William and Kate: engagement and relationship rumours and musings 2009

[Idriel]

Those were his superiors who were playing the CYA game for allowing his little stunt.

You are missing half the information here.
William did lie about the real purpose of his jollies to his superiors.

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act have disclosed that neither William nor his aides informed senior officers of the "true nature" of two Chinook training flights which the Prince used to attend a stag party and a wedding. The documents, which can be made public for the first time, state that senior officers would have cancelled the flights if they had been told that the sorties were being used by William, 26, to ferry him to private functions.

So yes, they were complicit to his foolishness, but unwittingly so.

Add to that the fact that he didn't come forward with this as soon as the scandal broke off but let his superiors take the rap and waited until the newspapers revealed his little shenanigans to issue an half-arsed 'apology'.
The man is a disgrace.

Meanwhile, I think he'll live.

Your point?

I don´t for a second believe that Kate is a gold digger, her family has made more money than her family had ever, for hundreds of years, dreamed of. They live in a house that was beyond their means until only a few years ago and it seems that their internet business Party Pieces is giving them a good income. I think that as far as money is concerned they are very self satisfied.

Not that I particularly believe that Kate is motivated by money but there is money and Money.
The Middleton are successful businessmen but they have to work for their money and don't exactly swim in it.
As someone else said, they are secure but they are not wealthy in the Rich List sense of the term. Kate isn't by any mean an heiress so Windsor Money would definitely be appealing.

 

[Menarue]

Idriel for once I don´t agree 100%. I believe that the Middleton´s with their little internet business are richer than their wildest dreams, for now they they are really self-satisfied, to other people this is not real money but to them - they have made it.
It is a bit like a book I read some time ago (can´t remember the details and I haven´t got it to hand) but it is called "The Rich Rich". People like the oil millionaires, the way the Rothchilds were, they are of another class. Princess Diana found the Al Fayed money fascinating too, it is a case of rich and well ~compared to opulence. At the moment I believe the Middletons are at the stage of being very self satisfied with what they have achieved, perhaps later on when or if the Middleton parents start to mix with really rich people they will come to want more. The Windsors are not exactly lavish with their money either, they will not splash out very much with what they consider their own money, that is all safely invested. The money that is spent is from the Crown and the public spend a lot of money on getting ready for visits and tours and protection etc.
I think the main attraction is the respect and for lack of another word "kow-towing" that the royals get that would be really attractive to a lower middle class family.
They have been blessed with a very attractive young daughter, they have been able to give her every opportunity, not only a top University but the chance to meet and mix with the heir to the throne of THEIR country, which one must admit is even more attractive than meeting the heir to the throne of a foreign country. To be recognized and respected in your own country gives a certain feeling of satisfaction that would be hard to equal.
I agree that the Windsor money would be appealing but in comparison with the prestige even being related to the royal family gives, it fades into the background.

 

[Skydragon]

I agree that the Windsor money would be appealing but in comparison with the prestige even being related to the royal family gives, it fades into the background.

I should imagine the constant intrusion would be a major stumbling block for this independent young woman. Any hope of privacy, even within their (if any) home is non existent. Having to carefully discard 'friends' intent on using you, having your life arranged for you, with very little say in the matter, the expectations etc. IM,TIC,O Kate still hasn't decided whether that is the gilded cage she wants to move in to.

 

[Menarue]

Does anyone really think that after waiting around for all these years she would say no? She hasn´t really experienced Palace Life yet, she has just experienced the trappings, that is what happened to Diana and Sarah Ferguson.....when the reality hit they didn´t find the life that attractive. Of course it depends on the young lady, Sophie seems to have fit in beautifully.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I don´t for a second believe that Kate is a gold digger, her family has made more money than her family had ever, for hundreds of years, dreamed of. They live in a house that was beyond their means until only a few years ago and it seems that their internet business Party Pieces is giving them a good income. I think that as far as money is concerned they are very self satisfied.

The motivation of a gold digger is not necessarily money, it can be the influcence, power etc that goes with a certain position. Wendy Deng, just to mention an example.

Those who are simply motivated by money are representatives of the stupid variation, satisfied with the black amex without spending limits and defining themselves by the latest chanel bag or 300th pair of blahnik shoes.

 

[Menarue]

The motivation of a gold digger is not necessarily money, it can be the influcence, power etc that goes with a certain position. Wendy Deng, just to mention an example.

Those who are simply motivated by money are representatives of the stupid variation, satisfied with the black amex without spending limits and defining themselves by the latest chanel bag or 300th pair of blahnik shoes.

Well, explained that way, the GD word does come to mind.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

I should imagine the constant intrusion would be a major stumbling block for this independent young woman. Any hope of privacy, even within their (if any) home is non existent. Having to carefully discard 'friends' intent on using you, having your life arranged for you, with very little say in the matter, the expectations etc. IM,TIC,O Kate still hasn't decided whether that is the gilded cage she wants to move in to.

That's the impression I have as well. That her burying in Berkshire was a test of how much privacy she could have on ommitting the flashlights by choice, only learning that this doesn't stop the paps, that the media will howl anyway. That she was sent to the Philip's wedding in order to check if she could stand to be on the plate alone, without William by her side as that will be her fate for the next years with him a serving officer and she a princess much in demand. There were quite some things when I thought: okay, they are testing the waters to make sure she does not become another "unhappy princess". They saw Diana, they know of Masako, but there are the examples of mary and Marie in Denmark where it seems to have worked beautifully as these princesses had a chance to test the waters before they committed.

As for Charles and Camilla: I bet Willaim uses them to convince Catherine that real love makes it worth and that saying "no" now could mean that they have to suffer as his elders did. I believe that Camilla could be the right person to talk to when it comes to the choice Camilla made and Catherine is about to make. Plus Camilla knew Diana and her problems with the position, one should not underestimate this knowledge.

BTW - (as an edit, additional point): i don't think HM is so much involved in this relationship. Charles is the father and he is the future king. I bet in this case it is his job to see to it that his son makes a suitable marriage, not that of HM or the DoE.

Oh, I so hope there will be an engagement soon - but then I'm a firm believer in a good marriage!

 

[Menarue]

I agree Camilla could be the right person to advise, but then conversely she could be the wrong person to advise.
There we go again, let us wait and see, but this "trying out" out idea of yours Jo sounds very sensible. Some facets she has been trying out quite often.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

The motivation of a gold digger is not necessarily money, it can be the influcence, power etc that goes with a certain position. Wendy Deng, just to mention an example.

Those who are simply motivated by money are representatives of the stupid variation, satisfied with the black amex without spending limits and defining themselves by the latest chanel bag or 300th pair of blahnik shoes.

I found that social climbers tend to change their victim if they don't get where they want in a limited timeframe. I've seen quite some seriously attached couples split after some years, before they got married, but I'Ve never seen a social climber being left out in the open after having been committed for some years.

 

[Luv2Cruise]

BTW - (as an edit, additional point): i don't think HM is so much involved in this relationship. Charles is the father and he is the future king. I bet in this case it is his job to see to it that his son makes a suitable marriage, not that of HM or the DoE.

Besides, I would think they have learned their lesson and are out of the meddling business.

 

[Menarue]

Besides, I would think they have learned their lesson and are out of the meddling business.

It is back to the question who has to give her permission? - The Queen.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

It is back to the question who has to give her permission? - The Queen.

Formally it is the souverain or parliament. But we all know that HM relies on her advisors or her family for decisions about certain parts of her life. Be it horsebreeding, collecting art, appointing government or allowing marriages - each field has its own way to come to the "right" decision and we have no knowledge who is the one to help HM decide or if she is not just okaying someone else's decision. My son i still a minor, so I have to okay some of his decisions but a lot of those are his and his alone, I just grant my permission on trusting him to make the right choice. We have no idea how this is organised at the moment when it comes to the marriages of the Wales' or York's children.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I never thought there was a problem with HM's approval. Look around what other choices the young royal CP generation made, Kate more or less fits in. But before HM can be asked, the thought of getting married has to find its way into William's head. This is where the problem is, and it's subject of discussion if "problem" is the right term here.

My guess is that this thread will go on until William finishes his training with RAF and will probably make it to 1.000 pages

 

[Warren]

My guess is that this thread will go on until William finishes his training with RAF and will probably make it to 1.000 pages

But what will there be to say that hasn't already been said?
The Burj Dubai thread at skyscrapercity.com is almost 700 pages with 14,000 posts so we have a way to go yet.

 

[Menarue]

I think the York childrens´marriages will not worry HM too much, but the person who is to take over from her eventually, will. It may well be her advisers who give her all information and so they are very important and that is why it is essential for any girl (and her family) even considering marrying the heir to the throne to make a good impression on them as they will carry their considerations to the Queen.....and she will listen. Just as it was in the time of Elizabeth I, they are her eyes and ears.

 

[Skydragon]

My guess is that this thread will go on until William finishes his training with RAF and will probably make it to 1.000 pages

He has already completed some of his training on helicopters, so the next 18 months will not be as intensive. He will still get weekends, bank holidays and days in lieu. So in reality they could announce an engagement within the next 1-12 months.

 

[ghost_night554]

True, I hope he does to be honest with you I just want to stop waiting, this is my last comment about RAF thing but I don't recall blame being put on his supervisors even when the news first hit and we don't even know what happened maybe he was told not to say anything, anyways that's it from me on that subject cause I feel like I'm going to turn this thread off topic if I continue.

 

[georgiea]

I think nothing is going to happen until Prince William is 28 at the earliest. He told us that at the beginning of the public acknowledgment of the relationship that he will not marry until he is 28 or 30. Why can we not listen to him?

By the way he turns 28 near the end pf his of his RAF training. I think that might be a perfect time to get engaged. Then a year of working and hopefully the economy getting better so he and Kate can have a wonderful public wedding like his father.

 

[Menarue]

I would love to say I think everyone is right but I still get the impression (and it is only an impression) that his body language says he is not that enamoured of Kate to want to marry her......as I said it is just my impression and not just my wishful thinking . before someone says this.

 

[Ella Kay]

I would love to say I think everyone is right but I still get the impression (and it is only an impression) that his body language says he is not that enamoured of Kate to want to marry her......as I said it is just my impression and not just my wishful thinking . before someone says this.

I think it's a case where we all interpret something different based on the photographic evidence we see. You see a man who is not in love with his partner; I see a naturally reserved man who does not like being photographed and doesn't want to be demonstrative with her in the glare of the media. After all, he's more physically affectionate with her in photos where they assumed they had more privacy (the long-range paparazzi pictures of them in the tent at polo on his birthday; the cell-phone photos of them dancing quite close at his birthday party).

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with either interpretation, and we're all going to have different ones until they finally reveal what the outcome of this relationship is going to be.

 

[georgiea]

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with either interpretation, and we're all going to have different ones until they finally reveal what the outcome of this relationship is going to be.

Guys, if Kate's parents are invited to spend time with the holidaying couple and Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall this is more serious than a girlfriend.

Prince William has always been camera shy and his relationship is off limits to the press. But to me this action of Kate and her parents being entertained by Prince Charles and his wife speak volumes on how far this relationship has gone. I feel Prince William loves Kate and Kate him. I believe a wedding will come in the next three year.

 

[Penny Royalty]

They are still young. I wish them no hurry into something that is decided to last. Friendships are always revealing along the line of time. The knowing of your peers and betters create an environment of love, where those involved intermingle mix and share an understanding of life. Sometimes we have friendships that are rewarding in many ways and sometimes that is when love arrives. Of course love can be attained at first sight but it is the continued bond and relationship that keeps it being love. Love can be defined differently by people but in all it is a shared understanding of togetherness.

I'm happy that Will and Kate are two. For me it is not my wish to see them together if it is not meant to be, but they seem in love and if it's true then I wish them nothing but the best. I simply hope that they care and take interest in the workings of the monarchy and lead in a exemplary and admirable role. I wish to see the monarchy last and last through the test of time. From them comes the way of the land and ruling of the people before us. Good luck to them.

 

[blondie28]

Guys, if Kate's parents are invited to spend time with the holidaying couple and Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall this is more serious than a girlfriend.

Prince William has always been camera shy and his relationship is off limits to the press. But to me this action of Kate and her parents being entertained by Prince Charles and his wife speak volumes on how far this relationship has gone. I feel Prince William loves Kate and Kate him. I believe a wedding will come in the next three year.

Don't think the trip and everything about her party is true. If the trip is real, than a lot of people are there because information given out is waaay to close to what we should know. And William leaves on Miss Middleton's birthday. And I also don't think he loves her enough to marry her, which is what he has proven before. But whatever you wnat to believe is fine becaue many people have been waiting for a long time for nothing.

 

[wbenson]

And I also don't think he loves her enough to marry her, which is what he has proven before.

How has he "proven" that?

 

[Ella Kay]

Don't think the trip and everything about her party is true. If the trip is real, than a lot of people are there because information given out is waaay to close to what we should know. And William leaves on Miss Middleton's birthday. And I also don't think he loves her enough to marry her, which is what he has proven before. But whatever you wnat to believe is fine becaue many people have been waiting for a long time for nothing.

Again, that's one interpretation of what's going on. But the negative view of things isn't necessarily true just because you want to believe it, either. None of us really knows what's going on -- and I'd wager that you haven't had a personal discussion with William about his feelings to make such an authoritative statement about them.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The more I have been reading about William and Harry and their respective girlfriends, Kate and Chelsy, the more I think that they will almost have to marry them.

If they don't they will be seen as 'cads'.

This reminds me of one of the reasons that Charles proposed to Diana - because if he didn't then he needed to break things off because if could damage her reputation.

In all honesty, what man would want to marry a woman who has been publicly romanced by a prince for 6 or more years and then dumped? For the ladies sake I think that they both need to make up their minds and commit (whether publicly at this stage or not) they need to make it clear that they will marry them and within what timeframe. Of course they may already have made those commitments and the women are fully aware of when they will be walking down the aisles with their princes.

 

[blondie28]

So if they have to marry them, isn't that another Charles and Diana? Guess what, it would not be the first time two people who have dated for a while have broken up! What would be the big deal, it has happened many times before, it's a little thing called "life". It can be tough, but there will be a bright light ahead.

 

[wbenson]

In all honesty, what man would want to marry a woman who has been publicly romanced by a prince for 6 or more years and then dumped?

The woman in question would be lucky to lose a man who rejected her for that reason.

 

[Ella Kay]

What would be the big deal, it has happened many times before, it's a little thing called "life".

Personally, I wouldn't wish the pain of breaking up with someone you'd loved for six years on anybody.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The woman in question would be lucky to lose a man who rejected her for that reason.

I never stated a reason why the prince might have dumped her - sorry I therefore don't understand your reply.