ALL WAITY, ALL THE TIME. Good God, the American and British press are just so ecstatic that they have a new “princess” to talk about. It makes me wonder about the 14-year vacuum that was left in the wake of Princess Diana’s death. Diana was a superstar – a royal by marriage, and one of the biggest celebrities in the world by right, by suffering, by catastrophic marriage and by sheer star quality. When she died, the press looked to fill the gaping hole with actresses and heiresses and famewhores, but now they finally have a “commoner” who married into the royal family, so they’re going completely overboard. It’s not Kate Middleton’s fault, per se, although I do have a minor criticism of both Kate and the way she’s being handled in the media. My criticism: wait until she does something substantive before giving her a People Magazine cover and declaring that she’s a “natural” at her role. Thus far, she’s only gone to some parties and events, and while she’s performed those duties with grace and style (except for looking kind of bored at times), I’m still waiting for her to sign on for some charity work.

What learning curve?

She’s been a royal for just six weeks, but the newly minted Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has quickly proven “she’s a natural,” a palace insider tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

Gliding her way through an intense regimen of public engagements since her wedding to Prince William, adds the insider, Kate, 29, is “completely taking it in her stride.”

Still, Kate’s recent high-profile appearances might have proved overwhelming were it not for a few key counselors: her stepmother-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who has offered guidance on life as a royal wife; Helen Asprey, a longtime member of William and Prince Harry’s personal staff who now accompanies Kate to most engagements; and Prince William, 28, who makes sure to keep careful watch over his new wife.

“It’s very much the ‘home team’ advising,” says a palace source.

[From People]

First: OF COURSE she’s taking it all in stride. That’s what nine years of waiting gets you! Chica was prepared! Second: I do like that William seems protective of her, and I feel like he really is aware of how overwhelmed she could potentially be. He’s trying so hard to make sure she’s not thrown to wolves like his mother was. I like that a lot.

Meanwhile, St. James Palace has released more information about William and Kate’s Canadian and Californian itinerary. It does seem like they added a day to the California part… maybe because Waity wanted to meet Brangelina?!!?

California dreamin’ with Will and Kate! The itinerary for Prince William and Kate’s July 8 – 10 visit to California were detailed in a Wednesday morning briefing at St. James Palace — and the Duke and Duchess’ West Coast schedule is jam-packed!

After touching down from Canada on July 8, William, 28, and Kate, 29, will meet with up and coming entrepreneurs at a UKTI reception at the Beverly Hilton. Next up? A meet-and-greet with senior politicians and other high-profile figures at the Consular General’s resident in Los Angeles.

After getting some shut-eye at an undisclosed location, the just-married duo will head to Santa Barbara on July 9 for a polo match, where the Prince will play and Kate will give out prizes. (The game will benefit American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.)

That night, the real fun begins: The royals will walk the red carpet with British TV, movie and theater stars for a BAFTA reception at the Belasco Theatre. (Celeb attendees for the bash have not yet been announced.)

As President of BAFTA, William will make a brief speech for the star-packed gala.

For day three (July 10), the pair will visit Inner City Arts, an L.A. program which helps disadvantaged and homeless children through art. That night, they’ll attend a war veterans event at Sony Studios; caeled “Nation: Mission Serve,” the event serves to strengthen ties between UK and US armed forces.

Will royal watchers in L.A. ever spot William and Kate without one another?

“[The tour] will be a double act, but there’l be occasions when the couple will separate, such as walkabouts,” press secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton says.

But the Duchess won’t be doing any speeches this time, Lowther-Pinkerton adds. “There’ll be a time and a place for that.”

A source tells Us that Kate is all set to look gorgeous in Hollywood — thanks to a special weapon. “The Duchess of Cambridge plans to bring hairdresser James Pryce with her on the North American tour,” the insider says. “The couple will also be bringing an administrative assistant.”

In all, the couple will roll with an entourage of seven.

[From Us Weekly]

So she’s bringing her hair guy. I’m guessing that she’ll end up bringing a stylist person too, seeing as how she’s trying to hire someone last minute as we speak. So much for not hiring staff, right? I don’t blame them for hiring staffers – if they continue to do all of these public engagements, they are going to need more and more staffers. What pissed me off was the claim – made by William’s spokesperson a few months ago – that they weren’t going to hire anybody because they were trying to be so “different” and “under the radar”. It was like William was looking down his nose at his father and all of the working royals who do hundreds of events and a full slate of charity work every year.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame & Pacific Coast News.