Prince William and Kate Middleton Refuel Engagement Rumors

by Chris Georg 15:32, October 15th 2007

Prince William’s long and rocky relationship with Kate Middleton is once again rumored to be leading to an engagement announcement as pictures of Middleton while out shooting with Britain’s Prince Charles were printed in Sunday newspapers, reflecting her growing acceptance in royal circles. The photos, which were taken recently while William and Kate traveled to Scotland on vacation at Queen Elizabeth II’s private Balmoral country estate with Prince Charles and the duchess of Cornwall, also mark the first time Charles and Kate were photographed together. “This is a hugely significant step for Wills and Kate’s relationship. This visit indicates how Kate if fully integrated into the royal way of life,” a source said. “But more importantly it shows Prince Charles and Camilla fully accept her.”   “There is no way Prince Charles would waste his time teaching Kate to shoot if he didn’t think she was going to use it in the future,” Ingrid Seward, the editor of Majesty magazine, wrote in the News of the World newspaper. “Kate has not put one step wrong and if these pictures are anything to go by she doesn’t intend to do so. “For Kate to be invited to join the party is an honour, especially with Prince Charles in charge, and it means her relationship with Wills has reached another stage.” Sporting a camouflage jacket, jeans and knee-high boots, Kate is shown lying in the grass in the approved style alongside the Prince of Wales, as she aimed at a target. William’s mother, Princess Diana, who died in a tragic accident ten years ago, became engaged to Prince Charles just a month after she killed her first deer on a similar hunting jaunt. Obviously, their long hunting weekend didn’t go unnoticed by animal-rights groups who harshly criticized their trip. “I don’t think the Royal Family does itself any good whatsoever by doing this,” Barry Hugill of the League Against Cruel Sports said. “Charles and his son have an appalling record of slaughtering animals for fun and it’s terribly sad that William is introducing his girlfriend to such a barbaric and unacceptable pastime.” “It’s so sad that it almost seems necessary that she must kill animals to be an acceptable member of the royal family,” he added. The pair, who met while at St Andrews University, broke up suddenly earlier this year after a four-year relationship. Rumors of their reconciliation started circulating after they were both seen at the same public events, including the Wembley memorial concert for Princess Diana. However, William and Kate made their official appearance as a reunited couple last week, when they were involved in a paparazzi chase as they left a London nightclub.   © 2007 – eFluxMedia