The Royal Report for Sunday April 25, 2010 - The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II

On this episode: In honor of The Queen's 84th birthday, a look back at her life and times - Part One.

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 170 26 April 2010

From My Royal Collection

Settling Down by James Whitaker

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

Resources used to research this episode

The Official Site of the British Monarchy

The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's Childhood by her Nanny, Marion Crawford

Royal Children by Nicholas Courtney

Queen Elizabeth II: A Birthday Souvenir Album (Royal Collection)

Princess to Queen by Catrine Clay

Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage by Gyles Brandreth

Her Majesty The Queen by Hugh Montgomery Massingberd

The Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth II by Ben Pimlott

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 2, 2010 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II - Part Two

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday April 18, 2010 - Royal Weddings

Royal weddings have been held in many different venues. Traditionally they are held at Westminster Abbey. Should Prince William and Kate Middleton get married, where is their royal wedding likely to be held?

Find out on this episode!

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 169 19 April 2010

From My Royal Collection

Theirs is the Kingdom: The Wealth of British Royal Family by Andrew Morton

Resources used to research this episode

Two Centuries of Royal Weddings by Christofer Warwick

Britain's Royal Brides by Josy Argy and Wendy Riches

Weddings in Westminster Abbey

Weddings in St George's Chapel Windsor

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 25, 2010 at 9:00PM EST

The topic will be: In honor of the Queen's 84th birthday on April 21, 2010. A look back at her life and times.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday April 11, 2010 - Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels have an illustrious history dating back centuries.

Learn about them on this episode.

Articles discussed

Vanity Fair - Grace Kelly's Forever Look by Laura Jacobs

Blog mentioned

The Royal Report

From My Royal Collection

The Royal 100 A who's who of the first 100 people in line of succession to the British throne by Alan Hamilton

Resources used to research this episode

Official Site of the British Monarchy - The Crown Jewels

Historic Royal Palaces - The Tower of London

The Royal Jewels by Suzy Menke

The Queen's Jewels - The Personal Collection of HM The Queen by Leslie Field

Coronation: From the 8th to the 21st Century by Roy Strong

Royal Treasures: A Golden Jubilee Celebration by Jane Roberts

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 18th, 2010 at 9:00PM EST.

The topic will be: Royal Weddings

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Royal blogging halcyon days

Today is Charles and Camilla's 5th wedding anniversary. And people thought it would never happen.

While Camilla might be out with a broken leg this anniversary brings back fond memories for me. I'd started this blog less than a month before the wedding and it was an inspiring and prolific time for me as a royal blogger. I couldn't get enough of writing about Charles and Camilla and some of my earliest posts were about royal weddings. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted this blog to take. Would it be informative? Would it be satire? Why limit myself to being anything specific. Just blog and see where it leads me. Truth be told I've always preferred writing satire. It's just my natural inclination to see the royal world that way.

In the last five years, few royal events have been as interesting. No one thought Charles and Camilla's marriage would ever happen. But then no one could have predicted that Charles and Diana could ever divorce or she would die in such a tragic and violent way. I was happy for them but I also saw lots of material in the event and I was sad when the furor died down. What would I blog about now? It's not as if their relationship had any potential for conflict. They were dedicated to each other, but while enviable, didn't make for good material.

There was the Diana inquest but very little material in that. When Camilla was scheduled to attend the Diana Memorial the uproar inspired some articles but none in the way that Charles and Camilla's wedding did. We haven't had a lot of major royal news since then. Yes, Peter Phillips married a Canadian who was also *gasp* a Catholic. Yes, Prince Harry went to Afghanistan and is dating Chelsy Davy. Yes, Prince Philip says continues to say what's on his mind, even if it isn't politically correct. I wouldn't expect anything less from him.

We've had some close calls with William and Kate. Intense speculation on their relationship. They broke up in April 2007 and then got back together. Engagement updates come in waves, some predictable, some completely surprising, like the recent revelation of a June 3rd or 4th engagement announcement. Will this be a false call yet again? It's enough to make anyone give up hope of it ever happening, until the next rumour flares up again.

An engagement between William and Kate would be big news. Mecca for royal watchers who have followed the couple's relationship. Will it be as prolific and inspiring time for blogging? Maybe, but it won't be the same as the first time I started in March 2005.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

An Open Letter to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Dear William and Kate,

Or should I call you 'Sir' and 'Ma'am'? My apologies for the informality but after all of this time I feel as though I know both of you. We've heard about your vacations, the places you like to party, and we know more than enough about Kate's fashions to want to take her shopping.

We've accompanied you on the journey of your relationship, shared your highs and lows. As you may note, many of us were completely devastated by the news of your break up in April 2007 and were relieved when it was reported that you were both together again. Thus reassuring us that we hadn't wasted time speculating.

But enough is enough. We're tired of waiting and the coy 'wait and see' from you, William. Please put us out of our misery so that we may begin speculating on where you will get married and what wedding dress you, Kate, will wear. Your wedding is guaranteed to bring joy to many royal watchers. Not to mention the schaudenfreude for the Kate-haters who doubted your true love. That is, if they haven't jumped off a cliff in despair by that point.

Kate, I don't know how you have continued to have the patience. People have torn you and your family apart but yet you've never breathed a word about your relationship. You deserve a happy ending. And so do we.

Reports say that June 3rd or 4th is the day of the big announcement. This, William, would fit in with your comments about waiting until you are 28 or 30 to get married as you will turn 28 on June 21st. Your grandmother is said to have 300 bottles of vintage champagne on ice. Could this be for the big announcement? We can only hope so. Because we've waited long enough.

Right Kate?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Is Tina Brown just as clueless as the rest of us?

Just when I'd give up all hope of an engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton, Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles, throws us a bone by claiming that June 3rd and 4th have been mysteriously blocked out in the Queen's calendar. Brown, having been a friend of Diana's, knows something we don't. Maybe she got an exclusive from the ghost of Diana.

This tidbit has set the media and blogsphere on fire. Engagement predictions are nothing new and after so many years of dating, they're taken more seriously in the absence of any solid news. Raising hope in those rooting for the couple and striking fear into those who are not. But there's hope for the naysayers. These reports forget the fact that the Queen is supposed to be away on those two days and William will be unavailable for the obligatory engagement day photos. Or that engagement announcements are not traditionally announced in June. But William and Kate could be bucking the royal trend on this part. It was inevitable that some royal couple would come along and blaze a trail, why not them? It's not as if they have to worry about the availability of venues or their favorite photographer.

Other media royal watchers have been quick to downplay Tina Brown's revealations, possibly out of jealousy. No one can be completely certain but the evidence is weak. Other than Buckingham Palace purchasing 300 bottles of champagne and Party Pieces expanding their line to include wedding favors, there's little to go by and Clarence House isn't talking. Right now these are just guesses, but oneday someone might get lucky and won't they look prescient when that happens?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Kate Middleton speaks, but what is she really saying?

Earlier this week the Party Pieces website published an interview with Kate Middleton where she discussed fond memories from her childhood. Party Pieces is, incidently, a company that her family runs so it was no big scoop for them. The interview was removed not long after but when it was picked up by the media and other royal blogs it spread like wildfire with opinions ranging from it being charming to pure Middleton propoganda.

Although this has been touted as her first 'interview' Kate made no great revelations. It was not so much the answers as what they revealed about her. Up to this point we've only 'known' Kate as the girlfriend of Prince William. Other than a brief comment she made on a video while visiting a marketing seminar, we had never heard her speak for herself.  In the absence of any concrete proof, people have projected their views, in some cases, making her far more diabolical and manipulative than she might be in real life.

It's hard to see her as diabolical when she reveals her favorite food is jelly and her favorite outfit was a pair of clown dungarees. And that's quite possibly the intent, although I'm certain Kate could find better uses of her time than to answer back to her detractors. It doesn't hurt her parent's company. You can't buy the amount of publicity Party Pieces received by putting the interview out there. If no one knew about the company beforehand, they certainly do now.

The interview itself doesn't hurt Kate either. It is a way for her to get herself out there and the royal family cannot say anything about it. Speaking to the media has jettisoned many a previous royal girlfriend but she doesn't mention the royal family or even Prince William. Unlike Diana's infamous Panorama interview, this one is hardly likely to come back to haunt her.

Using the media to advantage is nothing new to the royal family. Diana elevated it to an art form, starting with her image even before her engagement. The demure behavior and posing with small children gave a pleasant impression, even if she looked nothing like Princess material. The only thing missing from Kate's interview was if she'd been pictured holding a small child while answering. She has clearly taken a page out of Diana's play-book.

Kate's interview is no longer posted on the Party Pieces online magazine, The Party Times. It's difficult to understand the reason why that is but there's a lot of speculation. Regardless, it stayed up long enough to hit the mark.

However you want to define it.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Are we becoming one with the royals?

Princess Anne waiting in line for a brew? Or taking the train? Whats next? The Queen will be using the stairs? Or Prince Charles will be squeezing his own toothpaste?

These actions alone prove that we are becoming one with the royals. At the end of the day we all need refreshments and to get from point A to point B. What we imbibe and how we travel to our destination isn't as important as when the royals do it. These mundane actions take on a special, magical, outerworldly glow. As if the mode of transport runs more efficiently, or the beer tastes better, or the stairs are less steep once the royals proceed forward.

Who knew that Princess Anne could get thirsty? Or that the Queen can still walk up stairs? We Canadian's aren't normally as solicitous with our own aged family members so consider Nova Scotia's concern for Her Majesty as a compliment. Yes, the Queen can walk up stairs, or downstairs, or sit or stand, or do any of the other myriad things mortals do. Did you know she even sneezes? (Spoiler alert! As do many of her family members).

We drink therefore we must be like the royals. We take the same form of transport therefore we must be like them too. At this rate,they will not have come down to us, we will have caught up to them. Ultimately, they envy and want to be like us! Otherwise, why would they make all of these person of the people moves?

Why, every day, every action you take. Right now. You, are acting like a royal. Reading? They do it too. Snacking? They get hungry as well. Watching TV? Where do you think they learn to be like us? You'd almost think we were one and the same except for the titles part.

It's a burden living an extraordinary life in ordinary circumstances. No matter how many books they may read or movies they watch, the royals can never truly appreciate our experience. Day in and day out the waking, showering, eating, working, playing and sleeping. They will never understand because we make it look effortless.

But when they try to act like us it's not a big deal.

Really, it isn't.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 28, 2010 - The End of Hope Episode

Royal engagements are traditionally announced at the beginning of the year. With March almost at a close and no royal engagement for Prince William and Kate Middleton. A Salute to the End of Hope for a 2010 engagement.

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 167 29 March 2010

From My Royal Collection

The Royals by Caroline Latham & Jeannie Sakol

Blogs mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 11, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Crown Jewels

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 21, 2010 - Is Kate Middleton a public figure?

Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William, recently won a settlement from the REX photo agency for photos taken of her that invaded her privacy. Does Kate have a right to privacy? By dating Prince William, has she become a public figure?

Listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 166 22 March 2010

Snowdon: The Biography by Anne De Courcy

From My Royal Collection

The British Royal Family - Great Front Pages

Blogs mentioned

British Royal Wedding

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 28, 2010 at 9:00PM EST North America.

The topic will be: With royal engagements traditionally announced early in the year, the month of March is drawing to a close with no engagement announcement. On this episode: A salute to the end of hope for a 2010 engagement.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Royal Review: Diana Style by Colin McDowell

I must have at least a dozen books about Diana's fashions. One dating from as early as 1985 to this one. A dearth of these books came out after the princess died in 1997 when people tried to make sense of her legacy or cash in on the timing.

In the decade or so since her death, Diana Style by Colin McDowell is one of many books commemorating her life. This one looks at Diana from a fashion perspective.Ultimately these types of book reveal nothing new, but they're still enjoyable to look at.

One thing that it most remarked about Diana was her personal appearance. Although she tried to downplay this when it came to promoting serious causes, it was an undeniable fact. She used the clothes she wore to communicate. Whether it was velvet for a visit to a school for the blind, red to convey confidence, length to respect cultural differences, or a dress with embroidered falcons to compliment the ruling house of Saudi Arabia. Her fashion choices were deliberate and flawlessly executed.

This book discusses the evolution of her style from the infamous black dress she wore to her first evening engagement prior to her marriage. To the equally infamous black revenge dress, she wore on the night that Prince Charles admitted he had committed adultery. These dresses, worn respectively in 1981 and 1994 act as bookends to her royal life. But the story does not end there, as it evolves even further to cover her fashions up to her death.

At the time of her death I believe that Diana was just coming into her own, fashion wise. Gone were the pie crust collars, veiled hats, head-to-toe outfit colors, and lacquered hair. In its place, figure flattering Versace dresses, simpler make-up and more natural looking hair. While I loved the simplicity of her later dresses, towards the end of her life, I found her face looked hard and high maintenance. Gone was the romantic, youthful freshness of her early married life. Even if some of her outfits have not stood the test of time, I still prefer the early Diana.

This book is a manual of a royal woman discovering herself and her style. It freeze frames Diana's fashions throughout her career, the good and the bad, from head to toe. While we'll never know just how Diana's fashions would have evolved, this is a good reminder of a royal style icon in the making

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 14, 2010 - Royal Jewels

They're shiny, they're priceless, they're an object of fascination. On this episode I discuss Royal Jewels.

Listen to the episode here

Films mentioned

Royal Journey (1951)

Canada at the Coronation

From my royal collection

All about the royal family - An illustrated guide compiled and researched by Pheobe Hichens

Blog Posts mentioned

Royal Engagements

Jewels fit for a Queen

Resources used to research this episode

The Queen's Jewels - The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II - by Leslie Field

The Royal Jewels by Suzy Menkes

Tiaras a History of Spendor by Geoffrey C Munn

Queens Jewels by Vincent Meylan

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 21, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Is Kate Middleton a public figure?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 7, 2010 - Royal Fashions

What do King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, King Edward VIII, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana have in common? They set fashion trends.

Find out about these leaders of royal fashion by listening to this episode

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 164 8 March 2010

Majesty Magazine January 2010 Vol 31 No 1

From my royal collection

Royal Style Wars - The trend setting fashion feud between the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York by Lesley Ebbetts

Resources used to research this episode

Diana The Fashion Princess Davina Hanmer & Tim Graham

Royalty in Vogue by Josephine Ross

The Princess of Wales Fashion Handbook by Sue James

Princess Diana's Maternity Fashion and Nursery Handbook by Sue James

A Family Album by The Duke of Windsor

Diana Style by Colin McDowell

The Windsor Style by Suzy Menkes

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 14, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Royal Jewels

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 28, 2010 - Royal Love Stories: Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend

She was the Princess Diana of her day, he was a dashing divorced war veteran. When they fell in love, Princess Margaret would be made to choose between her royal title and lifestyle and the man she loved -Peter Townsend. This is their story.

Listen to their story here.

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada Weekly No 163 1 March 2010

From My Royal Collection

Dinner at Buckingham Palace by Charles Oliver

Blogs mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Resources used to research this episode

The Little Princesses by Marion Crawford

Time and Chance: An autobiography by Peter Townsend

Royal Sisters by Anne Edwards

Princess Margaret: A Biography by Theo Aronson

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 7th, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Royal Fashions - The good, the bad, and everything in between!

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 21, 2010 - Royal Love Stories: Edward and Wallis

Argubly the most tragic and romantic of royal love stories. He was the most dashing public figure of his day. She was a twice married American born out of wedlock. He gave up his throne for her and changed the course of royal history.

Listen to their story here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 162 22 February 2010

Film mentioned

The Duchess

From my royal collection

Rock and Royalty by Gianni Versace

Resources used to research this episode

King Edward VIII by Philip Ziegler

The Windsor Years  by Lord Kinross

Edward VIII The Road to Abdication by Frances Donaldson

The Heart has its reasons by The Duchess of Windsor

A King's Story The Memoirs of H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor

The Secret Life of The Duchess of Windsor by Charles  Higham

Wallis & Edward Letters 1931-1937 - The intimate correspondence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor by Michael Bloch

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday February 28, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: She was the Princess Diana of her day, he was a dashing divorced war veteran. When they fell in love, Princess Margaret would be made to choose between her royal title and lifestyle and the man she loved - Peter Townsend. This is their story.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Prince William's Hairy Situation

King Edward VII enjoyed a good meal and was called 'tum tum'. Prince Charles has his ears. Diana had her nose - when anyone decided to notice. Now Prince William has his hair - computer generated on the cover of Hello! in this case.

It's not secret that William has a bald spot, like his father. Royal reporters, with nothing better to report on other than his relationship with Kate and his resemblance to his mother, will pick on the regal thinning bean. It's a good way to take the royal golden boy down a notch. Until his early twenties, William had everything going for him. The standard bearer for Diana's memory, he could do no wrong.

And then he had the nerve to get older.

As a child he bore a striking resemblance to his maternal grandfather - Earl Spencer - and like his brother, as he gets older he becomes less Windsor and more Spencer. Not necessarily a bad thing. With the exception of Prince Philip, the royals do not age well. Case in point - Look at a picture of Prince 'Randy Andy' Andrew in his heyday and one taken now. I rest my case.

But in this day and age anything can be changed with the click of a button. Size 0 models can be made to look even thinner, Joan Collins can be made to look like she's 40 something (she's 77), William can be given a full head of hair. Could Tiger Wood's reputation be next? If not, he could be made to look better trying to salvage it.

Like the rest of us mere mortals, William obviously has a vain-streak. It's only natural, as a public figure, to want to appear in the best light. If he wants his hair electronically enhanced then I say go for it! However, if he wanted all of us to ignore the issue then he's gone about it the wrong way. Like a mole on someone's face. When they try to hide it then you notice it more.

Maybe William could try to make amends to all of those men who get toupees and hair transplants. Start a charity? Become a patron of a pre-existing one? Camp out at a hair salon amongst over priced products to highlight the issue? Lamblast Hello! like Kate Winslet did a few years ago when the UK edition of GQ shaved a few inches off her waist?

If this is supposed to be the 'real' Prince William, maybe it's time for him to stand up and embrace reality. Or maybe it's time for the media to give it a rest.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 14, 2010 - Bertie and Elizabeth - A Love Story

He was the reluctant King. When he proposed, she turned him down three times! This is their love story.

Listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 161 15 February 2010

From My Royal Collection

Princess Diana's Maternity Fashion & Nursery Handbook

Resources used to research this episode

Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Hugo Vickers

The Queen Mother by Hugo Vickers

The Last Great Edwardian Lady  by Ingrid Seward

Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother - The Official Biography by William Shawcross

George VI by Sarah Bradford

Five Gold Rings A Royal Wedding Souvenir Album

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Frances Donaldson

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday February 21, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Wallis and Edward - A Love Story

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 7, 2010 - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - A Love Story

She gave her name to an era. When he died she mourned him for the rest of her life. This is their story.

To listen to this episode click here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No. 160. 8 February 2010

From my Royal Collection

The Princess Diana Paper Doll Book of Fashion by Clarissa Harlowe and Mary Anne Bedford. Illustrated by Dona Granata.

Books used for researching this episode:

Britain's Royal Bridges by Josie Argy and Wendy Riches

Five Gold Rings A royal wedding souvenir album

Two Centuries of Royal Weddings by Christofer Warwick

The Life and Times of Victoria by Dorothy Marshall

Royal Weddings by Friederike Haedecke and Julia Melchior

Victoria - A celebration by Deborah Jaffe

The Young Victoria by Alison Plowden

Queen Victoria an eminent Illustrated Biography by Lytton Strachey

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday February 14, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother - A Love Story

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Question: Does Prince Charles own a yacht?

I read a news article that said prince charles and camilla rented a yacht to travel thru the caribbean some time ago but also read an article that said president bill clinton was on ' prince charles yacht in 1992 for Rio conference on enviromental protection '. so I was wondering if he owns a yacht or just rents one from time to time?

As far as I'm aware, Prince Charles does not own a yacht. The Royal Family did, at one point, have the use of the Royal Yacht Britannia to entertain dignitaries over the years including Sir Winston Churchill, Rajiv Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. This yacht was decommissioned in 1997.

Prince Charles has chartered or been lent the use of a yacht in the past. In 1991 he was loaned the Alexandros by Greek shipping magnate John Latsis. This was for a reported 'second honeymoon' with his then wife, Diana Princess of Wales. He also used the yacht in 2002 for a cruise with Camilla Parker Bowles. In 2008 he chartered one of the most expensive private yachts, the £50 million, 245ft Leander from car parks tycoon Sir Donald Gosling for an official tour of the Carribean Islands. The first time since the Royal Yacht Britannia was scrapped in 1997 that a member of the Royal Family has hired a private vessel for an official overseas visit.

According to Clarence House, the Prince of Wales chartered the yacht not for reasons of comfort but but to minimize his carbon footprint. If you're going to be environmentally friendly, might as well do it in style.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal & The Clueless - Episode 18

On the last episode of The Royal and The Clueless, Kate Middleton and her smouldering co-worker Enrique went shopping in the hopes of getting Prince William's attention. Kate, left behind on William's tour of New Zealand and Australia, follows the coverage intently, especially after William makes a telling remark. Kate rushes over to Enrique with the newspaper in hand.

Kate: Look Enrique, William accepted gifts for me from the crowd! And when one woman asked him whether he would be getting married soon he said 'Wait and See'! Oh, let's go shopping for a wedding dress!

Delighted, Kate twirls around and looks off into the dreamy distance as Enrique continues reading.

Enrique: Wait. A day later William was asked what he wanted for lunch and he said 'wait and see'.

Kate: Well, he's always been somewhat indecisive. But he still said 'wait and see' for marriage plans...

Enrique: You mean he can't even decide what he wants for lunch?

Kate: Yes, sometimes it's best not to give William too many choices. He tends to get overwhelmed. One time, we went out to a club and he couldn't decide what he wanted to drink. We didn't get out of there until 2:00AM.

Enrique: And you actually want to marry this guy?

Kate looks anxious, her brow furrowed and her lips forming a pout.

Kate: He has to make up his mind at some point..this can't go on forever...can it?

Enrique gets up and goes to Kate, holding her close.

Enrique: You deserve better, Kate. Run away with me, you know you want to.

Just then Prince William comes to Kate's home bearing gifts he was given on his tour. He sees Kate in Enrique's clutches.

William: Kate!

Kate: William!

Enrique: Kate!

Kate looks at William and then at Enrique, then back at William.

Will Kate be forced to choose between William and Enrique? Will Enrique be written out for making things too complicated...

Enrique: Hey....

Wait and see on the next episode of The Royal & The Clueless

© Marilyn Braun 2010