Princess role of a lifetime

Every bride's big day changes their lives forever — they become a wife, a married woman and often change their name. Unlike Kate Middleton, most women don't plan to marry the second in line to the throne, walk down the Westminster Abbey aisle with the Queen in the front row and the whole world watching or face a life under the constant scrutiny of the paparazzi. While normal brides might later give birth to children, they won't be expected to produce an heir to the throne. She may have grown up in a tiny village in the depths of the English countryside, but Prince William's blushing bride-to-be certainly "knows what she's getting into", a royal expert told tabloid! on Saturday. "She has had a long apprenticeship, because she has been William's girlfriend, and therefore she knows what she's going into, she knows what is required, she knows how to behave," said Dickie Arbiter, former Buckingham Palace official and Sky News Royal Commentator. "She has got something Diana didn't have, because Diana was 20 when she married Charles, Catherine is 29 when she marries William," he said. Middleton grew up with her younger siblings Pippa and James in Bucklebury, Berkshire — a sleepy village with a population of just 2,000. Kate and William met while studying the History of Art at the 600-year-old St Andrew's University in Scotland and — like most relationships — they've had their ups and downs over the past eight years. Rumours of their romance started in May 2003, eight months after they began sharing student accommodation with two friends. Just one month later Kate went to Prince William's birthday party at Windsor Castle, although he denies in an interview that he has got a girlfriend at all. In March 2004 their relationship is confirmed when they appear together on a skiing holiday but they split briefly in the same year and Kate doesn't attend Charles and Camilla's wedding in April 2005. By December 2006 Kate is back at William's side for a ceremony at Sandhurst when he joins the Household Cavalry as a second lieutenant and is commissioned as an army officer in front of the queen. But four months later more break-up reports are published, only to be followed-up by rekindling reports three months later. These eight years will stand Kate in good stead, according to Arbiter, who observes that both Charles and Diana and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (now divorced) knew each other a "matter of months" before getting married. "There is a vast difference between this royal marriage and the marriage of William's parents 30 years ago," he said. The royal role According to the former spokesman, "there is actually no defined role" as a princess, besides being there in support of her husband Prince William, who will one day be king. That said, "it's then up to the individual to carve out a role for themselves," Arbiter said. This lack of a defined role proved a problem for Diana, according to former aide Patrick Jephson in an interview with the UK's Mirror newspaper. Jephson said Middleton should have a defined role: "She has to agree on her position, especially in relation to her future husband William. She needs to know what's expected of her. Is it going to be a joint operation?" he said. Princess Diana developed her own style, which eventually fell out of sync with the rest of the Royal household, he continued. Arbiter points out, however, that even Charles doesn't have a defined role, and in fact there has never been a defined role for the Prince of Wales. "It really will be up to Catherine to create a role for herself," Arbiter said. So what's a girl to do? The usual role members of the Royal family take up is to work on behalf of charities. Princess Diana actively worked for many charities, including the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, AIDS charities and those supporting the elderly and the homeless. "Diana did it very well, for a whole string of charities," he said. Through her work with so many charities, particularly with causes that hadn't been associated with the royal household before (AIDS, leprosy), Princess Diana became known as the "People's Princess". When she died, millions lined the route of the funeral procession and life across the UK paused. Sarah Ferguson also took to her role in the royal household, establishing her own charity and becoming patron and ambassador of several others, while also becoming known for her weight loss and children's books. Prince Edward's wife Sophie, the countess of Wessex, hasn't worked done as much charity work as Ferguson, but does support several institutions. However, if you've got the idea that being a princess involves turning up to glamorous receptions, smiling, waving and being photographed, think again. Princess Anne carries out some of the less glamorous duties, including officially opening an abattoir recently. So how is Kate going to be able to measure up to the Queen of Hearts and as a princess in the public's eyes? Time will tell for William's new bride when her role in the royal household becomes clear. William and Kate have already set up The Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund, so anyone wanting to give them a wedding present can donate to the charities they've chosen. One of the charities is Beatbullying, which works with young people to "create a world where bullying, violence and harassment are just unacceptable". The three Middleton children went to Marlborough College — a pricey boarding school where Prince William's cousin Princess Eugenie, also went. Unlike her brother and sister, Kate only went to the college after spending two terms at the all-girl Downe House as a day-boarder. She left after "not fitting in" and it's said she could have been bullied, which would point to the support of the anti-bullying charity. One thing it seems Kate is keen to hold on to is her middle-class roots, which could win her favour among the British public. Turning up for her official royal engagement pictures in a white "Nannette" dress from high-street store Reiss, made sure all branches had the dress flying off their racks to a quick sell-out. The chain decided to re-release the dress in the US but it's still unavailable in the UK. Kate's down-to-earth demeanour must have already struck a chord with regular high-street brides. Patter of tiny feet Charles and Diana got married in 1981 — Prince William was born the following year and Prince Harry was born in 1984, when Diana was only 23 years old. She was involved in some charity work but had a family soon after her marriage to Charles, after which she devoted almost all her time to charity work. So what role will Kate play after her marriage? Kate, at 29, is not as young as Diana was, having been through both college and university. "I say this in the nicest possible way, get the kids out the way and then get on with the job. It's very difficult to say which way she'll go," Arbiter said of the future Mrs William. Regalities: Tidbits before the big day Prince Phillip has overridden a ban on wedding guests bringing spouses for one of his friends. Queen Elizabeth II's consort sent an invitation to Old Harrovian and former Hussars officer Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew, who lives at Thirlestane Castle in Berwickshire, inviting him and his wife. Kate has visited the grave of Prince William's mother Princess Diana just days before the wedding. Kate and William laid flowers at the tomb, which is on an island in the centre of an ornamental lake at Diana's ancestral estate of Althorp, central England. While her parents had lunch with the Queen recently, Kate hit the shops on London's King's Road. She went to Banana Republic, Warehouse and Whistles, where she bought another of the blouses now named after her, after wearing it in her engagement photo. Queen Elizabeth has given her formal consent to the marriage in the form of a historic hand written legal document. The Instrument of Consent bears the queen's signature "Elizabeth R" and is sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm. Did you know 1982 Born 1984-86 Kate Middleton: English-language nursery, Jordan 1985-87 Prince William: Mrs Mynor's nursery, West London 1995 Prince William: Eton Kate Middleton: St Andrew's School, Pangbourne Favourite food Prince William: Chocolate biscuit cake Kate Middleton: Microwaved Marmite sandwiches 1996 Prince William: Parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorce 1997 Prince William: Death of mother, Diana Princess of Wales Kate Middleton: Likely to be one of the 32.78 million Britons who watched the funeral on TV 2000 Gap year 2003 They move into shared accommodation with two friends 2005 They graduate from St Andrew's University 2006 Prince Wiliam: Joins Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as military cadet and receives commission as 2nd lieutenant in Household Cavalry 2007 Concert for Diana 2010 Engagement   From : Gulf News