...For December 2006
December 31, 2006 -
-
Get engaged or cool it with Kate, aides tell Officer William
By SHARON CHURCHER and LAURA COLLINS
Prince William has been urged to get engaged to girlfriend Kate Middleton or put the
relationship on hold when he begins military service next month.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that William has been warned by his closest advisers that,
as a Second Lieutenant with The Blues and Royals, it will be almost impossible for him to
continue his relationship with Kate as it now stands.
In frank discussions between the Prince, his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
and other key aides, William has been presented with two 'ideal' scenarios - announce an
engagement in the New Year or cool his romance with Kate during his military service with
the Household Cavalry at Bovington Camp, Dorset.
A security source familiar with the discussions explained: "William has been told that
Kate can't travel with him on Army time or live with him on base unless they are married.
It is a matter of Army protocol. And protecting them both would be far easier if William
were to formalise the relationship.
"If an engagement were announced, Kate would receive Scotland Yard protection, a marriage
could be arranged relatively quickly and they could settle into married life within the
private and secure bosom of the Army."
William, who passed out from Sandhurst this month, is close to his grandparents and it
cannot have passed unmentioned that the happiest days of the Queen and Prince Philip's
marriage fell the year after their wedding when Philip, on active service in the Royal
Navy, was posted to Malta.
He and the then Princess Elizabeth hired the Villa Guardamangia and lived in relative
anonymity. Each Thursday they would drive to the Phenicia Hotel on the road to the
island's capital of Valletta and dance until the small hours.
In stark contrast, Prince Charles notoriously learned that Camilla Shand had become
engaged to Andrew Parker Bowles while at sea on a tour of duty with the Royal Navy.
There is no sense, however, of William missing the boat in quite this fashion should he
decide against an engagement. The security source said: "There isn't any real worry about
him losing Kate and William is absolutely clear that the decision is his entirely.
"He's not being pushed towards marriage but he has been made aware that certain issues
would be better addressed sooner rather than later. With him embarking on a military
career, it brings a certain timescale into play."
William has been told that, should he propose, marriage arrangements can be handled
speedily. But it has been emphasised that the decision is his to make.
"Intriguingly, not even those closest to him are certain of which way he will jump,' the
source added.
But the Prince, who like Kate is 24 and once claimed he would not get married until he
was 28, knows he cannot ignore the duties of his status and the inevitable impact it will
have on his relationships.
"William is about to start anything but an ordinary military career,' said one
well-placed source. "He will do time in all three Services and he will have time off, as
his father did, when he needs to attend to official duties.
"The farthest afield he is likely to be sent is Germany or Cyprus and he certainly won't
be on the front line.
"Once he's settled into life at The Blues and Royals, the number of his public
engagements is likely to go up, the number of charities of which he's patron will go up
and then he'll be told to use HRH and be called Sir, and enough of this Will nonsense.
"As part of that, he and Kate can't go on with the relatively carefree lifestyle that
they've had - popping off to the polo or what-have-you every other weekend.
"That can only go on for so long with impunity, and the more fully William takes on the
mantle of his status, the more complicated such a lifestyle is likely to become."
A spokesman for Clarence House refused to comment.
-
William's girl, the daughter Diana would have loved
By Richard Palmer
Royal Correspondent
PRINCESS Diana wanted more children and would have liked a daughter, her former private
secretary disclosed yesterday.
Patrick Jephson, who served as Diana?s equerry and then her private secretary for eight
years, revealed that the Princess told him on several occasions about her desire to give
Princes William and Harry a baby sister.
Her maternal instincts, he suggested, would have come in useful to coach the next
Queen-in-waiting ? Prince William?s girlfriend, Kate Middleton ? amid speculation that a
royal engagement is in the offing.
Mr Jephson said Diana, given the chance, would have welcomed the opportunity to take
Kate, 24, under her wing and teach her about the pitfalls of royal life.
He said he regretted that three years ago he did not place a bet on Miss Middleton
becoming a future Queen, adding: ?The smart money now says that ?brand Windsor? is about
to get a much-needed injection of fresh young glamour to complement its established
octogenarian market leader.?
Mr Jephson, who believes a royal engagement could dramatically increase public support
for the monarchy, recalled how Diana coached William through his first public appearances.
?Given the chance similarly to mentor Kate, I?m sure Diana would have welcomed the
opportunity. Diana sometimes spoke to me of her wish to have more children, girls for
preference. It?s not fanciful to imagine Diana?s affection for a daughter-in-law who
compensated for that unfulfilled wish,? he said in an article written for The Spectator
magazine.
The former royal aide, who resigned after Diana failed to consult him over her 1995
Panorama TV interview in which she admitted adultery, warned Kate to bale out now if she
did not feel up to the duties of royal life.
?So if she?s not looking for that kind of commitment, if she doubts her sense of duty,
this might be one of the last chances to find the emergency exit,? he said.
He noted that Kate, who has dated William for almost four years after meeting the second
in line to the throne at St Andrews University, was popular with the public. But he
warned that Captain Mark Phillips and Sarah Ferguson were also deemed a good thing before
their royal marriages but that history had subsequently marked them out otherwise.
He urged Kate to learn from the mistakes of others. ?She and her advisers ? a group whose
membership I hope she vets with ruthless care ? should be in no doubt that royal syrup
and royal poison both come gift-wrapped,? he said.
?History provides plenty of shining examples and several horrible warnings too.?
He added: ?To forget nothing of Diana?s all too human failings while simultaneously
learning nothing from their causes would be a great disservice to Kate.
?An even greater disservice to both women would be to remember William?s mother only from
the distorted viewpoint of Di-phobic courtiers and cronies.? Mr
Jephson added: ?Perhaps recalling her own mistakes, she might have offered Kate this
thought: No matter how beautiful or gifted you are, and no matter how much the media
exaggerate any God-given virtue, modesty must be your watchword.?
And despite the fabulous wealth of the royals, she might also have advised Kate to avoid
flaunting it.
But he added: ?Diana might conclude on a happier note Kate and William may be the last
best chance for the Windsor dynasty but they have a lot going for them ? camera-friendly
looks, lots of money, and they actually seem to like each other.?
* Lady Elizabeth Butler-Sloss,73, the former High Court judge presiding over Princess
Diana?s inquest is over the maximum age of 70 for coroners, according to new guidelines
set out in February last year.
?The legislation hasn?t been introduced yet,? a spokesman for the Department of
Constitutional Affair
-
Focus: The girl who would be Queen
The Times
She comes from mining stock but royal watchers expect Kate Middleton and Prince William
to announce their engagment in 2007. Deirdre Fernand on the woman the prince calls
Babykins
At Party Pieces, the mail order company run by Carole and Michael Middleton which brings
fairy tales to life, becoming a princess is easy. Order online and with one click of a
mouse your child can have a tiara, a pink tulle dress and Cinderella-style glass
slippers. If only it were so simple for the Middletons? 24-year-old daughter Kate, who is
being talked about as a future queen, a consort for Prince William, her long-term
boyfriend.
There is nothing easy about the path she is taking as she makes her perilous way through
young adulthood while the world?s media looks on (and joyously photographs her lovely
long legs in fishnet tights). Where will her journey take her: to the palace; to a gilded
life where tiaras, frocks and dainty shoes come with the job, not out of a catalogue; to
the throne as Queen Catherine? Nobody yet knows. But what is clear is that 2007 looks
like being the year of Our Kate. It is perhaps too early to think of her as the new
People?s Princess, but her elegance, dignity and beauty certainly make her the People?s
Choice. Kate is what we need, providing a much-needed injection of glamour, that breath
of fresh heir for the royal gene pool.
She is also what the royal household desperately requires: a touch of normality after the
marital mishaps of the Queen?s children. In her case, beautiful does not mean bonkers.
She is unlikely to throw herself downstairs, tell all to a tabloid reporter, become a
phone pest or watch her lover perform heart surgery.
The time is ripe for the announcement of an engagement and what better start to the new
year than the prospect of a royal romance, officially sanctioned? Christopher Wilson, the
royal biographer, said: ?It?s not a question of if, but when. They have been in a long,
serious relationship for four years and they are in effect man and wife already. It?s a
done deal. Kate is more grounded than Diana was and she comes with no emotional baggage
as she did. And she is much better prepared than (Diana) was for the onslaught ahead.
?The couple?s relationship is extremely strong, so why not let them get on with it? They
are young, but some among us find the people they need early on in life. It?s entirely
instinctual with them. He is comfortable with her, she is comfortable with him and she is
as solid as a rock.?
Robert Jobson, the royal correspondent and author of a biography of Middleton, William?s
Princess, agreed: ?Whenever you see the couple together she always looks immaculate. And
that?s even when she comes out of nightclubs at three in the morning with him. I think
she is determined not to ?do a Fergie?. She keeps herself poised.?
Jobson believes the most important moment in their relationship was her appearance at
William?s passing out ceremony at Sandhurst this month. It was the most high-profile
public event she had attended as a guest of the prince since they met at St Andrews
University.
With the Queen and Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Middleton
and her parents watched the 2nd Lieutenant Wales march past. At one point she is said to
have turned to other onlookers and uttered something that was interpreted by an ITV News
lip-reader as ?I love the uniform. It?s so, so sexy?.
A lip-reader? We may need a mind-reader to find out what is going on inside Kate-world.
Therein lies her strength. Her discretion and dignity, which could so easily be
interpreted as dullness, is a respite from all the over-excitement of the Diana and
Fergie years. As someone who lunches with the Queen confided last week: ?What one wants
in a monarch is passive intelligence. In other words you should know everything that is
going on but not interfere in anything.?
Such is her discretion that we know little of her everyday life. She lives in an
£800,000 flat in Chelsea bought for her by her parents. She has allegedly turned down
the offer of royal protection from Buckingham Palace. Fond of taking the No 137 bus, she
also spends a lot of time shopping with her mother in the Sloane heaven of Peter Jones.
She has flashes of humour: one of the few things she has said about the relationship is
that ?he?s lucky to be going out with me?. For his part, William has said that he does
not envisage marrying until he is ?28 or 30?.
Last month Tatler magazine published a feature called ?25 things you didn?t know about
Kate Middleton?. It revealed, among other things, that she drinks Jack Daniels and
Coca-Cola and that the couple like to eat at La Famiglia (an old haunt of Diana?s) round
the corner from her Chelsea flat.
She does not appear to have a proper job, although she was recently reported to have been
employed as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw. From bags to riches perhaps? She has found
that despite her determination to build a career there is too much interest in her
private life for her to operate in the commercial world, as the Countess of Wessex
discovered to her cost. So Middleton is biding her time, her freedom curtailed.
All of which, according to Geordie Greig, Tatler?s editor, makes her perfect princess
material. She is both patient and private, polished and photogenic. ?She is the epitome
of an effortlessly stylish English rose,? he said. ?She has qualities you can?t create or
manufacture. Her unaffectedness makes her particularly attractive. In many ways that
makes her a Diana II. Kate had planned to set up a children?s clothing company and that
shows an interest in children and family. I think she wants to be an old-fashioned wife.
?The nation longs for a fairy-tale renewal of the royal narrative. There is a huge
appetite for romance and that is the foundation stone of monarchy. I think Middleton
carries the unconscious burden of that national expectation.?
WHAT is Middleton?s narrative? What do we know of her beyond the ?fact? that he calls her
Babykins and her nickname for him is Big Willy? According to Wilson, her genes make for
the ?most fascinating mix? ? which is a polite genealogical way of saying that her
antecedents are humble. She is not handicapped by inbred aristocratic blood or by a
childhood blighted by parental divorce. ?Her intermingled bloodline will bring more than
anyone else who has ever married into the royal family,? he said.
James Harrison, Middleton?s great-great-great-great-grandfather, was a coal miner in Co
Durham. Born in 1794, he lived in a miner?s cottage in Low Moorsley. Several generations
of the family worked in the mines until Dorothy, Kate?s grandmother, moved from the
northeast to Ealing in west London with her father, a carpenter, and her mother.
Dorothy married Ron Goldsmith, a young engineer, and the couple had Carole, Middleton?s
mother, in 1955. After school, Carole trained as an air stewardess. She met a trainee
pilot, Michael Middleton, and they married in Chiltern, Buckinghamshire, in 1980. Two
years later, on January 9, 1982, Carole gave birth to Catherine Elizabeth, five months
before William was born. Her sister Philippa and brother James followed.
The Middletons started Party Pieces in 1987 and have been hugely successful thanks to the
internet. For the past 10 years the family have lived at Oak Acre, a modern five-bedroom
detached house in the village of Bucklebury, near Newbury in Berkshire, running the
business from nearby barns and a converted cowshed.
In other words, they are the epitome of modern Middle England ? entrepreneurial,
hard-working and thoroughly grounded. Not all their forebears were lowly. Harriet
Martineau, the 19th-century writer and political reformer, was an ancestor and there are
connections with the Chamberlain family, which provided Britain with a prime minister and
a chancellor of the exchequer.
As a girl, Kate did not thrive at St Andrew?s school in Pangbourne, a mixed prep, nor at
Downe House girls? school in Berkshire, where she was bullied. Her parents sent her at 14
to board at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she excelled at sport, playing hockey
for the school, captaining the tennis team and beating the boys at high jump.
Although never particularly distinguished academically, she gained three A- levels.
Persistent attempts by tabloid reporters have failed to dig up anything more scandalous
than her habit of mooning at the male boarders from the window of her dorm. According to
Jessica Hay, a schoolfriend, she underwent an overnight transformation in the sixth form.
?She grew boobs and wore low-cut tops,? Hay told a reporter. ?Everyone was after her,
including the hottest guy in the school.?
Before Middleton went to St Andrews, she was reported to have had a picture of William
pinned to her wall. The Spectator reported last year that her mother had urged her to go
to the Fife university because of the William factor. A neat story, but unlikely.
At St Andrews she and William were on the same history of art course and she was credited
with persuading him to switch to geography rather than drop out. The couple lived a few
doors apart at St Salvator?s hall of residence, playing tennis regularly. In 2002 they
moved into a house in the town with two friends. It later emerged that they had spent
weekends at Highgrove and on the Balmoral estate.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have apparently formed an affectionate bond with
Middleton after meeting her at the graduation ceremony in 2005, when William received a
respectable upper second in geography and she the same class of degree in history of art.
A well informed friend in the Queen?s circle said last week: ?The Queen really likes Kate
and sees in her the potential for an excellent consort when her grandson accedes the
throne. Her view is, ?Once this royal couple are properly established on the royal stage
I can at last take it a bit easier?. She has always been afraid of handing over the reins
to an heir who she fears has not fully grasped his constitutional position. Both the
Queen and her mother married young, so she sees nothing wrong or askew in an early match.
She does, however, accept that if they do marry, the future of the monarchy will be in
this couple?s hands.?
Another royal insider has said that the Queen sees in Middleton a young woman who ?has no
interest in being royal, but who loves William for himself. She thinks that one of the
reasons why Charles?s marriage to Diana didn?t last was because he waited too long and,
at 32, he was too set in his ways. She is very positive about the match. She sees in them
two young people who are capable of capturing the affection of the people?.
We shall see. There remains one impediment to any announcement. Next year may prove too
crowded with jubilation. In November the Queen will celebrate her diamond wedding and
2007 will be devoted to that anniversary.
We may, perhaps, depend on one thing. Were the couple to announce their engagement and
were they to be asked whether they were in love, we can safely predict that William will
never say, as his father did, ?Whatever ?love? is.?
-
TARGET HARRY CAN'T FIGHT IN IRAQ
EXCLUSIVE Prince told it puts Army pals in peril
By Dean Rousewell Royal Editor
PRINCE Harry has been told he CAN'T face frontline action in Iraq - even though he has
pledged to prove himself.
Top brass say he would be a prime target for trigger-happy fanatics.
Senior military and Palace advisers have explained to the 22-year-old Royal that his
presence would also make his comrades sitting ducks for insurgents seeking the ultimate
"trophy scalp".
One highly-placed source said: "Harry's enthusiasm to serve his country is commendable
but he is gradually coming round to the idea that sending him to war would put his
colleagues at unacceptable risk.
"He is not happy about it because he is a soldier prepared to put his life on the line.
But he would be No 1 target for every sniper, bomber or terrorist who wanted to make a
name for himself.
"It means that soldiers in his Blues and Royals regiment would be targets too."
Harry, a 2nd lieutenant, said in an interview to mark his 21st birthday: "There's no way
I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys
are out fighting for their country."
But it is understood he softened his stance when the risks to comrades were explained.
One compromise could be to give the Prince a post at staff HQ in Basra so he does not go
on patrols. Meanwhile Harry is set to see in the New Year with girlfriend Chelsy Davy on
the island of i Bazaruto, off Mozambique. He is on leave after spending Christmas Day in
barracks with pals.
December 28, 2006 - -
Prince Harry Joins Girlfriend And Family In Mozambique
Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter
London, England (BANG) - Britain's Prince Harry has jetted off on an all-expenses paid
vacation to be with his girlfriend in Mozambique. The trip has been paid courtesy of his
girlfriend's father.
The 22-year-old prince was invited to join 21-year-old Chelsy Davy and her family for a
ten-day break on Bazaurto Island by Zimbabwean-born businessman Charles Davy.
On Tuesday, Harry flew by private jet to Johannesburg and from there was escorted to the
paradise resort.
According to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Charles has paid for the prince and his
daughter to share an almost $3,000-a-week thatched beachfront cottage.
The couple have not seen each other since Chelsy's 21st birthday party in October. They
spent their first night together dining on seafood and drinking cocktails.
The group are set to see in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display and party,
complete with a luxury buffet.
Harry is expected to fly back to England on January 5, to rejoin his Blues and Royals
regiment. This is the third time that he has abandoned the British Royal Family's
traditional New Year's Eve celebrations at Sandringham to be with the Davy family.
December 26, 2006 - -
Prince William goes huntin', shootin' and textin'
By OLINKA KOSTER
Prince William: As his uncles and grandfather took aim and collected their kill, the
24-year-old was texting furiously
While the rest of his family entered into the spirit of a Royal shooting party, Prince
William appeared to be in a world of his own.
He had a cap on his head, a gun under his arm and faithful dog at his side, but the only
thing holding his attention was his mobile phone.
As his uncles and grandfather enthusiastically took aim and proudly collected their kill,
the 24-year-old was texting furiously.
It looked like William was lovesick and communicating with his pretty girlfriend Kate
Middleton, who is spending Christmas with her family in Scotland.
'There were birds flying right over William's head but he didn't seem to be bothered
about the shoot at all,' said one.
'He was texting away on his phone most of the time.
'He didn't make any calls as he never brought it up to his ear, but he was sending a lot
of messages and kept on looking down at it to check for replies.
'He wasn't seen shooting a thing, whereas Edward was shooting everything that moved and
the Duke was pretty keen. He was just in his own little world.'
Kate, also 24, is believed to have declined an invitation from the Queen to spend
Christmas with the Royals, telling friends she will only join William at Sandringham if
she marries him.
As a result they are spending a week apart, with William believed to have accepted an
invitation from Kate's parents, Carole and Michael, to join them for New Year at a rented
farmhouse in rural Angus, Scotland.
The house party will be the perfect excuse for him to soon escape the royal gathering at
the Queen's Norfolk estate.
The shooting party took place on an unusually mild Boxing Day, but the Royals decided it
was still wise to dress up warm.
Princess Eugenie, 16, opted for a black bobble hat while the Queen stepped out in a thick
winter coat and headscarf.
Also in the party were the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Zara and Peter Phillips,
Princess Beatrice and William's uncles Andrew and Edward.
The downcast prince may also have been missing the company of his brother Harry, 22, who
remained on duty at Windsor Barracks, fulfilling his duties for the Household Cavalry.
While the Royals steadfastly uphold the tradition of going out shooting on Boxing Day,
the younger members seem to show slightly less interest than their elders.
Last year, Prince Harry was photographed calmly smoking a cigarette during the shoot.
However, on the same occasion William was described as a 'great shot', and the birds were
tumbling out of the sky as he picked them off one by one.
After the event - during which his younger female cousins strolled along and chatted to
their grandmother - the party had lunch at a shooting lodge on the estate.
-
Prince William fan plants kiss on his cheek
Publisher: Ian Morgan
Two of Prince William's female fans were the envy of women around the world today.
Cinema manager Hayley Croot, 23, of Cambridge, managed to plant a kiss on the Prince's
left cheek.
And four-year-old Anna Holly Jeckells, of Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, was allowed to blow
bubbles at him.
William met Miss Croot and Anna after leaving a church service on the royal estate at
Sandringham, Norfolk, today.
Miss Croot said: "I said 'can I give you a kiss?'.
"He said 'yes'. So I leaned forward and kissed his left cheek. It felt awesome to kiss a
Prince. His skin was very smooth. It appeared he was used to being kissed. He was very
willing.
"I only came here to see William. I've got a crush on him."
Anna's mother Joanne, 37, said: "Anna was sitting on my shoulders blowing bubbles she was
given at a wedding earlier this year.
"William saw her as he was walking down and stopped to say hello.
"He said to her 'No pressure. Blow some big bubbles for me'.
"So she did and he went 'whoooo'."
Mrs Jeckells said she and Anna were visiting relatives in Norwich.
-
Royal kids revel with the Queen
By JOHN TROUP
THE Queen used the milestone of her 80th birthday to focus attention in her speech
yesterday on what the old and young can offer each other.
Her Majesty told how one of her grandchildren asked if she remembered the Ice Age!
But yesterday she would have found great warmth in the response of the young Royals as
they turned out in force for a service on the Sandringham estate.
The Queen led the old guard into St Mary Magdalene Church — but the new guard was very
much in evidence.
Lord Linley’s daughter Margarita, four, stole the show as she held hands with Prince
William, 24, and Peter Phillips, 29. They were flanked by Zara Phillips, 25, to the
delight of a 500-strong crowd.
Margarita gazed adoringly at William before helping the Queen collect flowers from local
children after the service.
William was sporting a cut forehead — an injury possibly picked up in a football match.
He played 90 minutes of an 11-a-side Christmas Eve game with friends and workers from
Sandringham in Norfolk.
And he proved his skills as a midfielder by netting a goal in an impressive 4-1 victory.
One onlooker said: “William scored with a spectacular lob — it was a brilliant goal.”
What would you have bought Prince Philip for Christmas?
-
William helps Sandringham side to victory before joining royals
Prince William
Prince William arrives at Sandringham for the Christmas Day service holding hands with
his cousin Margarita Armstrong-Jones, four
Army officer Prince William directed operations from central midfield during a festive
football game in a village near the Queen's estate in Sandringham, Norfolk.
William, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, helped his side win the Christmas Eve
kickabout in Castle Rising 4-1.
The Prince, 24, donned a red Castle Rising number 5 shirt for the game against a group of
locals.
He then produced a delicate chip from the right side of the 18-yard box to put his side
ahead, as plain-clothed Royal protection officers watched from the sidelines.
There was no sign of any other members of the Royal family - nor of William's girlfriend
Kate Middleton.
About 20 villagers gathered to watch the game and two uniformed policemen were on hand to
keep away unwelcome visitors.
William, who drove himself to the game, went through a series of stretching exercises
before kick-off and larked about with other players.
He arrived and left without comment.
The Prince, who is spending Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham, then joined other
members of the Royal Family at a Christmas morning church service on the estate.
The Queen arrived by car with the Countess of Wessex for the service at St Mary Magdalene
Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Four-year-old Margarita Armstrong-Jones stole the show as the Royal Family attended a
Christmas Day church service.
Margarita, the daughter of the Queen's nephew Viscount Linley, swung from the hands of
her cousins Prince William and Peter Phillips as she made her way to St Mary Magdalen
Church near the Queen's residence at Sandringham, Norfolk.
She then gazed adoringly up at William as she held his hand before helping the Queen
collect flowers from local children after the service.
Margarita was in the news in September when she was photographed sitting on the luggage
rack of her father's bicycle in rush hour traffic in London.
The little girl was one of a number of royal females to catch the eye of a watching crowd
of around 500 people.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke of York, drew admiring glances as
they made their way to church in short skirts, stylish hats and matching shoes.
Zara Phillips, daughter of the Princess Royal, also scored high in the fashion stakes
with a Sixties-style grey and white flower-patterned coat.
The Duchess of Cornwall - wife of the Prince of Wales - wore a leopardskin-patterned
feathered hat and the Countess of Wessex, wife of the Earl of Wessex, completed the
ensemble with unusual Tyrolean-style headwear.
Other members of the Royal Family walked to the service from Sandringham House, which is
nearby.
December 22, 2006 - -
Fishnet clad Kate legs it to party with booze brothers Wills and Harry
Kate Middleton showing leg
Legging it: Kate Middleton shocking in stocking
Kate Middleton at party
Calling it a night: Kate and William head home
Kate Middleton flashing rather more leg than is considered decent in Royal circles.
Prince Harry looking flushed and a little out of focus. And one of their pals howling
like some demented foxhound.
Yes, it's Christmas party time for the young Royals.
William and Harry were joined by Kate and a group of their friends — including the
notorious Guy Pelly — for a night of seasonal jollity at the Embassy nightclub in the
West End before going off for Christmas (or, in Harry's case, back to his barracks where
he will be on duty with the Blues and Royals on Christmas Day).
And, judging by these pictures, the gang enjoyed rather more than one sweet sherry with
their mince pies.
How can one tell? Is it the way Prince Harry's face has gone a rather alarming shade of
puce as he leaves the club at 3am? Always a giveaway, that one.
Is it the way one of his friends clasped Harry in a big, warm embrace? You know the sort
of thing: "Yurrr my bes’ mate, you really are. I luv yah, 'Arry."
Or is it even the way one of their party is waving round a bottle of water — it is water,
isn’t it? — as though he were trying to use it to conduct some invisible orchestra as he
bays at the moon.
Or laughs at some uproariously funny joke. Or just generally looks like he is having a
really great time, anyway.
No, it's none of these things: it's Kate, of course. You know — Kate the perfect Royal
girlfriend, Kate the potential bride-in-the-making who has been so warmly welcomed into
the Royal family, Kate the girl who never puts a foot wrong.
Well, Kate managed to get herself pictured getting into the car as she went home at
2.30am while exposing quite significant amounts of fishnet-clad leg.
Now, Kate knows how to get in and out of cars without giving mischievous photographers a
shot like that. She has been probably been on a course where they train you up for that
sort of thing.
But, after a well lubricated night out on the town, even a well-trained girl like Miss
Middleton can make the occasional slip.
Meanwhile, Pelly, the man reckoned to have been such a bad influence on Harry,appears to
be very much back in the fold.
Perhaps they just felt that no party would have been complete without him.
-
Prince William's Girlfriend No.1 In "Royal" Online Poll
Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter
London, England (BANG) - It seems like Kate Middleton has become her own celebrity online.
Prince William's long-term girlfriend has topped a poll of most searched "royals" on the
internet.
The 24-year-old - who has been dating William for four years - and Prince Harry's
girlfriend Chelsy Davy, proved to be more popular than the princes' themselves, claiming
first and second place.
The princes' cousin Zara Phillips - who was recently named BBC Sports Personality of the
year - came third in the poll conducted by Microsoft Windows Live Search.
A Microsoft spokesman said, "It is fascinating to see how the next generation of female
royals has captured our imagination."
William managed to get more hits than his brother Harry and came in fourth place.
-
The booze brothers
By Richard Palmer
Royal Correspondent
ONE partygoer was looking flushed, another was hollering...and a third was exposing a
little too much fishnet leg.
This was the Royals getting into Christmas mood in the early hours yesterday.
Princes William and Harry had a boozy night on the town, accompanied by William’s
girlfriend Kate Middleton – who flashed her legs as she got into a car – and a group of
their boisterous friends.
The hooray Henrys included the Princes’ outrageous chum, 24-year-old Guy Pelly.
The group went to the Embassy nightclub in London’s West End, emerging at 2.30am in an
alcoholic haze, with Harry, 22, looking flushed, William, 24, hollering and one of their
number howling at the moon.
Pelly – labelled a bad influence on the Princes – had not been seen in their company for
a long time.
The Embassy, a private members’ club and restaurant in Mayfair, is a favourite of
celebrities, including Madonna, Robbie Williams and Elle MacPherson.
Its interior is often described as being reminiscent of 1920s Vienna, with its glamorous
colour palette of gold, sand and beige.
For William and Harry it was a chance to let their, admittedly short, Army hair down
after gruelling months of training.
William was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and
Royals after passing out from Sandhurst last Friday and has a couple of weeks off before
embarking on specialist training as an armoured reconnaissance troop leader.
His brother, who already completed that phase of training in the same regiment, has spent
the past few weeks away on training exercises and on duty at Combermere Barracks in
Windsor.
In spite of his duties, Harry has managed to go out on several drinking binges with his
Army comrades.
But he will be on duty in Windsor on Christmas Day and unable to spend the day with his
family at Sandringham.
Kate will also be absent, staying with her parents. She may not be a fully fledged member
of the Royal Family yet but she has emerged as of more interest to internet users than
her likelyin-laws.
She scored more hits than any of the Royals when it came to web searches this year,
according to Microsoft Windows Live Search.
Kate was followed in the search list by Harry’s Zimbabwean girlfriend Chelsy Davy, 21,
who has spent 2006 jet-setting between South Africa and Britain to be with her man.
December 21, 2006 - -
Prince's girls more popular than Royals
Chelsy Davy
The girl's more popular than her boyfriend Prince Harry
The Prince's girlfriends are upstaging the rest of the Royal Family when it comes to
popularity on the web.
Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry's girlfriend, Chelsy Davy,
beat the rest of the blood royals as the most searched 'Royals' on the web.
According to Live Search's 'Top 100 Searches for 2006', Middleton, William's girlfriend
of two years, scored the most hits, despite news of an engagement yet to be announced.
The Berkshire beauty was followed by 21-year old Zimbabwean, Chelsy Davy, who has spent
2006 jet-setting between South Africa and Britain to be beside Harry.
Fresh from winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Zara Phillips completed the top
trio of Royal searches.
Prince William only made it to number four in the most searched for Royals, proving only
marginally more popular than his brother and father, who made it to eight and ninth place
respectively.
Meanwhile, Katie Price, shows she has long-term appeal by being one of only ten
personalities to make it into top 100 list for the last five years. A feat other big
stars including Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Kate Moss and Tom Cruise have failed to do.
-
WILLS DROPS IN
PRINCE William chats to Ali Iyiguven yesterday after dropping in to a homeless shelter to
help with breakfast.
The Prince, 24, talked to teenagers about their experiences - nearly ten years after he
first visited their hostels in Soho, Central London, with Princess Diana in January 1996.
She took William and Harry on secret visits to learn about problems faced by the homeless.
Mr Iyiguven, 18, said: "I was surprised to see him at breakfast. He was really nice."
The Prince, patron of the Centrepoint charity, heard about the Safe Stop campaign to
shelter youngsters at Christmas.
-
Wills Brings Festive Cheer to Homeless Londoners
Young men and women at the Centrepoint hostel in central London got a royal surprise on
Wednesday when Prince William stopped by to see them. Clarence House revealed that the
second in line, who is a patron of the charity, wanted to draw attention to the important
work the organisation is doing this festive season.
Wills arrived at the shelter early in the morning and helped out by serving breakfast.
Needless to say, the residents got quite a shock when they woke up to find a future king
joining them for their morning meal. "I was surprised to see him at breakfast," said
18-year-old Ali Iyiguven, who is currently receiving nine days emergency accommodation as
part of the organisation's Safe Stop Campaign. "He was really nice."
The Prince also spent time chatting to the charity's chief executive, Anthony Lawton, who
told him about the Countdown To Christmas appeal. Former resident Stuart Cox meanwhile
revealed that the VIP guest had a talent for communicating with those in difficult
situations. "He listens, and connects with young people and their situations and makes
people feel at ease," said the 24-year-old. "He came across as genuinely interested in my
circumstances and those of the other young people he met. At Christmas, it's a real
boost."
William's presence came ten years after he first visited the Soho shelter with his
mother, Princess Diana. Centrepoint, which now runs 16 services across London, along with
other projects outside the capital, will be one the charities to benefit from the Concert
For Diana event which William and his brother Harry are organising for next summer.
December 19, 2006 - -
Wills and Kate elope to slopes
By DUNCAN LARCOMBE
Royal Correspondent
ROMANTIC Prince William is to whisk girlfriend Kate Middleton to the Swiss Alps for a New
Year treat.
The lovers will spend a week ALONE skiing and relaxing before the future king resumes his
Army training at Sandhurst.
It comes amid mounting speculation Wills will soon propose. Inviting Kate to his passing
out parade last week is seen in Royal circles as a public declaration of his intent.
A close pal of the couple said: “If he’s planning to pop the question then he’s kept it
secret from Kate.
“But now he’s a regular officer Wills will be free to see Kate far more often. It’s the
start of a new phase of their relationship.”
They fly out after the Royal Family’s festive celebrations, which Kate will not attend.
They will also celebrate Kate’s 25th birthday on January 9. It will be a rare chance to
spend time together as they usually travel with pals.
Last year they stayed at a friend’s chalet in Klosters.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, 22, will spend a third successive New Year with girlfriend
Chelsy Davy, 21.
They will stay with her parents for ten days on Bazaruto, an Indian Ocean island off
Mozambique.
-
Kate gets cheeky present
The girlfriend of Britain's Prince William received a mischievous Christmas present from
her new work colleagues - an 'engagement' mug.
Kate Middleton - who recently landed a job as a fashion buyer for high street clothing
chain Jigsaw - was given the homemade mug, bearing a picture of her and William, as her
Secret Santa gift.
Secret Santa is a British office tradition, which sees colleagues exchanging small funny
gifts without giving away who each other's 'Santa' is.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Kate fell about laughing when she saw it. It
was her Secret Santa gift - a funny present made especially by a mystery member of staff.
It shows Kate's settling in well and making friends."
The cup bears a close resemblance to those made by retail chain Woolworths earlier this
year in preparation for the royal announcement.
The store has designed a collection of Kate-and-William engagement memorabilia - which
ranges from mugs and plates to mobile phones and candy - ready to hit shelves the moment
the engagement is made official.
Woolworths has estimated the souvenirs could bring in £10 million.
William and Kate, both 24, met as students at St Andrews University and have been dating
for four years.
-
Prince Harry to be on duty over Christmas
Prince Harry is missing out on Christmas Day with the royals this year.
The 22-year-old Army officer is on duty in his barracks over the festive period, Clarence
House said.
While Prince William, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall gather with the
Queen and other royals at Sandringham, Harry will be with his regiment the Blues and
Royals at Windsor.
Royal aides insist Kate Middleton is not joining William for Christmas Day in Norfolk
despite her appearance to watch him graduate from Sandhurst last week.
Her family is reported to be hiring a cottage in Scotland.
On Christmas Day, the Queen and the rest of her family attend a morning service at
Sandringham Church, an annual event that draws crowds of well-wishers.
Camilla will leave after lunch to spend the rest of the day with her family - daughter
Laura Lopes and son Tom Parker-Bowles.
In the afternoon, the monarch's Christmas speech is broadcast to the nation.
December 17, 2006 - -
Charles plans a mansion fit for lovebirds
John Elliott
THE Prince of Wales is building a new home fit not so much for a king as a
daughter-in-law. He has put in plans to build a country house that some say would be a
suitable “starter palace” for a young couple looking to settle down.
The six-bedroom classical mansion is to be built in an isolated valley on the Welsh
border, less than an hour’s drive from Highgrove House, his home in Gloucestershire.
Although the palace maintains the property will be rented out commercially, the plans
will fuel speculation that Prince William is being “kitted out” with his first country
home in preparation for marriage.
Rumours that William will soon propose to Kate Middleton, his girlfriend of three years,
were fuelled by her appearance at his passing out parade at Sandhurst on Friday. She and
her parents were accompanied by Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the private secretary to Princes
William and Harry.
According to lip-reading experts, Middleton, 24, said of her boyfriend: “I love the
uniform. It’s so sexy.”
The event marked the first time Middleton has been Prince William’s guest at a
high-profile event attended by the Queen.
Robert Lacey, the royal historian, said: “All the signs are that the senior members of
the royal family not only approve of the girl but approve of the way the relationship is
developing — rather cautiously.”
During William’s leave from Sandhurst the couple have spent much of their time at
Middleton’s flat, owned by her parents in a block in Chelsea. They became flatmates while
students at St Andrews University in 2002.
Ever since the Duchy of Cornwall acquired Harewood Park, a 900-acre estate in
Herefordshire, six years ago observers have believed it will become the country seat of
Prince William when he eventually marries.
In 2004 the duchy submitted plans for a 14,855 sq ft mansion on the banks of the River
Wye, which it said was destined for the letting market. New plans have now been submitted
by Craig Hamilton, Prince Charles’s architect, for a “starter home”, better suited for a
young prince anxious to avoid ostentation. It will be a two-storey, six-bedroom home of
8,500 sq ft.
The house is designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. Solar panels are planned for the
roof, natural sheep’s wool will insulate the loft, and recycled bricks will be used for
the walls. “Salvaged” Welsh slate will be used for the roof.
Central to the new plans for Harewood Park, lodged with Herefordshire council, are a
series of large arches that dominate the front and back of the house and frame the
windows. In another nod to antiquity, friezes of winged lions supporting a lyre will
decorate the outside walls.
Inside, the house will boast a double-height central hall dominated by eight Ionic
columns. The four-bay garage to be built under a terrace is inspired by a 4th century BC
Greek monument on the southern slopes of the Acropolis.
There will be an orangery and a chapel in the grounds is to be converted into an artist’s
studio.
Should William and his future wife move in, he will be required to obey a strict regime
of recycling and energy conservation. A “sustainability report” accompanying the plans
states that energy can be saved if “showers are taken instead of baths” and “low flow
showers and spray taps are fitted so that less hot water is required”.
“Energy efficient light fittings” and recycling bins are included in the scheme, while
trees are to be planted to compensate for pollution created by builders’ lorries driving
to and from the site.
Stone for the building will come from a quarry on the estate within a mile of the house.
A spokesman for Prince Charles said the previous set of plans for a larger house at
Harewood had been shelved because the projected rental income did not justify the
financial outlay. “The property has always been one the duchy wanted to let. Scaling it
down makes it easier to let,” he said.
Earlier this month Middleton made her first public appearance at Sandringham — on
previous visits she has taken care to avoid being photographed — and she has reportedly
been invited to Christmas lunch there, an unusual honour for a royal girlfriend.
-
I'm not coming for Christmas until we're married, Kate tells Royals
By KATIE NICHOLL, Mail on Sunday
Kate Middleton: Prince William's girl will join her parents for Christmas.
Headlines
Kate Middleton has turned down the Queen's invitation to spend Christmas at Sandringham,
saying she will only accept if and when she becomes a fully fledged member of the Royal
Family.
Instead, Prince William's 24-year-old girlfriend has chosen to travel to Scotland to
holiday with her parents and family.
Kate had been granted the rare opportunity to join the Royal Family during their
traditional stay at Sandringham this year.
The invitation was made last month but senior Royal aides said they have only recently
discovered that Kate will not be visiting the Norfolk estate.
Friends of Kate said she intends to join the Royal Christmas gathering only after any
marriage to William, whose passing out took place at Sandhurst on Friday.
Although there has been speculation that she and the Prince, also 24, will get engaged
over Christmas, sources close to the couple say a festive announcement is unlikely.
The history of art graduate, who has been dating the Prince since they met at St Andrews
University in Scotland, is believed to be the first Royal girlfriend to be invited to
Sandringham, and is certainly the first to turn down such a privilege.
"Kate has said she won't be going to Sandringham until she's a part of the family,' a
friend said. "She has made it quite clear that she will only be at a Royal Christmas if
she and William get married, and that's not yet on the cards.
"We all know it's going to happen but it's not going to happen this Christmas. Kate and
William find all the speculation hilarious and they have a wall chart with a tally of how
many times the papers predict they will marry.
"Kate would love to be with William on Christmas Day, and it was a huge honour for her to
be invited, but she is very close to her family and wants to share Christmas with them.
"The whole family are leaving Berkshire this week and heading for Scotland where they
have hired a house in the countryside for all the extended aunts and uncles and the
Middletons' friends to be together.
"Carole, Kate's mother, wants it to be a week-long celebration. Although Kate isn't a
wild party girl, her parents love entertaining and really know how to throw a bash.
"They have rented a farmhouse in Perthshire and have arranged several days of shooting
and big family dinners followed by nights of drinking around a big log fire."
According to friends, Kate wants to spend some time with her family following the recent
deaths of her two grandmothers.
"Kate was incredibly saddened to lose both her grandmothers and this will be the first
time the family will have gathered since their deaths,' the friend said. "It's a bit of a
Middleton Christmas and there's no way Kate would not be part of it."
The immediate Royal Family gather every year for the festive season at Sandringham where
they enjoy a turkey dinner followed on Boxing Day by a shoot.
Last year, Kate drove up to join the Royal Family on Boxing Day. She and William were
then able to spend some time together at the Royal estate, in an isolated cottage on
Wolferton Marshes.
Since she started dating the Prince in their second year at St Andrews, the brunette has
been warmly welcomed into the Royal fold.
Kate spent the summer as a guest of the Queen at Balmoral and attended the Cheltenham
Gold Cup with Prince Charles and Camilla.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
-
A royal coming out party for Wills' gal
BY ELLEN TUMPOSKY
Kate Middleton, girlfriend (and future bride?) of Prince William.
Prince William, with Queen Elizabeth, at graduation.
LONDON - It's tough to be upstaged at your graduation by your own girlfriend - especially
when you're second in line to the British throne.
But that's what happened to Prince William when he "passed out" of Sandhurst military
academy on Friday. Resplendent in his parade uniform, William received his commission as
a second lieutenant in the British Army in front of his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and
Prince Philip; his father, Prince Charles; and stepmom Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
All eyes were on the front row of the grandstand, though, where Kate Middleton, William's
girlfriend, was sitting with her parents.
Middleton was wearing a striking red coat and black hat. She was expected to be the belle
of the ball at the dance that followed the graduation.
"She looked stunning. She was the most elegant woman at the parade," said royal writer
Judy Wade.
The sight of the stylish brunette completely at ease at a high-profile royal event only
heated up speculation in the British press about a possible Christmas engagement for the
couple, who got together during their second year at St. Andrew's University.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman refused to confirm reports that Middleton, who like
William is 24, will join the royal family at Sandringham in Norfolk for Christmas and
will even attend church with them on Christmas Day.
But Kate is in, says royal biographer Brian Hoey.
"She is exactly the right sort of woman. She would be a breath of fresh air in the royal
family," he said.
Bookmaker William Hill is offering odds of 2 to 1 on their getting engaged in 2007 and 4
to 1 on their marrying in 2007.
Hoey is skeptical about the couple getting hitched that soon. "I'd be very surprised if
there is an engagement before he completes his military service," he said.
William will be starting a six-month troop-leader course early next year, the beginning
of a three-year military stint.
"It'll definitely happen in the end," said Wade, pointing out that Middleton was
shepherded at the graduation ceremony by William's private secretary, Jamie
Lowther-Pinkerton. "Maybe they're engaged to be engaged."
December 16, 2006 - -
Prince Harry in 14-hour binge
PRINCE Harry did his best to “pass out” yesterday — during a FOURTEEN-HOUR bender at his regimental Christmas bash.
The 22-year-old knocked back wine, eight pints of lager, shots and slammers during an all-day drinking session.
Second Lieutenant Harry began at midday with fine wine in the Officers Mess during lunch, then joined NCOs and troopers to swill lager in his first-ever “Brick Hanging” session in the Warrant Officers’ mess — before doing shots at a club.
The “Brick Hanging” with the Blues and Royals and Life Guards at Combermere Barracks, Windsor, is a tradition which dates from 1815 — when Coldstream Guards were victorious over Napoleon.
A senior officer caught officers drunkenly celebrating in a farmhouse.
He picked up a brick and said he would throw it in the air — and when it landed they would all have to stop drinking.
But luckily the brick lodged in the rafters. Since then the brick has been ceremonially hung from the bar every Christmas.
A Barracks source said: “Harry was in fine form. He put in more than seven hours with his men and double that in total.”
However Harry was bettered by two members of the Household Cavalry who left the bar at 6am — after an 18-HOUR booze session.
December 15, 2006 - -
William graduates from Sandhurst
The prince is joining the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals
Prince William has been commissioned as an officer in the British Army after graduating
from Sandhurst.
The Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the royal family attended a parade marking
the end of his training at the royal military academy.
His girlfriend Kate Middleton also watched the 24-year-old prince, who is second in line
to the throne.
William, who has been described by fellow trainee officers as "a normal guy", will become
a 2nd Lieutenant.
The ceremony comes the day after the official investigation into the death of William's
mother, Princess Diana, concluded she died in an accident.
Both William and his brother Prince Harry welcomed the "conclusive findings" of
Thursday's report by Lord Stevens and called for speculation surrounding their mother's
death to come to an end.
Life for the royal who appears unwilling to pull rank is about to slowly, almost
imperceptibly, change
Peter Hunt BBC royal correspondent
The Sandhurst ceremony involved up to 465 cadets, including 78 women, with more than 220
officer cadets such as the prince passing out and receiving their commissions.
Prince William acted as a marker during the Sovereign's parade to ensure the cadets
marched in a straight line.
He will officially be awarded the title of 2nd Lieutenant at midnight.
The Queen, dressed in a dark red hat and coat, inspected the cadets and stopping briefly
in front of her grandson to say a few words which made the prince smile.
She then said in a speech to all the graduating trainees that a "great deal" was expected
of them.
"You must be courageous, yet selfless, leaders yet carers, confident yet considerate and
you must be all these things in some of the most challenging environments around the
world," she said.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and William's stepmother the Duchess of
Cornwall were also attending the ceremony.
It is the first occasion that Ms Middleton has been Prince William's guest at a
high-profile public event that is also attended by the Queen and other senior royals.
He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else
Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock
She arrived at the ceremony dressed in a black hat and scarlet coat and was joined by her
parents Carole and Michael and the prince's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock, who is in the prince's Blenheim Platoon, earlier
said the prince was not regarded any differently by his fellow cadets.
Miss Laycock, 24, said: "He's just a normal guy that gets stuck in like everybody else."
On riot training he had been "grabbing potatoes and lobbing them at the force protection
people just like the rest of us," she said.
Major General Peter Pearson, Commandant of Sandhurst, said the prince had undergone the
same gruelling regime as other trainee officers.
Becoming an officer "takes a lot of hard work", he said.
The prince has chosen to join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals alongside his
brother Prince Harry, who graduated from Sandhurst earlier this year.
Both princes have indicated they are prepared to fight in zones of conflict.
Prince William
The Prince has expressed a wish to serve in combat
Major General Sebastian Roberts, general officer commanding the Household Division and
Prince William's new boss, indicated it was possible that the prince could be deployed to
a conflict zone.
"Of course there are special factors for William, but nothing should be ruled in or out,"
he said.
He added that the prince had done "very well" at the military academy in Camberley,
Surrey.
The prince will now spend four months at Bovington Camp in Dorset, training to become a
troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit.
Unlike Prince Harry who will continue as a "career soldier", Prince William will go on to
spend time with both the RAF and the Royal Navy on familiarisation attachments to prepare
him for his future role.
He will increasingly carry out public engagements in parallel to his military career.
-
Kate gets the Queen's blessing at Wills' passing out parade
Kate Middleton received the Queen's blessing today as she joined the senior royals to
watch Prince William graduate from Sandhurst.
It is her most significant public appearance to date since she started dating William
four years ago.
And her appearance at the major royal event will intensify speculation that the pair may
marry at a future date.
William's passing-out parade was a day of happiness for the royals, following the trauma
of the Diana Report yesterday.
Kate, 24, looked elegant in a black hat and red coat, matching William's Sandhurst
uniform colours as he marched with other graduates before the Queen at Sandhurst.
Other royals at the ceremony included Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh and the
Duchess of Cornwall.
Indeed, the mood was so buoyant among the royals that William barely suppressed a laugh
as his grandmother was inspecting the parade.
Although Kate was one of William's guests she tried to keep a low profile and was not
seated with the rest of the royals. But the photographers there to record the historic
event still focused on her.
And Kate will take centre stage again tonight at the passing-out ball at Sandhurst. It
will be the first time she has been at a high-profile public event attended by the Queen
and other senior royals as William's official guest.
The last time they were seen together at the same event was when she and William
graduated from St Andrews University.
Then , when she was attending the graduation in her own right as a History of Art
graduate, she introduced her parents, Carole and Michael, to the monarch. She has also
enjoyed a number of meetings with the Queen with William alongside.
The parade was the first public appearance by the royal family after yesterday's Diana
report. Princes William and Harry issued a statement yesterday that they hoped their
mother could now be allowed to rest in peace.
The Queen took the Sovereign's Parade and also gave a speech.
Up to 465 cadets will take part in the ceremony, with more than 220 officer cadets,
including William, passing out and receiving their commissions.
The second-in-line to the throne William, who will one day be head of the Armed forces,
will become a 2nd Lieutenant.
He has chosen to join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals like Harry, where his rank
is known as a Cornet.
After serving with the Blues and Royals regiment, William will spend time serving with
the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to familiarise himself with service in all arms of
the forces.
Earlier Clarence House released photographs of Prince William as a cadet in combats and
holding a gun during an exercise in Cyprus earlier this year. He was described as "a
normal guy" by fellow cadets.
Junior Under Officer Angela Laycock, who was in William's Blenheim Platoon, told how he
fitted in with other cadets.
Miss Laycock, 24, said: "I've not really noticed anything different to be honest. The
first loaded march we had a bit of a detour to avoid some photographers. He's just a
normal guy and gets stuck in like everybody else."
December 12, 2006 - -
William and Harry Plan to Host Diana Concert
Hello Magazine
Princes William and Harry have confirmed that a celebrity concert is to be held to mark
the tenth anniversary of their mother's death. The star-studded event will take place on
July 1, when Princess Diana would have turned 46. "It's got to be the best birthday
present she ever had," says William.
Article continues below...
The brothers are organising Concert for Diana at the new Wembley stadium, and have
already signed up a host of showbiz names. These include some of their mother's favourite
artists such as Sir Elton John and Duran Duran - as well as a few of theirs, like Joss
Stone and hip-hop star Pharrell Williams.
"We both wanted to put our stamp on it, we want to represent exactly what our mother
would have wanted," says William in an interview hosted on the Concert For Diana website,
adding they were both determined to remember her in a "fun way".
The programme will also feature a performance by the English National Ballet and a
special medley of songs from the West End, reflecting Diana's love of dance and musical
theatre. Asked if he would be dancing, too, William joked it would be a "terrifying
sight" but promised he and his younger brother would be making an appearance on stage.
Proceeds from the concert will go to some of Diana's favourite good causes, as well as
two of the Princes' own charities, Centrepoint and Sentable - of which they are patrons.
A church memorial service for the late Princess will also be held on August 31. "The
service is going to include both sides of the family, our mother's side and our father's
side - everyone getting together," promises Harry. "It should be a good occasion and lots
of loud hymns, I Vow To Thee My Country, all the good ones."
Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, December 13.
December 11, 2006 - -
Prince William Dressed Down By Potty Mouth Sargeant
December 11, 2006 9:04 a.m. EST
Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter
London, UK (BANG) - Britain's Prince William has been severely reprimanded by his Army
sergeant, after an innocent prank backfired.
The 24-year-old cadet - who graduates from Sandhurst Military Academy this week - caused
outrage when he turned up for a rehearsal of his Passing Out parade on a mini motorbike.
The parade takes place Friday (12.15.06) in front of William's grandmother Queen
Elizabeth.
Traditionally cadets are allowed to dress up in costumes for the practise, so William and
his pals turned up in blazers and helmets, riding their mini bikes.
However, the prank failed to impress the prince's staff sergeant, who broke into a
foul-mouthed tirade after witnessing the event.
According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, the instructor reportedly shouted at William:
"Get those f***ing bikes off my parade square! What the f**k do you think you're doing?"
The livid sergeant then apparently ordered the red-faced royal to stand against a wall as
he continued his outburst.
A source said: "This was the loudest dressing down we've ever heard. The instructor was
so angry his eyes were bulging. I doubt anyone has spoken to Prince William like that
before."
-
Come here you 'orrible bike ...
On two Wills ... prince (ringed) lines up with fellow cadets and inset right,
just before he fell foul of a drill sergeant
By DUNCAN LARCOMBE
Royal Correspondent
PRINCE William got a king-sized rollicking — for driving across Sandhurst’s famous parade
square on a mini MOTORBIKE.
Wills had hoped his prank would give everyone a laugh — but a furious staff sergeant
failed to see the funny side.
The instructor roared abuse as he saw the 24-year-old future king whiz about the
Berkshire military academy on the 50cc machine. The seething sarge bellowed: “Get those
f***ing bikes off my parade square! What the f*** do you think you are doing?”
Wills was then ordered to line up against a wall as the sergeant continued his rant. Last
night a Sandhurst insider said: “This was the loudest dressing down we’ve ever heard. The
instructor was so angry his eyes were bulging.
“I doubt anyone has spoken to Prince William like that before.”
The row erupted as Wills took part in a rehearsal for this Friday’s Passing Out parade in
front of the Queen.
Tradition means cadets are allowed to wear fancy dress for the practice.
But the Prince and his pals turned up in blazers and helmets on their mini bikes, which
are a more common sight on troubled housing estates around the country.
-
Sick Klan jibe at 'Nazi' Harry
By ALEX PEAKE
and TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
A HOUSEHOLD Cavalry trooper has enraged top brass by posing in a Ku Klux Klan outfit — in
a sick dig at new recruit Prince Harry.
The mystery comrade — wearing a bedsheet over his uniform — had his photograph taken
giving a NAZI salute.
Scrawled on his racist “robe” under the letters KKK was a swastika — drawn back to front
— and the words: “Harry’s Bad Lads Troop”.
Last night top brass were livid at the stunt — which was meant to poke fun at Harry’s
notorious gaffe in wearing a Nazi outfit to a fancy dress bash.
A huge investigation was underway to find the culprit. A senior Household Cavalry source
vowed: “We will find the people responsible for this and take them to the cleaners.” The
photo is among five taken recently and handed to The Sun this week.
They emerged eight months after uproar over PREVIOUS photos of troopers dressed in Ku
Klux Klan hoods and performing Nazi salutes.
Those snaps — taken at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, Berks, BEFORE Harry joined in the
summer — led to claims that racism was rife in his new regiment.
The new picture was taken at Knightsbridge Barracks — home of the Household Cavalry
Mounted Regiment. On the back was written “Trooping the KKK” — mocking the Household
Cavalry’s role in Trooping the Colour before the Queen. An Army spokesman branded the
stunt “stupid and insensitive”.
Our source said: “This soldier and his pals think they are being very funny but in
reality it is just disturbing.” The soldier responsible for taking the snap — a known
troublemaker — has already been tracked down.
But the trooper in the picture — thought to be an NCO — has yet to be identified.
In the photo he wears the red-plumed helmet of the Blues and Royals — 22-year-old Harry’s
regiment.
But The Sun can reveal he is actually a member of the Life Guards — the sister regiment
that makes up the Household Cavalry. Its helmets have white plumes.
HARRY was crowned his regiment’s “top gun” — as the only recruit to hit 500 targets on
a two-week shooting exercise.
December 10, 2006 - -
KATE SET TO GIVE CHELSY HOME HELP
By Dean Rousewell Royal Editor
PRINCE William's girl-friend Kate Middleton is helping Prince Harry's squeeze Chelsy Davy find a home in Britain.
Kate is delighted that Chelsy is moving to London from her native South Africa to be closer to soldier Harry, 22.
Chelsy, 20, is selling her Cape Town flat. And Kate, 24, is looking for a London pad for her new best pal.
A senior royal source said: "Kate has become very close to Chelsy and hopes they can help each other cope with the pressures of being a high-profile royal girlfriend.
"Kate is desperate for Chelsy's relationship with Harry to continue.
"It is at a delicate stage and committing to living in London will be the make-or-break for it."
PRINCE Edward's wife Sophie outraged animal rights campaigners by shooting pheasants at Sandringham, Norfolk, yesterday.
December 09, 2006 - -
HAS KATE MADE A FUR-PAS?
WILLS GIRL WEARS 'RABBIT' SCARF
By John Kelly
PRINCE William's sweetheart Kate Middleton was clearly a happy bunny as the young couple
enjoy a night out.
But she could now get it in the neck - for wearing what seems to be a rabbit fur stole.
Fashion buyer Kate, 24, had it on in the early hours yesterday as she and Wills, also 24,
went clubbing in London's Mayfair.
They were joined by his stepbrother Tom Parker Bowles and wife Sara Buys. In March Kate
angered animal lovers with what seemed to be a mink hat. Yesterday pals refused to say if
her rabbit scarf was real fur. Guess that would be like having a hare out of place...
-
Kate Middleton Purchases Sex Toys For Holiday Cheer
Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter
London, England (BANG) - Even young royals like to get down and have a good time.
Prince William is seemingly set for a raunchy Christmas treat this year. His girlfriend
was recently spotted purchasing a collection of saucy adult sex toys.
Kate Middleton, 24, visited adult sex shop Ann Summers in London's Soho district with
five female friends.
The group were looking for naughty novelty treats for a hen weekend, but the pretty
brunette couldn't resist picking up some sexy surprises for William.
Kate bought a racy "Mrs. Claus" outfit - complete with elbow-length red gloves and a
strapless fur-trimmed dress - and a $70 cone sex toy made from "strokeably soft silicone,
" which claims to produce a "gorgeous feel."
An onlooker told Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "Kate's friend were all ribbing her
about what she bought and they were all in hysterics. But they were all so sweet and
looked quite sheepish as they headed out of the store. One of the girls was clutching an
inflatable w***y while Kate carried the bag with the other stuff in."
The onlooker added, "Prince William is definitely going to be getting more than a kiss
under the mistletoe at Christmas if her gets treated to all this stuff."
The royal couple are expected to be spending Christmas day together, after Kate received
an invitation from Queen Elizabeth to join the royal family for their festivities at
Sandringham. The invitation has sparked rumors that the pair - who have been dating for
four years - will soon announce their engagement.
December 08, 2006 -
-
Just another day in the office for William
Source: the Metro UK
Prince William brokered a multi-million pound deal in the City at a fancy dress charity
fundraiser.
The 24-year-old took to the phones on the trading floor of ICAP, selling 10 billion yen -
around £45 million.
Guided by brokers dressed up as surgeons in green scrubs and surgical masks on the Basis
Swap desk, the future King sold the currency to a client in Amsterdam.
William, in his smart suit, looked more like a City worker than the rest of the office,
who had ditched their normal work wear for the madcap costumes.
The packed floor of more than 600 traders was filled with everything from dart players
and knights to 70s American cops and men dressed as giant pink whoopee cushions.
All revenue and commission from the day's trading at ICAP in London, the world's largest
inter-dealer broker, was given to charity.
African conservation organisation The Tusk Trust, of which William is patron, was one of
those benefiting.
The Prince was handed the phone by Brendan McVeigh, who helped him through the process as
the frantic trading continued around the office.
William said as he took the old fashioned black receiver: "How you doing. We're having
quite a mad time. I hope you are in fancy dress as well.
"We've got some very odd looking surgeons here." As the deal got under way, the Prince
remarked: "He is saying something, I have no idea."
After a bit of prompting William called across the floor: "What's your bid? What are you
paying?" At one point he declared: "I think he has hung up."
But as the deal was completed he shouted "Yours," meaning the trade had been clinched,
followed by "All done" - City speak for a finished transaction.
The watching brokers cheered the Prince and gave a thumbs up, before encouraging him to
have a second go.
The Prince also tried his hand at darts with the Auto Team, who were all wearing custom
made darts shirts with their names emblazoned on the back.
William threw three darts, scoring 23.
Gary Walter, who recorded his score, said afterwards: "Pam Ferris from The Darling Buds
of May was in earlier and she beat him. She got 83.
"The lady with the tea trolley got 49 and Prunella Scales got 33.
"We didn't expect him to come over here but he did."
-
Girl soldier grabs Wills' sword
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
PRINCE William has been pipped at the post to win Sandhurst’s cherished Sword of Honour — by a WOMAN.
Officer Cadet Angela Laycock, 24, will carry the ceremonial ‘Top Blade’
instead of the future king in their passing-out parade in front of the
Queen.
Her Majesty will preside over next Friday’s ceremony to see her grandson graduate as an Army officer.
Wills, 24, made the shortlist of seven for the highly prestigious sword.
Hotly contested, it goes to the rookie officer who shows the most promise of all 248 cadets on the year-long course.
It is only the third time in the Surrey-based Royal Military Academy’s 265-year history that a female has won.
A Sandhurst source said: “The standard this year was incredibly high. It’s a very big deal to even have been shortlisted.
“It’s given solely on merit. Angela has a glittering future.”
The Cambridge graduate, who went to a comprehensive in Bedford, will lead her comrades on the inspection.
She said: “It’s overwhelming. Ever since I was 15 or 16 I decided Sandhurst was for me.”
But top brass were impressed with Wills, the source adding: “He’s a natural born leader.”
December 07, 2006 - -
Chelsy's love pad for sale
By DUNCAN LARCOMBE
Royal Correspondent
PRINCE Harry’s girl Chelsy Davy put her Cape Town home up for sale yesterday — ready for a move to Britain to be near her royal love.
The three-bedroom whitewashed property — where the pair have enjoyed many quiet nights in — is on the market for £310,000.
The move is the strongest indication yet that the 21-year-old stunner has given in to Harry’s demands to live in England.
The pair’s three-year romance has been dogged by long spells apart.
Zimbabwe-born economics student Chelsy graduates from Cape Town university next week.
And she is rumoured to be joining a postgrad course at Bristol University next year. The city is just 27 miles from Harry’s Highgrove home.
The Newlands district where Chelsy lives is popular with Cape Town’s wealthy elite.
And an estate agency source said: “We expect someone will snap up the place right away.”
Harry, 22, will miss Chelsy’s graduation ceremony as it clashes with his brother William’s passing out parade at Sandhurst.
Other royals including the Queen and Prince Charles will watch Wills take part in the famous Sovereigns Parade.
December 03, 2006 - -
ANGER AT SHOOTING FAN KATE
By Aidan Mcgurran
PRINCE William's girlfriend has angered animal rights campaigners by joining a shooting
party at Sandringham.
Kate Middleton laughed and joked as she watched William blast pheasants and helped pick
up dead birds on the Norfolk estate.
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, said: "It turns your stomach.
"I would have hoped that she might have talked some sense into William and persuaded him
to give up shooting for fun.
"But sadly she is offering her support to his brutal habit and seems happy to join the
latest generation of royal blood sport enthusiasts."
An onlooker said: "Kate didn't actually do any shooting herself but she did help to pick
up some dead birds."
William and Kate are thought to have stayed together at Sandringham before but Kate has
always avoided photographers.
On Saturday she made no effort to hide, fuelling speculation they might soon get engaged.
December 02, 2006 - -
Prince look-a-like keeps Kate warm on night out
By JAMES MILLS and REBECCA ENGLISH
(photo of Freddie in the lookalikes section)
At first glance, it looks like Prince William out for a night on the town with his
girlfriend Kate Middleton.
But that isn't the future king putting a protective arm around 24-year-old Kate.
The dapper young man in the brown suit is, in fact, Oxford graduate Freddie Sayers who
bears an uncanny resemblance to the prince.
The likeness landed Mr Sayers, 25, a part in a 1998 Mirror Television production Diana: A
Tribute to the People's Princess, in which he played William.
And on Thursday night he stepped into his friend's shoes again.
Kate was apparently feeling the cold in her short sleeved top as she queued with friends
outside the Mamilanji club in King's Road, Chelsea.
And with her real prince charming confined to barracks at Sandhurst, it was left to Mr
Sayers to step in and warm her up by putting his arm around her.
He then lent her his coat before their group were finally allowed entry to the private
West London club.
But onlookers suggested that William need not feel threatened by her friend's gesture.
An onlooker said: "Kate was clearly feeling the cold as they waited in the queue for
about ten minutes, so Freddie put his arm around her for a couple of minutes.
"Then she put his coat on. It all looked very innocent."
Mr Sayers, who is half swedish, won't want to fall out with the prince as he has always
been keen to cultivate connections in high places. He is a close friend of former U.S.
president Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea, whom he met while studying English at Oxford.
He is said to have charmed her at a dinner party and later completed a three-month
internship with Chelsea's mother, New York Senator Hillary Clinton.
He has something of a wild reputation, having organised the notoriously louche Piers
Gaveston Society balls at Oxford which are renowned for their excessive drinking.
On Thursday he joined Kate and five other friends for a private birthday party at the
Chelsea Gardener, an upmarket garden centre. They then walked the short distance to the
nightclub to carry on the party.
Kate looked radiant in a black floral print dress and didn't look the worse for wear when
she emerged from the West London venue alone at 2.30am and hailed a cab to take her the
short distance home.
A friend who attended the garden centre party said: "They have all been friends for a
long time so there is nothing unusual for one of the guys to briefly put his arm around
Kate."
William returned to Sandhurst, where he is training to be an Army officer, on Thursday
morning after being on exercise in Cyprus and was unable to join the party.
There is growing speculation that the prince is ready to ask Kate to marry him and
Woolworths has already manufactured memorabilia to celebrate the event, which includes
mugs, plates, slippers and computer mouse mats.
She has already been granted a rare private audience with the Queen, and it recently
emerged that she has been honoured with an invitation to Sandringham for the Royal
Family's Christmas lunch.
It is the first time an unmarried partner has been invited to the festivities at the
Norfolk estate.
Another indication of the seriousness of their relationship came yesterday as three
uniformed police officers stood guard outside her Chelsea flat.
As the girlfriend, and not yet the wife, of a Royal Family member she is not entitled to
24-hour protection paid for by the taxpayer. But it is clear that she can call for a
temporary police presence at her home any time she feels threatened.
William was expected at Kate's flat yesterday afternoon after being released from duty
for a long weekend - his last break until he graduates. Kate plans to pursue a career in
fashion retailing and marketing and has recently started working as an accessory buyer
for fashion chain Jigsaw.
The clothing empire is headed by John Robinson, a friend of Prince Charles, who lent
William and Kate his luxury Caribbean villa on Mustique earlier this year for a romantic
holiday.
Mr Sayers said that he met Kate for the first time on Thursday night.
He said: "We share a mutual friend and we were at the same party together. She seemed
really nice but obviously nothing happened between us.
"She was cold in the queue so I lent her my coat and I might have passed my arm around
her briefly as I was ushering people into the club.
"There's nothing more to it than that."
-
Prince William short-listed for 'Sword of Honour of Sandhurst'
London, Dec. 3 (PTI): Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, has been
short-listed for the Sword of Honour of Sandhurst, the royal military academy, pitting
him against six rivals competing to be named best officer cadet.
William, 24, has just returned from Cyprus following the final command phase of his
course, which will determine whether he is chosen to carry the sword before the Queen at
his passing-out parade, a media report said today.
While the cadet deemed to have the most potential as an officer receives the Sword of
Honour, the Queen's Medal is awarded to the cadet who achieves the best military,
practical and academic results.
William's army career has started at a promising note. His younger brother, Prince Harry,
however, is said to be frustrated that Army chiefs are blocking his attempts to serve on
the front line.
Harry's unit, the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry, is going to Iraq, but
defence sources said that although he will do the pre-deployment training, he is unlikely
to be allowed to join his colleagues.
William has made the shortlist of seven, which includes two women, despite an
embarrassing slip-up when he briefly lost a machine-gun, which could have scuppered his
chances, the The Sunday Times reported.
Prince William, who will also join the Blues and Royals, is said to be in the running for
one or other of the two awards. He achieved exceptional results in the Sandhurst entry
tests, while Harry's results were average.
He had gained an upper second class honours degree in geography at the University of St.
Andrews on the back of three A-levels at Eton.
While, Prince William had achieved a seven out of a maximum of 10 in the IQ test taken by
all potential cadets, Prince Harry, by contrast, scored only four in the IQ test and
didn't go to university, the report said.
William will pass out on Sovereign's Parade in two weeks time, with the Queen due to take
the salute and present the Sword of Honour.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall are also
likely to attend the event.
-
KATE AND WILLS FUEL BRIDE TALK
By James Harper
PRINCE William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton made their first public appearance
together at Sandringam this weekend - fuelling rumours they will announce their
engagement soon.
Kate, 24, normally takes care to avoid being photographed when staying at the Queen's
20,000-acre Norfolk estate.
But yesterday she made no effort to hide herself when she joined William, 24, who was
hosting a shooting party for friends.
They were thought to be staying with pals at a farmhouse on the estate.
Last week it was revealed Kate had been invited to spend Christmas with the Royal Family
at Sandringham.
It is the first time an unmarried partner of a Royal has been invited - indicating the
seriousness of their relationship.
Woolworths has admitted stockpiling "William and Kate" mugs to mark their engagement.
An onlooker said: "Kate didn't shoot, but she did help pick up dead birds."
December 01, 2006 - -
Now Wills' girl Kate is royaltea
By NICK PARKER
PRINCE William’s girlfriend Kate Middleton has finally landed a job — as a TEAGIRL.
England’s most likely future Queen brewed cuppas and ran errands fetching drinks and
snacks while helping on a fashion shoot.
She happily mucked in as part of her new role working as an accessory buyer for fashion
chain Jigsaw.
Kate, 24, has been taken on by Prince Charles’s close friend — millionaire fashion tycoon
John Robinson.
An insider at the shoot in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, said: “There’s nothing snooty
about Kate. She was determined to make herself useful during the shoot — and that
included making tea.
“Some of the staff there did find it a bit odd being waited on by the potential future
Queen. But it shows William has pulled a real cracker with no airs and graces. He’s a
lucky chap.”
Kate left uni with a 2:1 degree last summer and has been working on her own childrenswear
mail order website.
She is understood to have joined Mr Robinson’s empire to learn more about fashion
retailing and marketing.
Kate and William, 24, spent Easter at Mr Robinson’s home on the Caribbean isle of
Mustique. Speculation is mounting they will become engaged in the New Year. Woolworths
has already designed memorabilia including mugs to celebrate the predicted event.
Kate is following in the footsteps of William’s mum Diana, who also took a part-time job
before marrying Charles — working as a teaching assistant.
-
How NOT to hold the baby: William's hug 'was health risk'
It was the heartwarming image which showed the world Prince William had inherited his
mother's gentle touch.
But just weeks after this picture was beamed across the globe it has been turned into a
health warning poster - describing how NOT to hold newborn babies.
Midwives at a maternity hospital have highlighted several mistakes made by the Prince as
he cuddled three-week-old Sina Nuru in a special care baby unit in September.
These errors, they say, could encourage the spread of bacteria such as MRSA.
For a start, he has not rolled up his sleeves - which means the infant could be exposed
to bacteria on his shirt. And because his sleeves are down, he cannot have washed his
hands and arms properly.
There are also problems with where he is sitting - next to a sink where people are coming
and going, leaving the child at risk of further contamination.
The poster is displayed prominently at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in
Edinburgh to remind staff of the do's and don'ts of handling newborn or premature babies
in hospitals.
Its heading, in bold red type, reads: "William is not thinking risk."
Then, underneath the now famous picture of the 24-year-old Prince cradling the 5lb twin
in St Mary's Hospital, London, the royal visitor's mistakes are listed.
"Not naked from the elbows down. Look at those sleeves!!! How could he possibly have
washed hands and arms. Temperature control? Sitting next to sink with people coming and
going. Draughts?"
William was invited to hold tiny Sina during a September visit to the hospital where he
and his brother Harry were born. At first he was apprehensive because she was barely
bigger than his hand, but staff reassured him and he appeared completely at ease with the
youngster in his arms.
The picture, published in newspapers and magazines around the world, echoed countless
shots of his mother Princess Diana cuddling babies and small children in British and
foreign hospitals during her unofficial reign as "queen of hearts".
But it seems even she failed to adhere to the rules laid down by the Edinburgh midwives.
In one picture taken at St Mary's Hospital in 1996, a year before her death, she was
pictured holding a baby with her jacket sleeves rolled down and while clearly wearing a
watch.
Last night Sina's mother Banata said she had no concerns at all about the way Prince
William handled her baby.
She said: "I remember he washed his hands before he held her. He was very generous and
good fun. I didn't think anything was wrong at the time."
Miss Banata, 30, who is originally from Eritrea in Africa, said her Sina and her brother
Sem were both thriving at home in London.
A spokeswoman for St Mary's Hospital said stringent guidelines were followed when Prince
William visited to open a new neo-natal unit at the hospital.
She said: "He took off his watch and he used hand gel moving around the ward and he
rolled up his sleeves when he was doing this. The chair was positioned where it was
because it was a small area and it was the best available space at the time."
The spokeswoman added: "We followed the most thorough infection control protocols."