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Big News from jolly old England

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by boots, Apr 14, 2007.

  1. boots

    boots New Member

    LONDON, April 14 -- Prince William and long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton have split, British media reported Saturday, ending widespread speculation of an imminent wedding between one of the world's most eligible royal bachelors and the middle-class descendant of a coal-mining family.

    William, 24, and Middleton, 25, who had met at St. Andrews University in Scotland in 2001, parted amicably -- and almost completely unexpectedly -- after succumbing to the massive pressures placed upon them by intense media scrutiny of their courtship, according to the Sun newspaper. Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said the relationship had been dwindling since William, the older son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, graduated from Britain's elite Sandhurst military academy in December.

    Especially since last month, when William began a tank commander course requiring him to live on a remote English army base, the pair have seen each other increasingly less. William has also been photographed recently partying with other attractive young women. The paper reported that Middleton was increasingly frustrated that William seemed to prefer drinking with his army buddies to spending time with her in London.

    The newspaper also reported that William considers himself too young to marry and bristled at media and public pressure on him to become engaged to Middleton, who appeared to many English as a likeable and intelligent young woman who would have brought new youth and glamour to the royal family. Many in England were virtually certain that Middleton would be the next fairy tale princess, and possible someday Queen Catherine.

    Speculation that the couple would marry was so rampant that the retailer Woolworth's had already designed commemorative royal wedding collectibles, from mugs to mouse pads, featuring photos of William and Middleton.

    Paddy Harverson, spokesman for Clarence House, Prince Charles's office, said in an interview Saturday that Prince William did not want Clarence House to offer "running commentary" on his private life, except for announcements of engagements, graduations or other official moments. "Even in something as high profile as this, we have to hold that line," Harverson said, declining to comment on the media reports about the split.

    But royal watchers said the fact that Clarence House did not deny the reports was essentially a confirmation of their accuracy, given the royal family's history of quick and forceful denials of stories they consider inaccurate.

    "When something is not true the royal spokespersons deny it," said Robert Lacey, an author who has written extensively about the royal family, including a biography of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Lacey said he believed the intense press scrutiny of the young couple's every move must have been at least partly to blame for the split.

    "Maybe the relationship had to end anyway, but the intrusion and the pressure of the press must have been a factor," he said . "It is hard enough to be young and decide if something is right for you without that."
     
  2. sportschick

    sportschick Active Member

    Poor William. I'll be happy to comfort him.
     
  3. Chuck~Taylor

    Chuck~Taylor Active Member

     
  4. RokSki

    RokSki New Member

    Poor, backward country. 'Monarchy' and all.

    Isn't that why we 'ran' them 225+ years ago? :)
     
  5. GB-Hack

    GB-Hack Active Member

    Um, whats the phrase....Oh yeah, Go shave your back with a rusty sythe.
     
  6. RokSki

    RokSki New Member

    Hey, the thread got moved! :)
     
  7. Chi City 81

    Chi City 81 Guest

    No. We "ran" them as you put it, because they decided to take on a country on its own turf, thousands of miles away from supplies and support. It was a logistical nightmare for the British. With a better plan three decades later, the Brits more than held their own against U.S. troops. Britain was then, and still remains, a great nation worthy of our support and friendship. And they've been our closest, most-trusted allies for almost two centuries.
     
  8. RokSki

    RokSki New Member

    Thanks, Doc.

    They didn't teach me that when I majored in history in the Ivies. ;)

    Besides, 'ran' is a technical term.
     
  9. Clever username

    Clever username Active Member

    Hey, we spell scythe with a 'c' over here.
     
  10. RokSki

    RokSki New Member

    Colour me shocked. :)
     
  11. audreyld

    audreyld Guest

    I could trade days with you, if you need time off...
     
  12. Clever username

    Clever username Active Member

    Does anyone think Boots gets upset that we don't ever actually discuss the original topic of his threads, romp thread, of course, excluded? Or is he just happy people post anything on his threads?
     
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