As Prince William and Kate Middleton move closer to announcing their engagement, she is being groomed to inherit Diana’s title as the people’s princess. John Bell reports.
Has Prince William finally popped the question? It seemed that way on April 29, when royal watchers were buzzing that William’s girlfriend of more than six years, Kate Middleton, had been spotted wearing a huge engagement ring at a hair salon in London.
Although the ring was nowhere in sight when she stepped out two days later, the belief among Palace insiders is that an engagement is imminent, perhaps as early as June, to coincide with William’s 28th birthday. And as the date quickly approaches, Buckingham Palace is working hard behind the scenes to mould Kate into the people’s princess – just like William’s late mother, Diana.
“Kate has studied Diana’s life and she is a great admirer of all the tireless work she did for charity,” says Nicholas Davies, the author of more than 10 books on the royals.
So, in order to carry on Diana’s legacy – which involved working with more than 100 charities, including ones benefiting AIDS sufferers, land-mine victims and sick children – Kate is turning her focus on helping the less fortunate too.
Already a big supporter of Starlight Children’s Foundation, dedicated to lifting the spirits of ill children, “Kate has made it very clear to Palace officials that she’s willing to take on more charity work”, says one insider.
Kate, 28, won accolades this past Christmas when she persuaded Wills’ stepmum, the Duchess of Cornwall, to invite Starlight wish children to help decorate the tree in their home, Clarence House.
For the full story see this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale May 10, 2010.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
.png?resize=380%2C285)
Native ad body.
