The One Big Difference Between Kate and Diana?

By Rob Shuter Posted Nov 17th 2010 08:10AM

My how things have changed. Just under 30 years ago, in 1981 when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, it was made very clear to the public that the fresh-faced 20-year-old was a virgin. Now, after eight years of living and traveling together, no one seems to mind that William and Kate know each other much more intimately.

"Let's not forget that Kate originally caught the future king's eye when she was modeling in a negligee for a charity event," Royal expert and PopEater contributor Nicki Gostin tells me. "And although Kate has many similarities with William's mummy Diana, the main difference is Kate is not a virgin."

Video: Public's Mixed Reaction to the Big News

Kate and William have broken up twice since they met at Saint Andrews University in Scotland almost eight years ago, but ultimately knew they were going to be together. Brother Prince Harry, who gave William his mother's engagement ring to propose with, said he's excited to finally have a sister, while Kate's working class family is thrilled that the daughter of an airline stewardess is going to be a real-life princess.

"They are the perfect couple," a friend of the lovebirds tells me. "She's very sporty and loves to hunt like William. Plus she is incredibly normal and William loves that."

Insiders tell me the wedding will not be at Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, where Diana got married in front of 3,500 people. I'm told William nixed that idea, but that the ceremony will no doubt be at a venue fitting for a future king.

Prince Charles said he is "thrilled" by the good news. And he doesn't seem to mind the major difference between his son's fiancee and his first wife, Diana, joking on Tuesday that the couple has "been practicing for long enough."

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A Royal Engagement

Britain's Prince William and his fiance, Kate Middleton, pose for photographers in London on Tuesday. The announcement ended feverish speculation about when the second-in-line to the throne would wed.

Ben Stansall, AFP / Getty Images

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

William proposed in Kenya while the two were there on vacation last month, and gave Kate his late mother's sapphire engagement ring.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

"This was my way of making sure that my mother didn't miss out on today," William said as the couple posed for photographers at St. James' Palace Tuesday. This 1981 photo shows the rings of Prince Charles and his fiance, Lady Diana Spencer.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

Michael and Carole Middleton, Kate's parents, pose at their home in Berkshire, southern England. "We all think he's wonderful, we're extremely fond of him," Michael Middleton said. "They make a lovely couple."

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

Britain Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she is congratulated on the engagement. The queen and her husband Prince Philip "are absolutely delighted for them both," Buckingham Palace said. Prince Charles said he was "absolutely thrilled."

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

The nuptials will come 30 years after the iconic wedding of William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Here, they kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on July 29, 1981.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

The couple, who met eight years ago when they were students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, have had an on-again, off-again relationship, but speculation of an impending marriage had been building over the past several months.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

Prince Charles' Clarence House office said Tuesday it was "delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton."

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

The prince, who is second in line to the British throne, and his betrothed are both 28. Middleton works for her family's mail-order business, which specializes in children's parties. The business has made her parents millionaires.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

The two, here at a 2007 rugby match with Prince William's younger brother, Harry, left, will marry in the spring or summer next year in London, officials said. There was no official word on the venue for the wedding.

Finally! William Proposes to Kate

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Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William

Comments

(28)

Wednesday 17 November

By mannequin

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"incredibly normal"; what is that? Is that normal beyond normal, and if so, wouldn't that be abnormally normal?

By Linney

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mannequin
"incredibly normal"; what is that? Is that normal beyond normal, and if so, wouldn't that be abnormally normal?

AND YOU MUST BE INCREDIBALY STUPID TO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY MEAN BY SAYING SHE IS ABOUT AS NORMAL AS SHE CAN BE MEANING SHE IS NOT LIKE PARIS HILTON IF I CAN USE THAT SKANK AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT NORMAL IS NOT. GET REAL MANNEQUIN AND GET SOME BRAINS BEFORE POSTING AN IDIOTIC POST!

By jeffrey lebowski

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i'm no prude, but i find the subject of whether or not the bride is a virgin to be incredibly offensive.

By Mo

The biggest difference between Lady Diana and Ms. Kate, is that William loves his future bride. Prince Charles did not. Much love and congratulations to Prince William and his bride to be. Shame on Prince William! Rest in peace Lady Di!

By Frank

I totally agree! The most important difference is that Prince William appears to love his bride to be. Prince Charles did not, and shame on him.

And discussing whether Kate is a virgin or not, is extremely tasteless.

Saturday 20 November

By Diana

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IKR! ( I Know Right!)

By John

How very presumptuous!... No one other than William and Kate knows for certain if she's a virgin... Perhaps they just cuddled all these years... (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink) A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat. SAY NO MORE !!!

By Sally

William got the ring after his mother died and Harry chose a watch. It was stated so on the "Today Show" this morning.

By YellowRose3218

Jeffrey,, I was thinking the same.
Back when Princess Diana was about to marry charles, the talk was all about how pure she was.
I guess the queen has lightened up some. It was she, that made such a huge thing out of it.
Some things should be kept private.

By sway

How tasteless

By Joe in JT

"One big difference between Kate and Diana?" Kate wears her seatbelt, Diana didn't.

By Ezeestreet

The British people are supporting this lazy bunch.Playing Polo and going hunting

By B. Taylor

Ah, the double standard of virginity with men and women. At least William, who I doubt was a virgin when these two met, can't have his wife beheaded for not being one. Also kinda doubt Charles was a virgin when he met Diana. At least William and Kate aren't a generation apart and are better matched in the education department.

Thursday 18 November

By David70aev

Some people think the expense of Prince W is a waste. I think it is ok. To have a monarchy a little pomp is a sign of health and patriotism. The British may not love the expense. I and many x-patriots will get a boost, and probably shed a tear for pride of country.

By ancortez

I think there are a lot of major differences between Kate and Diana beyond their virginity. In fact the MAJOR difference is that they're from different generations - women are more empowered now. And I too found this article to be offensive. I mean nevermind that Kate exudes confidence and Diana was demure; But Kate is 28 and Diana was 20 when she married Charles. Seriously, to call this article THE ONE BIG DIFFERENCE and focus on virginity is just icky.

By Tyrone Ballsack

Hey, I'm a fan of Kate because she seems relaxed and genuine. Diana was always on edge, even tortured at the attention. Of course, Diana was frightfully stupid and she knew it. Diana never went to college, never had an achievement (don't start that crap that she had children), and was the poster child for unearned privilege. When is England going to abolish the monarchy?

By Marcia

When is England going to abolish the monarchy? I guess whenever England decides to or never. Why should it matter? It's England's choice. Nothing wrong with it. Now if we had a monarchy here, then that should matter. But I see nothing wrong with it in England, or Spain, or the Netherlands, or anywhere else they have a monarchy.

I don't find the topic of her virginity offensive at all. This is the FIRST TIME that the virginity of the bride isn't an issue in Royal weddings. That's why the topic.

By zelda

It is sad that people get on here and say all of these remarks,Kate is a beautiful girl and she will make William a wonderful wife,Diana, did not know what Charlies was doing,going with the hole he's with today,I read the book,Wish them the best of luck.

By ChristineC

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate. He gave her his MOM'S engagement ring???? I am going to pray that it doesn't jinx them.

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