British Royals

Up-to-date news, info and analysis on the British Royal Family

Posts Tagged kate

William & Kate Wedding Rumours Hit Fever Pitch

Apr 8

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince William | No Comments

Prince William & Kate Middleton: another round of engagement rumors

Prince William & Kate Middleton: another round of engagement rumors

**Updated** Tina Brown, who wrote a biography on Princess Diana, ignited a round of wedding rumours on Prince William and long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton.  As posted on her blog, The Daily Beast, two days on the palace diary (June 3 and 4) have been mysteriously blocked out, making it a likely time for a engagement announcement, with a wedding to follow in November.  Add in the Queen’s recent order for some bubbly, and the rumours hit fever pitch…

The press has speculated on William and Kate’s engagement countless times over many years. This is no different.

A spokesman for St James’ Palace refused to comment on the claims, adding: “We never discuss Prince William’s private life or comment on speculation.” Sources insisted that the Royal Family was taking the report with a pinch of salt. “Prince William has never given the merest hint about what is on his mind regarding his relationship with Kate Middleton and his office is under the clear impression that if he does decide to pop the question, they will only be told a matter of days or even hours before he wants the world to know. The suggestion that staff at Clarence House, St James’s Palace or even Buckingham Palace, for that matter, have been clearing their diaries, appears wide of the mark.”

Royal reporter Richard Palmer of The Express also says William will be doing RAF training on the said dates, and that the Queen and Prince Philip will be in Plymouth.

Even if this new rumour does not seem to hold much water, it doesn’t prevent the world press from publishing the story.  It is clear that the media and royal watchers are hungry for a wedding.

Articles: Daily Mail |  The Telegraph | CNN | The Express





The most sensible article yet about this engagement frenzy was written by Richard Palmer, explaining why a wedding this year is highly unlikely.  He also says palace sources have denied the champagne story.

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William & Kate News Bits (April 5, 2010)

Apr 6

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince William | 1 Comment

Prince William & Kate Middleton have been dating since 2003

Prince William & Kate Middleton have been dating since 2003

As usual, wedding speculations…

Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles, writes: “A high-placed source in royal circles tells me that two days in June have been mysteriously blocked out on the palace diaries—June 3 and 4. They suggest this is a likely date for the engagement announcement at last of the 27-year-old Prince William and his patient squeeze, 28-year-old Kate Middleton. If so, a wedding itself would probably follow in November, like the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.”

Article: The Daily Beast

The Queen has ordered expensive bubbly, triggering yet another round of rumours about the possibility of an imminent engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton

“The palace has placed a £30,000 bulk order for vintage Dom Perignon. This usually only happens ahead of special occasions like weddings and family announcements. It suggests something big is coming up.”

Article: News of the World





Is Prince Charles to blame for William’s reluctance to marry Kate?

Here’s an insightful analysis on Kate Middleton, her current status as Prince William’s girlfriend, and why we haven’t gotten any news of a proposal. It speculates on Prince Charles’ possible involvement – encouragies William to “sow his wild oats”; afraid that Wills & Kate would overshadow him and Camilla… It also tackles on Kate’s Waity Katie image.

Article: Daily Mail

Prince William to play casualty in rescue helicopter training

Prince William is to play the part of a stricken casualty and be winched into a helicopter as part of his training to become search and rescue pilot. The 27-year-old will be hauled aboard an aircraft to learn what it is like to be airlifted in treacherous conditions.

William will carry out the exercise as he undergoes the toughest stage yet of his training during a six-month stint at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.

Article: The Telegraph

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Kate Middleton & Party Pieces (Part 2)

Apr 6

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton* | No Comments

When I first reported Party Pieces’ new online newsletter The Party Times, I never thought an innocent, sweet, business-appropriate interview from Kate Middleton would trigger so much crazy articles. It’s amazing how a simple entry into fond childhood memories could bring about so many little nothings.


In light of Kate’s recent privacy claim over tennis pictures of her family over Christmas, a couple of articles sniped at the interview (which has been removed from the website), accusing Kate of inconsistency.

And more amusing stories… If anything, I bet Party Pieces’ website is getting a lot of traffic – wanted or not.

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Royals Target Scapegoat in Privacy Fight

Mar 29

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Harry, Prince William | 1 Comment

Kate Middleton’s recent privacy suit has gotten more interesting.  Rex Features has already settled.  Ikon Pictures, as well as photographer Niraj Tanna, are still under negotiations – but are also looking to settle.  Now, The Express publishes an interesting story on what could have happened and (more importantly) why Kate pressed charges for the Christmas tennis photos.

As always, take this story with a grain of salt…

Photographs of Kate Middleton playing tennis on Christmas Day were seen by the Press Complaints Commission as they were sent to ­newspapers, despite her claim that they invaded her privacy. Sources close to photographer Niraj Tanna say he was advised by the PCC that as long as he hadn’t ­harassed Kate and had taken the photos from a public place, he had acted within their Code of ­Practice. He continues to claim he did not harass Kate or take pictures of the family during Christmas lunch.

Tanna is, however, not fighting the case because he cannot afford to lose. “He can’t afford to go to court even though he’s got a good case. It’s a real David and ­Goliath situation, him versus ­Harbottle & Lewis”

The Express claims Tanna has developed good rapport with Kate over the years, and that her parents even approached him for some shots for their family album. As a photographer, he turns up in events not even the more experienced paps know about… and is suspected of having a mole close inside the royal circle. Nevertheless, Prince William and Harry despise Tanna. Harry has once got into an altercation with him outside Boujis nightclub.

So Is Tanna the royals’ scapegoat?

Article: The Express

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Royal News Bits: March 28, 2010

Mar 28

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William | No Comments

Prince Harry is offered chance to fly fearsome Apache helicopters

Prince Harry may return to Afghanistan now that he has been judged talented enough to fly Apache helicopters. The 25-year-old Prince is said to have impressed his instructors so much during his helicopter pilots’ training course that he has been given the option of flying either Apaches or the Lynx utility helicopter.

Only the most talented trainees are offered the chance to fly Apaches, which are each worth £35 million: just 2 per cent of those who embark on the Army Air Corps’ helicopter pilots’ training course end up flying the strike aircraft.

Article: The Telegraph

Prince Charles visits British troops in Afghanistan

Prince Charles laid a wreath at a memorial at the main UK base at Camp Bastion and visited a forces hospital. The prince also travelled by helicopter to a forward operating base in Nad Ali involved in a major offensive against the Taliban, Operation Moshtarak.  [ Article: BBC News ]

Frustration over trip revealed. A frank, high-level memo which lays bare the “frustration” felt over the Prince of Wales’s trip to Afghanistan has been leaked in Whitehall, causing embarrassment to senior figures in the Foreign Office. [ Article: The Telegraph ]

William & Kate will wed in time of Rugby World Cup

Just another speculation on Prince William, Kate Middleton and their future. Palace officials have earmarked next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand as the perfect “honeymoon” for a new princess. Kate and William are under intense pressure within royal circles to finally name the day. William’s first official foreign visit to Australia and New Zealand earlier this year was a massive success.

And a royal aide revealed: “Everyone was amazed at how well he was received. There is a long tradition of new royal couples visiting the important Commonwealth countries as soon as possible. This would be a great opportunity if the timing holds together.”

William & Kate are said to be reluctant to wed in 2012, which would coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And 2013 is considered unlucky. So could it be next year? [Article: Daily Star]

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Party Pieces Launches “The Party Times”

Mar 28

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, Kate Middleton*, Pippa & James Middleton | 4 Comments

Party Pieces, the business run by Kate Middleton’s family, has launched The Party Times – an online party magazine.

The Party Times includes party tips, entertainment ideas, fun recipes, party games, latest themes, competitions & much more!  They also include staff and party friend interviews – including one from mum Carole and brother James.

Kate Middleton Interview.  There was originally an interview from Kate, but was removed a day after it was known to the public. Kate talked about wearing her favourite spotty clown dungarees, eating bowls of jelly and playing games of musical statues. Kate also recalled her fondest party memories and shares her top tips for little party-goers.

James Middleton Interview.  Founder of The Cake Kit Company, James remembers his childhood party memories. Dressed in his favourite red Indian outfit, he loved playing games of musical chairs and finding party bags filled with foam planes, Fizz Wiz candy and, of course, birthday cake.

Carole Middleton Interview. Carole Middleton founded Party Pieces in 1987 after finding it difficult to source fun, simple party products for her children’s parties. Now more than 23 years on the company is still going from strength to strength.

Party Pieces launched a Twitter account: twitter.com/Party_Pieces
Party Pieces is now on Facebook

Skeptics might doubt Kate’s involvement with their family business, but what’s undeniable is how Party Pieces expanded since she started working for them around January 2008.  Since then, Party Pieces launched the following subsections: First Birthdays, the Cherrypicked Collection, Celebrations, and now The Party Times.

The person in charge of this latest section is sister Pippa, as shown by The Party Times’ “Our Story” section, and contact email address.  Party Pieces has truly grown into a family endeavor!


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