William and Kate: engagement and relationship rumours and musings 2005 - 2008

[Isana]

I agree, Ella. She has certainly learned (the hard way) that it is better to have her children be happy in a functional marriage with someone they chose than to find the supposedly perfect future spouse and make everyone involved unhappy on the way. I don't think HM would denie William to marry whom he wants to (unless the woman involved was a criminal or something like that). To forbid him to do so or to pressure him to find a certain type of woman would only lead to another disastrous marriage.

 

[muriel]

I still don't understand how Kate felt wearing short-shorts would help her be taken more seriously as a charity fund raiser and would show she was doing something. This is the second Charity she has done and it has somewhat backfired on her, the Charity Amazon Boat Race and now this recent skating one. If the Pr. William or Palace wants her to be taken seriously as a future Princess, I wonder why no help for her, because this one kind of turned out bad for her pr wise.

also..... I do recall she frequented their old nightclub haunts (when they broke up) Bijous,Mahiki, I can't recall the name of the clubs ,once with Jecca's ex boyfriend or someone previously close to Jecca, name Ropner, a Aristocratic guy,some press felt it was to get attention from William. She also went to a couple nightclubs where William's friend Guy Pelly was having events or something. William basically avoided the clubs at that point I think.

SarahMay - I would love to know what you would like a girl in Kate's position to do. The Jigsaw experient demonstrated how difficult it was for her to have an "independent" job without being harassed by the Press. She responded by moving back to Bucks to work for her parents, where it is reported that she works on a full time basis. Additionally, on the side, she helped organise a fund raiser in support of a charity. I can't really see what might be wrong with that. Kate is rarely seen in London on her own when William is not around. Not that we know of the time that Will & Kate spend together, how much of that is seen in clubs (and there is nothng wrong with going out and socialising with friends regularly - thats what young people do!). They may be spending many quite evenings just together, either at home or at a quiet restaurant, without having themselves photographed in the process.

I also do not know how this fund raiser has truely given her bad PR - other than a small section of the tabloid world that seems to be focussing on a shot of her when she fell down. Was she expected to appear at the 1980s style roller skating fundraiser in a suit and a hat? When she is expected to be formally dressed, she is. If anything, usually the press is commenting on how conservatively she is dressed. The dressing up was just a bit of fun, and one that most of us found quite funny! All part of being a normal human being.... qualities required in being a future member of the royal family.

The key thing that we all have to remember is that she is in this rather odd position where a lot is written about her, but she is not in a position to respond. She does not have her own PR machine that can respond to a lot of information that is put out about her which may not be correct. Even the royal family, with their PR maching in place, do not respond to every story written about them. If Kate were to start to respond, she would risk following in the steps of Diana, and her unfortunate dalliance with the media!

 

[Menarue]

That I think was the problem with the press, when Kate complained through a solicitor about being harassed by the press she was accused of doing the same as Princess Diana who liked to encourage the press on occasions and then complain on others.
Camilla is different from Kate, she has been close to the royal family from a very early age and is from a noble family also I believe that the Queen is fond of her. Camilla´s ex-husband is a close friend of the royal family and he and his children seem to be fine with their mother´s marriage so it is quite a different situation. A young girl from another social level, an unknown marrying the future heir to the throne is quite a different cup of tea. But nowadays some things are being done differently so perhaps she will manage to get her Prince but I don´t think that what has happened in other European Royal families will have any influence on the BRF.

 

[Odette]

I think the difference, Odette, is that not every young couple who marries and waits 10 years to have a child is a royal couple being pressured to produce an heir and a spare to secure the succession. So while pressure to have a child might not be significant enough to make a "regular" couple delay marriage, I think it absolutely could be a good reason for William and Kate to do so.

Oh I understand perfectly well that they are not a regular couple. What I ound strange is that they would have announced up front that the reason they would delay a marriage is for the fact that they are not ready to become parents.

While this is certainly true, I think the most recent royal marriages show that the Queen is more concerned with making her children happy than with issues of who is "right" for the role. I'll never forget when I heard that Charles was finally going to be allowed to marry Camilla -- I couldn't believe the Queen would give her okay, given the history of the pair. But I think she's more modern and more flexible than most of us would imagine when it comes to happiness in marriage for her family.

I agree with you for the most part. What seems to be happening is that the Queen has adapted to the times. This is the same person who denied her sister to marry Captain Townsend. She also seemed to have been the reason why Charles did not marry Camilla all those years ago. Looks like the Queen is more concerned these days with adapting while duty still remains above all other concerns. I believe Charles told the courtiers that Camilla was a non negotiable issue in his life and the Queen accepted her as his spouse.....What happens with the rest of her grandchildren remains to be seen, especially with William and Harry being so close to the throne.

 

[SarahMay]

I wonder still how the Palace viewed Kate's recent Charity Event outing, it has been reported that the Queen does read the papers. Those photos could not have been helpful.

That is not longer necessary. Today it is enough if she doesn't have a shady past and Catherine has only ever dated William.

Kate did have boyfriends before William , one who may or may not have shared the house at University before William. William supposedly heard they broke up and inquired upon the old boyfriend, "supposedly" asking if they had broken up because, he'd like to have a go. I'm sure it was mean't innocently.

While attending the University of St Andrews in 2001, Middleton met Prince William of Wales. At the time, Middleton already had a boyfriend, though she, William, and two other students became flatmates in late 2002, at the beginning of their second year at St Andrews. Middleton and her then-boyfriend broke up...... popstarplus.com

before that boyfriend she also dated a guy name Willem Marx, who she went out with one night this year when friends gathered at a club. He now works as a journalist I think.
photo:
Kate Middleton spotted with Prince William lookalike » British Royal Wedding

This is the young man she went out with during the break up. Henry Ropner.
Kate dates William's old love rival
Kate dates William's old love rival | Mail Online

..But as far as anything harmful from her past, I agree there is nothing. I think all that is needed for her is Pr William's proposal, well Officially. Not sure if it will come, some University students just end up being good friends in the end . Still it remains to be seen because as one Senior Royal Household source was quoted as saying, just days ago "Talk of a Royal engagement is extremely premature"-Hello! pg. 12

 

[Menarue]

The photos of the old boyfriend certainly show that Prince William as far as looks go is definitely her type.

 

[Odette]

The photos of the old boyfriend certainly show that Prince William as far as looks go is definitely her type.

I am reading about the sequined outfit at the skating rink but I did not find any photos of the outing. Do we have any on these posts?
BTW the in between boyfriend is more attractive than William....

 

[Menarue]

I agree, a very good looking young man indeed. I saw the sequin outfit in the Daily Mail online. She was wearing very short shorts and showing her really beautiful legs but the shot of her lying sprawled on the ground was not really her best angle.

 

[Odette]

I agree, a very good looking young man indeed. I saw the sequin outfit in the Daily Mail online. She was wearing very short shorts and showing her really beautiful legs but the shot of her lying sprawled on the ground was not really her best angle.

Thanks Menarue. I have to go hunting for the photos now!

 

[Menarue]

Thanks Menarue. I have to go hunting for the photos now!

I found this link to save you a bit of time.

Portrait of the future Queen of England: Kate Middleton's tumble at the roller disco | Mail Online

 

[Odette]

I found this link to save you a bit of time.

Portrait of the future Queen of England: Kate Middleton's tumble at the roller disco | Mail Online

You are a true friend. Thank you and I agree especially picture #1 was a bit too much or too little. Why all those colours though?? The whole outfit seemed like someone got her dressed in the dark.

 

[Isana]

It was an 80th themed day-glo party. You should have seen some of the other guests. Kate was by far the best dressed. Holly Branson wore orange tights and top and a pink tutu.

 

[Odette]

It was an 80th themed day-glo party. You should have seen some of the other guests. Kate was by far the best dressed. Holly Branson wore orange tights and top and a pink tutu.

Thank you Isana. For a minute I thought I missed this month's mags and fashion went topsy turvy on me........

 

[SarahMay]

I actually think Holly and the other girls were okay, by wearing colored tights under their very uh....colorful garments, they insured no flesh showing if they fell(besides they are not dating the future King so I don't think it mattered much what they wore. Kate is not one of "the girls", she is basically dating someone who represents the Throne, even if she is still a commoner. Kate's sheer hose at the event when she fell , exposed way too much, imo, although I agree she has beautiful legs.

 

[Menarue]

I actually think Holly and the other girls were okay, by wearing colored tights under their very uh....colorful garments, they insured no flesh showing if they fell(besides they are not dating the future King so I don't think it mattered much what they wore. Kate is not one of "the girls", she is basically dating someone who represents the Throne, even if she is still a commoner. Kate's sheer hose at the event when she fell , exposed way too much, imo, although I agree she has beautiful legs.

Well we are all agreed, at least about her legs and in that fall we saw quite a lot of them.

 

[Incas]

Quick! Someone please send Miss Middleton a hijab before she goes on another Caribean break. Heavens, showing all those legs in a bikini no less!

 

[Ella Kay]

I think she actually is wearing pantyhose under those little yellow shorts, just flesh-toned ones, not bright tights -- her legs are sort of matte and yet still shiny in that weird way that stockings make a girl's legs look sometimes.

 

[Duchess]

That I think was the problem with the press, when Kate complained through a solicitor about being harassed by the press she was accused of doing the same as Princess Diana who liked to encourage the press on occasions and then complain on others.
Camilla is different from Kate, she has been close to the royal family from a very early age and is from a noble family also I believe that the Queen is fond of her. Camilla´s ex-husband is a close friend of the royal family and he and his children seem to be fine with their mother´s marriage so it is quite a different situation. A young girl from another social level, an unknown marrying the future heir to the throne is quite a different cup of tea. But nowadays some things are being done differently so perhaps she will manage to get her Prince but I don´t think that what has happened in other European Royal families will have any influence on the BRF.

but as the past has shown, being well acquainted with the royal family doesn't make marrying into it any easier. diana knew the RF very well and we know how that turned out. and then there's sophie...she isn't from the same social level and her marriage appears to be better than any of the others. the only thing that will make any marriage successful is the full and complete devotion of both people to making it work.

 

[Ella Kay]

I think his decision to join the RAF is a good one, if I should say so myself as I am prior Air Force. It also seems the dailies are saying he is shelving his plans (possible) of marrying Kate. But, after a two week vacation in the Caribbean, I'm sure his decision was discussed with the entire Middleton family and especially Kate. And, I don't see any real reason why he can't marry while doing his service in the Search & Rescue.

ITA with this completely. I've not heard one thing in the press yet that makes me believe that being in the RAF and being married are mutually exclusive. If they want to get married, I'm sure they will. If they don't, they won't. And we'll all find out long after they decide either way, I'm sure.

 

[Incas]

Seems to me, William and Kate probably are not having any discussion about an engagement, let alone wedding, among their friends. That would explain much of the vague sources in the flimsiest speculations the papers have printed. They are reduced to reading Chinese tea leaves. Every gesture or look is a sign. I'm sure if Clarence House announces Prince William is getting a hair cut this Friday, the royal experts would be able to dovetailed it into a wedding announcement on Saturday.

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, and children conceived after age 30 have a greater risk of birth defects. Life is difficult enough for Royal children, I think, when they're completely healthy.

Well as most people know after the age of 30, pregnancy becomes more of an obstacle...

 

[Mermaid1962]

I think that she's wearing flesh-coloured "tights"--like figure-skaters do.

I think she actually is wearing pantyhose under those little yellow shorts, just flesh-toned ones, not bright tights -- her legs are sort of matte and yet still shiny in that weird way that stockings make a girl's legs look sometimes.

 

[muriel]

I actually think Holly and the other girls were okay, by wearing colored tights under their very uh....colorful garments, they insured no flesh showing if they fell(besides they are not dating the future King so I don't think it mattered much what they wore. Kate is not one of "the girls", she is basically dating someone who represents the Throne, even if she is still a commoner. Kate's sheer hose at the event when she fell , exposed way too much, imo, although I agree she has beautiful legs.

There was no doubt that the pictures of the fall perhaps more than Kate (and most of us) would have liked - but we have to be realistic. That was one picture from an unfortunate angle. She is usually impeccably dressed, and her dress is no cause for complaining. This sort of thing happens every now and then, and the odd tabloid would pick it up. We are only playing into the hands of the tabloids by focussing on these pictures only. I am sure most people who read about the charity skating disco did not focus on this one picture -and if they did, I am sure a lot of people would just have laughed. In my mind, this picture of Kate is no worse than a picture of a windswept Camilla will her hair all over the place. So lets just drop this constant criticism of Kate based on one picture!

 

[Menarue]

Muriel, it was the British newspapers that published this in a criticising way and I don´t think anything that what we say here is going to be taken notice of. I just think she should be more careful if she is hoping to be the successor to Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother, and as a consort that is whom she would succeed.....

 

[Skydragon]

Oh I understand perfectly well that they are not a regular couple. What I found strange is that they would have announced up front that the reason they would delay a marriage is for the fact that they are not ready to become parents.

They haven't announced anything, least of all their desire regarding children.

 

[Warren]

Forget the talk of future children, what's more important is that we can now add Kate's shorts to the "great issues of the moment" list along with Chelsy's hoop earrings and Eugenie's [non-glowing] glow stick.

 

[muriel]

Muriel, it was the British newspapers that published this in a criticising way and I don´t think anything that what we say here is going to be taken notice of. I just think she should be more careful if she is hoping to be the successor to Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother, and as a consort that is whom she would succeed.....

Menarue - Whilst the tabloids (British or any other!) can never be looked at for quality journalism, our actions can speak for themselves. Whilst the DM may have tried to make a song and dance about that one picture taken from an unfortunate angle, what is amazing is so many comments are being posted on the forums by people suggesting that that is a popularly held view. Do you honestly believe that Kate is inapporpriately dressed?

BTW - If kate and Wills were to marry, the consort Kate would succeed would be Camilla, and not the Queen Mum.

 

[muriel]

They haven't announced anything, least of all their desire regarding children.

Now that would be a truely interesting announcement!

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, by the time Kate becomes Queen (if and/or when) this roller disco incident will be long forgotten or might perhaps show up in a biography as one of her early charitable endeavors.

BTW - If kate and Wills were to marry, the consort Kate would succeed would be Camilla, and not the Queen Mum.

 

[Lady Ann]

What I meant Jo is that no member of the royal family, least of all the future King of England, can marry without the sovereign´s consent so the last word is definitely with the Queen or Prince Charles if at that time he is King.

I thought that once William turned 25 he could marry whom ever he wished, with or with out the consent of the Queen????