From the UK Telegraph:
LONDON: Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton has declined an offer from the British Queen to host a table for ten of his friends at Royal Ascot, a private hospitality tent, this week.
Middleton recently stood in for William at his cousin Peter Phillips's wedding because he was in South Africa.
But this time, the 26-year-old has turned down the invitation as she "doesn't want to be standing in for Prince William again and using her Royal status", British newspaper the 'Daily Mail' reported.
"Kate was all set to take the table after having been personally invited by the Queen. She then had second thoughts and politely declined the offer.
"Princes William and Harry were both invited to Ascot, but neither of them can go, and so Kate was invited to take William's table. But she said she doesn't want to be standing in for William again and using her so-called Royal status.
"She knows that if she goes in William's place as a guest of the Queen the engagement rumours will gather momentum and it's not what she or William want.
"Kate's also been advised to take a back seat publicity wise, so she'll only really step out in any sort of Royal capacity when she absolutely has to and when she's with William," a friend of the Middletons was quoted as saying.
The Queen has also invited her granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who will each host tables of ten next Friday.
"The Queen is very keen for the young Royals to get into racing as it is her favourite pastime and lots of her horses compete at Ascot. This year, Kate Middleton was also invited, but she has turned down the offer," a Royal aide was quoted as saying.
TampaBay
