Let me start by personally saying how pleasantly surprised I was with yesterday’s announcement that at long last, Prince William and Kate Middleton are to be married.   Totally SHOCKED, actually… primarily at the timing of the announcement.  Year after year, we have weathered false stories and cyclic rumours about a royal wedding… and none of them happened.  And while this year’s rumours were especially strong, I would have never guessed that the Palace would announce an engagement so early.  I thought February at the latest.  But suffice to say, we at British Royals are extremely happy for our new royal couple.  Congratulations!

The Future King and Queen of England: Prince William & Catherine Middleton

November 16, 2010: the day Prince William announced his engagement to Ms. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.  The couple did their first photocall at around 5:00pm in London, with their first interview (not to be missed!) airing in major networks at 7:00pm.  Refer to previous posts for links and more details.
William & Kate’s First Interview
William & Kate’s Photocall in St. James Palace
Official Reactions and Statement from the Royal Family and Kate’s Parents

Today, the day after, we’re picking up the little details and follow-up stories after yesterday’s media storm.

DETAILS:

  • The couple is getting married in the spring or summer of 2011
  • William proposed during a holiday in Kenya in October.  Further reports said he hired a helicopter to take them to a remote lake on the slopes of Mount Kenya and proposed 12,000 feet above sea level.
  • William presented Kate with Princess Diana’s blue sapphire engagement ring encircled with diamonds.  He had carried it in his rucksack for 3 weeks around Africa.  It was the perfect fit and did not need resizing.
  • Kate did not expect the proposal because they were on holiday with friends.  She accepted immediately.
  • William asked Kate’s father Michael for her hand after she’s said yes.  They’ve kept the engagement very secret.  Reports say (though I find it hard to believe) William telephoned the Queen for permission the day before the announcement, and Prince Charles himself only knew 2-3 hours before.  Kate’s siblings were also informed hours before.
  • The engagement announcement was delayed because Kate’s grandfather, Peter Middleton, recently died.  His funeral was last week.
  • The couple will live in North Wales after they marry

REVELATIONS from their FIRST INTERVIEW:

  • True: They met in university and started as friends.  They started dating a year after meeting.
  • True: They were flatmates before they even started dating
  • False: Kate did NOT have a poster of William on her wall in Marlborough.  She had, instead, a Levis man
  • True: They did break up briefly in 2007.  It was not a stunt
  • Hinted: Looks like William precipitated the breakup, as Kate mentioned she “wasn’t very happy about it” at the time
  • Revealed: Kate first met the Queen during Peter Phillips wedding to Autumn Kelly
  • Revealed: They have been planning to get married for over a year
  • Revealed: William calls her Kate.  Her parents call her Catherine.  She doesn’t mind being called with either name.

How are William and Kate doing the day after the announcement?

A St James Palace spokesperson said: “They are still very much on cloud nine and are still enjoying the happy moment. They are enjoying talking to friends and family and enjoying one another’s company and showing their commitment to each other publicly.”

The couple spent part of the day discussing their marriage plans with officials and “all options are on the table”, a St James’s Palace spokesman said. Aides will now consult with the Queen, senior royals, Miss Middleton’s parents and others before reporting back to the prince and his fiancee, who will make the final decision.

Source: Press Association

William & Kate prepare for their photocall

William & Kate prepare for their photocall

Now on to the other articles:

I’m sure there will be many, many more to come.  November 16, 2010, I believe, was truly the beginning of another era of royal-watching.  For what it was worth, I thought Prince William & Kate Middleton handled the announcement and their first interview very well — with lots of ease, playful banter and enough honesty to endear themselves to the public.  Kate was understandably a bit nervous and shy, and it’s great to see William help her through.

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