Royal Romance: Updating Wills & Kate Elsewhere...

Readers,

After months of running The Wills & Kate Update, I've made the decision to blog about Prince William and Kate Middleton in a new way. Instead of continuing this blog devoted solely to William and Kate, I will now be blogging about the royal couple in a new location: my newest blog venture,

Royal Romance
(http://royal-romance.net/)

Royal Romance is a blog devoted to the relationships of royals from all over Europe, including William and Kate. The blog will continue to feature regular coverage of William and Kate, as well as other British royals and their significant others and couples from other European royal houses.

The new blog will feature photos and news about royal romances past and present, including coverage of royal engagements, weddings, and births. The most romantic of historical royal love stories will be covered, along with "retro romance" moments. You'll also find video clips, reader polls, and interactive features on the blog. Royal Romance is even live on Twitter!

This blog will remain intact, so that you can continue to read older posts about William and Kate as you'd like.

I'm truly excited about this new blog, and I hope that my loyal readers here at The Update will continue to enjoy my posts at Royal Romance. My wish is that the new blog will become a place where royal watchers can participate in a fun and friendly discussion environment to talk about their favorite royal couples, and I hope my readers here will jump right in!

Thank you so much for reading over the past months, and I look forward to seeing all of you at the new place!

Much love,
Ella Kay

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The Wills and Kate Update: Flights, Besties, and Confessions

So, what have William and Kate been up to since we last checked in with the pair? Here's a condensed update to cover some of the recent news on the couple...

After Prince William's slew of engagements, including a reception for Centrepoint and a tour of St Giles's Trust, he and the Middletons pulled a fast one on Katie Nicholl and spirited away for a ski holiday weeks before she predicted they'd be hitting the slopes. They also headed to a resort in Courchevel rather than their usual hangout, Klosters in the Swiss Alps. It appears perhaps the trip was actually a Middleton family holiday with a prince riding along rather than anything cooked up by William himself.

William made more ski news when he apparently rode in coach on the British Airways flight to Geneva to start the ski holiday. Some suggested that the move was so that he would appear more economically with-it; others said he gave his first-class seats to Kate's parents and cozied up with his girlfriend and their friends in economy instead. Way to get in good with the future in-laws, Wills...

After returning from ski paradise, Kate was treated to the usual roast-and-toast routine from the British papers. First, they suggested that she and Prince Harry's ex, Chelsy Davy, had stopped speaking to each other. Then The Sun published a story claiming that Kate's "best pal" (read: one of the girls who rowed with Kate for a few weeks back in 2007) was running a sex club.

A few more articles have also been published ahead of the new "biography" of Kate, including one that revealed that one of Kate's distant ancestors was in jail. And, to top it all off, the News of the World claimed that Kate was -- wait for it -- cashing in on her status as a royal girlfriend by including princess party items in the Party Pieces catalogue, because no little girl has ever wanted a princess party before Kate Middleton came along.

But Prince William may have capped off this update with a bit of a slip-up ... he reportedly spoke with a News of the World reporter (though the article does not appear in their online edition) and spilled that he wants to go to Afghanistan, Harry misses Chelsy, and we'll all have to "wait and see" about a royal wedding to Kate. His press people, of course, report that he doesn't remember any conversation taking place.

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What's in the stars for Wills and Kate?

Blogger Lula from the entertaining astrology site, Astro Crack, has mapped out the astrological charts for Prince William and Kate Middleton to determine their compatibility.

Lula explains the general outlook for Cancer William and Capricorn Kate: "Cancers and Goats are opposite signs which usually translates to harmonious intrigue at very least, but the two national sensations have a lot more similarities than contrasts."

She also points out one reason that the pair continually shies away from press and media attention: "Both share a Cancer moon which means the couple is essentially a timid duo that doesn’t naturally crave spotlight. They’re comfortable in sharing hobbies, eating gourmet popcorn together, and carving out elaborate travel plans while discussing art."

For more on what the stars have in store for Wills and Kate, check out Lula's blog.

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Prince William does interview for Royal Marsden patronage

Prince William sat down this week at Clarence House with a young interviewer from CBBC's Newsround. He was grilled by Alice, a ten-year-old cancer patient from The Royal Marsden Hospital, for which William serves as president.

Alice had some great questions for William, including some of the following:

What would you do if you weren't a prince?
A long time ago I wanted to be a policeman, when I was younger. I soon learnt that probably wasn't a good idea. At the moment I'm still doing some sort of helicopter flying, doing search and rescue... It's going very well. My instructors would probably say, 'Not so well', but I think it's going not too badly. I haven't managed to dent any of the aircraft, I haven't flown into any trees yet, so... it's going ok.

Who would win an arm wrestling contest: you or Prince Harry?
You know the answer to that! It's not even a contest. Obviously I'd win. Obviously. As the bigger brother you have that psychological power over your brother, you see.

How did you get the scar on your forehead?
That was for my Harry Potter scar, as I call it, just here. I call it that because it glows sometimes and some people notice it – other times they don't notice it at all. But I got hit by a golf club when I was playing golf with a friend of mine. Yeah, we were on a putting green and the next thing you know there was a seven-iron and it came out of nowhere and it hit me in the head.

What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I'd probably get myself in a lot of trouble. I'd probably go into the... newspaper office, and I'd hide in the background and listen to all the stories they talk about me.

For a press release on the interview, visit the BBC Press Office.

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Prince William: tortoise namesake

The Prince of Wales seemed a bit pleased with himself yesterday after mischeviously naming a baby tortoise after his elder son, Prince William.

The Telegraph reports that Prince Charles, who is traveling through South America with his wife, The Duchess of Cornwall, was named the godparent of the little tortoise at the Galapagos Island tortoise breeding center.

Charles laughed, "I think it will be quite fun if he [William] ever comes here one day to find that there's a tortoise named after him - I'll probably get into terrible trouble."

As the sex of the tortoise is not yet known, Charles jokingly added, "If it turns out not to be a boy it will become Whilamena instead."

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Prince William to take Kate Middleton on a ski getaway?

Though many sources had reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton were likely to forego their annual ski trip to Klosters this year because of the lagging global economy, the Mail on Sunday's Katie Nicholl claims that they will be heading to the Swiss ski mecca after all, as long as his security officers give the plain their okay.

Nicholl writes, "Prince William doesn’t seem too concerned with tightening his belt – he has just booked a romantic £40,000 Alpine getaway with his girlfriend Kate Middleton. He is whisking her off to Klosters, the exclusive Swiss ski resort where the Royals normally spend their Easter, but this year – for a change – his father isn’t coming along."

Instead of their usual five-star hotel accommodations, however, Nicholl reports that William has booked a private chalet for Kate and a group of their friends, including Kate's sister, Pippa.

Nicholl's anonymous "source" explains: "William has booked a chalet which is out of this world. It’s not the place they usually stay, but William has decided he wants to do something different. His father has said he is not going skiing this year, so William has decided to do his own thing with a few of his closest friends. The friends will all be paying their share – although William will be treating Kate."

The "source" adds, "He’s really looking forward to it. The protection officers have yet to give it the final green light but a decision will be taken this week."

Klosters was the place where the media first discovered William and Kate's relationship, when the pair were photographed kissing out on the slopes several years ago.

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Prince William busy in London on Friday

Prince William took at tour of the headquarters of St. Giles Trust in Camberwell, South London on Friday. The Telegraph writes that the Trust is a charity that "helps offenders and other disadvantaged people rebuild their lives with employment and housing through education, training and support."

During the visit, Willam noted, "I think a lot of employers don't understand from where a lot of ex-offenders come from, the lessons they've learnt just from being in prison or being at rock bottom. I think it shows remarkable strength of character."

He was praised by a team leader from the charity for taking the time to actually come to the headquarters and speak with clients.

The Mail also had tabs on Willam on Friday, as the Wales brothers enjoyed a royal night out separately. Prince William gained attention for the grubby pair of loafers he chose to wear for a jaunt with friends to the Kitts club in Sloane Square.

But Prince Harry was the one who got the most press on the day -- for sporting one hand of bright-pink painted fingernails as he left Raffles in Chelsea with pals.

William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, who has been keeping a very low profile of late, was not out with her Wales brother on this particular occasion -- perhaps that's the reason William donned such scruffy shoes?

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Prince William wins praise for Diana speech

Prince William gave his first speech as Patron of the Child Bereavement Charity this week, in which he spoke publicly for the first time about his grief over the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The speech helped to mark the launch of the charity’s Mother’s Day campaign, which in Britain falls on March 22. In his remarks, William explained, “Never being able to say the word 'Mummy' again in your life sounds like a small thing. However, for many, including me, it's now really just a word - hollow and evoking only memories.”

He added, "I can therefore wholeheartedly relate to the Mother's Day campaign as I too have felt - and still feel - the emptiness on such a day as Mother's Day."

Diana helped to launch the Child Bereavement Charity in 1994, and it is said that The Prince of Wales has encouraged William to follow in her footsteps with the charity as a way to help others and continue his own healing process.

Journalists in Britain have hailed William’s speech as brave, dignified, and mature, earning him praise after several weeks of criticism about his level of work as a senior royal.

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A summer wedding for William and Kate?

The Daily Mail reports today that French magazine Point de Vue features a story about Prince William and Kate Middleton on its cover and predicts an impending summer wedding for the pair.

Peter Allen writes, "Prince William will marry his on-off girlfriend Kate Middleton this summer with an official announcement expected 'imminently,' France’s leading society magazine reports today. Point de Vue, which has impeccable contacts within royal families across the world, boasts about its front page scoop, saying 'nobody knows it in the British media.'"

The story from Point de Vue claims, "A communiqué is in preparation announcing the marriage between William and Miss Katherine Middleton and it will be published this month," adding that the engagement was supposed to have been announced earlier this year, but the announcement was postponed. No reason for the alleged postponement was apparently given.

William and Kate's Scottish holiday in January is also pointed toward as a sign that an engagement is impending.

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More details on Wills and Kate's weekend date

The Sun has published more details of Prince William and Kate Middleton's low-key weekend date in London.

The pair grabbed a bite at Tom's Kitchen in Chelsea, where paparazzi caught them leaving the restaurant after their meal.

The Sun article adds, "And later they watched the movie The Young Victoria about Wills’s great great great great grandmother."

The movie, which is a celebration of royal love, was co-produced by William's former aunt, Sarah, Duchess of York, and features a cameo appearance by his cousin, Princess Beatrice of York.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton spotted out in London

A photo agency has released a photo online that shows Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoying a midday lunch date in London last week.

The thumbnail (I don't have access to larger photos from this agency) shows the couple leaving a restaurant together. Prince William, at left, wears a baseball cap, a puffy vest, and jeans. Kate Middleton stands near the door, wearing a white shirt and a purple sweater. [ETA: Larger versions of the photos can be seen here.]

The couple has not been photographed in public since they were captured by paparazzi lenses at the airport following a Scottish getaway in early January. William's car was photographed at the Middleton home for Kate's birthday, but no pictures were taken of the two of them.

The pair has been continuing to lay low, while William completes RAF training and Kate works for her parents in Berkshire, following an intense period of media criticism of Kate last fall. William was in London last week to review a passing out parade for new police officers.

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Prince William urged to pick up the slack?

Clive Goodman at The Daily Star reports this weekend that Prince Charles has allegedly joined the chorus of voices encouraging Prince William to participate in more official royal duties.

Goodman writes, "Concerned Charles fears William will lose touch with his future subjects unless he gets more involved in royal duties."

Goodman's unnamed source, an "aide," elaborates, "He has made it very plain to his son exactly how he feels and what he thinks William should do. William needs to get out and see how ordinary people live. And he won’t discover that by drinking £5,000 bottles of champagne at Boujis or in the officers’ mess."

William has been seen out at nightclubs very infrequently over the past six months, reportedly at the urging of his grandmother, who wants her grandchildren's behavior to be more in line with the nation's economic climate.

The article does note that William will be going on two official engagements this week: a dinner on Thursday to celebrate the anniversary of Centrepoint, and a meeting with reformed prisoners at St Giles Trust.

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Sam Waley-Cohen: Wills & Kate matchmaker?

Richard Kay's column last weekend, reprinted on the Mail Online website, included a small William-and-Kate tidbit. In an item about the new girlfriend of pal Sam Waley-Cohen, brother of Kate's schoolmate Tom, who died of bone cancer at the age of 20, Kay claims that it was Sam who helped to reunite William and Kate after their brief breakup in the summer of 2007.

Kay suggests that Sam's new relationship will almost certainly succeed, as "Sam's reputation as a matchmaker was sealed" with his cupidly actions for the royal loves.

While he may have earned points by helping to smooth over a lover's tiff, Waley-Cohen also unwittingly helped Kate to earn some of her worst press of 2008 when she signed on to help organize a fundraiser in memory of his brother Tom. At the 1980s roller-disco themed event, Kate took a spill while skating with Sam and had her picture plastered all over the British tabloids as a result.

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Prince William views police parade

Prince William spent some time with the Metropolitan Police on March 6, reviewing future police officers at a passing out parade.

The Press Association reported before the event that William would "meet staff and recruits before presenting awards at a reception at the college in Aerodrome Road, north London."

They added that the new police officers would "join the ranks of the capital's probationary police officers for the next two years" after the ceremony's conclusion.

William also met one of the police force's equine recruits on Friday -- leading the folks over at Best Week Ever to pull out one of the old "Windsor horsiness" jokes....

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Wills and Harry to share bachelor pad

The Mail on Sunday's Katie Nicholl writes this weekend that Prince William will not be alone in his new house in Shropshire -- he will share the new digs with his brother, Prince Harry.

Nicholl explains, "I can reveal that the stone cottage, close to the brothers’ RAF training base at Shawbury, Shropshire, will also be used by Prince Harry over the summer. Royal aides believe that having William and Harry in the same house will solve a security headache, while also allowing the Princes the privacy they crave."

Though it has been widely reported that William is moving full-time to the house with girlfriend Kate Middleton, he will actually be living on the RAF base during the week and using the house as a weekend retreat. Kate may be a guest there, but she won't be moving in. She is living in Berkshire, where she works for her parents' business, Party Pieces.

The weekend home, according to Nicholl, is owned by a family friend. Her source explains, "William had a similar pad on the Balmoral estate to which he would escape with Kate from St Andrews University, where they shared a house with other students."

The unnamed source adds, "Harry was initially going to have his own place in Shropshire but there was an issue over the extra security that would be needed at two sites so it seemed sensible for the Princes to share. The added bonus is that they can keep each other’s secrets about what goes on in their bachelor pad."

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