Here are some new photos of Prince William in Anglesey (Wales) today. He attended the The Anglesey Agricultural Showground, which for Americans is probably like a county fair, right? There are exhibitions of cows and award-winning produce. I would imagine there’s probably pretty good food too. Funnel cakes? This was William’s first “royal duty” appearance since before his son Prince George was born, although he did come out to play polo two weekends ago too. William is back in Wales to finish up his tour of duty with the RAF search-and-rescue team. It’s widely believed that William is stepping down from the RAF as soon as this tour is done, although he STILL hasn’t confirmed that.
So, his appearance at this fair was the setting for his “farewell speech” to Wales. Again, he hasn’t even confirmed where he’s going next or even if he would stay on in Wales. But sure, a “farewell speech”. He said in Welsh, “Dwi yn falch o fod wedi byw yn Ynys Mon” (I’m glad I’ve lived on Anglesey) and that he and Kate planned to “return again and again.” He also said:
“I thought search and rescue duties… were physically and mentally demanding but looking after a three-week-old baby is right up there… I know that I speak for Catherine when I say I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and welcoming as Anglesey. I know that both of us will miss it terribly when my search and rescue tour of duty comes to an end next month and we have to move elsewhere. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making my wife and me so welcome when we arrived here, as you do thousands of visitors each year. This island had been our first home together, and will always be an immensely special place for us both. Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family.”
Very nice. They also let William play with a falcon (that’s a falcon, right?) and I think he was gifted that glove. Also: how cold is it in Wales right now? Cold enough for a sweater and a barn jacket?!
As for Duchess Kate (or Princess Kate!!), she’s still in Bucklebury with her parents and the baby from what I can see. There was even this suspicious story making the rounds:
The Duchess Of Cambridge’s mother is the only person who can soothe the royal baby. Duchess Catherine broke royal tradition by moving back into her parents’ home in Bucklebury, England’s Home Counties, after the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis in July and could spend up to six months with her mother Carole and father, Michael, to help her look after the tot.
A source told Grazia magazine: ”Carole is really amazing. They are calling her the ‘baby whisperer’ as she is the only one who can get him to sleep. The Middletons’ home is such an oasis of calm for Kate, she is keen to stay as long as she can there, even up to six months.”
Prince William and Duchess Catherine’s living arrangements are believed to be ”up in the air” while their apartment at Kensington Palace in London is renovated.
The source continued: ”Kate feels so safe and secure with her family, as does William, and they want George’s first six months to be as stable as possible.”
Meanwhile, Prince William recently returned to work as a search and rescue pilot for the RAF in Anglesey, Wales, after two weeks paternity leave. The Prince only has one month left to work in Wales is then able to relocate to be closer to his family. There was speculation the couple could move to Anmer Summer Hall on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, although sources say this is likely to be further in the future.
This sounds like the exact kind of thing the Queen was trying to avoid – which is why she paid off the residents of Anmer Hall so that William and Kate could move in soon. It really feels like the Queen is incredibly wary of the Middletons’ influence on Prince George (and Prince William).
Photos courtesy of WENN.
mmmmmmm I see a strawberries and cream stand in the background…
I’m pregnant right now and would probably commit a felony for some of that food…yum.
I wonder if they’re served with scones. My Welsh great aunt made the best scones that ever were. Wish I had her recipe now.
….because only Delia will do. 🙂
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/buttermilk-scones-with-west-country-clotted-cream-and-raspberry-butter.html
I heard that the baby’s pictures will be released this week. Anyone know if that is true and when?
William can still get it…balding and all…*sigh*
I had such a humungous crush on him when I was young
Since you asked, that bird is way too big to be a falcon!:)
yeah I think it might be a hawk
Thank you! Falcons are quite small. Looks like a Golden Eagle
It’s definitely a hawk. Harris or sparrowhawk, but can’t see well enough to tell.
It’s a Harris Hawk
Stuff William, I want more pictures of the birds of prey! That top one is beautiful.
It seems that if the queen were desperate to mitigate the influence of the Middletons she would have had AC installed in their guest cottage in Kensington, completed and had the Sandringham property ready to go. Everyone knows it only takes 9 months to get ready for baby. Maybe the queen doesn’t mind Will, Kate and Georgy spending these first few months in a warmer, more tight knit environment than more royal accomodations could offer. The babymoon will not last forever though.
Do you honestly think that a royal palace is without an AC? Hell no, it was just a line leaked by the Midds in order to justify Kates need to always be with her mommy.
I believe that their cottage doesn’t have AC. I can also understand why she wouldn’t want to be there at 8 or 9 months pregnant. But that was a while ago now.
People is reporting about how sad they are to move away from Anglesey.
The way they make it sound, they’re filling boxes and hiring help to move it in a van….even though Catherine has called London home for awhile.
Odd.
Also, every article I read is about how that baby “has a good set of lungs.”
Sounds like they have a screamer on their hands. I’m not going to lie– as a parent, who has watched her non-stop shopping, vacationing and not-working, it is nice to welcome her to this place called reality, which isn’t always roses.
His sleepless nights are from all his partying, not parenting.
Of course it didn’t take long for many people to notice he’s caught with his party friends and never near Kate. If he was the spare we would never hear the end of how much he goes out. Harry would look like an amateur.
Murphy & FLORC, I have no doubt that Will hangs with his friends from time to time, and I am also aware of a recent bachelor party that he attended, but what’s this about partying all the time with his friends? Since he’s been married and, especially, since Kate got pregnant and had her baby? Honestly, this seems like a bit of a reach. If it’s true, please provide some links with this information/photos.
Ktx
I haven’t the time since you are very much not willing to budge from your views. I will say that instagram and other cell to internet sites have people catching William drunk or not where he’s suppose to be. The bit here is that he’s the heir and has blanket protection from bad press. The only way we know what we know is because you can’t censor random civilians snapping photos and posting to their own accounts.
If you can’t see by now that Harry is often attacked for minor offenses in the press or how when he does charity work Kate and William get the front page for minor occurrences then nothing i say or post will change your thoughts on this. William is absolutely protected from bad press no matter what. This is the perk of being the heir and the blight of the spare.
We know Kate shops daily or her personal shoppers do for her. This is caught from cell phone pics. We know she was not living with William for a long stretch of time because of cell shots. We know how happy he was to have broken up with her a few times because of civilian documentation. And often these links to photos were posted on these threads, but you’d have to peek into the archives a month or 2 back. So, to you I say, search for it yourself.
@florc, must you always be so condescending? She asked a simple question
FLORC, there really is no need to patronize me. It seems that I have hit a nerve, and for that I do apologize. The truth is that I am quite intrigued by your comments, not just this particular one, but the ones you make on many Kate/William posts. I simply wish that you would provide more evidence to back your statements about these two. As others have pointed out before now, some commenters make some pretty grand and damning statements about W&K–but do not typically offer substantial “proof” to back them up; thus, said comments come across as (often spiteful) speculation. It makes it quite difficult for one to separate the truth from the fiction. You seem quite adamant that I am set in my views, refusing to budge; however, you should know that my once-romanticized notions of Kate and Will have changed quite a bit since I began reading the CB threads about this couple. I attribute that change to posts by folks like Bluhare and LAK. While I don’t always share their viewpoints, I definitely appreciate–and am so impressed by–their willingness and ability to back up their claims with specifics that differentiate their (admittedly, often critical) comments on the royals from mere speculation. But, alas, perhaps the teacher in me is showing: I implore my students to back up the claims they make in their essays with “textual evidence,” and I tell them, “Cite your sources!” And if my 14-year-old students are capable of backing up their claims, I know that you are capable of doing so too. Please know that my original question was sincere. As you seem so invested in educating other posters on the truths regarding W&K, I had hoped you could further enlighten me on the particular “partying issue.” Since that is not the case, I will turn my attention to those who can- and to those who can respond to me intelligently and in a less condescending tone.
Ktx, there are many of us here in celebitchy-land that are sending out to you a profound “thank you.” I wouldn’t hold my breath though, random gossip sites and questionable cell phone and instagram photos do not citable sources make. The patronizing and condescending attitude will continue.
Nice pile on folks.
Condescending tones by all. Another K and Ktx. Neither of you are above in this situation, but i’m sure you will both pat yourselves on the back for it. So much click high school behavior here.
The sites with links are indeed hard to locate and are not easily found for a quick reference. Sometimes there is just not the time to search and I have seen the links posted here before.
I shouldn’t be surprised considering we are all celebitches. Some just take it too far and too personal. This site is for fun I thought. Not to cut eachother down and congratulate those who mean to personally insult.
Whoa now. Don’t put me in your category, Kitten Mittens. You and your sister-in-law/friend Florc, I can’t remember now how you are related, are easily two of the more aggressive commenters on these William/Kate threads and consistently call other posters out on their opinions if they do not agree with you. There is no friendly back and forth discussion, your attitude just seems to be take your stance and fire. That is not fun.
I agree with Another K–and at risk of sounding cliquey, I would like to say that I appreciate her support. Kitten Mittens, please understand that FLORC’s constant condescension is disrespectful. This site should be fun, but FLORC needs to stop attacking anyone who does not agree with her. She’s done it to me; I’ve also seen her do it to plenty of others. Her posts are dripping with condescension towards people who question her comments or who differ in viewpoint. She clearly feels passionately about issues related to W&K, and that’s totally fine in my book, but she so often goes into attack-mode when other commenters disagree. Like Another K, I also seem to recall, Kitten Mittens, that you and FLORC are friends or something, and I understand the desire to support one’s friends. But please try to see my perspective on this issue. I’d like to offer an olive branch, but I also must stand firm in asserting that everyone should feel comfortable posting on CB without feeling attacked. Friendly, smart debate is fun. Let’s make that the goal.
Isle of Anglesey is gorgeous! Went to the University of Wales, Bangor, for graduate school which located right next to this gorgeous place and have fond memories it and its people. Rock on Wales.
Is it usually cold there though? I stayed in Canterbury till late May and I was surprised that it never warmed up the way it does in the states. I imagine Wales to be even chillier in the summer.
I was there September – May 2007. I lived with housemates and had a 45 minute walk to class every day. Basically every day Sept – March was a process of rain, sunshine, clouds, wind, repeat. December & January were very wet and cold (not terribly cold, but I’m from the Midwest so I’m used to below zero temps during the winter) I would say it got down to 30ish degrees farenheit. You had to wear layers and make sure you had a waterproof outer jacket with a hood. April & May were gorgeous and I would imagine May – August is very nice as well. Bangor & Anglesey are located in a valley between the Irish Sea and Snowdonia mountain range so it has very mixed weather.
Did you catch his speech: “Catherine” this and “Catherine” that. Can’t picture William calling Kate “Catherine” in private, so why pretend when he gives speeches that he does.
Thought that was odd too. Post wedding she and William started asking her to be referred to as Catherine. Even William’s goons in that now famous intimidation tactic with the DM writer asked her to refer to Kate as Duchess Catherine.
Seems like a status thing. Kate is such a common name.
It’s just pretentiousness. Like Tom Cruise wanting Katie to be called Kate. Give me a break.
He’s always called her Catherine in public speeches since they have been engaged. What I wonder about is why neither Harry nor he ever refer to each other by their given names. It’s always “my brother”.
I think it’s weird Kate is living with her parents for so long. Sorry, I do. Yes, William is gone for four days at a time, but she’s a big girl. She should be able to handle it, even with a new baby. Plus that Anglesey house has five bedrooms; plenty of room for a guest or two if she wants family with her. Or even a nanny.
Bluhare
Absolutely. This has been mentioned in passing how Kate is almost entirely at her parent’s home. This action pre baby was either viewed as Kate retreating there for emotional security when William would leave her alone or she thought she would be pressured by officials to take on more duties. Either way the statement above..”Duchess Catherine broke royal tradition by moving back into her parents’ home in Bucklebury..” She moved back in? She never officially lived there in the first place.
I find it odd too and initially I defended it.
Lots of woman have their mothers live in for a couple of weeks after the baby is born, and I suppose there are a lesser number of women who go to their mother’s home with the baby for a couple of weeks, too (although i think it’s rare).
But after three weeks it’s getting a bit odd and if they do stay there six months it will be just flat out weird.
Thank you Suze (and Florc!!). It would be different it she were a single mother with no support. I could see that, especially at first. But a married woman who theoretically loves her husband (and he her)??? Weird doesn’t even begin to cover it.
And why would George’s life be “unstable” if he lived with his own parents in (one of their many) house(s)? I’m not sure why the Middleton house is considered the only perfect haven for the baby – the vast majority of babies live with their parents in their own homes.
So, yeah. ODD.
Dont be so quick to call something odd. My little sister lived with our mother for a month and a half after Liam was born. She gave birth naturally with a midwife and it was extremely hard on her. She has a wonderful, supportive hubby and she is the darling of our family, but she needed our mother more at that time. I think Kate spends too much time at her parents, especially so early in the marriage, but to make broad, general statements like that can insult others. Besides uf the lid was pulled back on our private lives what would others find there that could be considered odd?
I don’t know, Tara. I think it is pretty strange. I had a fairly difficult birth as well (won’t go into the gory details) but the thought of going to my parents’ house never crossed my mind. My husband and I are adults, we had set up our house for the baby, and it was the place to be. And we did not have a fraction of a fraction of the help that is available to William and Kate.
Tara
It’s always wonderful to have family to help you when you need it, but that is a normal family. This family has several homes and numerous other places to stay in while their homes undergo renovations. They have lots of staff and nannies already. They are not so reliant on only family for assistance. And that family could easily stay nearby or under the same roof at the couples home. Instead, it’s odd that Kate stays at her parents home for almost her whole pregnancy and for a scheduled 4 months post birth. Especially without William.
I find it totally understandable that the RF wants to avoid another divorce so they are living separately, but just don’t try to paint the situation into something it’s not.
Tara, don’t take offense at comments that are directed at celebrities on this blog. None of us knows your family and these comments obviously don’t pertain to you.
I was talking specifically about Kate and William – who have many, many resources, homes and security at their disposal. And I stand by my statement that the longer Kate stays with her parents the stranger it all becomes.
Who knows, though? Maybe Kate will pack it all up tomorrow and go with William to one of their homes.
Okay ladies, i get your collective point but i said it is not good to generally make blanket statements. If you scroll upthread you will see clear statements that speak to the strangeness of living with mom after childbirth for more than a few weeks. That is only a personal opinion and varies from family to family. There is nothing strange about my sister, her marriage or our family. And most importantly, i said tgat i find Kate’s situation to be quite odd. I think she is hiding from something in the arms of her family. If that is the case no amount of money, homes, servants or nannies will make it better. Mommy and Daddy help make it better especially after the rigors of preggnancy, labor and delivery. But i think something else is going on and Kate is going to have the strength and intelligence to stand on her own two feet, be a wife and mom and handle the role she so desperately campaigned her whole adult life for. I am rooting for all of them to succeed but i just dont know. Something seems amiss.
@lauren i am glad that you and your husband were able to welcome yoyr new baby in tye way you thought best. But the key words here are ‘you thought best’. If i thought a celebrity did something strange i would certainly feel free to say so on a celebrity gossip blog. But i would consider myself ill mannered and out of place to tell another commentor that their personal choice was strange because i chose to do things differently. I will always be grateful for those warm moments spent with my sis and the new baby. Her hubby was better able to concentrate at work knowing that his wife and newborn were not home alone but surrounded by wise, gentle and humoroys family members that were catering to their every need. After five or six weeks it was over and their home life resumed peacefully. My sister felt rested, encouraged and had learned a lot. Im sorry if that is strange.
They have been married since April 2011 and their place of residence is still “up in the air.” Lol. Nothing like being organized and on top of things.
The departing tenant of Anmer Hall has denied the Queen paid him to go, and allegedly their moving in won’t happen until further in the future.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2380726/Royal-baby-Duke-Duchess-Cambridge-prepare-new-country-bolthole-son-Prince-George-matter-months.html
So either, a)nobody in the royal family actually cares where this baby is being raised. Or, b) William and Kate have been turning down offers of places to live, and prefer to leave things “up in the air.”
They are ridiculously wealthy and homeless.
Zombie
Don’t they or at least William have several residences? At this rate once the nurseries are all completed thy will have to be renovated for a toddler and so on.
This seems like Kate will never truly move out from her parents and will never really be with William as husband and wife unless there is a camera present or a vacation.
I thought it was so obvious when Kate remained at her parent’s home once on maternity leave, but William was not there. Then when the date of birth approached he swooped in and took her to KP.
Also, it’s speculated the Queen gave them incentives to move out. To say the Queen paid them doesn’t sound right. And if I was asked to leave by the Queen I would break my lease and would not tell the press she paid me off.
They have several homes, but they live together in none. My “homeless” remark was tongue in cheek; I’m pretty sure they choose to not live together. Most couples raising their children together aspire to live together in their own home. For me the humour is in how they are mega rich and have not managed to accomplish that.
Well, zombie and Florc, I think the answer is obvious. They have three or four homes and live in none of them together, and she doesn’t even live in one of their own. I don’t know one single couple in love who choose to live apart from each other.
When they didn’t have kids, I thought big deal. They want to live like that, their prerogative. But they have a baby now, and royal monarch-to-be or not, he’s still a baby who needs his mom and dad. Preferably together at the same time.
Well, the child will always be cared for by nannies. This boy was never going to have a normal upbringing so it’s just so out of place they’re still playing the normal couple so in love when their behavior is so glaringly opposite.
“Oasis of calm….” can I stay there too???
I would love an oasis of calm from the hate storm above. Just what I need right now.
When will he be making his farewell to hair speech?