Report: Prince William, Kate Middleton on verge of engagement
Prince William of Wales, the son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, may announce his engagement to Kate Middleton in June, a new report says.
Daily Beast editrix and British royal expert Tina Brown reports that June 3 and 4 have been "mysteriously blocked" on the palace's calendar. The dates will be used to announce a fall wedding for the young pair, according to Brown's source.
Middleton, the daughter of an airline pilot and flight attendant, met William in college in 2003. Barring a brief split in 2007, the pair have enjoyed a successful (and extremely public) seven-year courtship.
As in all royal affairs, this union is nothing short of complicated. Brown notes that the British press is always quick to reference Middelton's working-class roots. And then there's the tragic shadow of the last royal wedding to capture the world's attention.
"More important in planning a winter wedding for the royals is to avoid any throwback seasonable resonance with the legendary February engagement and July wedding of William's parents, Charles and Diana," Brown writes.
Indeed, William and Kate have expectations to meet, namely ...
Brown thinks Westminster Abbey is the most likely choice for the matrimony site, a spectacle of a holy house that seats 2,000-plus -- yet something that directly conflicts with the modern couple's sensibilities.
"Kate herself may be shrewd enough not to want the full royal monty," Brown says. "... She knows she will get her shot at Westminster Abbey when she is finally crowned queen, and that's always been the finale Ms. Middleton has played for."
Are you excited for a royal wedding? Is Kate a girl who could be queen? Tell us in comments.
-- Matt Donnelly
[For the record, 5:30 p.m.: An earlier version of this post insinuated that Princess Diana struggled with references in the media to her middle-class roots. Diana was the daughter Edward John Spencer, Viscount Althorp in 1961 when she was born; in 1975 he became the eighth Earl Spencer, and she became Lady Di. Thanks to commenter @britgal for the catch. Now the facts are straighter than Gwyneth Paltrow's blowout. //@MattDonnelly]
Photo: Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2008. Credit: WireImage
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Um, Princess Di was Lady Diana Spencer, the daughter of an Earl which is a member of the British aristocracy and there was no problem with regards to her pedigree and the marriage between her and Charles, although there were obviously other issues. Kate Middleton, as the daughter of an airline pilot is pretty firmly upper middle class. Neither of them are REMOTELY working class.
Facts straight, please.
Posted by: britgal | Apr 07, 2010 at 03:55 PM
i hope will does not marry her. and it has nothing to do with her not being from the "right" family, she just brings nothing to the table. No job, and no other ambitions in life other than becoming a princess. I mean taking 3 vacations in the past 4 months! Especially when england is in a recession! its just a little sad that shes so desperate to get the ring that she wait on williams every beck and call. get out and do something with your life! You graduated from a top university for god sakes! Shes such a waste!
Posted by: Liz | Apr 07, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Pricess Diana had more Royalty in her family lines than the family who has been running the county for decades. Look at the blood lines.
Posted by: Amanda | Apr 13, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Does anyone really care?
Posted by: Ana | Apr 20, 2010 at 06:23 PM