Queen Elizabeth meets Kate Middleton's parents; bride-to-be goes shopping
With nine days left until the royal wedding day, tons of exciting tidbits are pouring forth from Buckingham Palace to London's Kings Road.
For starters. Queen Elizabeth II hosted a private luncheon Wednesday to introduce herself to Prince William's future in-laws, Michael and Carole Middleton.
At storied Windsor Castle in south England's Berkshire County, the queen surrounded Kate Middleton's mom and dad with a "warm atmosphere," bringing along her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The Middletons reside in the same county, albeit in more modest accommodations.
While the merging families took time to get to know one other, Kate hit a London boutique to gather some items suitable for her royal honeymoon.
At middle-of-the-road women's chain Warehouse, the bride-to-be and a girlfriend caused major excitement while doing a quick browse Tuesday, scoring three summer dresses and a blouse, People said.
"It was very exciting, and everyone said how lovely and down-to-earth she was," said a rep for the store.
Wills will presumably see Kate's purchases soon enough, but not before some last-minute male bonding. Reports this week confirmed the future king will spend his last night of bachelorhood with his father, Prince Charles, at St. James Palace.
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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photos, from top: Kate Middleton (credit: AFP / Getty Images); her parents Michael and Carole Middleton (credit: Stefan Rousseau / AFP / Getty Images).
Doesn't Kate have to be a virgin to get married to Wills?
Posted by: Joan Ritter | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Queen Elizabeth, respectfully, Always treat Kate as you do your crown. If you do, she will always shine for you and respect you for who you are and what you treasure in your own life. I think your hats are fabulous.
Posted by: Clora Gatlin | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:18 AM
i'm so excited i could pee
Posted by: 7rs cln | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I can only wish a young couple success in their marriage. William, I think, will know how to act as a husband better than his immature self-centered father.
Posted by: Gene Trumbo | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:32 AM
William and Kate have been dating for years and this the first time the parents have even met? Even if she is the queen, wouldn't you want to meet the parents of the girl your son has been seriously dating, going on trips with?
Posted by: D Clausen | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
The sooner all this madness is over, the better. It may seem rosy and warm now but who knows what the future holds. A couple of obnoxious sprogs, changes to officialdom after the old "queen' karks it, simmering anti madness feelings from an ever increasing underclass of disadvantaged humans living on their wits basically, and the obvious irrelevance of the 'naughty 'royals e.g. Fergie and her unlucky offspring. maybe an accidental leak of a dna test on 'Prince'Charles and 'Prince'Harry.....then what gosh and horror and womens magazines fired up for years. Instead of the repeated cover headlines like now with "Becks' Posh" Ange' 'Brad, and of course'Jen',there might be 'Harry, 'Wills ' and 'Harrys baby' (if there is one..are they royal? what should happen -will they still be HRH? and millionairs without lifting a finger. What cover ups will be implemented by mI6 and the duke, what unfortunate accidents? Please, no more.
Posted by: peter baguley | Apr 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Any chance of calling William by his name? "Wills" just doesn't cut it. He deserves the respect of his office.
Posted by: Blake | Apr 20, 2011 at 11:02 AM
This is to the person who asked if Kate Middletons has to be a virgin,my question to her is or was she a virgin when she got married,that;s if she's married?.
Posted by: David | Apr 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM
The Queen is not William's parent; she is his grandmother. The parents have met.
Posted by: lizzy | Apr 20, 2011 at 12:55 PM
In the old days, royals marrying virgins had mainly to do with ensuring the paternity of any children. Today with DNA testing, it's a moot point. Besides, Charles married a virgin and that didn't work out so well.
Posted by: Lucy | Apr 20, 2011 at 01:22 PM
lizzy, the Queen is William's grandmother but she probably had more to do with his being raised than his father.
Posted by: Big Sam | Apr 21, 2011 at 01:03 PM