Here are some photos of Prince William in Malta this weekend. As we know, this was supposed to be Duchess Kate’s first solo foreign trip, but Kate is currently battling severe morning sickness, so she had to cancel at the last minute. William stepped in, and as far as I can see, the schedule of events did not change at all. Neither did the helpers – William traveled to Malta with Rebecca Deacon, the pretty brunette that William has known for years. Deacon works full time as Kate’s personal assistant, bum watcher and all around right-hand woman. Deacon was placed in that position by William. In case you’re tossing a side-eye, just know that Rebecca is apparently romancing Nick Loughran, who serves as “media advisor” to Will and Kate. Ha! It sounds like Will and Kate employ a lot of people who are bad at their jobs.
While in Malta, William fielded questions about Kate’s health:
Prince William may have stepped in for his pregnant wife, Kate, on a visit to Malta, but she was on everyone’s mind as he toured the sun-kissed island on Saturday. William, 32, was walking near St. George’s Square in the capital of Valletta when one of the hundreds of people who’d turned up to see him asked about his wife, who’s expecting the couple’s second child and suffering from severe pregnancy sickness.
“She’s so-so, she’s up and down at the moment,” he told Sandra Lant, 70, who was visiting the holiday island from Suffolk, England.
Some were disappointed that she wasn’t there. “A lot of the locals I have spoken to have said: ‘Who’s William?’ ” said Sue Wilding, 74, from Kennilworth in Warwickshire, England. “I think they would have preferred to have seen Kate.”
Kate, 32, is still suffering from the effects hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy sickness and, after a few days’ deliberation, it was decided she should not travel. So she stayed home in Apartment 1a at Kensington Palace in London while William flew to Malta to take part in the celebration of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
At a garden party on Saturday evening, William delivered a speech in which he said, “Catherine has asked me to say how very sorry she is that she couldn’t be the one to pass on the Queen’s greeting to you all.” And in a conversation with Bishop Charles Scicluna, who offered prayers for her health, William told the bishop, “Fingers crossed she’ll be better soon.”
A royal source confirms that the princess is able to be up and about, though she still needs to be resting frequently.
Earlier in the day, William had called on Malta’s president, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who told him she would love to see his son, Prince George, and the new baby in Malta one day. He laughed, telling her, “Malta might not survive Prince George. There’s too many precious things around here.” He added George is “very well” and “being looked after very well.”
Yeah, I still don’t think Kate is staying at Kensington Palace. I think she went to her parents’ home in Berkshire two weekends ago and that’s where she’s been ever since. And once again, William reminds us that George is The Destroyer of All Things. I’m actually sort of worried that Lupo might have PTSD from George’s tiny fists.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.
…if Lupo is still alive…
Think the assistant was sent to keep an eye on William for Kate? Serious question.
I think she was there because she has been the point person for this tour and it made sense for the person in command of all the details to go with William.
On a two day public engagement with very little down time? No. I think Megan’s got this one.
very little down time?
like usual with william and kate, the tour workday couldn’t have taken more than 2-3hours.
day1- meet president, national library, Independence pageant
day2- sunday service, boat ride, acess centre, walkabout, garden party
Very little down time. I stand by what I said. If you disagree, that’s fine, but he’s not going to have time to cruise for chicks on a trip like that, which was the inference of the original poster.
bluhare, go check my post on our last conversation!
Oh, and I agree with you here.
Louise
It’s not back to back engagements, but it also doesn’t have built in vacations. This sounds about right for a normal work day. Keep in mind changing times, travel times, and event coordination times. Things don’t simply happen back to back to back.
It’s still by far not a hard day of work, but also not full of time to kill either.
Thanks wolfpup, I will.
there’s no need for a point person whenever you are a “guest” at a celebration. rebecca was there because william wanted her there.
the malta trip was not a tour, if anything, the “guest” were treated like a typical v.i.p. tourist
Nah; but if I was Kate I’d be telling her to wear longer hemlines
That’s certainly a theory, but Deacon had all the facts ready to advise Kate for the trip.
Although, why things couldn’t be transfered to William’s assistant I dont know. Maybe she’s there as a reminder that Kate was always meaning to attend?
It’s a beautiful island and there’s not much for her to handle in terms of Kate’s schedule right now, so maybe she just wanted to go? If I had been planning a trip to Malta for weeks or months, I would totally try to find a way to still go even if plans changed. It looks so beautiful there, and it’s already so chilly-looking in England.
no , i don’t think she is there as “eyes” for Kate nor as a point person. i believe every now and then a person wants to be surrounded by someone who they see as a friend or simply someone who you can relax with. as a “former part time apologist” and i know some sugars will jump on me for saying this William looks very relaxed, with a noticeable genuine smile minus Kate. so personally there is zero need for a point person on this trip, especially when this is not a tour……excuse me a mini vacation/puff tour like in aus/nz but the fact william was a guest at a celebration along with others.
built in bonk on the side
She looks so much like a KateBot, it’s not even funny.
Hey Dee I thought exactly the same thing! They dress exactly the same too, fitted dress falling above the knee, nude heels…
That dress looks exactly like the one Kate wore to the Remembrance memorial with William & Harry.
I don’t think she looks like Kate, but she does seem to share a lot of the same mannerisms (like playing with her hair). She dresses rather plainly considering her position … and is she not allowed to wear make-up?
Now all I can picture is George destroying Malta like Godzilla.
Oh no, GEORGEZILLA!
Agree 100%.
All of the Midds, including Carole and Michael, were in Italy this weekend for Charlie Gilkes wedding, which neither Kate nor Wiliam attended. I doubt Kate was home alone at their house.
Since none of the Middletons, not Carole or Mike or Pippa and James, were even home this weekend (they were all at a wedding in Italy), I don’t see why Kate should be in Berkshire. If they say she is at Kensington Palace, she probably is in Kensington Palace.
I think William emphasizes George’s crying and destructiveness because he is not able to speak about someone he cares about in a straight and direct and loving manner. Nor can Harry. When either brother speaks of the other it is always with jokes. That is how they are. It doesn’t mean they don’t care or love, but speaking about it is not something their upbringing allowed. The British aristocracy are pretty emotionally constipated.
Interesting insight about the Royal men’s emotional “constipation.” I hadn’t thought of that since to me their joking is clearly affectionate. Sad that they can’t express flat out love but I’d guess this generation is probably better than previous ones.
I think you found the right words. Still, it is sad that a father (or any parent) feels he cannot or must not show his warmth and affection. To understand black humor, irony and sarcasm The children need to grow up first.
HM parents were affectionate; and HM leaving POW for her dedication to duties was not cold in those days. POW had his wonderful loving grandma.
Fake Willnot there is NO excuse of his words about Prince George future monarch or not he is a baby. . PW mom Di POW was very loving and affectionate and taught both PH and Willy.
Prince Harry refer affectionately as a joke to P Willnot because this seem to be the way Willnot prefer – as stuffy ‘heir’ – who beside PR want far away to aTurnip country bolt. Never mind the phony “we are regular just like you” from W*W.
Prince Harry is nothing like them, more genuine and affection to the people, like his mom Di POW.
Pippa mid: I have literally no idea what you’re saying, and not for lack of trying.
As much as I think William may be emotionally constipated, I also think there’s a public face he puts on and this is it. He may actually be proud of George’s willfulness at this age; maybe he even thinks it could stand him in good stead as he grows older.
Well, it’s certainly worked for Wills (in a backwards kind of way).
Bluhare
I do miss your comments here!
William’s behavior always puzzled me. He sees Harry and even his father Charles act more affectionate than him in public and the public responds with applause. What are his reasons for acting so… cold at times in public?
And i’m sure he adores George like any new (aristo) father would. It really seems to be a different parenting style and family dynamic that comes with titles among the “elite” in that part of the world.
It’s just not the same as the average middleclass family.
I wonder if he is just a new parent, and didn’t know how challenging it can be to adjust to having a baby; nor knowing what to expect. I believe that George is simply a baby, and darling.
FLORC, thanks for those nice words. I think part of it is the “stiff upper lip” thing. I also think, based on reading about William’s insatiable need for privacy, that he’s very reluctant to give anything away other than the bare minimum. And by saying what a wild man George is, he gets us all chuckling and away from the more emotionally intimate questions.
Bluhare
I’ve almost become a Kate-apologist here. It’s Middleton criticism all over again!
I never realized how well balance this site really was until lately. Yours, wolfpup, Tulip, LadySlippers, Dame, etc… comments really are missed. Logic and common sense with true british and historical insightgoes a long ways here.
Back to the topic. Maybe it’s because I see Charles do it flawlessly, but William can artfully duck any question without giving anything away. Harry also does it well. Is this a personal trait or good staff work?
William won’t even create the illusion that he’s giving an inch like his brother and father. It seems almost all or nothing on his terms or never ever.
The Finesse is missing.
Hi Bluhare (waves frantically).
I agree. I think William is proud of George the destroyer tot! He likes the anecdotes.
Suze! Do you think we should start getting excited about the potential return of the Allthruster clan? I thought of you when I read Harry and Cressida had been seen together. 🙂
PS Love George the Destroyer Tot. Bbbbbad to the bone!
Bluhare,
Check out my comment on the last Cressida thread a few days ago. I was overcome with excitement over the return of the Allthrusters! I could barely contain myself!
But none of the old gang was around (most of our favorite commenters don’t comment on the royal related threads anymore, it seems). So my excitement was shared only by myself.
+1000
Prince gEorge need to be seen more; that PGTips force with two workless parents is fantastic and greatly interesting watching Georgie show the parents.
Waity still feel home is buckleberry- being there alone in royals mansion at ma n pa muddletons is great hiding for her. Waity could very well be in Italy – private suite while the folks at Gilkes wedding.
Willnot must be teed he missed the trip instead ‘stuck’ in Malta; he look so out of place- didn’t intend to be present.
RD do look a lot like Waity maybe better looking naturally, than the royal makeover fix Waity received on becoming a royal engagement.
Then waity started looking better.
Pippa Mid
What is your original language? My apologies if it’s English.
It’s just hard to understand your comments.
And do you think you could post criticism without resorting to name calling? It detracts from your points and tone. Not trying to censor you. Your comments just seem cruel for the sake of it.
Seems to me, FLORC, that you are the one being unnecessarily cruel and rude in this instance. Pippa Mid’s comments were in no way over-the-top rude. Your judgy tone, however, is obnoxious.
It has nothing to do with being British. It’s a rule beyond nationality. To quote my grandma: “you never cry in public, in private and behind closed doors, smash the china, if you wish”. It’s just how our kind of people are raised, male and female, sorrow and love are private matters.
Spot on JUSTME
Man, it tickles me so much that Prince George is such a force of nature. I understand why they keep him away from the public but they could fire their whole press office and simply show him off once a month. There. Fixed your PR problem.
I think that you are absolutely right, little miss *naughty*!
They say it’s for privacy reasons, but there’s an alternative.
Princess Estelle has her own instagram and twitter. I think both are official if not just the instagram. (links won’t post, but easy to find.)
Estelle is photographed in candid situations or formal. No one is intruding in her life and all photos are preapproved. They only release what they want. So, the public gets to be kept up to date with how their princess is growing up without trotting her out for PR occasions.
It’s genius PR!
That is brilliant, but then Victoria & Daniel are champs at handling her introduction to royal life. She isn’t afraid. She interacts with the crowds like a professional. And the press has respected her parents’ request for her privacy.
The way she’s seen her parents approach the public and press has also played a role. Regarding George and his parents Will/Kate I think William’s distrust or animosity towards the public and press could easily rub off on George. Even if he never says a word kids can pick up on their parents emotions.
Personally I’m glad I did not have to go visit Malta and give boring speeches and prop up the monarchy. Ugh. For all those people who complain that William doesn’t do anything – well, he stepped up and did the job, apparently gracefully. Good for him.
I thought it proved that his schedule is so empty he can easily take several days to go Malta.
Splinter
+1k
On P Willnot schedule ‘open / Free’. He could have been the original representative for HM, Interesting weeks ahead as Willy should be in training soon, unless the goal post move
.
It’s really going to be interesting in the following weeks to see what other excuses crop up. Wills said he had exams by Christmas, not spring (perhaps the first set?). Reports are endlessly confusing. Yeah, he’s moving those goal posts.
I agree with Splinter.
Also, most of the official “engagements” (each counting as a work outing in his end-of-year totals) were things like:
–walk across a plaza from A to B
–ride on a boat from A to B
–shake hands with one person and talk to him for 5-10 minutes
–watch military procession
If William, at age 33 (or whatever) cannot do this kind of work on less than a week’s notice, then he is more hopeless than a lot of people already believe him to be! All he had to do was show up for an already arranged visit and read a few minutes speech, which someone else had written for him. It’s not rocket science…
Inthekitchen
P Willnot earn is nickname.
Iseepink
+1000
The Malta trip do call to a ‘royal’ on behalf of HM GB; unless you are similar importance as Di POW.
I think it proves both; his schedule was so empty he could go, and he can do his job when he feels like it.
This has always been the case. When has William had to cancel for a work engagement? We know he’s cancelled work engagements for leisure activities before.
At least he’s doing something instead of Kate canceling and ending the hole trip. Small victories.
FLORC – actually, he canceled a leisure activity for this trip. If the gossip is correct, he was supposed to be at Charlie Gilkes wedding this past weekend.
Megan
Found conflicting reports on that. That he was invited, but cancelled a while ago to care for Kate. And he was invited, but cancelled last minute to go to Malta.
Either way it’s a cancellation, but the lapse in advanced time of cancelling seems odd. Links and I are not friends today. Just Googled his name and wedding. Wasn’t hard to find.
I guess what I was meaning to say was William isn’t cancelling hunting trips, vacations, or polo games to work. This wedding sounded like a family reunion of same age relatives.
The official word was that he was preparing for his flight exams and so couldn’t go to Malta which is why it was a solo trip for Kate.
The wedding was a week day event therefore (s)he would have been able to fit it in AND still go to Malta which was a weekend trip.
Wedding didn’t happen, for obvious reasons where Kate is concerned, but William’s ability to step into the Malta breach calls into question exactly how busy his schedule is.
BTW: don’t forget that he was supposed to start training for his new job mid-September according to his own PR people, this past week to be exact, so that wedding, let alone Malta sidelined the start date?
I wondered the same thing, LAK. MIght have been here I read his training was supposed to start last Monday.
Regarding the training. I thought this was already pushed back until October… Can’t remember where I heard/read that. If he’s not doing anything what is he doing?
Richard Palmer @RoyalReporter · Sep 18
When the visit celebrating Malta’s 50th anniversary of independence was announced, the palace said William would be focusing on flying exams
Unexpected circumstances require and unexpected response. Kate is sidelined by illness so William’s schedule was juggled to be in Malta. No conspiracy, no lies, just the realities of being members of the BRF. And in case anyone wants to scream about William getting special treatment by the air ambulance, as a business owner I constantly make expections for employees based on unexpected family issues. I don’t do it because they are royal, I do it because they have family obligations that are sometimes outside of their control.
Megan: William is the heir, not Kate. The type of forward planning required for him to visit anywhere is markedly higher not least the security. There is no way his schedule was suddenly re-jigged at a moment’s notice to fit Malta.
It’s the details. His PR said he couldn’t possibly go to Malta as he was busy with flying exams and or starting his training.
Her people refused to confirm the changed schedule until thursday morning (the visit starting on saturday) with lots of asides about how she was desperate to go and her determination to go.
Most people predicted she wouldn’t go when her pregnancy was announced which was a full week+ ahead of this trip. Not for snarky reasons, but for the HG.
More than enough time for William’s very light schedule to suddenly pencil in Malta.
If this substitution was brought on by her alleged HG, why pretend for a full week or more that the trip was still on?
George is a baby. An active baby, who appears to have more personality and drive than either of his parents. William doesn’t have to remind us every single time that George is a bruiser. Those jokes about George are tiresome.
I agree, he is just a baby!
TO Mia, Wolfpup
+1k
P Willnot old jokes of baby Prince Georgie and Waity doolittle ‘exhausting’ comment, seem a reflection of both W*W reference point and their limit time with curious busy P George.
“A lot of the locals said ‘who’s William'” ??
So they know who Kate is, but not William? The one that’s been famous since birth and is the only reason they actually know who Kate is?
That’s baloney, Sue Wilding, 74, from Kennilworth in Warwickshire, England, total baloney.
That’s what I thought too!! Kate is only known (and going to Malta in the first place!) because of who she is married to…so how could they know who she is but not know who William is? Doesn’t make much sense.
LOL Exactly what I thought – if you know who Kate is you have at least a passing knowledge of William.
But Sue Wilding, 74, from Kennilworth in Warwickshire, England, has gotten herself quoted in the rags, which was no doubt the point.
I don’t need to hear him issue loving platitudes. I think it’s more likely he wants to remind us that he’s just a normal baby regardless of his title or future.
But normal babies also smile and gurgle and giggle and walk and play and get bigger.
I think it’s odd that he can’t say anything like that about George. All of those things are “saying something about George,” but also not giving away any information, if that is what dad is concerned with. Knowing that he is a “bruiser” and busting things up left and right doesn’t really endear him to all (to me, anyway).
I also think it’s a very sexist way to talk about a baby boy. You never hear people speak that way about girl babies and it, IMO, perpetuates and encourages gender-specific behavior…boys will be boys, rough and tumble. Girls are just sugar and spice and everything nice. Blech.
The common reasoning for this is to not brag about their baby. They keep it short, sweet, and relatable. George screams like a lion. George is rough and a bruiser.
George cries all the time.
All common baby stuff. So, the common folk hear “The future king sounds just like our little baby!”
Although, much of that took a hit when Kate admitted William wasn’t around for George’s 1st few months. He was away almost the whole time. Of course, a bad move since William and his PR claimed he needed that time off duties to be with his son and wife.
George is a lion.. He’s a Leo..
He’s not a Leo. He’s a Cancer sun with a Capricorn moon.
i still find it interesting that William suddenly could go on this Malta trip.
Just googled Rebecca Deacon. Ok, i get this feeling that maybe this woman is behind Kate´s outfit choices? Or Rebecca dresses like Kate. They dress like twins.
Can I blame her for the beige shoes? I hate those shoes so much, and she is wearing a terrible version in the photo above. It’s the footwear equivalent of a punt. On third down. I think the Fug Girls made that metaphor.
This has been Kate’s style pre engagement.
It was said Kate and her mom shared outfits for saving money and making it appear as if Kate had a larger selection of outfits. That speaks to how Kate still dresses.
I don’t think that this man has ever said anything nice about his child. Its always about how loud he screams or about how destructive he is. Actually sounds like himself as a child, he was such a little brat, he was called “William The Terrible” by palace staff.
Even Harry says nice things about his nephew and you can always tell when he is joking as where William always sounds like he’s making a passive aggressive plea for help.
I remember William being called that.
I saw a flashback photo of Harry the other day, with him leaning up against a car window poking his tongue out at the paparazzi … he was such a little cutie!
Withheld, I know – that is the funniest picture of Harry !
Get the popcorn out folks ..
You’re all gonna think I’m bitchy for saying this, but Rebecca Deacon isn’t all that in person – that’s a great photo up there of her, but Kate definitely doesn’t have anything to worry about. William just feels loyal to this girl as she helped him and Harry organise the Diana Tribute Concert before Willis and Kate got married. The media guy she’s seeing looks like a stuck up toff.
Anyhoo, “Celeb Dirty Laundry” had an article yesterday saying that Camilla is horrified that Kate has doctors attending to her beck and call – she apparently thinks Kate’s a spoilt princess.
Carole, Michael, James and Pippa MIddleton were all at some overseas wedding over the weekend (along with Harry), so I doubt Kate is at her parents’ house.
I’ve just read in Woman’s Day magazine (Australia) that Eugenie (or is it Beatrice?) hates Kate even more now as she was about to announce her engagement to that Dave chap and once again Kate has stolen her thunder.
As annoying as she is, I do feel just a teeny weeny bit sorry for Kate for having to deal with hideous relatives-by-marriage like Beatrice, Eugenie and Autumn Philips … at least she has a friend (of sorts) in Zara though. Zara seems like the most normal of the lot of them.
What’s Autumn’s deal? I assumed she’d be fairly normal, being Canadian and without title.
Hideous relatives-by-marriage? What have they done to poor Kate to deserve that label? There are more stories about Kate & Pippa being rude and nasty to the York sisters than vice versa. As for Autumn, when is Kate ever around her? I’ve never heard tales of Kate hanging out with any of William’s relatives. No friendly visits with his cousins’ kids. Nothing. Who’s fault is that? Theirs or hers?
Wasn’t Zara said to try to help Kate adjust to royal life? As the tale goes Kate wasn’t making time or Zara wasn’t making time.
The only times you hear of Kate making friendly visits is to her own family or William’s friends for weddings. But Kate must have friends of her own. What about that Jessica Hay was her name? The girl who claimed Kate’s pregnancies before anyone else did. It’s on record she’s not friends with her or talked in years so they have a mutual friend? Who’s th friend?
TO Mia, With held
+1m
Waity doolittle do not bond with the royal relatives as a member of HM family.
Instead Waity and the muddleton hangers on show up more than any other in laws seeking to benefit. By PR photogs. Waity is ‘noone’ compared to HM grandchildren – Princess B*E York.
Waity by marriage, can be out BRF – Di Is an example and Waity doolittle is nothing close to the hardworking much loved Princess Di.
P Anne children family, Zara and her brother and sister in law are very close they all live close to each other, by PA raising their kids. Zara Mike Autumn and Peter appeared together, to support Prince Harry at his Games.
TO Mia
+1m
Waity doolittle do not bond with the royal relatives as a member of HM family.
Instead Waity and the muddleton hangers on show up more than any other in laws seeking to benefit. By PR photogs. Waity is ‘noone’ compared to HM grandchildren – Princess B*E York.
Waity by marriage, can be out BRF – Di Is an example and Waity doolittle is nothing close to hardworking much loved Princess Di.
P Anne children family, Zara and her brother and sister in law are very close they all live close to each other, by PA raising their kids. Zara Mike Autumn and Peter appeared together, to support Prince Harry at his Games.
I think Celebrity Dirty Laundry also had the Queen banishing Camilla from the realm not too long ago.
Yea. It’s utter nonsense.
I thought it had the same reputation as The Onion at this point and no one put any stock into it. Even though a few still do with the Onion. Billl Nye dies every 2 years and readers still believe it.
Celeb Dirty Laundry is pure fan fiction.
I’m not buying the people of Malta were like “William who?”. Waity isn’t Diana. I get that viewing her in person is probably like viewing the Lochness Monster or something because she so rarely does any Royal duties, but if we’re going to prtend like Royality is important, wouldn’t these “common” people want to view an actual Prince? Not just some girl who married one?
Baby George is a Leo so by nature he’s a born leader and rebel rouser.
See comment above. He’s a Cancer sun with Capricorn moon.
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