British Royals

A bookie refused a posh punter’s £2,000 bet on Prince William’s wedding date – fearing he knew the Royals. The dapper, well-spoken gent with a “military bearing” walked in with a wedge of £20 notes at William Hill near Windsor Castle, Berks. The man, in his late 20s, had not been in before and staff suspected he worked at the castle or was an army pal of William who is not yet engaged to girlfriend Kate Middleton

Manager Luke Tear, 21, said: “He wore a blazer, smart trousers, gleaming shoes and tie – not like our daily punters. We smelt a rat and turned him down so he put his wedge of notes back in his pocket, about turned and marched out.” The customer did not wager on a specific date, but was betting that William and Kate would marry some time this year.

The firm’s security are studying CCTV to try to identify the would-be punter.  Buckingham Palace said only William and Kate would know of any possible date.

Articles: The Sun | The Express

Tags: kate, wedding, william

The young Kate was a real golden girl – excelling at sport, drama and music. She became proficient in tennis, hockey, swimming, netball and rounders. She also took part in plays, learned ballet and tap, and was a skilled flautist and singer.

Just a quick flick through one of the school’s year books, published in June 1995, her final year, demonstrates how Kate’s star shone. As well as victories with the under-12/13 hockey team, she played goal defence for the under-13 netball team during one of its most successful seasons. Then there was the under-12/13 rounders team, for which Kate was named the highest scorer.

On prize-giving day was given a cup for outstanding sporting achievement overall.

One contemporary remembers Kate extremely fondly, saying: “She was a really lovely, warm girl who didn’t have a bad bone in her body. I couldn’t speak of her more highly. It’s still hard to imagine her becoming queen one day, but I can tell you one thing – if she does, the royals will be lucky to have her.”

Article and Pictures: Daily Mail (Precious!)

William & Kate: an imaginary photo

An imaginary account of what William & Kate’s wedding would be like

Royal commentator Christopher Wilson imagines what Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding might be like.  St. George’s Chapel… the “Duke & Duchess of Connaught”… James Middleton for the cake… Pippa scrambles for the bouquet… Harry and his regimen… the gossip around Jecca Craig… the Necker Island honeymoon.

They even photoshopped an imaginary wedding photo of the couple (right), superimposing William and Kate’s heads on Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly’s wedding picture in 2008,

It’s all very amusing…

Article: Daily Mail

Tags: kate, wedding, william

The wedding rumours that circulated the international media last week are starting to die down.  This weekend brought about more speculation about the status of their relationship…

William & Kate: happy the way they are

Wills and Kate: ‘As far as they’re concerned, they are engaged’

An analysis summing up why Prince William and Kate Middleton aren’t in a hurry to walk down the aisle. It chimes what many royal watchers believe in: that they wish to extend their private lives for as long as possible; that they both know an engagement would mean the end of what’s left of their privacy; that they’re perfectly content with their current status; and that they have long had an understanding of their future.

Article: Daily Mail

More random stories on the side…

His Royal Hideaway

Heir’s no place like home for Prince William and girlfriend Kate Middleton. The smitten couple have found a secret new love nest, the News of the World can reveal.

Wills has snubbed officers’ quarters at RAF Valley, Anglesey, while training there as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. Instead, he has picked a quaint cottage in North Wales where he can spend cosy nights with Kate. The pair hope the hideaway – whose location we are not revealing for security reasons – will allow them to live life as a normal couple.

If true, it follows William’s actions in RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, where he also rented a cottage during training.

Article: News of the World

Kate’s bid for a Scottish Wedding

Behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace the talk isn’t about when Prince William and Kate Middleton will get married… but where. Amid speculation of an announcement in June with a view to a November wedding, the Sunday Express has learned that Kate has had to give up her dream of marrying in Scotland. Members of the Royal household have been driven to distraction for months by her burning desire for a romantic Highland wedding.

Now she has reluctantly accepted that it would be constitutionally impossible as a future king and queen must get married in England.

“Scotland will always have a special place in Kate’s heart because that is where she met William and where they spent so many happy years together at St Andrews University.”

Article: The Express

Tags: kate, wedding, william

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.

Tags: kate, wedding, william