Hip hip hurray for Willy!

Welcome back home, have a well deserved weekend.

It seems like Miss Patell just had to find something to complain about. Is there some unwritten law on the books in the UK that says most if not all reporting must be negative? Give then man his props! He did good!

As far as I am concerned, for once the Daily Mail and Amanda Platells piece has it spot on.

The newspapers it appears are doing there best to put a brave face on it even the guardian, but frankly this tour turned out to be lackluster.

Have you guys read the BBC article. When Diana visited OZ & NZ a third of the population of each of those countries turned out to see her. In contrast PW attracted crowds the size of what turns out for reality TV celebrities.

I can tell you now, that our TV news in Britain did not cover this visit as much as they covered Harry’s to NY.

I can only pray that PW does not now do his usual disappearing act and next show his face for the World Cup.

If so, then expect the usual diversionary press stories. eg:

Kate going to NY
W & K going to get married.
H & C Off again, on again off again.
PH struggling with the theory of flying.
Kate leaving PP because she doesn’t feel challenged.

PS. Steve, thank you very, very much for keeping us informed. If it wasn’t for BRW & RIF I wouldn’t have seen or heard much of this visit.

THANK YOU!

Thanks,Rman,I was just going to post that. There is also video with it that shows just how well William was received and his response to the marriage question.

Sorry about that long link..:(

** BRW – It’s no longer long! Thanks for the link Lisa and Rman. **

Well,I suppose every set of eyes sees something different which is what makes us individuals. From what I can see from the news coverage mostly on the internet,the visit exceeded expectations.

Prince William snapped beside empty throne in Australia

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/2819055/Prince-William-snapped-beside-empty-throne-in-Australia.html

that picture of william looking on at the chair in thought will become iconic >>>>

but i bet he was thinking of something completely innocous like I really liked that hamburger for lunch I wonder if i can make the same kind on my bbq

Hello,

Unfortunately Hale’s #5 is basically correct.

I have been away in the far east for a time and arrived home a few days ago and during the time away I did not see a single reference to PW visit down under and when I came home it appeared that the UK papers had almost ignored it.

PW’s image in USA is so different to his image here and that’s reflected often in the BRW posts by our friends over there. His image for most Americans is the image of his mother who was revered there but PW is not a Spencer, he is a Windsor and a future King to boot. He is very much his fathers son and you may recall that PD’s brother recognised that and refered to it at PD’s funeral service.

PH is however a very different character and has more of PD’s special ways than PC’s idisyncrasies.

In 2007, following the PW/KM split senior Royals and many advisors recognised that PW’s ‘newsworthyness’ was KM inspired and it was decided that steps had to be taken to enhance PW’s reputation with or without KM.

Fortunately for PW, KM was persuded to go back to him but from that time on she had to taken out of the limelight and PW’s reputation and standing had to be enhanced.

You may recall that many, many of the contra KM and her family stories were almost traceable to CH or BP staff, flunkies or hangers on and KM’s reputation suffered with that of her family.

I have no doubt that PW and KM are very very close and may eventually marry but it may not be for several years yet and 2014 is still an exellent bet at the bookmakers.

KM’s life as a girl friend is restricted enough but if she was a Princess with her own establishment and a husband still serving in the SARS the restrictions on her would be so much greater.

One only has to remember the difficulties experienced by PA and SF to know what could happen. Remember they were really in love and are still very close but that marriage failed mainly I understand because PA was away so much and she was under so much of the spotlight with many restrictions. I dont think PW and KM want their lives to reach such problematical proportions but he wants to continue his life as an RAF officer.

To PW being a pilot is what he does being a Prince is an obligation and he is in great danger of falling between the two. Decisions will have to be made but PW is seemingly very indecisive except where his own wishes are concerned. He is then very stubborn and almost reckless hence his decision to surprise his own people and enlist into the SARS when most expected a marriage and a life of public service.

I do however believe that he tries extremely hard at everything he does but with many reservations which occasionally surface leaving problems to be covered over or ignored.

I still believe that KM has a good few lonely years and it is to be hoped that family history is not given any opportunity to occur and that they do have a happy life to look forward to.

Ok I’m not sure if anyone has posted the video of the wait and see comment so here it is.

http://tinyurl.com/ydwbdh7

Whom? Katie Nicholl insight? or William himself?

I agree it’s not the best response. But if he wanted to give absolutely NO hint, not even the least glimmer of the status of his marriage plans, it’s probably what his advisers have told him to say. Think about it, even a “Not soon” would be giving too much information to suit William. He plays his cards almost pathologically close to his chest.

I have to disagree with Ked completely.

I don’t think after seeing William in Australia that he is reluctant at all.

I do think he is trying to bring the media relationship back to one of closed doors after work. Which for the most part makes sense.
And for now Kate is not part of that work.

We do know Ked that whether or not Kate had reservations William did at least at one time have great reservations about a marriage to Kate of which he expressed to his grandmother. It would seem that he only dug his heels in once everyone agreed with him.

I keep trying to figure out whether you are truely a monarchist or not or perhaps James Middleton pulling or leg. This should be about the Monarchy.

William is future king and must not be distracted during the time in which he is introduced in his role – we saw first hand what he was like on his own – he was incredible with the crowds.

Isn’t it much better for the monarchy to move with what William wants at a pace that works for him. I don’t agree with hanging the family out to dry but I do think they need to be a little more realistic about what the monarchy must do in order to sustain itself.

I think we may see a more willing Wills to travel after the reception he received.

The English don’t tend to care about what the commonwealth have to say – up until 1980 they were still being called colonials by most. So I am not surprised about the lack of attention plus you just have to read the media in the UK to see that most media outlets are anti monarchy or at very least try to put a terrible slant on everything possible.

I for one don’t care when the wedding it just as long as it is to the women that he will STAY with.
If that is Kate than great but for the monarchies sake I hope they don’[t push him one way or another. All they can do is advise him in his love life and the less it plays out in public the better.

Kate is a nice enough girl but this isn’t about marrying a man she loves this is about a job.
She will be away from him a lot when she married too. And I for one am a monarchist who would like to see the monarchy survive and given the latest poll in Hello! it would seem that most want him to do this in his own time – so with the backing of the people take your time Wills all the time you need!
If she loves you she will understand and if she doesn’t she is isn’t the right one for you in the first place.

JJ,
your url sends us to the Katie Nichols version…

I agree that the wait and see was a not warm either, but I see the testiness directed at the asker, not the situation.

Good Evening My Friends,

Ked, it’s good to hear from you.

Guys, I know things may seem hopeless at this time but it’s going to come. Not in four years time but it’s going to come soon.

In my opinion, Kate has accepted the role of being the girlfriend of a military royal and she will become a military royal wife. She knows the lifestyle very well because she has been in a relationship with William for seven years. The media say that William shocked the royals with his SAR decision and that Kate didn’t know but she knew what his plans were. This is his girlfriend, the one who knows way better than us who are on the outside looking in. The relationship would have never come this far if they weren’t sharing their inner thoughts and feelings with each other. Remember the world is watching them and the media is always on their backs, it takes real and deep love for a couple to continue a relationship under those circumstances.

I know many of you may think, “Rman is just living in a fantasy world” but I can just tell there is more to William & Kate than what the media tells us. I know some pople wanted a bigger hint from William while on this trip but we have to understand that he can’t reveal his plans just like that, the couple enjoy keeping us guessing because they want it to be a surprise and a joyous occasion for us all. So they keep us on the edge of our seats while they make their plans behind closed doors.

It’s coming you guys, we just have to remain patient and calm because we are going to need the strength when it’s time to celebrate. I expect lots of typos when the news come.

William has 8 more months of training.

I think the discussion about whether it was a “surprise” to anyone that William was going to pursue a SAR career has about run its course. Nobody is going to change anyone else’s mind, your “sources” notwithstanding.

BTW, it is my impression that William is not sure of KM, which is why there may be a holdup in the marriage plans.

Ked we will have to agree to disagre about Kate not being told about Williams decision to join SAR. I think he would be a very single man today if he did that. Even if he told her at the last minute I could understand that but suits?? IDK that I believe that I just don’t see the point it takes one phone call even if it is a short one.

Oh ok Sojourner I thought there were two different videos.There was just something in that video which made me feel as if he was still very immature, but whatever like Lisa says people can view different things differently. I noticed that Jamie LP was also in the video following his every move I’m assuming to avert disaster if any strange questions came up.

That’s what I’m getting at JJ, we all know that Kate is a major supporter of William’s military career. She has been there since he first entered the military world and has been there every step of the way. He wouldn’t have made a decision like that without consulting with her first. The shock was mostly with the media because they had been writing about how he would become a working royal, they just didn’t know what his plans were but she knew and most likely his father and grandmother knew too.

Phoebe, many people think it’s only William that is keeping Kate waiting and that’s why they call her ‘Waty Katey’ and it’s true that he have to get the ring and get down on one knee but it’s the woman that holds the cards here. It’s her that have to say (yes) in order for everything to kick off. I have been raised around women my whole life so I know how strong women do these things.

It’s coming you guys, just hold on to hope. This is the most anticipated wedding for the royal family and Britain. To tell you the truth, I can’t for it to come and go so we can all move on. I will enjoy the festivities, interviews, wedding and all that great stuff but I just can’t wait for it to come and go. I just want it to be over with, you know what I mean?

I hear you rman loud and clear… Lets hope this time next year that we have the announcement we have been waiting for.

Rman,
I saw your video, waiting to see something different, and yet, I still saw PW with a forced laugh, and lightspeed escape.

To those of you that think his answer of “wail and see” was off base, just how would you have answered it? He could’t have very well given a time period without spoiling the whole thing. After all, Kate was not there and they need to make a formal announcement. He did the only thing possible, give a vague answer and laugh it off.

To tell you the truth guys, if I was asked that question, I would have been nervous too. William gave an honest answer without going too far. I would have done the samething he did, laugh and give an answer that would have kept them guessing. I’m glad there is some video of William saying this because in it he wasn’t made or upset that she asked him about that. He knows that everyone wants to know when the wedding will be but he can’t give an answer like, (I’m getting married tomorrow) or (The wedding will be this summer).

Just wait and see guys, just wait and see. We won’t be waiting too long.

I agree RMAN
Thank god his mother taught him how to relate to people in an empathetic way.

i wonder if his pent up fears that come across as stubborness are a result of truely feeling responsible for everything he does in a way that Harry’s personality just doesn’t tend too.

Although William may share some of his father’s traits at least as far as the job goes he seems to know what to do.

Well really?, I know the media only credit Diana in training William for his future role as a member of the royal family but both Charles & Diana gave William & Harry the advice they needed to carry the Monarchy into the future. Diana always had high hopes for the establishment and although many thought the late Princess was trying to ruin the Monarchy by revealing some revelations (Charles & Camilla’s affair), what she was trying to do was shake the cobwebs from the royal household and let them know that they had to change if they wanted the Monarchy to survive in the modern world. I think she gave to royals a great gift and that’s William & Harry.

If Kate and William want to drive everone nuts, they’ll wait another 4 or 5 years. Not that I’m trying to rush them or anything, I hope that in the next few months solmething newswothy will happen like an announcement. I want them to be certain, but I have a feeling that if they were not certain they would not still be together. Maybe, I’m wrong I also don’t think that Kate would have stayed at Cornwall for Christmas had not something been coming for William and Kate.

Wise words,meg!

I don’t mean to split hair Hale but my argument of the S&R thing (although Phoebe is right we all have our own views and they aren’t going to change) is that she wasn’t told on the day it was announced by one of his advisors?? Is he that much of a coward. I think it is plausible that maybe he made a decision very close to the time that it was announced and that the royal family were preparing to bring her in hence the garter ceremony but I can not believe that she found out on the day of the announcement from someone else. I just can’t believe that…

Hello,

Thanks Hale,(by the way #5 was spot on) unfortnately I am away quite a lot and believe me I know what it’s like to be lonely as does my wife. Fortunately she does have her career as a barrister to occupy her but unfortunately she is sometimes away from London when I’m at home but at least I can always join her within a hour or so and occasionally when she isnt in Court she has accompanied me.

Incidentally I sometimes wonder how PW and KM keep sane with being separated so much as we are of a similar age group and have been together about the same length of time. Who says universty romances dont work!!

I agree that PW does work wholeheartedly at whatever he does (except perhaps in their relationship?) and he was well received in both NZ and Australia.

However I am not certain that his private visit to Melb. and Syd. has done the RF a great service as they seem to want him rather than PC as the next Sovereign and with a gap of say 30-35 years until he ascends the throne the republicans in Aus. could have a strong argument against waiting so long.

I am still mystified at PW’s progress in SARS as he does seem to have had weeks and months off since July and if the training is so intense is he so much brighter than the other recruits? Their training period seems to be lengthy compared to his and if it were reduced would it be less costly or would their excellence be reduced? I don’t really understand the essence of it at all but I hear that the Squadron at Valley were on duty 24/7 during the bad weather recently

There is of course the prospect of the SARS being divorced from the Armed service and privatised within the next year or so and I wonder what happens to PW then?

The whole thing seems very much ad hock but he really seems to enjoy it and again seems dedicated despite his several absences on constitutional duties of which there are many more to come this year, eg. in South Africa during the 3/4 weeks of the world cup. KM will be lucky to get the odd weekend with his training and duties and we may see very little of her during the year. She must get so frustrated and lonely.

Ked my friend, I think the relationship between William & Kate is very deep, filled with understanding and there’s a lot of love and support involved. In my opinion, only love can keep a busy relationship like that together.

I think with this recent video of William treating Kate to a helicopter ride-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zjt0EVSNt4

was a sign of him thanking her for being patient with his training and supporting his royal career. No matter how many times people think he’s treating her wrong by him training with the SAR and being away a lot, she’s there for him. I’m just impressed by the maturity in the relationship all together.

Kat@ 54, it was Duncan Larcombe of The Sun who reported Prince William’s application to extend with the RAF in a May 2008 article.

Ked you paint a dower picture of Kate. I mean doesn’t she have a life outside of William? She must do things the way you put it she is just twiddling her thumbs until he deems a next visit with her will happen. At what point does someone see the situation for what it is as oppose to what they want it to be? It sounds rather naive like a young Diana involved with someone who isnt’ going to be there for you ever.

If William does have SAR time off and he is not doing much then that would mean that Kate was hangin on to a pipe dream in the hopes that she is the one that is picked for his life — but he will never change so why wish for a marriage to someone who won’t change. who uses other people to do his dirty work. Why would you want to be with someone like that? Wouldn’t it be a life of misery?

When the Duke of Windsor was in the commonwealth he visited where my mother lived. My grandfather was an official appointed by the prime minister during his visit and said that the Duke was a “bounder” and that he danced with one woman at the party and then later took a rope and put it out his window to escape to what most people (who were there) thought was an assignation.

So I take your point. But my question is if you are the one that loves the “bounder” at what point do you see you don’t mean as much to them as they mean to you or at the very least that they mean more to themselves than any other person will ever mean.

I guess I hope that this is not the situation but from your description it would seem as though it was a futile effort on both peoples part — it indeed it is being played out the way you have indicated…..

Hello mapleleaf,

I admire , envy and recognise your retrieval system. Almost (sorry obviously )professional.

Which PA agenc y is it you work for?

Oh dear, did you forget or neglect to include the week (including weekends) spent with PH and the Lady I ?

Also the weekends spent in London well documented without KM but at night clubs?

How did you miss that ?

Ked, we do know that William & Kate spend a great deal of time together. Kate don’t hit the clubs much and William every now and then have a guys night out.

Now who is Lady I?

really?

“But I am not stupid enough to take anything at face value from either the media or the blogs”

Hell no, that would take all the fun away from speculating. :laugh:

Hale,
You are very welcome! I do think you are onto something about Kate’s expectations the year PW announced his S & R training plans. We will know the truth at some point in the future, there is no need to fight over the details right now.

Mapleleaf,
You do have first rate rsearch skills.

really?
You have a good post or two in this thread!

Mapleleaf,

Wonderful posts: written clearly and unpretentiously written, well researched and thoroughly documented.

Ked,
I take it you continue to campaign for the title of BRW International Man of Mystery… keep up making the reading fun

Hale,
But of course… For obvious reasons, Bond’s (grand?)son, but proudly continuing the traditions.

Why don’t we hope that William gets married when he’s absolutely ready whether it’s next year or the next five years? We are talking about a real people with real feelings that change and grow not some business arrangement with goal dates. Wiliam should do it when he’s absolutely ready time table be damned.

Not possible. Way too logical.

There are so many facets to the William and Kate story and I’ll take bets that none of us are even close to the real truth. They have never said a word in public and the rest is all in someone’s imagination. i watched the video’s from his wings a week ago and what I saw was two people who really care for each other and there was no sign of stress between them. May God give them many happy years together.

Prince William’s extraordinarily successful trip abroad is another feather not only in his cap but that of his grandmother. Yes the BBC inundated us with hourly reports on him and souvenir newspaper issues covering the event have been published, along with the largest press cintingent to accompany a British royal personage in years.

Kate no doubt encouraged him in his unselfish career of rescue. They are there for each other.