As speculation grows over when Prince William and Kate Middleton will announce their engagement, Adam Helliker of the Express talks of a series of meetings at Clarence House which have been taking place between royal advisers to discuss “wedding strategy”. One of the sensitive subjects on the agenda of co-ordinator Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who is the prince’s private secretary, is how fully he is able to brief the Spencers, the family members of William’s late mother, Diana.

It has now been decided to include William’s uncle, Earl Spencer, and his aunts, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, in the discussions, which at this stage principally involve which dates are available in the royal calendar.

Chief topic on the agenda is not when an engagement will be announced – as well-informed speculation is that William will seek the Queen’s permission over the Christmas holiday – but “possible windows in the diary” for a royal wedding, which would usually take place within six months of an engagement.

Although 2012 has been tipped as a potential date, William has been advised it would be too busy for a royal wedding because of the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June. However next year’s royal diary is less congested, although it will be Prince Philip’s 90th birthday in June. Also, it would have been Diana’s 50th birthday next August but that anniversary is not likely to affect any wedding plans.

Prince William’s aides have always refused to speculate on a wedding date, although privately they acknowledge that systems are already in place for when Prince William tells them he is engaged. Protocol dictates that after the Queen grants permission, her private secretary has to inform the Prime Minister; only then can the engagement be announced by Clarence House.

A senior royal source explains that the reason why William’s staff have called the meeting to discuss the logistics of a forthcoming wedding is that they “don’t want to be caught on the hop” when William decides he is ready to announce his girlfriend is, finally, to be his bride.

“We honestly don’t have a date, only William knows and, given the way he keeps things close to his chest we will be kept guessing up to the wire  We prefer to be well-briefed so that all matters, be they mundane or ceremonial, can be addressed.”

Article: The Express

Wedding Talk as Kate Middleton Quits Party Pieces

Kate Middleton has accidentally revealed plans for a royal wedding announcement – by giving up her job as a photographer. Kate quit the role at her parents’ multi-million pound event supplies firm Party Pieces. Her final assignment was shooting the Christmas catalogue at the firm’s warehouse in Berkshire while proud William looked on.

A pal confirmed: “She’ll always be ready to help her parents if they need her but she’s not going to be working there regularly from now on.”

Article: Daily Star

Kate Middleton Can Look Forward to her 12th Wedding

Kate Middleton is likely to be beaten to the altar by another of the friends she shares with Prince William. Having attended her 11th wedding with Prince William last weekend, she could be forgiven for wondering whether their next one will be their own. The Prince’s girlfriend, however, likely to be beaten to the altar by yet another member of their circle as Mandrake hears that William Duckworth-Chad is engaged.

Duckworth-Chad, 35, an estate agent with Savills, is to marry Lucy Greenwell, 31, a radio producer, who is the daughter of the baronet Sir Edward Greenwell, a former president of the Country Land and Business Association. Duckworth-Chad’s glamorous sister, Davina, 31, was once tipped as a bride for the Prince after she joined him on a cruise around the Greek islands with several other friends. Her marriage in Norfolk, to Tom Barker, an Old Etonian son of a baronet, was attended by William and Prince Harry in 2004.

Article: The Telegraph


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