Kate paid dues during long wait
London – Goodbye Waity Katie. Hello Princess Catherine. The transformation of Kate Middleton, which began in earnest with the announcement of her engagement to Prince William last year, is about to be completed with their wedding today at Westminster Abbey.
The fiancee of Britain's Prince William, Kate Middleton, is seen attending the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire, western England in this March 16, 2007
The young woman, whose natural ways and wholesome good looks charmed the nation when she hit the scene eight years ago as William’s girlfriend, is soon to be replaced by a new, glossier version, more chic and trained in royal ways.
In movie terms, Middleton, 29, is ready for her close-up, having endured a lengthy courtship with several break-ups along the way. Through it all, she has shown herself to be a formidable woman who knows exactly what she’s getting into, harbouring respect but not awe for the royal family she will soon be joining – and perhaps revitalising.
The former college girl is a future queen, unless death, divorce or revolution intervene. But she must continue to demonstrate patience and staying power, since it may well be several decades before William becomes king.
While it is true that Middleton does not come from an aristocratic family, she has been raised in affluence, with her successful parents able to send her to an exclusive boarding school and to the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met William when they were first-year students studying art history.
They were friends at first, but soon became romantically involved, spurred reportedly in part by William’s presence at a charity fashion show at which Middleton wore a see-through dress over black underwear. They kept their romance largely under wraps until William let down his guard a bit during a 2004 ski vacation and was seen with his arm around Middleton.
One of the knocks against Middleton has been a whispering campaign that she set out intentionally to catch a prince.
During the long years of courtship, Middleton shunned the press, not granting an interview in which she discussed her feelings for William or the royals. “She understands the importance of mystique,” said British historian Andrew Roberts, who predicted that Middleton would not give a tell-all interview like the ones Princess Diana gave when her marriage was collapsing.
The only public hint of Middleton’s feelings came the day in November last year when the engagement was announced. On joining the royal family, she told reporters: “It’s quite a daunting prospect, but … William’s a great teacher so hopefully he’ll be able to help me along the way,” she said.
Since then, she has made appearances with William and has seemed to thrive on contact with the public.
There are indications she plans to be involved in charity work, and it is also possible she and William will try to start a family fairly soon.
Some people hope that she can break the royal mould completely. “Diana was the best for charity work, so Kate shouldn’t copy her. Do something different. Be a cupcake maker or something,” said Ursula Sam, 22.
what time is the wedding?
From 11 onwards. Enjoy it..