Prince William and Kate Middleton

[grandduchessella]

at Rose's wedding from GREMB

[grandduchessella]

Kate was just named to Vanity Fair's Best Dressed 2008 list.

[CharlotteSometimes]

Kate was just named to Vanity Fair's Best Dressed 2008 list.

Well deserved, and not only does she dress well, she presents herself with decorum and dignity.  I really like the girl and hope that William eventually marries her.

 (However, I am much affronted that her boyfriend's cousin Beatrice was left off the Vanity Fair list--an oversight on their part, I'm sure!!!        )

[Grace]

However, I am much affronted that her boyfriend's cousin Beatrice was left off the Vanity Fair list--an oversight on their part, I'm sure!!!

I take it that this is a jest?

[CharlotteSometimes]

However, I am much affronted that her boyfriend's cousin Beatrice was left off the Vanity Fair list--an oversight on their part, I'm sure!!!

I take it that this is a jest?

Yes, shame on me for being so catty, but the butterfly outfit was the last straw for me.

[TampaBay]

What has Kate been doing lately?  Does she have a job?

All the US scandal rags are pointing to a wedding next year.  What are the UK tabloids reporting?

TampaBay

[Princess Ann Elizabeth]

Speculation...

So, I've dusted off my crystal ball to peer into what is going on beyond the palace gates as it relates to HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton. Here's what I believe to be happening...

Prince William and Kate are engaged, but are keeping it secret...very similar to QEII and Prince Phillip.

The engagement will be officially announced shortly after the New Year and I wouldn't be surprised if the photo call takes place at Sandringham (far removed from London and the cray paparazzi). His parent's engagement was announced in February, so I believe he would want to choose a different time. My thoughts are January.

The wedding will take place close to or shortly after the Trooping of the Colour which is in June. Again, they will want a wedding month different from his parents. It's been mentioned of giving the subjects a summer holiday in conjunction with the wedding. It makes sense to do that earlier in the summer rather than later. I don't know why! It's just a gut feeling.

While Prince William is focusing on his duties, Kate has been working as well though not in the public eye. She is working with designers to create her wedding dress, working out guest lists with the palace, color schemes, etc.

Regardless of the courtiers who want another huge wedding, the wedding will be held at St. George's Chapel...no question. Thus, keeping it extremely more manageable and intimate than his parent's wedding, which is very important to Prince William. Besides, St. George's has no negative connotation for the Prince that I'm aware of.

Kate is also supervising their new accommodations in St. James' Palace (perhaps even York House) from decorating, color schemes linens, etc. I believe she is also working closely with an individual or group of inidividuals who are shopping for a country house for them. That is to say, if they are not going to occupy the estate in Harewood that HRH Prince Charles is building.

After the engagement announcement, they will move in together in St. James' Palace. This is kind of a stretch, but what better way to protect Kate from the paparazzi. To the relief of her neighbors, her current flat would not become the staging ground for the world's press.

Okay, everyone have at...do you think I'm on track, nutters?!?!

[CHRISinUSA]

Interesting  - are these all your thoughts alone, or are any of them based on something solid you've read or heard?

The two things you wrote that I immediately disagreed with were the venue for a wedding, and the couple's possible future residences.

As the future king, William's wedding is a state occasion, not a private or intimate affair.  Thousands of guests - including representatives of the commonwealth and foreign countries - would have to be invited.  William may not even have much say in its preparations or details.  Not to mention, Britain has not had a huge grand royal wedding in London since the Yorks married, and I imagine the Queen - the courtiers, and maybe even the government, may believe such an event would be a welcome and much needed national celebration.  We are still 4 years away from the next big royal milestone - the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

And - given the timing and age of the elder generation, I highly doubt William and his bride would be given a new country home - which would just add yet another residence to the royal portfolio that would have to be cared for and maintained.  Upon his father's succession, William becomes Duke of Cornwall and thus inherits Highgrove House - and possibly Birkhall too.  Perhaps in the meantime they might be lent Frogmore House when needed.  As far as a London residence, I suppose you are probably right - the Court doesn't seem to be planning to accomodate any further royals at Kensington, so that would leave St. James for the newly wed couple.

[Princess Ann Elizabeth]

Hi CHRISinUSA,

Those were just my thoughts: pure conjecture and speculation on my part. I have no facts other than what I've gleaned from a news story here and there  (I know, don't believe everything you read!).

I'm sure I'm incorrect on most if now all of the topics I mentioned above, but they've been occupying my thoughts and I thought I share them and perhaps start a discussion on them.

As far as their wedding being grander than I have anticipated, would the Palace go so far for the second in line to the throne? Perhaps you're right. I just thought it be a perfect excuse that the Prince would lobby for...so that they can keep their wedding on the smaller side. You do bring up an excellent point, one that I overlooked. It's a opportunity for the monarchy to show their stuff, and they do show it well!

This board is my place to go to be with my other monarchy loving cyber-friends. I sure hope my post isn't viewed as malicious or anything.

[Emperor of the Dominions]

Most interesting!

R.I.

[joan_d]

, Britain has not had a huge grand royal wedding in London since the Yorks married, and I imagine the Queen - the courtiers, and maybe even the government, may believe such an event would be a welcome and much needed national celebration. 


Chris, you are forgetting that the weddings of the PoW and Duke of York were absolute fiascos.   They were more than 20 years ago and things have changed incredibly since that time.

If the House of Windsor has learnt anything (and I very much doubt that it has) it is that the public does not have a taste for yet another expensive travesty of a marriage ceremony.

[Taren]

I'm a part of the public and I'd love for the wedding to be a huge one.

Millions watched his parents get married and some still remember when his grandparents were married. We've watched him grow up, through the sad times when his parents were divorced and then when his mother died. It would be nice for there to be a huge public event that was all about his happiness. Charles and Diana may not have gotten a happy ending together, but I'm willing to bet I'm not the only person who would like to see their children get theirs.

[TampaBay]

Do you think Princess Anne will but a new outfit for Williams wedding?  LOL!  LOL!

TampaBay

[Romanov_Fan19]

Id like to see him marry by 35   and to Catherine  Westminster Abbey   London Home St James  and country home that Manor thatll be done by 2010

[Charity]

Do you think Princess Anne will but a new outfit for Williams wedding?  LOL!  LOL!

TampaBay

Not a chance...!  The BIG question is which old outfit will be brought out of the closet for the occasion!  I do like Princess Anne, but it would be nice to see her in something new occasionally!