The Daily Mail has an interesting piece on how Princess Beatrice seems almost a reincarnation of the young Queen Victoria (pictured below).

There is certainly a remarkable likeness.

The article also reproduces a whole series of stunning pictorial comparisons with present Royals and their predecessors, some going back centuries. Check out the one between King Edward I (1239-1307) and Prince William. The old King comes to life before our eyes.

My favourite though, is Louis Frederick Prince of Wales (1707-1751) and Freddie Windsor. Frederick was the eldest son of George II and father of George III as well as the Great-Grandfather of Victoria. He died before his father, allowing his son to succeed to the Throne.

Lord Frederick Windsor — spookily bearing his lookalike’s name — has very individual eyes and a face that bears few comparisons. Until now.

An impressive memorial to the Queen Mother was unveiled by the Queen today on The Mall, directly before and below the statue of her husband, King George VI.

The Queen was accompanied by her children and grandchildren, the Prince of Wales with the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, Princes William and Harry, and the Duke of York with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Prince Charles gave a dignified personal tribute to his grandmother, to whom he was particularly close.

“At long last my grandparents are reunited in this joint symbol which, in particular, reminds us of all they stood for, and meant to so many, during the darkest hours this country has ever faced.

“All of us gathered here today will, I know, miss my darling grandmother’s vitality, her interest in the lives of others, her unbounded courage and determination that allowed her — incredibly — to continue her official life to the age of nearly 102; her perceptive wisdom, her calm in the face of all adversities, her steadfast belief in the British people and, above all, her irresistible, irrepressible sense of mischievous humour. How blessed we were to have known her and her generosity of spirit.”

It was the kind of occasion that put last night’s Channel 4 documentary, The Problem Princes in perspective.

With the young Royals getting plenty of stick — again — for partying through a recession, another situation is beginning to assert itself.

Prince William and Harry’s “farewell” party at the Whisky Mist nightclub was notable for the absence of Kate Middleton.

The bash was held to see them off before leaving for South Africa to take part in a dangerous 1000-mile motorcycle ride for charity,

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy were there, as were the now ubiquitous Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Even Paris Hilton and Christine Aguilera (pictured) made the effort.

There could be many reasons why Kate didn’t attend, of course, but in the context of recent events, it does seem strange.

The Prince recently decided to spend the next seven years as a helicopter pilot in the RAF’s Search and Rescue unit based in various remote locations. Instead of settling down next year to Royal duties and an intensive period learning how to be King, he surprised both Clarence House and the Palace by his abrupt decision.

Since then, Kate has taken a decidedly back seat, working full-time for her parents’ business, Party Pieces. Her only recent appearance was a rather ungainly performance at a rollerskating charity function she organized herself. A revealing fall drew a lot of unfavourable comments from the press.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in happier times

Has this relationship now run its course? Did William tell Kate, “Let’s see how we feel when I’ve finished with the RAF in 2016.”

In the meantime, perhaps, both are free to go their own ways? Is this a low-key split which will have no announcement and few leaks from insiders?

A lot of people think so, including those of us who have supported this couple through the past three years.

There are more signs of strain between the Royal Family and the Middletons this weekend.

It’s been reported that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie refused to make space in the front row of a fashion show for Pippa Middleton, Kate’s younger sister. After some embarrassment, she found a seat elsewhere.

It seems that Kate didn’t invite Beatrice to her midnight roller-skating event two weeks ago. Nevertheless, the Princess turned up only to find herself inappropriately dressed.

We also learn that Prince William will be required to spend six years on active service in the RAF following 18 months of training. That adds up to a formidable seven-and-a-half year spell in various inhospitable regions a long way from London.

A chorus of friends and insiders are now claiming that a marriage between William and Kate is off the schedule for at least that length of time.

As Royal Anecdotes suggested immediately after the announcement of William’s decision, a marriage must now be in serious doubt. Extensive preparations by the Palace for a 2009 wedding are said to have been shelved.

As I wrote at the time, all the psychology of this decision fits in with the classic Bolting Bloke Syndrome (our name). He has been with her for so long they’ve become comfortable with each other, but the spark is gone. It’s no longer interesting enough to go the last mile to marriage.

By signing up for a lengthy military service, he creates a wide gap of both time and space between them in the hope the relationship will wither on the vine and fade in the minds of the general public.

The thought may occur that an engagement could still happen at Christmas, as was previously pencilled in, leading to a wedding in the summer. However, would Kate — who enjoys London nightlife — be prepared to live as a service wife in remote parts of Scotland or Wales for seven years, with William out on active duty or standby for much of the time? She would be 35 when he is released.

Again, the psychology says not.

In our view, Prince William has made the decision to move on. It was the only explanation for his announcement, which took everyone at the Palace and Clarence House by surprise.

Kate should move swiftly to shore up her reputation by indicating the relationship is over. Hanging on to an occasional friendship while becoming a laughing stock among her peers, and her gloating enemies, is the worst possible outcome for her.

I believe a wedding was definitely on, and being actively planned for. In the end, William couldn’t bring himself go through with it, but couldn’t end it either. He felt boxed in and made his escape in a helicopter.

Last week Kate was seen out with her first serious boyfriend, a chap who slightly resembles Prince William. He may now be the closest she gets to her Prince.