Royal wedding watch: Pancakes, the zoo and Elton John
With the big day nearing for Prince William and Kate Middleton, the internet is abuzz with royal wedding stories. As a confessed wedding obsessive, I'll be keeping up with what's being talked about. This week's round-up includes pancake-flipping contests, free admission to the zoo and warnings to Kate about following in the footsteps of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
This week the prince and his bride-to-be visited Northern Ireland, where the duo were all smiles while flipping pancakes at a cancer charity event.
Even though the couple flipped away cheerily, Kate preferred to protect her svelte figure and decided not to indulge in the treat, says the Mirror.
"As the 29-year-old showed off her skills with Prince William she hinted she wouldn't be eating any herself as she was watching her weight. She told Heather Lindsay, who had travelled to see the royal pair on their visit to Belfast, that she was slimming down."
Judging by OK! Magazine's subsequent "live pancake-off" on Twitter, it seems there are plenty of people who would love to walk a mile in Kate Middleton and Prince William's shoes.
"OK.co.uk followed in Kate Middleton's footsteps, with one helluva Pancake Day competition. In honour of Shrove Tuesday (and her soon-to-be Royal Highness), OK! HQ took part in a live pancake-off on Twitter, where two of the team battled it out to create the best crepe. From smoked salmon, creme fraiche and dill to bananas, whipped cream and yummy chocolate sauce - both gals tweeted through their batter mix secrets (Betty Crocker *cough cough*) and showed off their flipping techniques in an attempt to win your votes."
Most people buying fashions inspired by the bride and imitating her lifestyle are just copy-Kates, but those named after either the prince or his bride-to-be will have the chance to play pretend for the day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, says PRLog.
"As the Royal Wedding invites land on the doormats of the elite and famous this week, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is announcing its own special invitation. Anyone with the name 'Will' or 'Kate' is invited to a free day out at the Zoo to celebrate the Royal Wedding."
Meanwhile, some media outlets suggest that some who know Kate think she may be displaying similar traits to those of her future husband's late mother.
Marie Claire says Elton John, a longtime friend of Diana, Princess of Wales, has told reporters:
"Kate is Diana in personality. She is very discreet, she is a very beautiful girl."
But others seem to think Kate should be wary of the comparison, says the Daily Express.
"After witnessing the struggles that Diana went through, Paul Burrell, Diana's ex-servant remains anxious about Kate Middleton's future, 'Be careful what you wish for,' he ominously remarks. 'The minute she walks out of Westminster Abbey as a princess her life will change completely.'"
Since nobody can predict the future, the world will have to wait and see how Kate handles the pressure of her newfound status as a royal.
In other news, the police have said they will demonstrate over proposed pay cuts during wedding preparations, says the Daily Mail.
"Police are threatening to march through the streets during preparations for the royal wedding over proposed cuts in their pay, perks and overtime. A report for the Government yesterday urged the most radical shake-up for a generation in the way policing is delivered and remunerated."
It looks as though the future princess has more pressing things to worry about.