Prince William and Kate Middleton return from Scotland
It’s the hairless heir — Prince William steps out after shaving off his beard. Wills, 26, grew the facial fuzz in November but got a razor for Christmas from girlfriend Kate Middleton. The pair were spotted at Heathrow after flying back from Scotland. (via The Sun)
It was a fresh-faced Prince William who was pictured yesterday returning from a romantic Scottish break with girlfriend Kate Middleton. The 26-year-old prince arrived at Heathrow Airport looking younger in glasses and casual clothes, minus the beard that had divided opinion among fans, following a six day trip. (Daily Mail)
January 7th, 2009 07:55
this news make me confused cause before that Carole Middleton said in magazine, that daughter maybe can’t be royal family member! so why now appear news like this! or maybe Wills changed his mind for propose Kate???
January 7th, 2009 09:02
mariskaagusta I think you have to ask yourself, do you believe that Carole actually said that?
January 7th, 2009 10:42
I don’t know how true this site is and I think they could be putting the cart before the horse but here is what they are saying.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212197982.shtml
http://tinyurl.com/7w59j8
January 7th, 2009 10:47
Talk about out of the blue? It would be nice to hear something soon. No credability on those sites,sadly.
When the Palace announces it or BBC reports it,only then will I celebrate and start shopping for keepsakes!
January 7th, 2009 10:57
I’m with you on that Lisa.
January 7th, 2009 11:19
Yeah Rman I saw it this morning but I haven’t gotten too excited as yet as it is reporting that the British news sites have said that he has proposed and none of them are reporting that as yet. I think they may have just gotten ahead of themselves.
January 7th, 2009 11:21
Lord help me! I wish to see things on a positive light between KM and PW as most members do on this forum, especially Rman.
Is it my imagination or what? somehow I have a feeling that things are not up to KM’s favour in this relationship in one way or the other. Judging from body language there is something lacking on her smile.
January 7th, 2009 11:40
Pretty,
I also appreciate everyone’s optimism about an imminent engagment, but I must admit that I have mixed feelings.
I tried to get Alsgal to argue me into one position or another, but she is not having any of it.
For now, I will just stay in the middle!
I will wait for more pictures, more evidence, wait to be convinced about an engagement….
January 7th, 2009 11:46
PH, we won’t be wait long,I suspect. From my POV,they will make an announcement before he begins his training or it is going to be later rather then sooner. Now that they are back in London things can start to happen, so the window is open but maybe not for too long. We just have to wait and see…
January 7th, 2009 11:52
one other point…Parliament is in recess until the 12th of jan. I believe it was reported that they must be in session when a royal engagement is announced. Maybe someone can research this? I will work on it as well.
January 7th, 2009 12:05
Lisa,
Thanks for the support! I also heard the same about Parliament and an engagment annoucement. The same argument was used before just before Parliament started the winter recess and there was a spike in engagment speculation.
If Parliament is in session beginning Januaury 12, that gives two or three days for an engagement annoucement.
I’ll sit tight and wait…
January 7th, 2009 12:12
Lisa,
You are absolutely right! I was able to confirm that the British Parliament will be in Recess from 18 December 2008 to 12 January 2009.
January 7th, 2009 12:13
So that would make the Tuesday, January 13th date even more plausible, if that’s correct that Parliamnent needs to be in session. Leaked and highly detailed info with favored reporters after a new blackout, pictures of the happy couple arriving back in London together, new royal household being funded. Heck even Venus is aligned with Uranus.
It’s all coming together perfectly.
January 7th, 2009 12:18
But guys I think the point is that William & Kate are doing just fine and it’s okay if there is no announcement yet. These are two adults who seem to have a plan and they are sticking to it. Now it may not be the plan that we are hoping forat the moment but I do hope that their plan will work for them. I still think that Kate need to get herself out there and let it be known that she has interest in helping to bring some light on different causes. I hope William’s team will advise her and help her. So it’s not going to be the end of the world if there is no announcement yet. I’m sure even if they are apart for awhile, things will be okay and I’m sure they have discussed this.
January 7th, 2009 12:19
Thanks for the research,PH. I am not certain about the protocol for announcing the engagement,however. I do believe that Parliament has to approve of the marriage,though so it does make sense that they be seated when an announcement is made.
January 7th, 2009 12:30
Actually Lisa I had heard the opposite that although the prime minister of the time has to approve of the engagement ( I don’t know what that involves whether they have to meet them or not or just say ok yes). I remember John from RA pointedly saying that there is a preference for parliament not to be in session (therefore not to detract from anything that is going on politically) when announcements are made which would mean this Friday would be it & the window closes there. He will be off doing SARF things from next week and to be honest I agree with Rman. The likelihood of an engagement announcements this week is slim to none. It would leave Kate very exposed while he is off doing top gun stuff. He wouldn’t be there to support her for the run up to the wedding & aides have already stated that there will not be any weddings in 2009 although didn’t state anything about an engagement. I’m still thinking that December will be the golden month especially since Royals do no favor long engagements…. Just my opinion.
January 7th, 2009 12:30
Seated, standing, whatever works for them — just so long as we get that announcement and pronto.
January 7th, 2009 12:39
Thanks JJ. I agree with Rman as well. I am thrilled that W/K are back and all seems well. Still, it would be very nice to have all this speculation done and over with and a royal wedding to look forward to.
Alsgal, keep channeling those good thoughts!
January 7th, 2009 12:55
Yes we should all keep positive thoughts. If they did announce it before he leaves which will be later this month, I’m sure they will have it worked out that she is not bothered but protected by the Palace if that were to happen. And they would release some info on the arrangements. Now all of this may happen soon or later but Kate knows where everthing stands. Just by the history of the people who are on William & Harry’s team, I’m sure they are planning it all out.
January 7th, 2009 12:55
jj,
I agree with your point about not leaving KM to deal with post-engagment issues alone She would certainly need her Prince by her side to negotiate the inevitable behind the scenes conflict, like moving into St. James Palace or whatever Palace, invites, rings, dresses, funding, etc. I can’t see PW leaving Kate alone just days after such an important annoucement.
Alsgal,
Thanks for the “argument” for an imminent engagement, those details were helpful.
Lisa,
Yes, I would love all the speculation to come to an end!
January 7th, 2009 13:01
PH,I am not quite getting why people are preceiving William as “leaving” when it comes to his trainning. True he will be on a base a couple of hundred miles away, but no one has said where he will live during his training. He could be living off base where Kate could spend a considerable amount of time with him. We just don’t know these details. Either way,he will likely be available on the weekends to see friends and family etc.
January 7th, 2009 13:12
I wonder if there is any way to give KM a flavor of what she’s getting into before she commits for the rest of her life. I don’t mean the publicity; she’s had some of that already. The comment about moving into Kensington Palace made me think of it. That’ll happen only if she says yes.
January 7th, 2009 13:22
I think she has seen it from the outside for 5 years plus, and she has slept with him at Sandringham, Balmoral. Highgrove and Clarence House. Plus the long hour conversations with her boyfriend.
January 7th, 2009 13:22
Oh and at Windsor too, I heard.
January 7th, 2009 13:23
There are a couple of pics of Kate and William arriving at the airport on WHU………
January 7th, 2009 13:23
Hmmm
Only because he will be in very remote locations and spending a lot of time studying he will rarely be in London. I thought if they got engaged she would have to move into St. James Palace since partners are not allowed to stay on base unless they are married. KM would actually so I have read in fact have little to do with the actual organizing. I’ve heard she would really only pick her dress and bridesmaids and that is really the extent which she would be involved. Everything else is taken care of by some other body whose name escapes me. During this time as Rman has suggested it would be good for her to appear at more and more charity events. Like Alsgal has said a puppy shelter or abandoned child should do it. It won’t take much for the press to start singing her praises with a few well placed charity appearances. Look at that turn around with the Daily Mail article…..
January 7th, 2009 13:24
After all these years,I am quite sure Kate knows whats in store for her. Maybe that is why they aren’t married yet?
January 7th, 2009 13:25
Teatea WHU?
January 7th, 2009 13:28
Team Highgrove site.
January 7th, 2009 13:31
Lisa,
Good point about PW not “leaving.” Ked did say that Shawbury is several hours from Bucks and most likely accessible to London. Also, you are right we do not know where PW will live during his SAF training.
Phoebe,
True. I will always remember what Diana said about the time she spent loving at Buckingham Palace during her engagment. It is wise to learn about the lifestyle before signing up for life.
However, “ME” made a good point about KM being “familiar” with all the castles and palaces, as she has spent some time in many of them.
JJ,
I know most of the wedding logistic would be handled by RF staff. So her Prince would be needed for emotional support and reassurance and will probably be preoccupied with SAF training assignments.
Rman,
Made a good point about Kate and charity work.
JJ,
Puppies and abandoned children. Sounds very Jane Eyre! LOL!
January 7th, 2009 13:52
Oh yeah I think she knows what lies ahead and I’m sure she will have her mother, sister and friends help her out a lot. Listen, whatever happens, I’m sure they have this planned out and will take it easy. JJ, that’s right. Kate has to really get out there and really support a great cause. She may be doing this already but the media and public needs to see it. I think this team will help her a lot but I don’t think she will do anything big and major but they probably will map out some projects that really interest her. Like William & Harry, focusing on a small group of charities will work. We just have to wait and see what happens. I like the other pictures at the Airport.
January 7th, 2009 13:53
other then 8 months girlfriend/engagement vs 5 years of girlfriend
January 7th, 2009 14:18
Rex Features has a sort of Birthday Salute to Kate. How interesting.
http://www.rexfeatures.com/compilations/x1328cfb52/kate_middleton?pl=16
January 7th, 2009 14:23
I think that picture of her “at Blenheim” is the best. She really looks great with a little weight on.
I don’t think she’s ever been at any of the Queen’s residences. But even if she had, visiting is not the same as actually living there, and being subject to a strict schedule every day, and I mean EVERY day.
January 7th, 2009 14:37
Phoebe I like that picture too. Yeah actually she has been to Balmoral, Sandringham, Windsor and she went to Kensigton Palace awhile back when it was reported that William & Harry took the girls there to see the Diana tribute that they have there. Of course she is no stranger to Clarence House, Birkhall and Highgrove.
January 7th, 2009 14:42
Personally I doubt that she has ever stayed in any of the Queen’s personal residences. Sorry.
January 7th, 2009 15:23
Well that is something we don’t know. She has stayed at the several cottages on the estates.
January 7th, 2009 15:25
Is it just me or does PW look thinner? In some of the newer pics I thought he looked like he was half asleep. Does anyone know if he suffers from any kind of conditions? Perhaps its the flu that Ked mentioned. How long is a flight from Balmoral to London? Is it more than an hour flight time? PW looks like someone who flew from the other side of the world w/jetlag. Maybe they were not in Scotland and were vacationing somewhere else? PW concerns me as he can look to frail at times.
I hope we were duped once again by the press. PW PR should step in when these marriage rumors begin, because it makes PW look like a cad cause he won’t ask her after all this time and it makes KM look like “Waitey Katey.” If his PR people would speak up when the Sun first reported this vacay and said that’s not true, then these speculations would not continue. If they are broken up and friends having marriage rumors starting up again and having to play nice for the cameras must seem like hell. Why do it?
January 7th, 2009 15:32
Sorry to post again!!
Rman, the rex photo album of KM is interesting! I don’t recall such a spread for her last b-day. Heck, were lucky to get pics at all and to have an essay w/them. There photos get picked up by the papers, mags, etc. I wonder what paper this spread belongs to and when it will be published?
January 7th, 2009 15:36
Someone made a point on another site that I have been thinking about: how did PW qualify for flight training if he wears glasses? When I was in the service (albeit 20 years ago) you couldn’t qualify to fly anything without perfect vision. This was in the US. Is the UK different? Or have things changed in 20 years?
January 7th, 2009 15:54
Yes the picture spread is really nice! I think it’s just the camera and lighting Gracie. You know how some days a woman can look like she is pregnant in one dress and another day she can look like the wind would blow her away if it stirred up?? Probably the same thing with William. He does look a lot younger without the beard. Shame he couldn’t have kept it but whatever I don’t care as long as they are together. I wonder where they were off too when they landed in London??
January 7th, 2009 16:17
Gracie – Enjoyed your posting, and agree 100%
Sorry guys,to harp on about the press once more, but unfortunately, I do believe the press have tried to make a big deal of nothing, again.
Usually, after the Christmas hols, PC & PW with Kate go to Klosters, Switzerland for ski-ing, but due to the credit crunch, some members are keeping it low key, hence the trips to Scotland this year.
But Gracie, what you said, yes, yes, if only the palace would either confirm or deny these rumours. I don’t know about William looking like a cad, but I do think it’s terribly unfair on Kate, she doesn’t have the kind of support services around her as does William. Furthermore, the palace’s silence only fans the negative flames regarding Kate. Her patience regarding these indignaties are in my opinion highly commendable.
January 7th, 2009 16:18
Meanwhile, I’m new to this forum, would someone be so kind as to tell me what LOL stands for?
January 7th, 2009 16:26
I forgot, Phoebe, your quite right with regards to Kate staying at the royal residences. I think Kate has stayed at Highgrove.
With regards to Clarence House, I believe PC made a private appartment for the princes.
Kate has never been to BP. At Sandringham this year, they may have stayed at Wood Farm, I understand Fergie made alternative arrangements. I know, William has his own house at Balmoral. As for windsor, I’m not sure about that one.
January 7th, 2009 16:30
LOL= Lots of Love
January 7th, 2009 16:37
Gracie I know to some William & Kate look like that because they are not officially engaged yet but people must stop thinking so negitive about them because that has not happened. Some of those royal blogs drive me nuts with the things they say and that’s not fair to the couple. There are so many couples out there that date for long periods of time before getting to that step. Just because this couple is in the public’s eye does not make them any different. William & Kate seem to have a understanding like many couples and they will get there when they are ready. That could be now or later.People should be happy that they are doing great and spending lots of time together. Now what’s coming up next for them is something we just have to wait for.
January 7th, 2009 17:14
But I do like Rex’s tribute to her and perhaps they will do one for William’s 27th birthday. It’s like everyone is wishing the couple well this year and hoping for the best.
January 7th, 2009 17:27
They never go ski after Christmas. They always go during Easter. Its a tradition.
January 7th, 2009 17:29
LOL = lots of laughs or laugh out loud
January 7th, 2009 17:30
Kate has stayed over at all the private estates, and has shared meals at all. The official crown palaces: CH and Windsor and has walked the grounds indoors and outdoors of Kensington and Buckingham.
January 7th, 2009 17:45
Around my house it means Lots o’ Larry, but I think around here it means “laugh out loud” or “lots of love.”
Btw a hale and hearty welcome to you!
January 7th, 2009 18:24
Koo Stark.
January 7th, 2009 18:30
I don’t think there is any reason for despair. If they are not already engaged, even if no announcement has been made, they will be at some point. And if not, then it wasn’t meant to be. I think a lot of the anxiety to get PW and KM engaged NOW stems from the idea that if they aren’t engaged quickly, they’ll have too much opportunity to split up.
Let’s hope the Queen, despite the economic climate, decides to take a cruise around Scotland this summer, if only so we know who gets invited.
January 7th, 2009 19:04
The powers that be have said no “official” plans for a royal wedding in 2009. How about unofficial? ZP and MT at the local registry office?
January 7th, 2009 19:33
We just have to wait and see what happens, even if there is no plans for a wedding this year, that does not mean there is no engagement this year. I know the royals don’t have long engagements but William don’t always seem to follow the rules and has a mind of his own. The Queen & Prince Philip got engaged and it took awhile for them to announce it because they went through some obstacles before they could announce it. Also there is nothing stopping these two from getting engaged not to a big secret but to find the right time to make it known to the public. But it all will happen when it happens. For right now, I think the team will help her get down to work. It’s not going to be easy for her but this seem to be a serious team of experts and I think they will map out the stuff carefully and effectively.
January 7th, 2009 19:39
Well, Peter and Autumn Phiilips engagement was announced in July 2007, and they weren’t married until May 2008. That’s 10 months. Anything longer than 6 months, to me, is a long engagement.
January 7th, 2009 20:13
pualoa, are you refering to Koo Stark because she was not wanted by the RF and it was said that Andrew was sent to the Faulklands to end the relationship? I have mentioned that scenario before, but I would not compare KM to a porn-star, only the way the situation was handled.
January 7th, 2009 20:18
I really like this couple but I don’t see an engagement announcement for another year at the earliest. But I am so glad for all of the stories along with the PHOTO of her with William returning from their vacation.
Stops all of the NO PICS means she was not with him nonsense.
January 7th, 2009 20:20
Yeah that’s what I’m saying that it can be announced and a marriage can follow later. William & Kate’s annoucement will have to go through The Queen’s Privy Council before we know about it. So The Queen has to approve it despite William’s age. The Queen hold a meeting every month so I guess when that happens and they are ready, it will happen.
January 7th, 2009 23:50
The feature at REX is interesting indeed. They have a few oddball shots in there such as some dwellings I have not seen before. My gut is telling me something is up…
January 8th, 2009 00:44
Hello,
It’s an early start again to day but just had to see what was happening on BRW. It’s like a habit but enjoyable.
The paps here are full of engagement/marriage following the Birkhill with the Italian language papers going overboard.
The story on the ground is slightly more subdued with the Birkhill break being considered more of a punishment for PW than a happier occasion.
The story doing the rounds is that PW was expected in Crans-Montana a week last saturday. That he didn’t appear was a mistery until the visit to Scotland trickled thgrough and was considered more of a punishment than anything.
The feeling is that PW/KM were summoned by PC , possily on orders of HM , to be told to sort themselves out. Apparently KM wasn’t expected to ski , why I don’t know.
It may well be that some of PW actions over the past year have been considered a little wilful and even a little irrisponsible and may very well have lead to PC divorcing CH from PW’s and even PH’s affairs. Thus the new status at his expense in the hope that PW or even both may become more responsible for their own actions.
PW’s porkies to his CO and training officers over the helicopter escapades may just have been an extension of his ‘playing’ with the press and public especially over the position of KM. Which in fact probably provoked and caused the public outbursts against KM.
Perhaps the Birkhill visit was the RF’s attempt to give some credence or respectability to KM and her family prior to PW’s exile to outer space.
Whatever it was it certainly destroyed the calm brought about during the preceding months on the engagement issue and has resurrected it again possibly to a higher level. This is not fair to all concerned because if it happens, and I’m very doubtful, then PW will be seen to have been forced into it and if it doesn’t then KM’s hard won position has moved backwards.
If IT happens how she could be expected to handle alone the explosion of interest whilst he is miles in he sky is unexplainable unless the ‘new’ staff advisors have it in hand. If IT doen’t happen where is KM left ? High and dry despite the ‘punishment’ or credence visit to Birkhill.
I still believe there is months and months or even years of waiting for this new ( and it is new) relationship to lead to the fulfilment of our (if not their) dreams.
The A41,A5,M6,M42,M40, and M4 may well become an Audi ” Milia Milia”! over the next few months with dark blue Jaquars trying to keep pace.
Or will they ?
January 8th, 2009 00:53
Very quickly.
Rman has valiantly protected PW and KM’s corner throughout all, but does anyone know where Claudius is. He too deserved credit for his spirited defence possibly even earlier than Rman?
Any ideas anyone.
Really bye now
January 8th, 2009 01:20
Ked, where in the world did you get that story from? No I don’t know where clauds is, I think he and Will ran away from this site. I wonder what happen to some of the people who use to post on here? I don’t think I protected their corner but you have to be a voice of reason on these sites. This would be one boring site if it was like the others.
January 8th, 2009 01:31
Can somebody please tell me why some skiers in Switzerland should know more about prince William’s life right now than anybody else?
January 8th, 2009 01:42
I dont think this vacation means an engagement. PW and KM always take vacations, this is not something new. The press just want to make more publicity out of this. They are still seeing each other obviously, but no one knows the status of their relationship. Meaning no one knows whether they will marry or not.
January 8th, 2009 03:00
-gracie: pualoa, are you refering to Koo Stark because she was not wanted by the RF and it was said that Andrew was sent to the Faulklands to end the relationship? I have mentioned that scenario before,-
Yes~
or I could have said Eva Sanuum
Yes,I think Kate will end up being a well known girlfriend who did not marry the Prince when all is said and done.
Possibly some major discussion went on and William is giving Kate the long farewell.
He has handled the last year of the public relationship, terribly. Kate’s image is messed up, partially due to William’s treatment of her.
Neither looked like two people celebrating a happy event.
January 8th, 2009 03:42
pualoa
now that you mention Eva Sanuum, it is well known that she as KM with PW had a high profile 5 yr relationship with prince Felipe but the relationship ended because it failed to thrive.
There is a possibility that like Eva Sanuum, KM may end up being a well known girlfriend who had a long high profile relationship with a prince but the relationship failed to thrive.
People may think that because KM has been with PW for many yrs they are going to marry, but the case of Prince Felipe and Eva Sanuum shows that this is not always the case.
January 8th, 2009 07:14
ked, you have truly exceeded yourself with that well thought out piece of fiction!
January 8th, 2009 07:59
Whisky Mist was a punishment too.
January 8th, 2009 08:27
I bet Kate punished William in that cabin too!
January 8th, 2009 08:57
Ked – what are you smoking? I dont’ believe one word you wrote. I think Ked may be one of PW old friends who was booted out of the circle because of his negative attitude towards KM. Even though there is only one photo that i have seen of KM & PW arriving at the airport – KM hardly looked like they had ended the relationship.
January 8th, 2009 09:10
You may check more photos, both smiling in other sites.
January 8th, 2009 09:17
We all know better than that to believe these two have ended it. They are doing just fine and have come from a nice trip to Scotland. I think people are just losing hope because they don’t know what’s going to happen next because William is going back to training. This couple is taking a step forward not backwards. And this new team that William & Harry have means a lot and I believe Kate will take on a more serious role in his life.
January 8th, 2009 09:27
Although I’m remaining hopeful, I think if William & Kate don’t want this speculation to continue, then they need to put a stop it because the speculation is now getting serious now the AP is talking about it.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hudY8d_vkxYg6fyb_NpjlilF-9Nw
January 8th, 2009 09:29
Sorry, I meant The Press Association.
January 8th, 2009 09:32
WOW.
January 8th, 2009 09:40
Now that I have picked up my jaw from the floor,let me say this. It is *possible* that the British mainstream press knows something is coming and are waiting for the ok to print. I can’t imagine the Press Association getting involved in idle gossip. They have too much to lose in regards to their coverage of the Royal family. Tomorrow could be quite a day.
January 8th, 2009 10:14
I’ve got a bottle of Cook’s Champagne chilling in the fridge as we speak, and yes, it’s the Grand Reserve.
January 8th, 2009 11:00
I don’t know.
This kind of reminds me of a couple of years ago around her birthday. Why is her birthday such a big deal anyway??it’s a bit cleashay. I think the Press Assocition are just commentating on all of the wild & rabid speculation.
As much as I want an announcement tomorrow, it’s going to be a huge let down if one isn’t announced. I’m containing myself.
January 8th, 2009 11:34
I am starting to get suspicious of these silly stories. Bea loses her dog and now her BMW? I manage to lock my door when I leave my car, don’t you think atleast a trained bodygard could remember to do so? Then RK reporting on Eugenie taking pictures of a pole dancer at a private party, which I guess was not so private!
Has the Press Association ever reported that there would be an engagement before? I think that’s the most credible report we have seen. Media outlets usually consider the PA as the end all be all!
January 8th, 2009 11:39
Hmmm… I think the PA article is just commenting on the rumours, nothing to get too excited about.
Anyway it is nice to see some pics – this also means that there is no ban for the press to take pics of KM. And obviously there is no ban for them to print stories about them.
I agree with Guest, I do not see an engagement coming too soon. Which still does not bother me – I think it is fine if they decide to take their time.
And Ked – often your stories are really entertaining. What did you smoke this time?
January 8th, 2009 11:41
I think it is very strange that REX has this photo-biography of KM for her 27th birthday. That’s what Getty did for Charles 60th! Usually that kind of spread is given to famous statesmen/woman (Margaret Thatcher), well-loved celebrities (Paul Newman), or royalty (Princess Diana).
January 8th, 2009 12:03
gracie,it is odd. We will see what happens tomorrow. One thing is for sure…I hope Kate does not plan on leaving whatever dwelling she is park at right now because the maddness that would ensue would be insane.
January 8th, 2009 12:27
I hope no one considers me to be a spoil sport with what I’m going to say, but I don’t believe an engagement will be announced this year unless it’s announced in December.
My money (
not literally!) is on any time after the 1st of January 2010 for an engagement announcement. It could be that an announcement would be made in February, or even during the summer of 2010 after Wills completes his 18 months of training.
Possibly Wills and Kate might even repeat the pattern of Peter and Autumn, which is announce their engagement in the summer, and have their wedding that following spring.
I think what will happen this year is that William will spend the entire year of 2009 focused on his training, and he and Kate will continue their relationship just as it is.
In their most recent photos at Heathrow they both look happy and content, and in one photo Kate even has a really cute smile on her face. What struck me the most in those airport photos is how comfortable and contented they look together.
I’ve noticed that people often disparage and talk negatively about couples who look comfortable and contented together, but being comfortable and contented does not mean there isn’t love and passion there too.
It just means you have all the elements present in the relationship instead of it being just a one trick pony with only passion or only excitement.
There are times when people are in a passionate mode, and times when they’re in a comfort mode. For a long term relationship and a marriage to succeed, comfort MUST be present. Marriage will not work without it.
Day to day life brings tonnes of stresses and upsets and battles to fight. Your spouse has to be one of the things that de-stresses you and helps you to feel comfortable and relaxed and content.
I think Wills and Kate being happy and comfortable with one another is extremely important, and it’s probably one of the main reasons they’ve managed to stay together so long in spite of the continuous press intrusions into their private lives, and the media’s sensationalism of their personal relationship.
My bet is that they’ll have a quiet year together, and pop up a few places together unexpectedly. They’ll probably follow their usual habits of skiing in Switzerland in March if Wills’ training schedule will allow it, and their usual summer polo appearances, and probably a couple of nice holidays during the year.
I bet this will be a quiet and low key year for Wills and Kate, with nothing sensational taking place. That way, when the announcment DOES come, it might catch the media a little of guard. (I hope!)
January 8th, 2009 12:32
ML, you make good,logical points and may very well be right on target.
The key is they are together and doing fine and it is just a matter of when the time is right for them.’
Of course,I am hoping that time is sooner rather then later but alas they failed to consult me,again!
January 8th, 2009 13:16
I hear you ML and Lisa. This is reaching a all time high and nothing is being done to knock down these rumors. So yes we all should know that nothing may happen tomorrow but one can only hope.
January 8th, 2009 13:25
What do you think KM ring will look like?
January 8th, 2009 14:33
And guys if you listen to the Dicke Arbotor video he says that he doesn’t think that there will be wedding for a couple of years. The couple are hopefully fine!! I’m rooting for 2010! Alsgal do you think the lawn chair can last that long?
January 8th, 2009 14:48
Did anyone notice Kate’s new bracelet on her wrist, hardly an engagement ring.
It’s not happening folks, Kate’s going to lose in the end.
Wanting a wedding for six years , won’t get it for her, the Royal Family doesn’t work that way.
William does not want to marry her or anyone at this point. Kate’s nice , comfortable, easy for him to call, she won’t talk, but he does not want to marry Kate. He does not want to get married, he wil have guilt and that is part of the long goodbye.
He has taken more years of Military service, he put a big roadblock in the way of marriage for years. I hear through a friend in England, who works in the news, that the people in the Royal Family with a keen eye on William’s future , want this relationship phased out, she is a girlfriend an will never be anything more, after he goes away.
January 8th, 2009 15:04
Baloney. And you can pass that on to your friend in the news.
January 8th, 2009 15:08
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/article2111453.ece
Wills and Harry honour pal
January 8th, 2009 15:14
Rex and Getty have pictures, both princes are the patrons of HvS Charity.
Both look happy. Harry needs a haircut.
January 8th, 2009 15:26
It won’t happen,no matter how much the tab press writes it.
The RF does not want William married yet and Kate is not going to be the one who gets there in the end. The RF wants it phased out, William is about to enter a new era,military RAF, working Royal. He does not want to marry her, he loves her as a girlfriend and cares for her, but he does not want to marry Kate or anyone , there will be no twenty-something Royal Wedding for William, it’s not happening.
Kate will remain a girlfriend and go no further, the relationship will be phased out slowy. Less get togethers for them. Before he saw her at Whiskey Mist and Hunting, he had not spent time with Kate in months.
That is why the engagement stories are so off , he hadn’t really seen Kate very much this year.
January 8th, 2009 15:41
I was reading an interesting story about the Swedish Royals (whose situation is completely different to Wills and Harry) Apparently they have to get married in birth order. So you have Victoria who has been with her beau for 6 -7 years I think and they are saying that marriage isn’t on the cards for her this year either (what’s up with 2009 and marriages no no’s?) and then her sister Madeline who has been with her beau for a number of year and then there is prince Carl and Emma who have been together for 10 years and apparently the king won’t allow them to be married until Victoria gets married!
The point I am making here is that everyone has a choice. Kate can walk any day that she no longer wants to be involved with William and the same goes for Emma Pernald, Chelsly, Daniel any of them. The same goes for their beaus, they can call time on the relationship anytime they want to. At the moment they choose to stay with their partners. Whether they get married or not in my opinion is not the be all and end all. In the cases of Kate, Daniel and Emma I wonder if anyone asked them if they would do it again. The answer is probably yes. I am assuming that they love their partners and they want to be in the relationships otherwise why bother??? Money, privilege and power doesn’t in my opinion guarantee you happiness. Diana proved that point.
I personally am looking forward to seeing pictures of the couple growing over the next few years. As I have said before whether Kate marries William or not I am rooting for her & her future! Although I don’t know her personally what I read and see I like!
January 8th, 2009 15:46
YAY me too JJ.
January 8th, 2009 15:48
pualoa,
“The RF does not want William married yet and Kate is not going to be the one who gets there in the end.”
……Why so adament? What’s up with all that certainty? are you hoping it is YOU will get there in the end? This is all for fun, and escaping from our day to day lives………:)
January 8th, 2009 16:02
Nice to see William and Harry honoring their friend.
Anyone know who the blonde girl is William is standing next to? Is she one of their social group? Just curious.
Of course Kate wants marriage,she does love him, but being in love with William is not getting her married. William is the one who is stopping the walk to the alter.
After seeing him out today with Harry, I’m even more convinced he’s not engaged.
January 8th, 2009 16:09
Just going on what my friend who works in the news in the UK told me she’s heard.
I’m married. Quite happily, well, well over a decade. If I were single, I would before Harry though. He seems more sure of himself, than William.
January 8th, 2009 16:10
hello all,
interesting new tidbits that don’t surprise
same old, same old…..
hmmmm….i do think a certain long time poster here with lots of inside info has not really disappeared at all, but simply reincarnated and posts regularly under another nom de plume…..
otherwise, all anyone can do is wait….
despite many here thinking pics of km showed her looking very happy, in the one pic i saw of here, i think she does not look particularly happy, alas…..
January 8th, 2009 16:25
I have no idea Kd, maybe alsgal can come up with a answer on that because I know nothing about rings.
January 8th, 2009 16:49
It was very nice to see them out and honoring their friend and becoming joint patrons of the fund. William really looked happy.
January 8th, 2009 17:58
Hello,
It’s late and I’m ……., or nearly and we’ve had a good night and it’s time for ‘beddybyse’ or whatever.
I try to catch up with posts and it was interesting to read that others have noted PW’s eyesight and the usual requirements for pilots. I’m sure he must use contacts when flying as specs. could be deadly in an emergancy beneath a helmet and visor.
On that note , I was talking this evening to a retired Swiss Air pilot who also served as a pilot in the Swiss Airforce. He mentioned an accident that happened either at Shawbury or nearby when a Prince William was killed in an aircrash. It was of course PW of Gloucester who was in a aircraft crash in 1972, I had mentioned that PW and PH would both be serving in Shropshire during 2009 and when I explained where Shawbury was he mentioned the above. Intriguing or spookey?
Well people perhaps tomorrow is the last day (I was going to say of our lives) but will change it to the first day of a new era when the press may either have a big scoop or realise that like us there is ‘ a long long way arising, to the land of our dreams , there are …..and so on’. It’s too late and I can’t remember the rest just at present.
Good night, God bless and keep everything crossed tonight!
January 8th, 2009 18:17
Ked, you sound like you might get lucky.
January 8th, 2009 18:22
Night Ked, I pray that William & Harry will be safe during their training.
January 8th, 2009 18:31
More Birthday tributes coming in for Kate.
http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=32707
I hope she will have a Happy Birthday.
January 8th, 2009 18:31
That’s what I don’t get. If the RF are not happy w/KM and are trying to phase her out, why invite her to Sandringham and get photo, the WM and get photo, lastly the airport and get photo together w/PW? That’s the question. Press had begun fasing her out when she was in hiding and PW was out w/o her. If he/RF did not want her, why bring her back in for a photo ops just to start the proposal rumors again? Is this new press suppose to appease Carole because of her feeling “vulnerable”? I don’t see why it would. To me it would feel like pushing a dagger in deeper! DL works w/RF on stories, just recently photo w/PC in Thailand? He has not said two cents about KM or her family in months other than cell phone pic. That’s it really. Personally, I think during some of PW vacay he is having natural hair plugs put in. I think the beard was grown cause they needs graphs of real hair to do the treatment. Look at some of the closeup after he shaved it. Around his forehead it appears to be plugs, very natural though. I think they call it transplants cause they use real hair. JMO.
January 8th, 2009 18:39
For the sake of KM family, I hope these “tributes” for her b-day amount to something or it will be sad. The press would not be doing this photo essays for her b-day if they thought she was not to be engaged. Maybe a write-up like they usually do, but not w/background history and many photos. If there is no engagement intention, than I blame PW PR staff for not nipping this story in the bud. Please tell me someone in that family has a heart!
January 8th, 2009 20:10
Gosh
Even Sky news are getting in on the act. The bad thing is if this doesn’t materalize tomorrow, they will immediately start that the relationship is in jeopardy.
Oh well tomorrow is D Day…..
January 8th, 2009 20:15
gracie, don’t allow yourself to be confused. Reports that the RF or William are trying to ‘phase’ Kate out are just crap.
These people don’t know what they’re talking about, and it’s obvious when everything they say keeps getting refuted. And not by any of US, but by Wills and Kate themselves.
People pretend to know facts about Wills and Kate breaking up, and then when it becomes totally obvious that they are wrong because Wills and Kate have proved them wrong by their own behaviour, they get all silent and slink away.
Obviously Wills and Kate are together. They flew back from Birkhall together, deplaned together at Heathrow, and got into William’s black Audi that was waiting patiently for them on the tarmac…. together!
They were at Birkhall on a family holiday with Wills’ father and stepmother, and Kate was there with Wills. No sane person needs anything else to realise and accept that William and Kate are in a relationship.
Of course, whether they stay in the relationship is up to them, but anyone with eyes to see can see that they are together. It’s not rocket science to figure that out, and it’s not speculation that they are together because William and Kate have confirmed it by their actions.
The speculation that they are not together at this time is just that, speculation. What makes it worse is that the speculation isn’t based on anything other than some weird person’s imagination. It isn’t based on facts, or reality for that matter. IMO it’s just sad and delusional, really.
January 8th, 2009 21:14
JJ, all that’s missing on this sturdy yet attractive lawnchair is a pair of O-rings and we are good to go to leave Earth’s atmosphere — if only for a few glorious, if somewhat toasty, moments.
Since I lost the better part of this month’s heating bill on Tiny Prancer (who must have the distinction of being the world’s slowest, not to mention blindest, racer ever in the history of greyhound racing) I can’t put any money on tomorrow. Simply because I have none, save for the reserve Tim Horton’s Emergency Fund.
But I’m still thinking Tuesday, January 13th is going to find us all on the Lawnchair O’Love singing “O Happy Day.”
January 8th, 2009 21:15
The RF can have their opinion, but in the end it’s William who will decide who he marries. So far he’s shown no interest in ‘phasing out’ Kate–quite the opposite.
What about Camilla? Nobody wanted her but Charles married her anyway. Talk about marrying someone ‘unsuitable’!
January 8th, 2009 21:15
I’m gonna reach a point Mapleleaf that I will just write out of joy when I hear and see good news and photos of the couple.
Reading naysayer posts is useless and it does get boring and one gets tiered of reading the same speculations or breakup wishing – really negative stuff. Does that reflect the posters life.
I am just happy to see others happy too.
January 8th, 2009 21:49
I hope that Kate has a really great birthday. I do wish I knew what the press was up to with their reporting of her birthday. Either they know something is up or they think that they know something is up. I agree with the people who are saying that Kate is not being force out of the relationship. Why else would they let Kate and William be photographed together at the airport, Wisky Mist, Sandgringham. People were thinking that they might have broken up during the period of time when no one saw anybody. If they wanted her gone, I would not have suspected that they would have William seeing her. I still wonder about the coverage. It is like the press is treating her like she is royalty. I wonder if they know something that we didn’t. I do hope that she has a wonderful day and a happy birthday.I will keep my fingers crossed for her and william
January 8th, 2009 22:48
oh my word, alsgal, the o rings are what blew in the challenger disaster!
January 9th, 2009 00:15
happy birthday to Kate. If she is not attending a press conference in her honor,I hope she has a wonderful day anyway,lol. I do kind of feel bad for her if they don’t make this announcement because it’s her birthday and she can’t step one foot outside today. She would be positively mobbed by paps. Thats the part of her life that must really suck and she puts such a good face forward,almost never snarling at the cameras and being polite to the parasites that call themselves photographers.
Anyhow,good wishes for a great day! Hopefully it will be one we will all remember!
January 9th, 2009 05:50
Hello,
I think it’s really time we all accepted that in June/July 2007 , or perhaps even earlier, a certain decision was made. What it was we can only sumise but be assured that plan is still in place and being being followed.
There have been a few divergences due in part to individual seeking an independent wish or desire but the basis principal of that plan will have been paramount and will be played out.
Remember the architects have one aim in mind and that is the succession and all that entails , be it detrimental to individual wishes or otherwise.
Even then it will have been drafted with historical and future events in mind and these draughtsmen have been at it for centuries.
Whatever the decisons made at that early stage will be kept one way or another and there is very little anyone, yes anyone, can do to deviate its final happening remembering that the instructions come from high up.
With that in mind remember that what is to happen will happen in days , months and even years on but be assured it’s inevitable.
So we have a long wait to endure, initially to find out what that initial plan is, and whether the eventual outcome is to our liking or wishes but the outcome is predetermined.
January 9th, 2009 06:11
Hello,
Sorry, double posting again.
Reading through the earlier posts something kept bothering me.
PW and PH become patrons of the v S trust.
Comments have been made that for the immediate future KM should be involved in charities etc.
KM is friendly with Thomas so wouldn’t this have been a early opportunity for PW to have involved her in a JOINT venture which could help to indicate his intentions.
Or am I naive and KM is to kept far away from joint ventures.
January 9th, 2009 06:35
Ked, I thought the same thing. Well, I atleast expected her to be there to celebrate them becoming a patron. TvS is/was good friends w/KM or appeared to be. I remember reading that Kings would marry off their girlfriends to men that were in the court, so that they could keep them around to insure their trust. I wonder if TvS will be this man, if all else does not work out?
January 9th, 2009 06:40
I sent KM a b-day note in the “comments” section of PP! I guess it’s silly, but atleast she knows that people support her.
January 9th, 2009 13:44
hello all,
i think the ‘bandwagon’ effect is why all those tabloids published those articles speculating on a possible engagement….
no one wanted to be left out of a possiible story
but basically, it seems it’s same old, same old
sure, km and pw spent this past weekend together, and with pw’s family….but that is totally consistent with km being ‘a good and long-time friend of pw and of the family’…it reinforces this public view of her…..it doesn’t for a minute mean any new romantic milestones were reached….
i stand by my view that in the pic of pw and km at the airport, km did not look particulary elated…
what a horrible letdown it must be for her…she can’t help but have her own hopes raised….
it’s almost too painful to witness, how year after year, there’s this big expectation, only to have it dashed..
of course we are projecting our own hopes onto her, but still…..
so….this may have been tantamount to a farewell event for km and pw, as he sails off to his long term assignment…..now km can return to her seclusion?
i, too, wondered about the charity stuff…it has been mentioned all along on here how pw should have introduced her to those duties, gotten her involved, so she could pursue them individually as well, as a lead in to her royal role….
January 9th, 2009 14:24
I too think that this event would have been great to introduce KM to more charity work – IF this is the plan.
I am still not too worried about the couple, I am convinced they are happy together. But this also supports my theory that at least for the next months KM will stick to PP and out of the limelight – apart from the occasional public appearance with PW in the Whisky Mist or wherever or at charity events from PP – while PW is pursuing his career at the RAF.
After all, the RF never mentioned that KM should be involved more in this stuff. And its sounds logical, because as long as they are not officially engaged, she should not get too involved.
Looks like it really is the same old same old for now.
January 9th, 2009 14:26
Some of us said it was just press hype. There is no marriage coming for William in his twenties.
It’s not happening. They have not seen each other very much this year.
January 9th, 2009 20:04
Me, I agree with you. And I’m glad to see Wills and Kate happy and together.
I also want to ask some people this question:
Why do people keep assuming that if there is no engagement announcement, then something is wrong in the relationship? If Wills and Kate were 35 years old I could understand the urgency. But they aren’t 35 years old, they’re 26 and 27, respectively. That’s young enough to wait another 5 years if they want to. Sophie Wessex was 33 years old when her engagement to Edward was announced.
Kate’s got another 6 years to go before she needs to start panicking, if she’s following Sophie’s example!
Look at CP Victoria’s relationship with her boyfriend Daniel for an excellent example. The only difference is Victoria has been dating Daniel for 8 going 9 years, and she’s 31 years old. And after 8 years of dating, Victoria and Daniel STILL don’t officially live together, either.
Yet no one is running around every other minute claiming THEY are going to break up, or that they have already broken up. Why can’t we learn a lesson from that?
For those who find plain facts and plain speaking difficult to comprehend, I’ll say it again: The lack of an engagement announcement is NOT an indication that William and Kate’s relationship is over, or that it’s winding down.
If that was the case, then Victoria and Daniel have been winding down for more than 3 years, if 5 years is the winding down marker.
And that would mean that Carl Philip and Emma have been winding down for 4 years! Why can’t people just deal with what actually happens instead of making stuff up to suit themselves and their imagination?
IMO, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s pretty safe to say it’s a duck!
And it’s exactly the same thing with William and Kate’s relationship:
They’ve been dating for 5 years. There has not been another annoucement of any sort of breakup since they got back together in 2007. Neither of them has been seen to be dating anyone else other than their partner. They continue to spend time together and go on vacations/holidays with each other’s families. Whether frequent or infrequent, they continue to be seen in public together. We continue to get media reports that they are going to private homes and attending private funtions together.
All of that is normal behaviour that’s usually exhibited by a couple in a relationship.
So where is the logic that fuels the idea they are ‘just friends’? What is that assumption based on? And where is the logic that fuels the idea that they’ve broken up? What is that assumption based on?
Neither assumptions are based on William and Kate’s actions, because their actions are those of a couple in a relationship. The only thing those assumptions could possibly be based on are some people’s imaginations, which seem to be totally contrary to William and Kate’s actual behaviour.
January 9th, 2009 20:12
Another example: the Queen and Prince Phillip were friends/dated for eight years before they got married.
January 9th, 2009 20:15
ML, thank you for saying that because I didn’t have the strength to do that. I agree 100%. And do tell those people on the other sites the same thing because they can be something else. Long live William & Kate.
January 9th, 2009 20:21
Phoebe, don’t forget the then Princess Elizabeth was 13 when she met Prince Philip. They kept in contact, and she had her mind set on him from that early age. They had to jump over many obstacles before they married. Although this couple remind me a lot of The Queen & Prince Philip, I think they are a model of The Earl & Countess of Wessex.
January 9th, 2009 20:34
Right, that’s what I mean. The Queen was 13 and PP was 18 when they met, and she was 21 and he 26 when they married. So, PW and KM have a little while to go yet.
Personally, I don’t care for PE, although I like Sophie. Therefore, I’ll take HM and PP as my model.
January 9th, 2009 20:45
Oh I see.
January 9th, 2009 22:31
January 16th, 2009 00:20
What is the legal age to get married in the UK or England?
January 16th, 2009 04:53
From Yahoo Answers: In the UK, the legal age of marriage is 16 with parental consent, and 18 without. The only exception is Scotland where you can marry at 16 without permission from parents.
January 17th, 2009 16:17
Thanks BRW.