Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Where, Oh Where Will Wills and Kate Live?

If one is to believe the tabs and gossip glossies, all of England, half of America and at least one-quarter of the world cares about little else besides the newly wedded Duke and Duchess of Cambridge–that would be Prince William and his dignified but common new wife Kate. One of the issues to currently concern the media is into which royal palace in London the Duke and Duchess will settle down and make royal babies. So then, for better and worse, shall Your Mama be concerned, at least for a moment or two.

It was reported recently in the Daily Mail (and elsewhere) that The Queen of England, probably while standing, flanked by aides and wearing a hat, gloves, handbag and stiff monochromatic suit, generously offered Buckingham Palace accommodations to Wills and 'The Girl.' Can't you just picture ol' Lizzie calling Kate Middleton 'The Girl?' To her face. So naughty we can't stand it. (Of course she does not call the duchess ' The Girl.')

The report in the Mail went on to snitch that the Duchess of Cornwall–that would be Prince Charles's wife Camila–(allegedly) balked at the newly married pair bunking at Clarence House–her house or, rather, her husband's house–where Wills has long maintained a shared spread with his baby brother Prince Harry. The Daily Mail claims Prince Wills also nixed the dour fortress-like St. James Palace where he maintains his office.

That leaves, according to the Daily Mail, Kensington Palace where Wills grew up with his internationally beloved and, ultimately, tragic mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Di, during and after her marriage to Prince Charles and before she perished dramatically in an accident inside motor tunnel in Paris, occupied two adjacent apartments at Kensington Palace. The apartments where several other royals–including the very tall and very grand Princess Michael of Kent–maintain residences as well as a number of high-placed staff of the royal household.

The Daily Mail provides a fascinating aerial photograph of the sprawling Georgian palace with a key to the residents of some of the many apartments that make up the palace's multitudinous private wings. The Telegraph, a more respectable media outlet, reported last week that the new and slim-hipped duchess desired the massive apartment where the Countess of Snowden–that would be The Queen's younger sister Princess Margaret–lived until she went to meet her king in early 2002. But alas, the Duchess's real estate dreams were dashed as Margaret's newly renovated and lavish apartment will continue to be available on tour and as an event rental as it has since 2004.

The Daily Mail suggests two other smaller and available apartments in the palace as possible options or, better yet, the fully detached (and allegedly vacant) Nottingham Cottage since it includes a small private garden perfect for a royal swing set. Either way, according to The Telegraph, the first nest of the duke and duchess will only be temporary until they square away more permanent living circumstances in London.

Once the smiley young royals return from their hotly anticipated dip into the west coast of the United States–where they'll attend a party in a private residence in Los Angeles' Hancock Park–Your Mama presumes that whatever palace it will be in which they lay their heads in London the toothy and wholesome-looking couple will continue to spend much time hunkered down in the modest cottage in (Anglesey) Wales where the prince flies search and rescue helicopters for "work" and where they have lived (in unmarried sin) the last 10 or 12 months.

Not then, can we all just put away our cameras and interest and let them go quietly on about their business of visiting hospitals, cutting ribbons and waving in parades?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would it not be nicer, Mama, to call Kate a commoner, instead of "common?" If one wants an excellent portrayal (in fiction) of what it involved when a commoner marries into the British aristocracy I can heartily recommend a marvelous novel from an insider, entitled Snobs, by Julian Fellowes. So good it's hard to put down.

angie said...

I'm a little confused. Does Queen Elizabeth conversationally refer to Kate as 'The Girl'? I read all the linked articles and didn't find any reference to that.

I agree with the Daily Mail article's choice of Nottingham Cottage on Kensington Palace grounds for Will & Kate's London home. Seems well suited to them, including it's separation from the main palace building where stuffier members of the royal family reside.

angie said...

An after thought.. I recall Diana's TV interview in which she indicated that her marriage was a bit crowded, referring to Camilla's affair with Charles. In light of that, I was struck by the Daily Mail's reporting of Camilla indicating to Will & Kate that there isn't room for them at the 4 story Clarence House where she and Charles now reside. Oh the irony. Clearly marrying up is no guarantee that the ignorance quotient will go down.

TCD said...

The private residence in LA's Hancock Park IS the British Consulate

Anonymous said...

Yes, let's really put weight on what the Daily Mail (Britain's leading tabloid) says about Camilla. She and Kate have developed a splendid relationship and if there's any truth to the matter it's probably that she said: "Oh, the honeybunnys need a proper place of their own and not live with a pair of old fuddy duddys like us."

Anonymous said...

link to the Daily Mail's diagram of the Kensington Palace residents:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2003249/Kate-Middleton-Will-Duchess-Cambridge-feel-trapped-Princess-Dianas-prison.html

Trixie von Trott said...

They will be occupying a modest apartment in Kensington Palace for the time being. I'm assuming Princess Pushy (that's Michael of Kent btw) won't be giving up her deluxe freebie 5 bedroom "grace-and-favour" spread so the Cambridges will have to make do with what is available. Remember ostentation is out and modesty is the new black for the Windsors right now.

Having said that I can bet Her Majesty will be building/buying a suitable country pile for the future heir.

Anonymous said...

She's not the 'Queen of England' ... such a Queen doesn't exist! Queen of Britain & Northern Ireland ... & of course she's also Queen of Canada/Australia/New Zealand & 12 other countries ...

"Daily Mail (Britain's leading tabloid)"

The Sun is Britain's leading tabloid outselling The Mail by 1M copies/day. Though even The Sun with around a 2M readership is miniscule in a country with a population of 66M.

MH Critic said...

Please do a post on Flea's house: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2004114/Red-Hot-property-sale-Chili-Peppers-guitarist-Flea-puts-Malibu-home-market-4-79m.html

MH Critic said...

Please update your footer from 2010 to 2011, fyi. Love you guys.

Anonymous said...

Why in the hell would these two want to live with the Prince's dad and stepmom. It's not like they are having a hard time making ends meet in this economic recession.

Kensinton Place seems like the best deal.

Anonymous said...

I love this story Mamma! This is the buzz and I love the Royal Residence Craze! Keep it coming!

angie said...

9:23 PM, you may be right, but I give the majority of credit to Kate for their 'splendid relationship'. Camilla and Charles are about as popular as rain to Will and Kate's sunshine.

Anonymous said...

2 tiny tweaks: it's Clarence House, and he flies search/rescue helicopters, not fighter jets.

Anonymous said...

So far the Duchess of Cambridge has not put a foot wrong. Let us hope she doesn't decide to have a "fling", the way Diana did, too soon. By the way, how many think Harry is not Charles' son? I believe Tina Brown who wrote the best book around on Diana is dubious. Fellowes' book points out that DNA testing can, of course, resolve any doubts but that the aristocracy seldom dares use it for fear what else it might reveal.

Anonymous said...

On their L.A. visit, they will attend an event at the Hancock Park residence of the British Counsel General.

The house is located on June Street.

Anonymous said...

Q: What's the best thing about the British royal family?

A: Kate Middleton's arse!

Anonymous said...

I believe they will reside somewhere on the incredibly public palace(a lot of tourist and public action on the grounds of Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park). A good portion of the grounds have been under renovation for some time now. We shall see, I would love to spot either of them going for a jog in the park!!