William and Kate: A Fairytale Romance Fit for the Story Books

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Jan 8th 2011 04:00PM

The Princess Diaries, The Prince and Me, The Princess Bride -- the public just can't get enough of sweeping, melodramatic fairytales. Thank goodness there are real-life royals around to satiate our palates for regal romances. Not since the world's obsession with the epitome of style and grace that was the late Princess Diana and her marriage to Prince Charles have we had a royal love story to mesmerize us. This one began once upon a time amid the humble backdrop of the campus at the University of St. Andrews in 2001.

The couple's meeting couldn't have been scripted better: When Kate Middleton first met Prince William, she (who was a year ahead of William) made a gesture resembling an awkward half-curtsy. William, who had been attempting to play down his royal status and fit in with the rest of his classmates, was taken so off-guard that he spilled his drink all over himself. Not quite the etiquette you expect from a royal heir, but Kate was intrigued by William's unpretentious demeanor.

The two were fast friends and ran in similar social circles but had no idea that a whirlwind royal romance was in the cards -- Kate was already involved with someone, and William wasn't looking for a serious relationship. But things would change at a St. Andrews fundraising fashion show. Kate was asked to model a $45 Charlotte Todd sheer, strapless dress. William made sure to nab a $200 front-row seat to cheer on his friend. But "sheer" was an understatement, and Kate strutted down the runway in a completely see-through number clearly exposing her sexy black underwear, bra and toned body.

Still friends, in the fall of 2002, Kate and William decided to round up two more buddies and platonically share a four-bedroom flat. Although rumors began to swirl that the attractive couple was more than just roommates, Kate and William denied anything but a great friendship. But the tabloids were on to something -- in April of 2004, the two hit the Swiss mountains together on a skiing vacation and finally admitted that they were, in fact, a couple.

Things went too far when photographers began documenting Kate's every move and even published the location and photos of her London apartment. In February 2006, Kate was told she would be supplied with a 24-hour security detail. But because no engagement between Kate and William was underway, the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department could not justify the cost of the extra security force, and Kate was left to fend for herself.

Still, the lack of a ring on her finger didn't mean that things weren't serious. In December of 2006, Queen Elizabeth herself invited Kate to attend the royal Christmas lunch. Although Kate respectfully declined the invitation in favor of spending time with her own family, it was a gesture that meant the royal family was bracing for a new member.

Recognizing the pressure that his girlfriend felt, in 2007, William reportedly broke up with Kate over the phone. Contrasting reports speculated that he wanted to date other women; that, at 24 years old, he felt too young to marry; and that he simply felt guilty for the media scrutiny and constant expectations that were being leveled on her. The duo reportedly licked their wounds by dating and hitting the party circuit, but it ultimately led them back into one another's arms. They reunited months later, and she attended the Aug. 10 anniversary memorial that William and Prince Harry had arranged for their late mother.

The two continued to date for the next three years, and in November 2010, made history when they announced their engagement. William had popped the question with Princess Diana's 18-carat sapphire engagement ring (a gift from Harry) while the two were vacationing in Kenya -- after the polite prince had asked for Kate's father's blessing and approval, of course.

With the engagement finally announced, speculations about a venue, who would be saddled with the wedding bill and which designer would create Kate's dress ruled the blogosphere, water cooler banter and the imaginations of tiny princess wannabees around the world. Forget economics and politics, it will be the collective "oooohs" and "ahhhs" heard round the world that will make history when, on April 29, 2011, Kate gracefully steps from her carriage and down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William

Comments

(33)

Saturday 08 January

By val

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I just love her and oh, indeed I love Diana and the awesome sons she had time to mold with her own heartfelt kindness and generousity. Diana will make the UK stronger as will the new bride of William. I think both boys are fabulous and love them both. England should be proud that their ugly father and even more ugly stepmother won't be named so often ... they are both disgusting. That said, the boys, their mother's pride are both blessed to have had her in their lives and worse, to have lost her to the worst father and stepmother they could have. Good that her son loves a woman much like she. God bless them and next for Harry, happiness as well.

Monday 10 January

By me

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BURN THE CASTLE DOWN!!!!

By Nancy Keyes

Spilled a drink all over himself???? Haven't we all done that? Just shows how human he really is! I like this guy!

By jennir655

Kate Middleton is a beautiful, graceful and stylish woman and it's evident that these two love each other. I wish them a life of happiness together and look forward to watching their wedding along with the rest of the world.

By Larry tomten

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He should have given her a different ring

By Hmmm

I agree, I hope it's not a bad omen on this little frkg. fairytale. I am sincere in hoping it is not a bad omen. But as for this being a fairytale, what's up with that?

By plz

la la la la la, la la la la land

Sunday 09 January

By deckerfam

First, I'm tickled by this couple as I love Royal things. I truly wish them the best. That being said, I'm glad that American does not embrace such BS as royal blood, etc. It's facinating but most certainly a farce, ie, that others are created more-equal because of their lineage. That somehow William is a more worthy human being than Kate? Preposterous. Also, I agree that the ring-thing is creepy. Like the Hope Diamond, why begin with a bad omen (notice Harry gave it to his bro ?) With the state of bankrupt affairs in the UK, maybe this wedding will generate some cash for the tourist industry. The terrorist problems there seem to have escalated, but they say they are used to this type of thing in England? Again, glad I live in the good old US of A. Best of luck to the young Royals!

By Janna

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Aren't we supposed to be calling her "Katherine" now (a name more fitting for a princess and future queen). I also think they make an adorable couple, but when they're walking side-by-side, William has to learn to slow down -- she has to run to keep up with him. They're both very tall, but he's taller, so it's rather funny to see him walking and her running.

By Michelle

Kate is required to walk 2 steps behind the future king. She will also have to curtsy to gross Camilla but only when Charles in with her.

By Chuck

Except she is arriving in a limnousine and LEAVING in a carriage. Check your facts!

By Amy

I think their marriage has a better chance of succeeding than his father and mother's-she was a brood mare for the royal family-I don't think Charles really ever loved her. Sad to say William is starting to look more like Charles-seems to be losing his hair-used to think he looked like his lovely mother. More importantly I think he has a personality like Diana-and thats a good thing.

By johnson

A Shakesperean (trajedy) just waiting to happen!

By Pamela

Lovely couple. Just wish they would have a simple wedding instead of spending thousands or millions or such aa waste when children are starving in the world and dying of illnesses. Its nice to be rich, live rich and enjoy your wealth but there is research needed out there for deases killing people and rich people should give more to help diseases and starving children.
Again enjoy being rich but having 200 bedrooms is totally unnecessary.

By jae High

I could not agree more....it's just plain insanity and vulgar excess when humanoids spend that kind of money on a wedding and have enough house to put multiple families in....it is disgraceful.

By Basil Haversham

A dorky-looking guy like that wouldn't marry a woman that beautiful if he didn't have a pile of money.

By Plutogirl

"Thank goodness there are real-life royals around to satiate our palates for regal romances."

Please, PLEASE, cut out the phony speaking for the whole world crap. Royalty is a medieval institution that needs to be abolished from the face of this planet. How dare you presume everyone wants it with no data whatsoever to back up your claim.

I am way more beautiful, graceful, and stylish than Schmate will ever be, and I urge every woman on this planet to saturate the Internet with this same statement as a gesture of protest against this "royal" nonsense being shoved down our throats.

By Reality

Right on Plutogirl - This is nothing short of absolutely NAUSEATING. What are they supernatural or somehow better than Everyone else that they should be put up on such a pedastal? Give me a frkg. break!

By Ted Bundy

Shut up Plutogirl. I highly doubt you're more beautiful and graceful than Kate, otherwise you wouldn't be here writing from your high horse. A little jealous are we?

By Sun-Hawaii

Is history being rewritten to fit the storybook fantasy? Its been widely reported that Kate wanted to get married a long time ago but he did not want to, so that's why they broke it off. That she had a crush on him from an early age. It sounds like the late Princess Diana's story almost. I just hope it doesn't end up like that or in divorce. I always thought the Royals should marry later in life after all the wine, women and song are done. They can father a kid at any age, but better to get it out of their system then end up like their parents or grandparents who now sleep in separate bedrooms and the King is rumored to have mistresses on the side. isn't that the way of these royals? Early marriage, either affairs, divorce or separate lives when they've grown tired of each other.

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