British treasury documents uncovered by the Daily Mail show that Prince William is about to take over a substantial part of the Queen’s duties…
The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favour of her 27-year-old grandson.
(The Daily Mail) has obtained an uncensored version of the document which confirms that the Queen is grooming William as a ‘Shadow King’. One blacked-out line states that ‘the Princes will increasingly incur expenditure when undertaking engagements on behalf of The Queen’.
Another censored section, stressing the key role for William, says that ‘from next year, it is expected that HRH The Prince William will spend a significant part of his time on official engagements… we need to put the necessary provisions in place in anticipation of that’.
The leak will add to speculation that the Queen believes William, rather than Charles, represents the best long-term interests of the monarchy, and will raise new questions about the timing of William’s long-anticipated engagement to his girlfriend Kate Middleton.
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Just to let you guy’s know that on the BBC, it is saying that Buckingham Palace has denied reports that Prince William has been lined up to take on the Queen’s duties.
Also, the idea that the Queen would pass Charles over for William is to me prepostrous.
The line of succession is enshrined in LAW. Even if the Q wanted to pass it on to William she couldn’t. Never forget, William has yet to prove himself. Compared to his father at his age, to date William has done very, very little.
To those who say that William has been representing the Queen abroad and taking that as a sign of confidence……..well actually..NO.
All of the Queen’s children have been officially representing the Queen abroad for quite sometime. The POW’s first did this when he was 19.
http://tinyurl.com/ye99rsq
This even made the headline of The Drudge Report – I can’t tell if that means it’s big news or just a slow news day so Drudge decided to lead with it. At any rate, it just looks to me like they’re trying to give both boys more official responsibilites as their military careers permit – I don’t think it means they’re passing anyone over. I think it’s good that they’re having a more visible role and I like that Kate’s taking on more charity work.
that is all it means. The Princes are taking on more official duties, just as Charles did at their age. It is not some big secret plan to skip Charles in favor of William.
The anti-royalists are also way off the mark too. OF COURSE, there is a plan in place for succession. It would be irresponsible to not plan for what happens when the Queen passes. Failure to adequately prepare has led to wars in the past.
This memo is a lot of nothing. It does not mean William and Kate are closer to getting engaged, it does not mean William will be a “shadow king.” It only means that William and Harry will take on more official duties and their allowances from the State should reflect that.
Hale,I agree with you. No way is HM thinking of passing the crown to William. I do have some questions about this document.
It appears to me that the document that was obtained by the Mail is authentic. That in mind,I am going to quote it in assuming it is real and go from there.
Here we go..
“The information is contained in a briefing note written by Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Treasury officials about new financial arrangements for Prince Charles and his sons.
Key paragraphs, disclosing the reason for the changes, are blacked out.”
If this is a simple disclosure meant to transfer funds to simply provide for William and Harry’s expenditures during engagements,why is it a secret?
The document does on to say..
‘from next year, it is expected that HRH The Prince William will spend a significant part of his time on official engagements . . . we need to put the necessary provisions in place in anticipation of that’.
Hmmm..interesting. A “signifigant part of his time” Isn’t he to conclude his RAF training and become operational next year including a three moth stint in the Faulklands? Also, the three little dots in between the words “engagements” and “we” indicate missing content. What was that content?
So I ask you , what *is* gong on with this article? How is William going to take on all these duties AND continue with the RAF fulltime? And WHY the coverup?
It’s not because of HM handing over duties to William so,what is it?
Ahhh….according to Richard Palmer of the Express,the document is from 2008 *before* William decided to do the SAR program. It all makes sense now.
It does bring to light how utterly unreliable the Daily Mail is. They KNEW the document was old and they chose to write this foolish story around it without disclosing it was a old document.
HEADLINE on the popular website DRUDGE REPORT !!!
Prince William to share Queen’s duties !!
Interesting that the Drudge report would pick this up..
My confusion mounts…Can someone explain why the future King of England and his girlfriend would be taking a TAXI home from the theatre?
Not that it has anything to do with this article – but The Drudge Report was also the one that broke the silence on Harry’s being in Afghanistan and outed him, causing him to be sent home. Matt Drudge does feature the royals occasionally as a small headline, but not usually as the big headline unless he thinks its big news somehow. So – it might just be a slow newsday, but with Tiger Woods and all that out there – he might also think this is a big deal.
Love him or hate him, Matt Drudge is known for getting the big stories out there before anyone else.
*Again – I still think the leaked memo is nothing – and I thought it was horrible he outed Harry – I just thought it was interesting he lead with this. It’s been up for almost a day now as the lead.
Lisa, I think you are on to something with your observation about the timing of said report and PW’s beginning of RAF duties. Is there a link for Palmer’s express piece? And the taxi might have been driven by a protection officer, in an (failed) attempt to distract the paps.
AJ: Drudge breaks some news, makes up some, and also misses a lot. But he puts so much stuff out, some of it is likely to be true.
Actually, the Drudge report did not break that bit of news. It was the Australian mag New Idea which broke it and Drudge picked it up from there. (And New Idea picked it up from a German mag, so Drudge is way out of the picture.)
Personally, I think the Daily Mail and all the like piranhas will be the ones to bring down the monarchy, if anyone does.
The Daily Mail should have not made up an article like that. I think it’s wrong for people to think the Queen will pass all her duties to William. He will take on some things but he will not try to overshadow his father.
Well Lisa it is interesting if it was 2008, that sort of backs up the original story that William was supposed to take on in 2009 more royal engagements and start his “king” training. Then the bomb dropped that he would start the SAR training and the document was assumed to be false. I think it is authentic but it is strange that they should put it out there now… Maybe it’s a good old slow news week…
I love the Christmas cab detail
Here’s a link to a Sky news report about BP’s denial of the story.
http://tinyurl.com/ydsfkpc
I genuinely believe the DM put this story out because there was a lack of royal news stories regarding the two princes. The last time we saw Harry was at the Rugby match. However, as I am sure you all know by now H & C have been spotted coming out of the restaurant Daphne. Then there has been very few stories of W & K together and now we have the theatre story.
Just goes to show how hungry the press are that they will put anything out there even if it is a story which stems from a 2008 report.
Prince William and Kate Middleton together leaving the New London Theatre, London, Britain – 11 Dec 2009 Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured together leaving the New London Theatre in Drury Lane, where they watched the play War Horse. On leaving, William got rid of his prescription glasses and, escorted by two Royal protection officers, he walked for about 5 minutes with his girlfriend all the way to High Holborn, where they all jumped into a passing cab.
where is all the news coming from that they walked to find a taxi and didn’t take a waiting car?? I’m confused?
Paparazzi legend
What is “paparazzi legend”?
What the paparazzi see while doing the caption (s), some even get to hear.
http://picturedesk.com/en/preview/medium/search/PDI_20091213_PDI3320.html
This pap site has a lot of W&K pics walking from the theatre.
I think they’ve taken cabs before. Nice to see them out together. And is it me or is Kate looking more relaxed and happy lately?? Are we getting closer to you know what??
God I hope so Katharine.
i think that they are talking about the announcement about engagement i think they are going to announce it when ready
So do I, Rman.
I don’t mean to sound selfish, but we all could use the celebration. Times are tough and this would be a bit of good news to enjoy.
Here is a report from CBS news. I think it will have video soon. I will post it when it appears. bear in mind who they choose to interview
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/14/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main5977034.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5977092n&tag=cbsnewsVideoArea.0
At this point,guys,the palace may welcome the attention an engagement will bring if not to just deflect this “shadow king” story.
My take, we have this week as what I call a “hot window” for an announcement as the royals depart for Sandringham next weekend,where I do not believe they would make an announcement. If this week passes,without word of pending nuptials,then I think we are back to waiting until William returns from the NZ trip in late jan as the next window.
One thing to mention as well. I know some folks have talked about 2010 being out for a royal wedding with elections expected in may…I read a story yesterday that the elections could come in march. Anyone else hear that? Hale?
I think elections are in May Lisa. I have never heard of them being in March unless it is called early which is unlikely given Gordon Brown’s unpopularity at the moment. As much as I would LOVE an xmas engagement announcement I highly doubt it. I’m not sure I believe an announcement is coming in 2010 but if it is then it would probably co me after William gets back from Australia and has a 6 week break..
I just watched the video which if it is to be believed we have a looooooong wait ahead of us or at least until 2011.
This is the article I read,jj.
http://news.scotsman.com/news/Parties-prepare-for-snap-election.5908071.jp
jj,while I don’t think Katie Nicholl knows squat,I do agree the chances of a long wait are good. And I agree with you about the timing of an announcement for next year. I still have to wonder why HM was so aggressive about the paps not spying on Sandringham this year…
The possibility of an early election was also reported in another outlet. May have been the Times or the BBC.
Well ok let me play devils advocate here, even if an early general election is called the “let’s establish William & Harry issue” still will not have been taken care of which still in theory means 2011. If the rumors are to be believed that they also want to start to establish Kate then that whole process is going to take at least another year. Sigh sigh sigh…..
http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/the_duchess_invites_seriously_ill_children_to_help_decorate__1915296012.html
Good Morning,
I just want to say that if wedding cannot take place until 2011 then I think that is fine but I can hope that in 2010 the royal team will at least present Kate to the public more. In my opinion she has been in the background far too long. We really don’t know what the plan is and KN really don’t know either, that’s why she took a breath to answer the “Kate Middleton” question. Everyone is trying to figure out where she fits in on all of this and they are still left wondering.
I must say that I really don’t by the excuse that Diana totally eclipsed Charles because he wasn’t an established royal. I think people forget that before he married Diana, Charles was a working royal. He travel around the globe flying the flag for Britain and representing The Queen at many events. Charles was doing his job as Prince of Wales rather well and he really did a great job on supporting his mother. In my opinion, the world went crazy over Diana because she was beautiful, YOUNGER and everyone wanted to get a chance to know their new Princess of Wales who managed to get Charles to settle down. Remember there was a great deal of worry about Charles finding a wife. People always go crazy over a mans younger wife.
William & Kate are the same age, they have been dating for years and the reason why the media is all over her is because they want to know her, when will they get engaged? and will she bring the much needed breath of fresh air into the Monarchy?. I hope the story of Kate doing more charity work and being presented at William’s side more is true because I think that’s is what should happen now. She has been seen as the girlfriend who attends polo games, society/royal weddings, vacations a lot, now we need to see the serious side of this couple. All the games are no longer quite.
I’m hope that next year is much better than this year.
I also want to point out that although Edward was in a different position in the royal family than William, he did a pretty good job on presenting Sophie to the public. Not only did she attend royal weddings but she attended many other royal events with the royal family too. If they went to a charity concert she was there, if the royals went on vacation on the royal yacht she was there and lets not forget that she sat right along with the royals when the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned. At that ceremony you couldn’t even tell she was Edward’s girlfriend, you thought she was a wife of a member of the royal family. This is what she be done to Kate and they should not longer stuff her in their back pocket. In my opinion she really don’t belong there.
If they want the ‘Waitey Katey’ headlines to turn around then this is what they should do. Make it know that 2011 will most likely be the year the couple will get spliced.
This is another interesting take on the ‘Shadow King’ idea.
http://tinyurl.com/ybpwkvq
I don’t know why Katie Nicholl and the DM are sticking to this story. It has been revealed that the document in question is old and the story is mute.I also find it difficult to understand why reputable news sources like CBS and NBC continue to interview Nicholl as a royal source when she is clearly not.
There is no “Shadow King”. If anything,HM and the firm are covering all their bases in the event that Charles would pre-decease HM,which is,of course possible and that would place William as the direct heir.
Rman, hang in there. 2009 is not over yet and things may still come together for 2010. I am not sure if the Edward/Sophie William/Kate comparison is a fair one. Firstly,Edward is the child of the Monarch, William is the grandchild. There were other reasons,I believe,why the RF allowed Sophie to be pictured with the family,alongside Edward before they announced the marriage.
We also must consider the possibility that Kate is not ready for the media onslaught that will come with the engagement.
The situation is very complex and we have so few true facts.
Hang in there,something good will happen soon.
is william saying that as king he will be taking taxis, and won’t be bowed and scrapped to?
he will do his own cooking?
will he move out of the palaces?
one has to wonder – i wonder if the staff are worried about this – when HM dies.
Also Lisa can you explain the confusion over willliam – i don’t really understand what is going on with him ????É
is he in the sar or notÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ
Thanks for the words of encouragement Lisa. I will hang on in there and continue to hope all this will come to a full circle soon.
“We also must consider the possibility that Kate is not ready for the media onslaught that will come with the engagement.”
This is true Lisa but I think the royal team should make her transition into royal life smooth as much as they can and not make it seem like it’s all a heavy burden. From the strength she has shown throughout the courtship, I believe she is ready for it. She just need to be included and not put on the back burner. I think she has been burnt enough already. The sooner people start to see her in a serious light instead of just the girlfriend the better.
the bottome line is kate will not have protection until she is engaged and i think William owes it to her if they plan on getting married at somepoint anyway.
I think it is time to get married -if that is what William and Kate want at somepoint the responsible thing to do is to take care of her now
which i just dont think he is doing.
Lisa, that was an interesting article you found in the New Scotsman about an early election.
I have to say that I truly do believe that until the general election is out of the way there will be no news of an engagement between Will and Kate. If we do get an election sooner rather than later then the chances are we’ll get some news of their plans much sooner.
Nothing must be allowed to get in the way of the impending change of government. The Queen knows this, it’s part of the constitution.
Any happenings on the W and K front will occur after that so try and enjoy the seasons festivities and be patient.
The Telegraph on William’s trip next month:
http://tinyurl.com/yaotzu2
PW has already made a trip to NZ. He went with TvS. I think it had something to do with rugby. Wasn’t than an official trip?
I just thought I would let everyone here know that the New Zealand government has setup some pages on social networking sites for William’s visit next month:
More info-
http://tinyurl.com/yd2crha
Visit Site-
http://www.bebo.com/royalvisit
Phoebe, in 2005 William went to New Zealand to represent The Queen for the World War II commemorations and he did go to a rugby game. I guess next years trip is considered his first overseas official visit because he will do a series of engagements on behalf of The Queen.
I read ab article that said that the British election could come as early as March 25. There are some people I think that want an early election as opposed to a later election. The article pointed out that most likely it would be in May. I thought then it would be feasible for the wedding to be in the summer. I am sure that they would arrange the election around a royal wedding. I found it interesting.
Even if the election takes place in May, I don’t see why that would rule out a summer wedding. We all know that things could be well underway behind the scenes, election or not. It’s just a question of when it’s announced. And a shorter “official” engagement would mean less nonsense going on in the press.
Am I looking for logic here or what??? LOL.
I think I have resigned myself to the idea that there will be no wedding next year. However, given the recent outing to the theater, I think the signs are good that we will see more of KM and PW out together as a couple.
I just hope next year they will step up the game. Start doing more charity engagements together and just bring this girl out of the background.
I’m still hoping though that next year the engagement will come.
judging from how happy kate was in public whatever she was worryihng about before she isn’t now.
I wonder if they have decided let’s wait years and keep it the way it is ?
someone did tell me a late decision of Kate’s in april or May (can’t remember which month) – that she would have a decision then.
they also said her going to NYC was for sure – so we will wait and see.
Maybe after the election the engagement and then the wedding two months after?
i think the couple enjoy their their time together and i think that wills will be a great king someday and. I think that kate will be by her side..
oh no another rumour
wills is really a woman
only joking tee hee