Posted in Chelsy Davy, Highgrove, Kate Middleton, Mario Testino, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince of Wales on March 2nd, 2008
Now that Prince Harry is safely back from his tour in Afghanistan, Katie Nicholl is reporting that Prince William and Kate Middleton are planning a ski trip to Klosters next month, and both will be at Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly’s wedding.
Frogmore House, Windsor, where Peter Phillips will marry in May
As we have been saying for months here at Royal Anecdotes, in the face of frothy newspaper and blog reports that they were on the rocks, the couple have been keeping a low profile because of Harry’s situation. There is a sense that much has been put on hold since Christmas and we’re now getting back to normal.
Kate will also be at William’s side during his cousin Peter Phillips’ wedding at Frogmore in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May. It seems the house may be the venue instead of St George’s Chapel, which would have given it a very Royal ambience.
A close friend of William and Kate is quoted as saying, “The rumours that they are on the rocks are rubbish. It is simply that they have not been out clubbing together and are keeping a low profile. They are also getting a bit older and prefer to go to friends for dinner rather than raving at Boujis.
“They talk on the phone pretty much every day. And they were together only the other week, but no one got to hear about it. They were with some friends at a private house party and were very tactile together. William had his arm round Kate and they were very much a couple. Kate is on the guest list for Peter’s wedding to Autumn Kelly.”
Both are hoping Prince Charles will join them at Klosters — he has been absent in recent years, which has been a crushing blow for the resort he made famous. Harry too may join the party.
Chelsy Davy yesterday drove to Highgrove from Leeds and spent time with Prince Harry last night. That must have been quite a reunion given the fizzy nature they both share.
There is also talk that Kate will after all go to New York to further her photography career, although quite how Mario Testino will fit into it after his outburst at the National Gallery (if correctly reported) is not quite clear.
Posted in Kate Middleton, Mario Testino, Prince Harry, Prince William, Royal Family, Royalty on February 12th, 2008
If we can believe yet another story about Kate Middleton, the U.S. People Magazine website is carrying news of a denial by Mario Testino that he will be employing, or training, Kate Middleton in March.
Here’s an extract :
Contrary to press reports, aspiring photographer Kate Middleton isn’t teaming up with Mario Testino. In January, reports in respected British papers (including The Telegraph) claimed Prince William’s girlfriend would begin working in Testino’s New York studios in March.
“She’s s not! She’s not! I don’t know where that came from,” the photographer told PEOPLE Monday night at a Burberry/Vanity Fair exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery, which included Testino’s famous shots of Princess Diana. “I promise you, she’s not.”
Okay, we get the picture.
This only goes to show how little faith we can put in the current rash of odd stories doing the rounds about breakups, exotic travel plans (why would a Prince advertise his travel plans in advance?), and other weird tales.
Of course, we don’t even know if this rebuttal is true, although it does have the ring of accuracy to my ears.
Sanity, sanity, where art thou, sanity.
Thanks to Susan P. Taylor for the tip.
Posted in Kate Middleton, Mario Testino, New York, Prince William, Royal Engagment on January 22nd, 2008
Prince William has arranged for his girlfriend Kate Middleton to be taught the art of photography by Mario Testino, who was the favourite photographer of his mother Princess Diana.
Testino, who has taken many shots of the Princes, has agreed to let Kate work as an intern at his studios in New York in March. It’s reported that Kate and the photographer have already had one meeting to discuss the assignments.
Kate, who has endured much suffocating attention from the paparazzi — as did Diana — is said, nevertheless, to be interested in a career in photography, especially tending toward the artistic end of the spectrum. Her speciality is thought to be abstract photography.
Mario Testino, 53, has become close to both Prince William and Prince Harry since their mother’s death. The Princes chose his photographs to illustrate the successful Concert for Diana last year marking the 10th anniversary of her death. He was also in the congregation at the service at Guards Chapel on the anniversary.
Other Royal work has involved photographing the Princes on their birthdays and the shots for the official Christmas card sent by the Prince of Wales.
Let’s hope this story has more substance than the Tom Ford connection last year. Also that Kate’s close protection squad will be available by March.
Meanwhile, Prince William apparently celebrated his first solo flight this week with a night at the Pitcher and Piano pub in Nottingham, which is a fair way to go from Cranwell, Lincs. Maybe he borrowed a plane for the occasion.