Prince William & Kate Middleton Are Finally Engaged

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""SonjaMarie""]A couple of polls in the UK show that those asked would like to see William and Kate as King and Queen instead of C&C, but I think the only way that will happen is if Charles predeceases his mother.[/quote]

According to my mother Charles's horoscope, cast at birth, indicated he would never be king. I have no idea where she read this though.

Well, a bank holiday (a national or public holiday) is not a compulsory day off for everyone in the UK either - you'll even find many restaurants and pubs open on Christmas Day.

True but depending on terms of employment, people can sometimes claim a day in lieu if they have to work on a bank holiday. Also, bank holiday shifts are sometimes better paid. Someone I knew who worked at Manchester Airport would always volunteer to come in on New Year's Day because she got double time.

I am presently self-employed so won't benefit unfortunately!

[Telynor]

[quote=""Misfit""]Yeah, if you aren't government or bank or similar very few of us get President's Day, Veteran's Day, MLK day off to name three. The mail gets those days off but UPS and FedEx, et all still have to work [/quote]

Not all USPS workers get the day off, -- it's just that the mail doesn't get delivered on Sunday and holidays, but those who work in the big sorting centers are there every day, and every hour of it. Those places never shut down. My poor J doesn't get any holidays off unless they fall on his normal day off.

[Misfit]

[quote=""Telynor""]Not all USPS workers get the day off, -- it's just that the mail doesn't get delivered on Sunday and holidays, but those who work in the big sorting centers are there every day, and every hour of it. Those places never shut down. My poor J doesn't get any holidays off unless they fall on his normal day off.[/quote]

I did not realize that.

[Miss Moppet]

More gush from the Daily Mail: Kate will give up her "job" on marriage but will not take up full-time royal duties, concentrating instead on starting a family.

Since when has trying to conceive been a full-time job? I can completely understand that she would want to cut down on the engagements once pregnant but it seems a bit previous.

I'm starting to agree with everyone who says that Kate is a terrible role model. She lives the life of a 1920s debutante. Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it but as most young women can't, it doesn't set much of an example.

I think they are going overboard trying not to repeat the Diana situation. I don't think it's the same at all - KM has had far longer to acclimatise herself to royal life. She's already been criticised for not having a career so I don't think this will help her public image overmuch.

[LoobyG]

I have to agree Miss Moppet. I've often thought the nickname of 'Waity Katie' was appropriate! I understand that due to William's commitments in his career path, it's important for her to be flexible so that they can spend time together. But...there's not many young women today in this country who can afford not to work. And she'll have the opportunities to make a big difference in charity work, which I sincerely hope she does.

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""LoobyG""]I have to agree Miss Moppet. I've often thought the nickname of 'Waity Katie' was appropriate! I understand that due to William's commitments in his career path, it's important for her to be flexible so that they can spend time together. [/quote]

Yes, she had no choice really. I have also heard that she wanted a career as a professional photographer but the royals wouldn't hear of it. Don't know if it's true, but if it is, that reinforces the bad role model thing. My stepsister is Kate's age and certainly wouldn't let her boyfriend's parents dictate career choices to her.

But...there's not many young women today in this country who can afford not to work. And she'll have the opportunities to make a big difference in charity work, which I sincerely hope she does.

Yes, so do I. Once she gets properly involved I think the public view of her will become much more positive.

[LoveHistory]

Isn't it just a tad early to call her a bad role model? And quite frankly if they want to start their family right away, the royal family should make a point of not requiring too much of her for a while. The last thing any woman needs when she's trying to concieve, or during pregnancy is stress. Maybe there's a history of difficulty concieving or difficult pregnancies in her family. We don't know the whole story here.

I have no doubt that charity work will be part of her life. William wouldn't have chosen a woman who didn't care about others. Unless he's dumber than everyone thinks. Though now that I consider it, I've never really heard his intelligence lauded.

But, I still say it's hasty to make those kinds of judgements.

[Vanessa]

You can't always believe what the papers say, anyway. I hope they decide to wait a while before having children. They should have some time together first ideally.

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""LoveHistory""]Isn't it just a tad early to call her a bad role model? [/quote]

People have been saying she's a bad role model for years - even though she has had no official role up till now, she has had celebrity status and thus a high profile. Ever since she left university her career has come second best to spending time with her boyfriend - and while she's entitled to live her life however she likes, it's not a sensible option for any girl born without a trust fund.

So, I think she's a bad role model based on the last six years. Post marriage may well be a different story. 'Royal girlfriend' isn't a job description but 'princess' definitely is.

And quite frankly if they want to start their family right away, the royal family should make a point of not requiring too much of her for a while. The last thing any woman needs when she's trying to concieve, or during pregnancy is stress. Maybe there's a history of difficulty concieving or difficult pregnancies in her family. We don't know the whole story here.

Yes, and I thought of something else - royal engagements have to be planned months if not years in advance - and it seems William's household didn't get much warning of the engagement. So they would be pushed to draw up an intensive programme for her to begin in six months' time, at the same time as planning the wedding. And then they might have to unpick it all if she falls pregnant and wants to slow down.

You can't always believe what the papers say, anyway.

Yes, it may well be rubbish.

I hope they decide to wait a while before having children. They should have some time together first ideally.

I think she will feel under pressure to produce an heir as soon as possible. That's one aspect of the job which hasn't changed since the Middle Ages.

[LoobyG]

Very true Vanessa, you definitely can't believe all the papers say! I guess we'll see very soon what kind of a Princess Kate turns out to be In the meantime, I look forward to hearing all about the dress!