bit at the end about the Royal Protection Squad, who are thoroughly confused about their role in protecting Kate when she’s not with William. They fear that if something goes wrong, they will be blamed for it. Link to Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy.
A lot to think about.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
More total trash from the Daily Mail. Your continued reliance on these people and their agenda to smear CM and her family is puzzling to me. Too bad.
By Ursula on September 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Ursula, I’m not relying on them — they have followed my article yesterday.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
But wasn’t the very same Richard Kay writing two weeks ago about a meeting between William, Kate and the Prime Minister in Balmoral to discuss an upcoming wedding? Why should we suddenly believe his “sources” when they were so obviously wrong in the past months (Carole Middleton in Ascot anyone?). Especially because the very same source say “William doesn’t discuss his relationship with Kate”. So how come they claim to know what his plans are, let alone his feelings about her?
And I am sorry but Amanda Platell is an excuse of a “journalist” her reasoning is illogical at best and her “columns” consist of nothing but spite against anyone she deems will sell the paper. How come all the negativity mainly originates in the Daily Mail - the paper which has been wrong most of the time when it comes to royal news? None of the recent “real” royal stories the break up, the re-union, William’s RAF plans was brought up by the DM all they do is print vile attacks on Kate. I feel they have no idea what they are writing about, copy from online forums and make up their lack of inside info with pure spite and nastiness.
I find it sad that some now resort to attack William in an attempt to protect Kate. How is that going to help? Neither Kate nor William are at fault for living their lives according to their own life plans. And no way do I believe that they do not know what the other one wants or aims at. If the Sun can know that William applied for the RAF position in May so can Kate. The only ones at fault are the tabloids greedy for Royal “news” on a daily basis and impatient for the next royal “star” incapable to let things develop in a natural way. Why should William have to be “forced” to get engaged if he for whatever reason doesn’t feel ready to? I am sure Kate would just walk away if the situation became unbearable for her. Noone is forcing her to stay with William either. But I guess she is simply mature and confident enough to take the gossip tabloids for what they are and not to take what they write personally. And she has the advantage to know both William and her own situation inside out something which neither we, nor any of the royal columnists do.
By Isana on September 20th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
John, in all the time that I have followed RA, you have been rock solid on the relationship between Prince William and Kate. In your last posting you outlined the confusion about how people are seeing the situation between the two. I guess adding to my confusion is the diferences in last year and this year with Kate. This year, she has virtually gone into hiding. However there have been a string of events which has shown her continued envolvement with William. This points to a strong relationship.
I do think back to February when the headlines said that they would put their relationship on hold so that he could concentrate on his millitary career. Then, they were seen together on a regular basis. Could the media be reading more into his career move than is actually there? Could they be misinterpruting his career choice as putting his relationship on hold? There were problably lots of factors which went into his discision. I hope that for the love that William and Kate share that this will go to them building a life together.
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Isana, we can only write about what’s out there. The alternative is to shut down Royal Anecdotes and ignore the news.
This site has always supported Kate Middleton, as you know. We have also been supportive of Prince William. But, although he’s our future King, we still chide him if he makes an avoidable error of judgement. The same with Kate. But we do it to help, rather than as snarky, spiteful criticism.
In Richard Kay’s defence, he wrote that backstairs gossip at Balmoral said that Kate and William were due there soon — maybe when the PM was there. It was very hazy and speculative, and he said so.
In the present case, there is a lot bubbling under right now, and more than a few loyal people are puzzled at what is going on.
Since the Monarchy ultimately rests with these two — if they eventually marry — we have a right to try to understand the motives involved. Some of them may not be as pure as we would like, but we can’t ignore facts.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Kat, all that remains true, but I can’t make this unfathomable pair marry against their will.
Something changed a few months ago when there was a lot of criticism of Kate from Palace sources. I reported on this a number of times. I suggested then that Kate needed an engagement announcement to clarify her position.
Now the sudden departure of William into a full-time RAF career is baffling many people, including me. Again, a simple engagement announcement would clear the air, even if the wedding date is many years away.
The lack of a clear announcement is the problem here, and that rests with William
I don’t make the news, merely report it and comment on it. Nothing has changed in the policy of this site towards William and Kate. But their circumstances bounce up and down like yoyos.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I must say, Mr. Kay practically quoted me and Evelyn about Charles and Camilla potentially being overshadowed by a married W&K. He’s definitely reading RA. Who knew that we were his “Royal sources?!”
(If only I hadn’t edited out my own thoughts about Camilla having to step up to the plate… I’ll let Mr. Kay have that one.)
By Dan on September 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
My dears, I believe that in this particular instance we are allowing our worst fears to get the better of us. Prince William is not bolting, I truly believe, because that would be the action of a cad, in the worst sense, and he is not that. There is much in what Dan says regarding Charles and Camilla being overshadowed after the Royal Engagement is announced, and I have always believed that Charles insistence on being center stage was one of the reasons he did not support Princess Diana but succumbed instead to his jealousy and fits of pique when she became so popular and outshone him. Nevertheless, we must trust Prince William and his Kate, support them and believe that they know what they are doing and will keep faith with each other and the Kingdom.
It is my judgment that we have not had tea in some time, and I am sure that we could all do with a cup. My dear Alsgal, if you will pour, I will pass the tea sandwiches, the raspberry tarts with the heavy cream, and the Balmoral Dundee cake, without which our dear Prince John cannot face the morrow. We have also chocolate divinity cake and apple charlotte, which I shall be grateful if our dear Kat will serve for us. Dear RAers, Royal Anecdotes Autumn Tea is served!
By Gigi on September 20th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Dan, you would be surprised who reads RA. We often get our ideas and analyses appearing in the next day’s press, as has happened today. I think you make a very good “Royal source”. You have the bearing for it.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Isana, I’m not so sure that any one is attacking William as much as hoping that by announcing his intentions publicly, it will put an end to a lot of the mean-spirited speculation that is going on. There is a sense that if he was to openly declare her a furture part of his life, a “non-negotiable” of sorts, that those evil forces in the Palace and the press would back off. Many of us, I believe, are puzzled that he is not doing this for Kate.
There are also those of us, for silly and selfish reasons, who simply want a beautiful Royal Wedding to occur and are simply being impatient.
By alsgal on September 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
John,
You misunderstand what I meant to write. I was just agreeing with you that things look very confusing to everyone.
Your support of the relationship has been a positive force to those who would want it ended immediately. I realize that you are trying to sift through and bring us information. I think that I need to step back and let things happen with a more objective view. I am writing as an observer of two real people with real feelings. Only they know what is going on with them. To me, I feel that they are at a crossroads where a new chapter will open for both of them. If they truly love each other and it is right, they will get married. If not, then it is better to find out now. I find that I am a little perturbed with myself at wanting an engagement because I think that they are in love and seem to be well suited to each other. Who knows just where this is headed. I do know that it doesnt serve any purpose to be negative to either William, Kate, or their respective families. I do hope for the best for both of the people. We will find out sooner or later what is going on and until then I hope that they are both doing what is right for them.
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
My dear Gigi, I just saw your post and I am pouring as we speak.
After the events of this week, there may be just a splash of whiskey in the teapot.
By alsgal on September 20th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Ok… my thoughts about this whole thing…
Firstly, I, too, can’t believe how harsh the media could be. There’s something really ugly in the way they’re bullying this girl who has shown nothing but discretion and respect for all people (including the very intrusive and damaging monsters of the media).
After William’s strange decision for an RAF career, and the royal family’s seeming lack of support for Kate’s present status, I can’t help but hope that if it wasn’t meant to be, that Kate and Will will have the strength to let each other go now before either one gets seriously hurt. It’s not worth it, Kate… a life inside a fishbowl for endless ridicule. And if Wills can’t even be there for you, then he doesn’t deserve you. In as much as I think Kate would make a wonderful princess, I’ve grown to care enough for her to think that maybe everything is not worth the trouble.
Alas, I’m still a bit upset about the whole situation, but this too shall pass
I’m sure as soon as the next picture of the couple turns up, I’ll be cheering them on once again. But as of now, and if it’s for the good of all, I wouldn’t mind them parting ways.
By frands on September 20th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Gigi, I would be honored to serve the cake!
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
… and the Balmoral Dundee cake, without which our dear Prince John cannot face the morrow.
Gigi, you know me so well.
And the cake is excellent, worthy of the Duchess of Marmalade.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Alsgal, I’ll take a dram of that tea, if I may.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I agree that William need to clear this up because everybody is losing their minds over this. The Daily Mail has clearly lost their mind and the royal followers don’t know what to believe. So I think everyone should stay cool, calm and collective and let William clear this all up. I don’t care what anyone say, the charity fundraiser was a success and Cahterine did a good job. So she fell a couple of times, that happens to everyone. She just so happened to have cameras focused on her. I do not believe William is leaving Catherine on the sideline. They was just in the caribbean with her family, having fun and they just attended a wedding together. The announcement came that he will extend his training and everybody went crazy and start thinking the worst. William needs to clear this up because even though Catherine did well, she still needs some extra backup from William on this. We also need to see Catherine out more supporting charites and going to more events. I hope to see her and Chelsy at Charles’s birthday party in November. A note to Richard Kay of the Daily Mail, “stop putting this girl down because she needs the public’s support and if you are writing horrible things about her and always making her look bad the members of the public will think the same thing.” John I hope Royal Anecdotes don’t go down this is the one site I go to to chat about the royal family and it’s the one good site that out there.
By Claudius on September 20th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Claudius, here’s an official statement from the Royal Anecdotes Board:
“We know what’s going on. We are going on.”
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
My dear John and all RAers, the whiskey is in the decanter on the sideboard to the left of the tea table, and all should feel free to imbibe, with the tea or without! The glasses, a pitcher of water and a container of seltzer are on the silver tray at the end of the sideboard. We Royal Anecdotians must be prepared to properly sustain ourselves in all eventualities!
My dear Kat and Alsgal, many thanks for your kind assistance, and my thanks to our dear John for his kind words regarding the cake!
By Gigi on September 20th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Oh, am I late?
I was just thinking that it was high time for tea!
By Evelyn on September 20th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I just found this site. It is another piece to the puzzle about William and Kate. It makes sense.
http://tiny.cc/pH4gA
By kat on September 20th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Kat, thanks for the link, which names Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton as its source, something we asked for in the article above.
However, note the following: “The Prince’s decision to take up his new post, which requires an 18-month training period and will see him attached to the air search and rescue team for a minimum of 30 months, appears to have taken even his private secretary by surprise.”
That’s the point I’m making. It’s a sudden decision by William that “comes out of left field,” as Americans say.
I get the feeling that all those around him have the same impression.
This has not been resolved yet.
By John on September 20th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I’d like only to add two specific points to this conversation. One, regarding Prince Harry and the other, and probably more importantly, the late Princess Diana.
On the first, we all know PH served in Afganistan and wants to go back. It seems perfectly logical to me that PW, so as not to the weaker of the two and was denied that same opportunity to serve with his regiment (?not sure if thats the right word), may see his role in Search & Rescue as the least he can do to put himself out there in a fearless manner and do his part to defend and serve his countrymen.
On the second, I would be nothing but even more proud of PW if it turns out that the arrangements agreed upon between both he and his years-long girlfriend is one to protect her from the same untenable media intusion which ultimately brought about the demise of his mother - merely by prolonging its onset. And gossip be damned! Were I KM, in a, again, years long relationship, I’d be most happy to keep the security, commitment, and future plans for that relationship quite to myself. Moreso if the reason was my beloved’s concern for trying to keep the past from repeating itself.
Finally, I hope everyone commenting on the so-called PR fiasco of Kate’s outfit and her falling down the other night will remember that she was co-hosting a charity event with an 80’s theme. My money says that PW, if he even saw the picture, thought she looked quite good indeed!
By Cindy on September 20th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Well, Kate just keeps looking worse and worse with each new article. Not that her prince is coming off any better, but William is basically setting the rules. He won’t marry until he’s 30 or until he takes on full time royal duties. And she’s apparently hanging around without any guarantees or assurances of anything. Not to be harsh but Kate is being treated like a mistress. Not a future queen or someone William loves dearly. And somebody should give Prince William and Mr. Pinkerton a clue. “He has all the time in the world”?! The Queen is in her 80s! Yes, she is healthy now but she is still an older woman. We all hope and pray she lives to be 100 years old just like her mother but that isn’t a sure thing. It is extremely irresponsible for Prince William not to start preparing himself for his future roles as Prince of Wales/King.
By lizzy on September 20th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I do agree with you, Lizzy, on the “mistress” part. People deeply in love find a way to make lives mesh together, even where duty might make it difficult.
I see no good reason why Prince William and Kate can’t marry within the next year. I would hope that Prince William would want his grandparents to be at that momentous wedding. No one knows for sure what will happen to any of us in the near future, but that’s all the moreso for older people.
But, as has been mentioned earlier, I suspect any delay has more to do with Prince Charles not being able to deal with the national celebration of the next-in-line’s nuptials. Unless PW&K are allowed to marry in a somewhat more subdued ceremony (such as at Windsor), this royal wedding will completely overshadow PC&C. Prince William may be unwilling to deal with the family fallout that may result. But I do not see that as a “good reason” to delay.
By Evelyn on September 21st, 2008 at 12:42 am
I don’t see blaming poor Prince Charles for this. The newspaper articles are coming fast and furious now and a general outline is beginning to take shape.
It is obvious that this decision is William’s alone. He simply does not want to marry and become a working royal.
I also agree that a marriage will happen quickly or not at all - to quote Richard Kay.
It is beginning to seem more and more like not at all. There is more info, to the effect that Kate did not know these plans were for certain until shortly before they were announced.
LINK
Kate may settle for a royal mistress role - there are worse fates in life. At this point, it is obvious that he does not want to marry her. I can’t see how she can defend her position - every girl and her family will be throwing themselves at him. It’s only a matter of time before one of them replaces her.
Of course, in a simpler situation, now is the time to get pregnant or start flirting madly with other men to make him jealous. But, in this case, that’s very dangerous.
She’s a breathtaking girl; she can do better than the situation William insisting on.
By Alicia on September 21st, 2008 at 12:57 am
I also agree with John that William needs to clarify his position, that chooses not to do so speaks volumes.
By Alicia on September 21st, 2008 at 12:58 am
Here is another article to add to the growing list of articles.
http://tinyurl.com/497xl8
I am afraid that the press is either revealing what they think are William’s cards or they are calling him out to show his cards. Either way, they are not going to let either Kate or William alone. That is for sure. By the way, one article said that none of William’s friends weree there to support Kate at Disco night. Right there, the facts don’t support that. His cousin, Guy Pelly, Sam and Holly Branson and I think Jamie Wells was there. They are all William and Kate’s friends.
By kat on September 21st, 2008 at 1:16 am
Kat, normally I would take comfort in the presence of Pelly & Co, and while I still remain hopeful that all is well and that there is a surprise engagement on the horizon, I cannot help but recall that many of William’s friends seemed to be around Kate after the breakup last year. Whether that was simply because, after five years together, they are all simply part of the same set, or whether it was only because certain people were asked to keep an eye on Kate (to gauge her loyalty, potential for vindictiveness, etc.) I cannot say. Kate does not strike me as the sort to sell herself out, as she has repeatedly shown her loyal and kind nature, but perhaps there are those around who do not think as highly of her as we do here at RA.
Although it is difficult for all involved, we must remain hopeful and patient.
By alsgal on September 21st, 2008 at 2:24 am
Alsgal,
I am behind you 100%. I can’t believe that William and Kate have gone strong this long to have everything ruined. I won’t believe that he is leading her on only to have him make a choice that would make it impossible for Kate to want to stay in the relationship. I am hopeful for this to be a smokesreen giving them added private time to get ready for their wedding. I look forward to hearing more about them and seeing them at a royal function together.
By kat on September 21st, 2008 at 2:39 am
All we know for certain is that William has made a change in career choice for the next 3 years. They split once and have seemed increasingly sound as a couple in the year since. I don’t doubt their relationship and committment. If there was a change there would be an announcement made. Nothing in the articles implies there is a split.
Maybe it’s not William this time. Maybe it’s both who would prefer to wait before she and William steal the light from Charles. I think Evelyn has a point. I think there may be influences at work other than what William and Kate plan for themselves. It’s clear Charles plans on continuing in his role and his attempt to crown Camilla queen. Is it possible William would rather develop himself otherwise and avoid possible confrontation and competition with his father by training for a similar role? Might it seem a little crowded right now? I don’t know much about this.
Unless William is much more impulsive than he seems, thought was put into this decision. And although it may have been a surprise to his secretary, I’m confident he discussed it with those important to him before notifying his secretary. Does making decision “all on his own” mean he made it without CH advice? If that’s the case then it wouldn’t mean he made the decision without input from the Queen, Kate or other people he trusts.
I do have a question. I don’t know much about royal protocol. Would the Queen agree to an official two year engagement? Has there been a precedent? Is it even an option to have a long engagement?
Nothing in the pictures as recently as a few weeks ago indicate William is trying to escape his relationship with Kate. At this point he knows as long as he’s committed, Kate will be there. It could be something else he’s trying to avoid that we are missing. As for Kate, it would be hard to believe she would be willing to go through the bad press, criticism, flashing cameras, criticism of her family and people she loves to belittle her and generally living in a fish bowl for an extended period of time for an undecided relationship. She’s already made it clear that isn’t her plan.
We may be ready for marriage and babies but it seems they aren’t. I think Gigi’s RA teas may have to fill our time until the smoke clears from the mirror.
By lionhound on September 21st, 2008 at 2:50 am
And yet… I know we all would rest more comfortably with an announced engagement and a SECURITY DETAIL for Kate!
By Evelyn on September 21st, 2008 at 2:51 am
Hear! Hear!
By lionhound on September 21st, 2008 at 2:54 am
lionhound, I don’t believe there is a precedent for a long royal engagement. While it may appear to some that Prince William has made the decision to join the RAF for 4+ years on his own, I would be surprised if it wasn’t a huge item on the agenda for the Way Forward Group (was that it’s name?)– the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles all would have discussed the options with Prince William, perhaps at length at Balmoral in recent weeks.
By Evelyn on September 21st, 2008 at 2:56 am
This is what it is.
Since the April 2007 breakup, we have been led to believe that William reduced his time of military service, so that he would be free to marry in 2009. In fact, it appeared that his reconciliation with Kate was contingent on this.
He appeared to get Royal approval for this plan and Kate was seen serving a semi-official function at some high-profile events.
Now he - and he alone - seems to have renigged on this earlier commitment.
I don’t fault Kate - she’s been with him since college and her entire adult identity is linked to him. Moreover, giving up the hope to marry your prince and eventually become Queen would be almost inhumanly difficult. What sort of independent identity could she forge that would even compare with that?
I don’t think there will be a breakup announcement, seeing how disastrous that was last time. CH will just continue stating they won’t comment on his social life and eventually we’ll see him with another girl.
Sadly, when he breaks up with the other girl, Kate will still be there to welcome him back.
As for William, John’s forum is too polite to allow for an accurate description of his behavior and character.
By Alicia on September 21st, 2008 at 3:17 am
Oh, no! I missed the tea!
Please, Gigi, tell me at least the “adult beverages” as I like to call them are not all gone?
I had a busy day today but I was so hoping to drop in and learn some good news…alas, not this time
Well, the speculations continues…as you were…SIGH!
By Julie on September 21st, 2008 at 3:18 am
Alicia, the romantic in me hoped Catherine was staying with William because he was her friend and confidant and because he’s important in her life. Not because he’s a prince, and she wants to marry a prince because she feels she couldn’t do as well on her own. That may be too much realism for my lil’ ol’ southern brain.
I thought when she looked into his eyes and decided she wanted to stay with him she saw a man, who was a prince. Not a prince, who was a man.
By lionhound on September 21st, 2008 at 4:05 am
I didn’t mean to burst your bubble - I just meant that I didn’t fault Kate for not walking out instead of waiting for a ring. Perhaps I was just being too clinical ….
By Alicia on September 21st, 2008 at 4:20 am
You are all such a breath of fresh air. I love you all! Your insights are wonderful and if ever I could have a wish granted, it would be to meet you all in a real tea room and chew over this and that.
And I hope Royal Anecdotes does not go anywhere. I was horrified to read that the only alternative to reporting news and commenting on it was to shut it down. Shame, John, for suggesting such a thing!
By Meg across the pond on September 21st, 2008 at 5:06 am
Huge fallout from this. Our only satisfaction is that Royal Anecdotes got the story out first and now everyone is piling in.
The Daily Star story is by Clive Goodman, former Royal Editor of the News of the World. Those of you with long memories will remember he went to prison last year for tapping into William’s (and others’) mobile phone voicemail.
I doubt he’s still doing that, but his “story/guess” that William consulted Charles and no-one else has the ring of truth, or the knell of doom, whichever you’d prefer.
William’s Private Secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton’s admission he didn’t know before the decision was made shows how suddenly it happened and how aware William was that it would not be popular. What we see here, I believe, is William’s famous “stubborn streak” in action.
The result means that one of them must now break this off and put the other out of their misery. It will be hard but maybe Kate should do it publicly for her own self-respect.
What this means, of course, is that a furious Kate with masses of inside, intimate knowledge will be at large without restraint. I’ll bet large financial offers are already coming in.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 6:22 am
John, they got to announce this engagement now so everybody can shut up about it. What is the steps for them to make an annoucement?
By Claudius on September 21st, 2008 at 6:49 am
Claudius, it’s down to damage limitation now. If William wants to save this relationship and his reputation he needs to move fast and sign Kate up to the Firm now or his public standing will suffer as her’s has.
If he buries his head in military duties he will inherit the same fate as his father’s, i.e. he will be branded a man of indecision who couldn’t bring himself to grab his chance when it was there.
That would be a great pity for everyone involved.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 6:56 am
I must say that I find it extremely artificial, this whole thing “Wills-needs-his-training” for this and that. And it means that no marriage for him. Why is he under such a pressure, he is not particularly close to become a King? His grandmother is a healthy lady and his father is in his prime.
Norwegian Crown Prince is 2. in the line, yet he got married at the age of 27. Now many people say that Wills is “too young” and this is utterly insane! Haakon of Norway is far more closer to the throne than William, yet marriage has not been impossible for him..
I wonder how long this can go on. William is “in training” and meanwhile all kinds of newspapers and rags go through Kate’s outfits/actions/suitability/backround. If I’d know her, I’d ask: is it really worth it?
By Peg on September 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am
I honestly can’t believe the hysteria everyone seems to fall into because William decided to join the RAF fly and rescue! He never had the chance to really “serve”in the sources and he has been criticised and ridiculed as a toy soldier for his stints. I can very well understand that he wants to “prove” himself. The fly and rescue seems like a reasonable choice. Kate can break off the relationship if she feels she was lied to or she’s being dragged along but she has been in the same situation for the last 4 years and has never shown impatience or a sign of unhappiness. If she doesn’t decide to leave William, I see this as a sign that she is in agreement with William’s decisions. The Telegraph says so whereas the Daily Star claims she is unhappy and feels hurt by what William does. Unless Kate has a shyzophrenic personality with totally opposite feelings both stories sound like nothing but guesses to me.
And if Jamie Pinkerton didn’t know that William had applied for the RAF position he is either incapable to read since the Sun had reported this very fact and hence doing a poor job or William doesn’t trust him one bit. Btw, the Telegraph didn’t quote Pinkerton when they said that about him being surpised they say the decision “appears to have taken even his private secretary by surprise. ” That means that’s the interpretation of the journalist not what Jamie Pinkerton said himself. And God beware the press would admit that they got it wrong with their stories about William’s plans for next year in the first place which they all copied from the NOTW apparently without checking its validity.
If William doesn’t want to marry Kate, so be it. It’s his life and his relationship. If they are bot happy to wait another few years to marry, so be it. If Kate decides she no longer wants to wait and leaves William, so be it. There is no obligation on anyone to marry or to do what the press pressures them to do. William is free to lead his life as he sees fit as is Kate. I see the current press as nothing but blackmail to force the couple to put straight the mess the press has created with its constant speculation and mis information and I have to admit I am dissapointed to see you joining it, John.
By Isana on September 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Isana, I’m not “joining in”. My piece was published on Friday morning before any of the others.
It was based on a careful analysis of an unexpected decision by William — one which took many friends and observers by surprise. The May date has no relevance because he was widely thought to have put the RAF role behind him, hence the document of his 2009 plans leaked recently.
We’re a commercial publication following up stories when they occur. I’m sure some of our visitors are “disappointed” with that, but they soon disappear back to the rave and rage sites where they can express their inner angst freely.
I’ve been saying for two years that William should announce an engagement to regularize Kate’s status or announce they are just very good friends who go out together occasionally.
Hanging her out to dry for years, then announcing a four 0r five year stint in the RAF is a weird thing to do in the circumstances. Such a statement needed a clarification of Kate’s position in all that. To leave her out of it was tantamount to saying she didn’t matter.
It left her looking very foolish and isolated.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 10:14 am
That is exactly the asumption I don’t get. What changes in their relationship if he coninues serving in the military? Her “status” won’t change at all and his schedule will look very similar to what it did the last years. He can spends just as much time with Kate then as he does now. As far as I understood he won’t be gone for long periods of time and won’t be out of the country. None of the wedding talk and sepculation came from William or Kate for that matter, it was the press that has been announcing enagement date after engagement date since they were “outed” as a couple in 2004. Surely if Kate had taken any of that seriously she wouldn’t be with William anymore because she’d have enough of it by now. Apparently she doesn’t, her and William seem to be in agreement about their relationship, so why should William have to set straight what the press got wrong?
“The May date has no relevance because he was widely thought to have put the RAF role behind him”
You are of course right here. He was THOUGHT to have put it behind him. William never said such a thing neither did anyone officially speaking on his behalf. So why not take the positive view on things that this has been William’s plan (at least) ever since May and that Kate was very well into this and knows what will happen and what comes next?
Only the public didn’t know. I personally believe that William very well knew his plans ever since May and so did Kate. But we shouldn’t forget that both William and Kate have a far different view on everything than we as outsiders do. We may only see a small fraction of the puzzle that may appear distorted but if we knew the whole picture, we may very well have a totally different idea of the events.
By Isana on September 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am
Isana, I get to hear a lot of things that go on behind the scenes, most of it just gossip, as I’ve said before. But the trends of the discussions plus the peripheral activities combined with experience of how things happen in the Royal Family, mean it’s possible to discern the way the cookie is crumbling.
And this cookie is crumbling.
There’s no doubt that Kate feels isolated after the prospects of spending much of the next four or five years alone begin to sink in.
Believe me, she’s not going to wait around for that length of time only to find herself upstaged by a much younger aristocratic trust-fund babe.
No-one can put up with being a national laughing stock for nearly a decade. As was said, a marriage will either happen soon or it never will.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 10:47 am
I’m with you John! “a marriage will either happen soon or it never will.” So true. I cannot believe that she should wait for 4-5 more years.
If I was William, I’d propose her. This is the woman I love, I would not like to see her treated in bad way. He is a grown up man, and what is wrong with Kate, I must ask? Norwegian crown prince married a single mother, with some “wild” drug-related parties in her past, a former waitress, university drop-out. If we compare, Kate is an ideal bride. She has her uni-degree, she has no illigitimate children, she is very beautiful, dignified, down-to-earth kind of girl.
By Peg on September 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
She’s a good sort, Peg, but if William doesn’t think so he should let her go, as his wise old grandfather said.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
First of all, it is good to see John and Claudius posting at the same time. It has been awhile. In thinking calmly, maybe this is a good thing. First, if William really thinks that he has to ( wants to )do this then he should. If he has evaluated his situation and wants to make a contribution, then this a good way of fullfilling what he needs for his self respect. The only thing that I hope is that he was honest with Kate about how he truly feels about her and about his reasons for going into Search and Rescue. As for Kate, this could be a time of self reflection. She could really decide what she wants to do for her. She could go back to school, start a new career, or she could become envolved in some other cause. I know that she has been working full time for her parents. I have a feeling that she has been in the shadows because of the RF. If this was a surprise, I know this is going to be difficult. However, if they belong together, they will. There is nothing to stop William from changing his mind about marriage later. Kate needs to do things that help her grow as a person as we all do. To me, she shows a multitude of good qualities. It just might be that during this time she will really soar. I am pulling for her and for him. To say they are going to split is a self fullfilling prophecy. I will then wish them both much happiness and a bright future.
By kat on September 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I have a feeling that she has been in the shadows because of the RF.
Kat, I would say that we wouldn’t have heard of Kate Middleton except for her links to the RF. The same goes for Diana.
Incidentally, just a correction to what I wrote above. Patrick Jephson was interviewed on CBS Wednesday and queried the RAF role in connection with William’s relationship with Kate. So I wasn’t the first to bring it up.
Sniff!
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
John,
You maybe stating what your readers don’t want to hear, you have to report what happens and your honest opinion of the events.
I have always appreciated your insightful commentary.
I hope my own previous comment didn’t sound to harsh. I was simply defending Kate, a young woman who is in an extra-ordinary situation.
By Alicia on September 21st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Kat I agree, this is the time that Catherine can really show people what she is made of. That she is not waiting for him but they are in this together. She needs to been seen getting involved in organizations and great causes. Visit centers and help raise more money for charities. This don’t have to be totally tragic like people are making it but a time that she can show her interest. I do believe that things need to be more clear. I think there’s a plan being set out for her so the public can get to know her better and continue to see why William is sticking with her. Got to get back to work.
By Claudius on September 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Well, I am not surprised by PWs decision. Let’s face it, he has seen the life of the “working royal” upclose, and well, helicopters and missions probably look like a lot more fun. If he left the service now, it would be very unlikely he would be able to return.
The clear implications of this decisions are related to Kate. It is possible, that they collectively want to use this time to “build of their working stock” to gain additional respect from their accomplishments. They aren’t needed immediately for “royal service” as C&C are present. It does worry me to think the PW only consulted PC in his decision. We all know that PC isn’t known for making the best decisions in his life. But, I do agree that this is PWs stubborn streak in action. Let’s just hope that he included Kate when considering this. If not, she knows that and must realize what it must mean. But in the end, I do think the decision for this was primarily related to his recognition that he wasn’t ready for a working royal life. Not, that he wasn’t ready for marrying Kate. How many men would join the military for such an extended period just to avoid a woman? It just seems so unlikely. PW rarely comments on his personal “likes” and “dislikes”. He has often spoken about how much he enjoys flying. I think that is all this is really about.
By Cate on September 21st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
William and Kate have appeared to be going from strength to stregnth since reuniting after last year’s breakup.
The only “off” thing about all of this has been William’s recent RAF decision.
I get the sense they are still very much together, but they are hoping that by it appearing to be “over” to so many people, William can in fact pursue his career, and Kate hers, whilst still finding time for each other and then getting married when it is time to, perhaps 2011 or 2013 (2012 is out due to the summer Olympics, I would think.)
I think this time, rather than hearing about Kate’s revolve-around-William lifestyle (in reference to what Jigsaw owner Belle Robinson said about Kate needing to be “on call” for William, and her current job with her parents, which would seem to provide more of the same) we will see her actively involved in a job showcasing her talents and abilities. She will finally be able to pursue this because this clever pair have now gotten everyone into the frame of mind that, unless an engagement is announced, the relationship is effectively over.
I don’t believe it is over at all, and I believe you will see them very much together, we just won’t know about it for the next 2-3 years.
This takes the heat off of William, it allows Kate her independence, and Charles to remain front and center for the next 3-5 years. Looking at it from this angle, it almost seems win-win for all involved.
By alsgal on September 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Incidentally, Katie Nicholl has an interesting little cameo in today’s paper from the Day-Glo charity event.
Princess Beatrice was not invited for some reason, but turned up four hours after it started. Katie (Nicholl) found her in the ladies’ loo in tears:
“I’m the only one without a Day-Glo costume because no one told me anything about this until today,” she said. “I found some orange face paint but it’s stained my favourite dress. Oh, it’s all just a big mess.”
Kate (Middleton) “who was downing shots at the bar with her chums,” left half an hour after Bea arrived without saying goodbye.
Clearly, all is not rosy here, and there’s a lot of prickly “stuff” going on.
And this is an eye-witness account by a trained journalist.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Ouch…that sounds awful.
By Cate on September 21st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Well she should have read the web-site. There she could have read everything she needed to know about the “dress code”. So why don’t I believe this story?
And what does it have to do with the Kate-William relationship??
Kate didn’t tell Bea to wear a costume so that she could get a revenge on William for joining RAF?
Katie Nicoll was there? I understand why Kate went home!
By dagga on September 21st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
As long as everyone is speculating on PW & CM may I throw in another option. Maybe this is PW’s way of getting the country to accept his wedding on a smaller scale at Windsor because he is in service. It has been reported that Windsor is his first choice. Then he and CM could begin their married life out of the lime light as a military couple. Didn’t HM and Prince Philip say that their time in Malta was the best years of their life. That would also remove any competition with PC for center stage for the next 5 years. We will all just have to wait and see what developes. May God bless them and guide them on their way.
By Grandma828 on September 21st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Grandma28, I hope you’re right. That thought occurred to me, but I’m not sure I’d sign up for five years in the services because I wanted an alternative venue for my wedding.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 5:20 pm
John, I don’t buy the Katie Nicholl quote. It sounds like the kind of Alice-in-Wonderland nonsense that a less-than-professional journalist would put in a Royal mouth knowing it would never be publicly denied. Do you think Beatrice is that silly?
By Dan on September 21st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I’m out in California and I saw the advertisement for the roller-disco..why didn’t Bea see it? It’s easy to find on the Web. Plus it wasn’t invitation only and the flier stated the dress code. More rubbish from Ms. Nicholl …meow meow. All good cat fights start in the ladies room.
By Dot on September 21st, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Maybe onto a new subject….what are the general thoughts on the Daily Mail’s new article “How Fergie and the Duchess in the hit movie are directly related through an illegitimate child”? The press had always proposed Princess Diana as “the relative” of the Duchess. How was think link to Fergie overlooked until now?
By Cate on September 21st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I did read that article, Cate. I’m guessing the link with Sarah Ferguson was overlooked because the child of the Duchess was illegitimate, and the families hadn’t really kept track of the relations. It wasn’t as if that link was with a royal (as with some tracing their ancestry through illegitimate sons of sovereigns), just another aristocratic family.
By Evelyn on September 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
What worries me about the Katie Nicholls quote is that usually journalists hide behind an “unnamed source” or “chum” and will not attribute quotes directly if they are not true out of fear of being sued or forced to print a retraction.
In other words, they usually stick to “keep it fuzzy and imply all kinds of rumours” stories because you can’t get taken to court over those.
However, and I haven’t seen KN piece yet, but if it was quoting Beatrice directly then, yep, this is a big mess and I am horribly afraid there is something very sad going on.
If it is true, it also sounds very un-Kate like that she wouldn’t have thanked Beatrice for coming, and by “downing shots at the bar” it almost sounds as if she might have been rather disappointed in something, for instance, that William did not show up?
It’s hard reading tea leaves here, my friends, so I’m just not sure what to make of this.
I cannot imagine Katie Nicholl would be dumb enough to quote Bea as saying something she didn’t, though.
Very strange indeed.
By alsgal on September 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
John, is the Katie Nicholl piece you mentioned only in the print version of the newspaper? Or can we find it online?
By Evelyn on September 21st, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I did wonder why Bea was the only one who wasn’t dressed up according to the party theme. I do feel sorry for her and can imagine that she felt out of place. But honestly she decided to attend a party she was apparently not invited to (for whatever reason, maybe because she didn’t buy a ticket or donate?) she could at least have made the effort to find out what sort of party it was and how to dress.
If she decided to attend at short notice noone could have filled her in on it of course.
I am not sure about the drowning shots part. There is not a single picture of Kate with alcohol in hand or standing at a bar. Also no paper had reported that before and in their hate-filled articles any indication that she was possibly drunk, would surely have been mentioned.
And at an event with 450 people in attendance would you bother to find your boyfriend’s little cousin, you didn’t know would attend in the first place, to say good bye? I know I wouldn’t. Kate may simply not have been aware that Beatrice was even there.
I guess we should all stop reading too much into the events especially when they are reported by media that are very biased against Kate right now.
By Isana on September 21st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
John,
I do not suspect PW would regard a five year service in the rescue team as a negative thing, only to avoid ( a big wedding?) or ( a wedding at all?). It serves him with sufficient appologies for not appearing to often at ´the inner circle of the firm´, and without raising comments about not being engaged in a string of appearances of royal duties .
That being said, I do not really see a hinderance for a smaller wedding, and a life somerwhere off the center point, for as many years as possible, before at last assuming the tiring role of heir in the waiting. I just can’t imagine him settling down with his twenty odd years and growing plants and fruit as his fahter did.
So the rescue training is by far the better solution. ( who would like to mingle with admin at London, if one could avoid it anyway?) The only unknown part in the whole thing is Kate Middleton: I’m sure she at least was informed and did approve. He is, as was said before, the person who thinks things over twice, or more often, if necessary. Don’t heed the xxxmongers, they dig into this, first because of the opportunity to do so, and second, because Kate has given apparently an edge, the first within many months, or even years, to build up a real ’scandal’, -big deal including pics and a headline. And better still, it’s weekend press.
Understand, I do mind your inside knowledge of the Royals and all, I follow this website practically daily, yet, I simply cannot imagine a turn around by 180°, after weeks of intensive building up of KM’s importance around PW.
By Gena on September 21st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Gena, that is what is not making any sense to me. Sure, lots of people go to non-family weddings together (Salzburg) but Kate recently went to Peter and Autumn’s wedding and then to Lady Rose’s as well. She also went to the Garter ceremony, a very big deal indeed.
Everything was going along ever so smoothly except for this recent whopper which caught us all by surprise. Why? Because it seems to indicate PW will be away most of the time, which is worrying if Kate, as an unmarried partner, cannot stay on the base in Wales or up in Scotland with him.
The thought of the two of them both enduring a year long or two year long stint in the military was one thing; the thought of another 3-5 years seems rather challenging by anyone’s standards.
If it wasn’t for that, everything would seem same old, same old. Then we have this odd report from a journalist which seems to portray Kate as behaving in a manner she normally doesn’t. (We have always heard Kate has made a point of being friendly with William’s relations.)
So, some weird events and all I know to do is keep the faith that somehow, these two have worked something out we simply aren’t privvy to, and might not be for the next 3-5 years.
By alsgal on September 21st, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I think this relationship has just cooled a little, as they all do when two people have been together for six years or so. If they had married sooner, and children were involved, they would find new pathways to explore.
However, if you stay single for that length of time, there are always temptations to find more excitement elsewhere. It seems to me this is what’s happening between William and Kate — especially with the adventurous William, who probably envies Harry’s greater freedom of action.
It may just be an unconscious impulse to throw himself into an exciting RAF role rescuing other people, of course. However, I suspect the growing pressure of Palace voices against this match — including, if we can believe some journalists, his father, has convinced him that he should reinvent his life.
The fact that he doesn’t know what to say about Kate and her position reveals his confusion perfectly.
Right now, this does not look good. I hope I’m wrong but it will need some pro-active public relations to convince us that we are.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Alsgal, you are right that an Editor of a substantial newspaper can’t just make up the words of a member of the Royal Family, especially in a one-to-one.
The interpretation of the situation is another matter. But it seems to me she was trying to convey an impression of low-level conflict between Kate and the Royal Family without stating it explicitly.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Correction: read “awkwardness” for “conflict” in the above comment.
By John on September 21st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Thank you, John, that is the exactly the feeling I had after reading the bit you posted about Bea speaking to Katie Nicholl. Something just felt very awkward about what was described. I so hope we are all merely making mountains out of a molehill, and that William understands he still has a chance to pull himself and Kate up, up and out of this seeming sadness.
Let us hope for the best yet be prepared for the worst.
Between last week’s market meltdown and the news of the RAF, here’s hoping for a calmer week ahead, as God knows my liver won’t be up for a repeat of last week.
By alsgal on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 am
Here’s an interesting article from Harry, date 9/10/08
Money Quote
“Sporting a navy-blue polo shirt and jeans, the spiky-haired prince came to the bar with about 50 army buddies and several bodyguards, said the woman.
“He was tight-lipped when asked about his father, but opened up about his brother, Prince William, who has reportedly rekindled his longtime romance with Kate Middleton, she said.
“(Harry) was really short about (his father), didn’t say much about him. But he was saying how his brother’s in love.”
“Owner Ralph Steiert said Harry did come to the bar Tuesday night.
By Alicia on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 am
Could it be? … that during August, William failed to get the Queen’s approval for the wedding and so said, in effect, “OK - I am off to the services then, no working royal for me.”
That would be the only scenario where he could still be very much attached to Kate and not marrying her.
He did go with her family on vacation - did he go Balmoral?
Pippa’s camera was stolen recently (early September) and it contained very affectionate photos of Kate and Will.
Maybe there’s more here than meets the eye.
?
By Alicia on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 am
Yes. Or maybe she didn’t agree to include Catherine in certain functions until they married, or maybe he’s sending a message to his father? Something else. I keep looking for the missing piece. There will be information we don’t have that only they have. I keep wondering if William is sending a message or digging in his heels against someone other than Catherine. Nearly all I read regarding Catherine confirms their relationship. And, most of what I read of a drift in their relationship is speculation and suspicion created by his decision.
My impression has been they have thought out their relationship, have chosen a direction and are of character that can stay the course. It could be that the decision to go into the RAF includes Catherine. If it doesn’t, there is a shift but the reason, although maybe suspected, is still unknown to us. John. Help? Could there not be something else in play here?
By lionhound on September 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 am
Is it possible that the Queen may approve of their relationship and intentions, but not the timing of a 2009 wedding? Is it possible that with the current economic/political climate in the UK, the Queen sees this Royal wedding as too ostentatious for next year?
By Evelyn on September 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 am
Hi Guys, this is my viewpoint from Sunny SA KM looks like an intelligent young lady surely she wouldn’t put up with all the harrassment & nasty comments from the press if there wasn’t a type of understanding between her & PW? love the tea can I add Chocolate Fudge cake to the menu?
By Nikki on September 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Evelyn, that bit wasn’t online last time I looked. It’s a good job I take the paper versions as well.
In terms of the Queen’s approval during hard economic times, as Gigi pointed out recently, her own wedding was held in times of acute post-war austerity and was criticised by some for being excessive. However, ordinary folk supported it up to the hilt because it was just what London needed after a decade of penny-pinching.
As we’ve been saying, it could always be held at Windsor on a much smaller scale.
By John on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
In regards to the article about Princess Beatrice and Katie Nicholl: I have heard many things about this Katie Nicholl and maybe she is just getting braver in her “campaign” against Miss Middleton? When you get away with stealing from the cookie jar for so long, there’s always the temptation to move on to something bigger. (I don’t know if the Royal family keeps up on the gossip about them and therefore the article would go unnoticed for a while?)
Lionhound, you said something that made me think about all of this. “I keep wondering if William is sending a message or digging in his heels against someone other than Catherine.” Is Prince William the type to rebel against tradition and make a point of it by doing his own thing during these stubborn streaks? Trying to get out of the grips of the family and make his own way in the world? If so, perhaps we are going to see a new kind of monarch emerge from this. A man who has decided “it’s time for a change, and I’m going to have to be the one to do it. ” Perhaps we are seeing the beginning of this, which is why Miss Middleton is still (for all we know) with him.
I am anxious about Prince Charles’ birthday celebration. Mr Evans (I don’t know you well enough to be comfortable calling you John, it’s just not right to me, but if you prefer it then please let me know) in your opinion, how telling will it be to see what comes about during the celebration? Do you think there will be something that will be tell-tale about the status of Prince William’s and Miss Middleton’s relationship? We all know she’s invited, but if she went as a friend, we would never know would we. I hope someone makes an announcement soon. It’s none of our business I know, but still, for the sake of their relationship, I hope they can stifle some of the negative press gossip. :\
By Meg on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
Meg, we prefer informal around here.
In terms of the party at the Palace, Kate has been invited. If she and William are going through an awkward patch she will probably go with Chelsy and mingle with people she knows. If she doesn’t make an appearance, we will definitely know something is amiss.
By John on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 am
I don’t get the sense that William is one to mess with tradition. Yes, he can seem a trifle stubborn in regards to the press, and I can’t imagine any 26 year-old male yearning to cut ribbons for a living, but when it comes to respecting his Monarch, he has always toed the line and in fact, has spoken often of the great respect he has for Her Majesty.
Serving in the Armed Forces hardly constitutes the behavior of a rebel or anarchist, so I’m thinking he might have simply thought, I want to marry Kate, just not yet, and this will delay the pressure for both of us for a few more years. It might be that simple.
At least I hope so.
By alsgal on September 22nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I have a feeling that the only thing holding up a wedding is Charlie and Cammy. At the moment Charlie is trying to get acceptance for Cammy to be called HM and Cammy it has been said wants what she thinks is hers by right and wants respect.
With Willie getting married all their hard work will be pushed to the back burner. I have the feeling this about face is Willie digging in his heels with his father not the Queen. When Charles and Diana married there was high unemployment and riots, As stated above the Queen had a lavish wedding during those post war years when rationing was still in effect and the QM herself was also married in a lavish ceremony during the post WW1 years. I don’t think current economics would interfere with a wedding. I also think HM would want to see him married and settled.
I wonder however just how long Kate will put up with all vicious gossip and hate directed toward her without a real committment?. If there is no engagement within the next year if I were her I would dump him and his dysfunctional family and move on to someone without all the interference of having people map out his life disregarding what he may want.
By Trudie on September 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I’m still hopeful that things are in place, and what we’re seeing is a carefully orchestrated strategy:
1) The Royals want the spotlight to be on the heir to the Throne, not on the heir’s heir, and think the RAF is a good place for William to spend a few years in a meaningful role that does not compete with his father’s stature and position.
2) HM heartily supports this idea (may even have recommended it), since in her own experience the military was a good place to begin married life out of the limelight.
3) It would not be a good idea (for purposes of #1 above) to announce an engagement before Charles’s 60th birthday. W&K’s pending nuptials will suck ALL the air out of every Royal event from the time the engagement is announced until the wedding takes place, and then for some time afterward (maybe ever after!)
4) Long engagements are against tradition. Therefore, a wedding next summer will not be announced before Christmas.
Unfortunately, to follow this careful strategy, there are a couple months of limbo that can’t be mitigated.
Maybe I’m being naïve, but the current situation does not seem so dire. I do agree that if we don’t see them together soon, her appearance at Charles’s birthday will be an important sign.
Is it too much to hope that there might be an official picture of Charles, Camilla, William and Kate at the party?
By Dan on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Good points, Dan, if a trifle complicated.
If any part of that is correct, William should try to nurse Kate through the waiting period by being seen frequently with her and showing a little affection occasionally. A lot can be done with gestures and body language, without commiting anything to words.
That would quell the suspicions that she’s been deserted. Being spotted together one weekend looking for properties near Kinloss would also dampen speculation.
However, we have to be prepared for the eventuality that she really has been left behind in some kind of limbo.
But that’s another story.
By John on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I agree, John, that public appearances can mediate limbo, but they will also generate excitement that can overshadow Charles’s 60th. Look at how long Kate’s disco pictures have ruled the media? Does anyone, except those who may have heard the noise, know that Charles and Camilla witnessed a fly-past at Westminster in honor of the Battle of Britain? There they were, looking all Kingly and Queenly, and we were focused on Kate’s sparkly shorts.
House hunting in Scotland, while sounding innocuous, may send us all over the edge!
By Dan on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Dan, I’m going to go with your theory and try not to worry so much. I would be sad it William is acting a cad which seems to be the case if some of the other theorys are true.
John, I’ll try to remain realistic about this all but I plan to hope for the best
By Julie on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I realize that I often see Prince William and Prince Harry through rose-colored glasses, adoring them as I do, but even in the harsh light of reality, I cannot see that Prince William would stoop so low as to abandon Kate in this fashion. Until I see far more proof than I have seen thus far, I cannot believe him to be false. Dan’s points make a great deal of sense to me, knowing as we do that the Royal Family has a history and a tradition of placing the Heir in the spotlight and supporting the Heir despite any difficulties in order to insure an orderly and seemly line of succession to the throne. Further, I, who have watched Charles and read about him since I was old enough to read (and I am eight months his senior), know very well that Charles can be wily and ruthless in his dealings with anyone he perceives to be infringing on what Charles believes to be his sole right to shine center stage. I will be waiting with baited breath to see if Kate attends Charles’ birthday celebration. If she does not, we will have reason to suspect that Charles has thrown his own son and heir under the bus, as we say here. If he does this thing, the collateral damage will scald Charles far more than it will anyone else, but Charles may not realize this until it is too late. In his headlong pursuit of the furtherance of his own agenda, Charles often forgets the wisdom of the ages, one of which relates that “…he who brings down chaos in his own house shall inherit the wind.”
By Gigi on September 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Excellent post, Gigi. The only part I would modulate is the possibility that a postponed wedding (or worse, a break-up) might be ascribed to Charles’s ruthlessness. Instead, I would see the strategy that I have surmised as a consensus agreement among the Family, one that best satisfies Charles’s needs (and his famous neediness!
) as heir, but also serves the interests of the entire Family. I don’t envision William or Kate as a victim of this strategy. Indeed, it may give them a few years of relative peace.
As Charles goes, so goes the Family. Their collective interests are fully bound.
By Dan on September 22nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Mind you, I may be entirely wrong and it’s still possible that this is William’s own getaway plan because he sees the relationship with Kate having run its course.
Ack! Do you blame me for grasping at straws?!
I hope I’ve grabbed the right one!
By Dan on September 22nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Trudie,
I don’t think Kate should even wait a year. If she isn’t already engaged after 5yrs in a relationship with William and 7yrs of friendship then she won’t be a year from now. I’m sorry, but I’ve read way too much about the royals and the British aristocracy to think William wouldn’t leave her. It was said that Lord Mountbatten told Charles that Camilla was mistress material not wife/Queen material. Maybe William feels the same way about Kate- she’s good enough to go out and party with but not make a commitment to. It would be sort of weird to have a reverse Camilla situation. Go from legitimate girlfriend & possible princess to the unseen other woman. Hope I’m not being vulgar, just trying to be realistic.
By Lizzy on September 22nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Just a quick word. This has taken everybody by surprise and I feel there is more good surprises to come. There is sooooo much confusion on what’s going on and people are thinking the worst because there is such a lack of understanding on what’s happening. Fact is that William & Kate love each other and we saw a great deal of evidence of that love this year, especially on his birthday. The photos of them dancing very close and the picnic they had where they was so lovey dovey, was just priceless. They spent a great deal of time together this year and it looks like they had a blast in the caribbean. So we just have to wait for a annoucement.
By Claudius on September 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Dan, we all may be grasping at straws before the weeks is out–straws that are in tall glasses of Long Island Iced Tea! We have all been thrown a curve ball, as they say here, and if we don’t need a drink now, we never will!
My dear Evelyn, I missed your post! Of course the stronger liquid libation is available, I am pouring it for you as we speak!
By Gigi on September 22nd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Well, I missed tea but I’m here for the stronger liquid libation…may kindly request a glass? I have to say this worry is causing a great thirst!
By Julie on September 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
There’s yet more nattering in the DM about the Middleton “set” who don’t have to work while people are fleeing the City of London clutching cardboard boxes. At least the writer wonders aloud why she’s so fixated on these women, who are not the least responsible for the world’s economic crisis.
She denies it, but YES, it’s because she’s JEALOUS.
http://tinyurl.com/45ga2c
By Dan on September 22nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I think this story is piling up unnecessary. Do we all imagine PW bolting, as it would appear? That’s nonsence. And I think, the queen would never allow it. If William would have found reason to end the relationship, there would have been some sort of master plan, carefully designed, to evade being blamed full score, especially since they did have a separation and reconciliation already. The part about PC and Camilla does have a ring, and might have directed this step.
Above all, I think, William and Kate are simply doing, what they have been doing all the time since their reunion. G