Prince William and Kate Middleton current events 6: August-November 2008

[Warren]

Can we say that Kate has (inadvertently) "raised awareness" of this issue, or is it still six months in Holloway?

[Menarue]

Originally Posted by Warren

Can we say that Kate has (inadvertently) "raised awareness" of this issue, or is it still six months in Holloway?

Warren you should coin a special medal for her!

[Zonk]

I didn't catch the Belga pics. Can someone explain them to me? Where they different from the ones in the Daily Mail?

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Zonk

I didn't catch the Belga pics. Can someone explain them to me? Where they different from the ones in the Daily Mail?

The first two showed a compliation of 4 pics each which showed Catherine Middleton in her car in a two lane countryroad coming around the corner and approaching the place where the photographer must have stood. In the last three she covers her eyes with her hands and the pics were dubbed "Kate's blind drive" or "Kate's blind flight"something like that. That's where I started thinking about her having been blinded by something because I doubt she would act that way when just spotted by a photographer. The last pic showed the pics printed in the papers.

[CasiraghiTrio]

It does seem like (and even the DM says) she was driving on a country lane, and apparently slowly, probably inching along. Yeah, like someone already said, jail time would only apply if she caused an accident, and since that is obviously not the case.... if she was "caught" by a police, there would be a fine. But she was "caught" by paparazzi, who take their own kind of tax. :)

[kbear]

There seems to be less tolerance of the harrassment of people by the press however if they are doing something that is of genuine interest to the public (like breaking a law) it is considered acceptable to publish so I dont think the photographer will get into trouble (for all those who hope he will be done for stalking) Hello recently printed an apology for publishing photographs of Chelsy Davies and her mother as they were 'taken in a manner deemed threatening and caused distress' but I cant see that happening in this particular story. I must confess I think it was a silly thing to do with so much media attention on her but I have done it myself I must admit (not in England) The RF has survived worse than this and if she hopes to join it she will have much worse press stories written in her life.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by kbear

There seems to be less tolerance of the harrassment of people by the press however if they are doing something that is of genuine interest to the public (like breaking a law) it is considered acceptable to publish so I dont think the photographer will get into trouble (for all those who hope he will be done for stalking) Hello recently printed an apology for publishing photographs of Chelsy Davies and her mother as they were 'taken in a manner deemed threatening and caused distress' but I cant see that happening in this particular story. I must confess I think it was a silly thing to do with so much media attention on her but I have done it myself I must admit (not in England) The RF has survived worse than this and if she hopes to join it she will have much worse press stories written in her life.

This is quite true.....IF she is to join the family she will have to deal with the press 24/7 and it could be much worst. But she will most likely share a publicist with William and/or a driver/bodyguard. But here is the thing she is not part of the royal family as of yet...so she should be afforded some type of privacy.
I don't think anyone is saying that the girl should get off scot free. If she broke the law, and charges are filed, than she will have to deal with it. What seems to be the problem (at least in my eyes) that it does appear (not stated as fact) that the photographer didn't just happen to be on the country road. They were looking for Kate or someone well known to take and sell a picture. That is my issue. To play's devil's advocate..Kate is not new in the relationship...she should always be on her guard and not give the press any ammunition.

[Mermaid1962]

IMO if she did indeed break the law, she should 'fess up and pay the fine--otherwise the perception will be that she "got away with it" because she's William's girlfriend.

[Penny Royalty]

I think we have learned along the way that cell phone use while driving is a little hazardous. It was not actually taboo to talk and drive when originally cell phones were produced. We've learned along the way that talking and driving is a bad mix. Reading here I find that we may be overexerting on a malady that needs no more than a small penalty. Yet to be honest I was impressed and liked that people care for an opinion on the matter and want to express their say. I've used a cell phone while driving and realized in all earnest that there is a danger momentarily losing track of what's going on. I won't burden Kate as I'm sure it's been relayed that it is worthy of concern and something unlawful as of late. Very interesting how the camera found her. It almost seemed like she was in a remote place. Bless her if she's been scolded. And I must say she looks very pretty. Nice car too.

[Menarue]

There have been so many cases of children (and adults) being killed by someone who was just momentarily distracted while making a phone call. The photos of those little children are haunting, one that I can remember was in his push chair, the person on the phone if I remember rightly ran up on the footpath. I am sorry if some of you think that this is a minor offense, I don´t.
Drinking and driving, is that a minor offense? The results unfortunately can be exactly the same and if someone is killed they are exactly the same. Talking on the phone holding a handset can mean the death of someone innocent, even a member of your family. I will wait and see if the police say anything about this case but if she was using her phone and driving, I hope that her being the girlfriend of Prince William will not be taken into account.
Whether she was being harassed or not has nothing to do with it, if she was actually in a stationary car, well that is another question.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Menarue

There have been so many cases of children (and adults) being killed by someone who was just momentarily distracted while making a phone call. The photos of those little children are haunting, one that I can remember was in his push chair, the person on the phone if I remember rightly ran up on the footpath. I am sorry if some of you think that this is a minor offense, I don´t.
Drinking and driving, is that a minor offense? T

No, it isn't. But you can't judge in general, that's why there is a variety of charges possible depending on the earnestness of the situation. If somebody phones and causes an accident with manslaughter, of course this person will not be charged with a simple road transgression but faces jail and rightly so.

But I think this is not the place to speculate of what should be had Catherine killed someone - because she didn't kill anyone.

Otherwise you must say that anyone starting to drive a car could possibly be involved in an accident and start to discuss if driving should be forbidden. Sure, the probability of causing an accident is much higher when phoning but that's why driving is allowed while phoning while driving is considered an offense after all. Please, take this photo opportunity in perspective. Nothing happened which is proven by an investigation, noone was hurt, at the moment it's just claims by papers who want to sell copies.

I think it has been made clear that no one her thinks that phoning while driving without a headset is the best thing you can do. We all agree that it's dangerous, in some countries illegal and should be best avoided. Where's the sense of discussing that topic again and again other than to repeat accussations against a young lady who has a right to be judged innocent till her guilt has been established by police or court.

[Isana]

I figure enough has been said about the mobile phone pictures on to the next story. You can chose between two versions:

Exclusive pics: Prince William spends the night getting Dirrty with Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton - mirror.co.uk

Oh dear, he WILL be in trouble when Kate Middleton finds out her Prince Charming spent the night getting Dirrty with two showgirls.
We watched Prince William snuggle up to pop star Christina Aguilera and socialite Paris Hilton in the VIP room at Whisky Mist in London’s Mayfair...
After a bit of wrangling, Christina, 27, gave the nod and Wills was in.
Poor Jordan hardly got a look in as the pair sat very close, swapping numbers and flirting outrageously.
...
Harry scarpered and when Wills returned he was not amused to find Paris holding court at his table.
She tried to cosy up to him on the couch and he even turned his shoulder and started talking to a mystery blonde on his right. But when that girl went to the loo, Paris moved in.
We were about to rush to William’s rescue, then we saw they were swapping phone numbers. Xtina who? And, more importantly, Kate who?

and
Staggering! Wills & Co splash the cash and party till the early hours with Paris Hilton | Mail Online

Singer Christina Aguilera and perpetual party girl Paris Hilton were also at the club in Mayfair, downing champagne.
Miss Hilton apparently did her best to attract a prince, but to no avail.
Prince William chatted with her only briefly before walking away and Harry tried to ignore her sexy dance, according to witnesses - a good thing too, as his girlfriend Chelsy Davy was there.

[sgl]

Originally Posted by Isana

I figure enough has been said about the mobile phone pictures on to the next story. You can chose between two versions:

Exclusive pics: Prince William spends the night getting Dirrty with Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton - mirror.co.uk



and
Staggering! Wills & Co splash the cash and party till the early hours with Paris Hilton | Mail Online

Uggh....this is disgusting. Paris Hilton is such a low-life. Why would he want to hang out with someone who is so beneath him?! This makes me sad.

[Mermaid1962]

It does seem strange, if the more sensational parts of the story are true. The phone-number-exchange parts even made the Telegraph! Of course, William might have given the girls a fake phone number.

Originally Posted by sgl

Uggh....this is disgusting. Paris Hilton is such a low-life. Why would he want to hang out with someone who is so beneath him?! This makes me sad.

[Menarue]

Originally Posted by Jo

I think it has been made clear that no one her thinks that phoning while driving without a headset is the best thing you can do. We all agree that it's dangerous, in some countries illegal and should be best avoided. Where's the sense of discussing that topic again and again other than to repeat accussations against a young lady who has a right to be judged innocent till her guilt has been established by police or court.

I think the words I want to emphasize are not the ones you put. They were.

"I will wait and see if the police say anything about this case but if she was using her phone and driving, I hope that her being the girlfriend of Prince William will not be taken into account."

Actually this subject has really been done to death but what worries me is not Miss Middleton being caught out or not, it is the number of people who think it is not a big deal, everyone has done it, she was not to blame even if she was doing it because the photographer was comitting a crime.
I don´t whether she did it or not, no one was hurt thank goodness so that is wonderful, but it is strange how many people think that it was nothing.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Menarue

Actually this subject has really been done to death but what worries me is not Miss Middleton being caught out or not, it is the number of people who think it is not a big deal, everyone has done it, she was not to blame even if she was doing it because the photographer was comitting a crime.
I don´t whether she did it or not, no one was hurt thank goodness so that is wonderful, but it is strange how many people think that it was nothing.

Now I understand your reasoning . I think the headlines and the way jail-terms have been brought into this context were the reasons why a lot of posters pointed out that it was a rather common offense, so Catherine should not be treated so harshly in the media. I believe that anyone with a driving license here understands the reason for these laws but still most of us have experienced situation where we trespassed on these laws none-the-less.

[angieuk]

What a tacky cowardly way to behave if this is how he is sending a message to Kate.
I think his behaviour shows their relationship is now doomed .. if not what a way to treat someone (Kate) so disrespectfully. Unlike others here I do feel sorry for Kate no one would want to be treated like that NO-ONE. I don't feel Kate has asked for this when she has loyally stood by William.

I think William is a JOKE and has never grown up apart from being Prince William he has nothing whatever going for him even as an ordinary guy ... he has no substance as a person. Move on Kate you are better than him! If he is however still with her this conduct does not show much loyalty towards her with this behaviour. I so wish I was his girlfriend I would DUMP HIM in the BLINK OF AN EYE. No I don't know him personally but his actions speak volumes about his character.

If I am alone in this opinion ... so be it!

[Iluvbertie]

You are not alone - I have felt this way about him for many years now.

[Duke of Marmalade]

William looks like a moron in these pictures ... there is absolutely no difference anymore between him and all the other rich and famestruck celebrity kids like Lily Allen, the Dellal siblings, Jagger kids ... an endless list. The thought he is supposed to be Head of State one day makes me shudder ... long live the Queen and after that, long live the King!

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by angieuk

What a tacky cowardly way to behave if this is how he is sending a message to Kate.
I think his behaviour shows their relationship is now doomed ..!

Maybe you should say first which version of the story you have decided to believe in? Maybe even explain why you believe one and not the other?