The hypothetical question of Prince William living with his girlfriend

[Emily]

Your original point was that he had to marry into the aristocracy and I disagree. Now you seem to be saying something different...that if a proposed marriage to a commoner is deemed unsuitable by the Establishment William would be told to move on. That might be the case depending on circumstances. I still maintain that the opinion of PC and QEII does matter to William. In several different interviews he has mentioned the high regard he has for both of them, how he frequently bounces ideas off of his father because he respects him, and most recently he said this in an interview as he prepared to leave St. Andrews.

I will leave my thoughts here since this has gotten off topic.

[Genevieve]

I think that if William wants to live with his girlfriend, he should be allowed. Especially since he apparently sought permission and approval from his father and grandmother.

King or not, it's the 21st century and many couples live together before marriage in this day and age. Some couples end up getting married whiel others do not. But living together enables couples to know if they are compatible and can deal with the day to day annoyances that are bound to crop up when you have to get used to someone else's habits and quirks.

At the height of Diana's popularity there was a lot of praise for how compassionate she was and how she would hold people's hands and really talk to them without gloves or whatever. While the Queen and Princess Anne and Prince Charles were staid, cold and unapproachable individuals. There was great demand for the monarchy to change with the times and to take Diana's lead. Slowly the monarchy did evolve and since Diana's death we've seen the Queen and Charles's approach to their royal engagements soften and become more approachable.

So shouldn't the same standard be held for William? Shouldn't the monarchy change with the times now too and allow William's life to reflect that of thousands of other people his age who also live with their girlfriends and boyfriends prior to marriage? Living with Kate would not be any different than what Johnny Smith down the street is doing. William has a right to a personal life too, even if he will one day be king. And in that personal life he deserves to be happy and fully committed to the woman who will be his wife.

Charles wasn't fully committed to the (first) woman who became his wife and look at where that's gotten us.

I applaud Charles and Elizabeth for allowing William to live with his girlfriend. They are putting his happiness before the "family business" unlike with Charles, when they put the family business before Charles's happiness, putting a virgial aristocrat in his life rather than his true love.

[tiaraprin]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

I think that if William wants to live with his girlfriend, he should be allowed. Especially since he apparently sought permission and approval from his father and grandmother.

King or not, it's the 21st century and many couples live together before marriage in this day and age. Some couples end up getting married whiel others do not. But living together enables couples to know if they are compatible and can deal with the day to day annoyances that are bound to crop up when you have to get used to someone else's habits and quirks.

At the height of Diana's popularity there was a lot of praise for how compassionate she was and how she would hold people's hands and really talk to them without gloves or whatever. While the Queen and Princess Anne and Prince Charles were staid, cold and unapproachable individuals. There was great demand for the monarchy to change with the times and to take Diana's lead. Slowly the monarchy did evolve and since Diana's death we've seen the Queen and Charles's approach to their royal engagements soften and become more approachable.

So shouldn't the same standard be held for William? Shouldn't the monarchy change with the times now too and allow William's life to reflect that of thousands of other people his age who also live with their girlfriends and boyfriends prior to marriage? Living with Kate would not be any different than what Johnny Smith down the street is doing. William has a right to a personal life too, even if he will one day be king. And in that personal life he deserves to be happy and fully committed to the woman who will be his wife.

Charles wasn't fully committed to the (first) woman who became his wife and look at where that's gotten us.

I applaud Charles and Elizabeth for allowing William to live with his girlfriend. They are putting his happiness before the "family business" unlike with Charles, when they put the family business before Charles's happiness, putting a virgial aristocrat in his life rather than his true love.

I applaud your post Genevieve. It is the 21st century and some things must change, including the high divorce rate of the Royal Family. I think William needs to have some experience of how commoners deal with love, relationships and the like. He doesn't need his father's example, that is for sure. At least this is out in the open and honest. William needs to rack up all the normal experiences he can before he becomes King.

I also think this is good for Kate if she does marry William. It could be an "apprenticeship" like Sophie had. The Royal Family took their time with Sophie and really showed her the ropes, unlike Diana and Fergie. This could be the chance for Kate to learn and decide if this is what she wants and if she truly loves William. Only time and experience will answer that question.

[branchg]

Originally Posted by Emily

Your original point was that he had to marry into the aristocracy and I disagree. Now you seem to be saying something different...that if a proposed marriage to a commoner is deemed unsuitable by the Establishment William would be told to move on. That might be the case depending on circumstances.

My only point is that no matter how much the Queen and Prince Charles may want to grant William his personal happiness, it is a state matter when it comes to marriage. It may very well be times have changed, but whether the Establishment has changed and is prepared to allow a future King to marry a commoner, rather than an aristocrat, remains to be seen.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

Didn't he already live with his girlfriend?

[Warren]

So our two sources for this information are "Spanish media" and the 'femalefirst' entertainment internet site.
I suppose then it must be true!

[segolen]

Originally Posted by Warren

So our two sources for this information are "Spanish media" and the 'femalefirst' entertainment internet site.
I suppose then it must be true!

...so far. It seems that the other media sources keep quiet.

[auntie]

Freinds, open your eyes and look at all the other Crown princes of Europe, with the exception of Belgium they all married commoners, some with scandals and divorces, they obviously had intimate relations with them, and for sure some lived together prior to being married or engaged. I think that is what makes Philipe and Mathilde so attractive to me, their noble way of living before marriage.

[Regina]

Originally Posted by auntie

with the exception of Belgium they all married commoners, some with scandals and divorces, they obviously had intimate relations with them, and for sure some lived together prior to being married or engaged. I think that is what makes Philipe and Mathilde so attractive to me, their noble way of living before marriage.

I agree. Philipe and Mathilde are a really special couple, and I think they represent the Belgium Monarchy pretty well.

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by Warren

So our two sources for this information are "Spanish media" and the 'femalefirst' entertainment internet site.
I suppose then it must be true!

Really, Warren, you're such a cynic...

[GrandDuchess]

Originally Posted by Warren

So our two sources for this information are "Spanish media" and the 'femalefirst' entertainment internet site.
I suppose then it must be true!

Yes, isn't it fab! Even better than the good, old and reliable Mirror

[marezdote]

It is their lives and they can do what they want. Times have changed. Wills' great-great uncle had to abdicate the throne in order to marry a divorcee. Now the next King of England is married to a divorcee and he doesn't need to abdicate. Plus didn't they already live together when they were at St. Andrews?

[Reina]

The Establishment is known as the British Royal Family.

Yeah I agree. Charles has set new and lower standards for the monarchy, so I guess WIlliam can marry whomever he wants.

[Alisa]

I personally feel that William living together with Kate on royal property is a bad idea. Despite the fact that the royal standards have sunk considerably low, it still sends the wrong message. William is a young man and chances are that Kate will not be his last girlfriend.Will all of William's girlfriends be living in Clarence house after they have been dating for a while? Had William been in his 30s and planning to head down the aisle soon living together for a few months prior to the wedding would've been fine.

[sparks]

People, People, we don't even know if this controversy is even real!!! get over yourselves!!!...You guys know how rumors work!!!

[Ariel]

Lots of royals want to get the best of both worlds. Getting all the benefits of being royal and living a normal life as a non royal would do. I agree that he will have lots of responsabilities when he becomes not just King of England but head of the anglican church and for that reason he must respect the principles and beliefs of the church, even when he does not agree with them.

[segolen]

Originally Posted by Ariel

Lots of royals want to get the best of both worlds. Getting all the benefits of being royal and living a normal life as a non royal would do. I agree that he will have lots of responsabilities when he becomes not just King of England but head of the anglican church and for that reason he must respect the principles and beliefs of the church, even when he does not agree with them.

of course ! I like your point.

[Reina]

Hehe. I love your subject line.

[ysbel]

OK iowabelle, i'll have to check my sources there. :) I thought they were accurate.

[Reina]

Rumours swirl of wedding for Prince William http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories