A Royal Engagement!

My goodness, it's finally happened, and a better thing couldn't happen to better people.  Congratulations and well wishes to Prince William and Miss Catherine 'Kate' Middleton on their engagement! 

Kate (left) and Prince William

Like the timeless stories of Grace Kelly and Wallis Simpson, the beautiful Kate Middleton comes a working-class family of entrepreneurs-turned-millionaires.  She had met Prince William while they were students attending the University of St. Andrews, both studying art history and sharing campus accommodation.  The on-again, off-again relationship would continue for eight years, reconciling in 2007.  Prince William proposed to Kate while on vacation in Kenya together on October 19, 2010.  Kenya has a special meaning for the Prince; he had previously visited the country during his work for Tusk Trust, an awareness initiative for wildlife preservation and education in Africa. 

The famed sapphire engagement ring.

Prince William presented Kate with an all-too-familiar ring from his late mother's legacy - an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds, Diana's engagement ring from his father, Prince Charles.  "It is very special to me. It was my way to make sure my mother did not miss out on today and the excitement that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together," William had said in an interview.  Following the philanthropic, charitable and selfless footsteps left by his mother, he is currently in active duty as a Search & Rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force, a career he has extremely high regard for.  He is a patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales to "highlight and celebrate the vital, selfless and courageous work of our mountain rescue organisations. [sic]"  The couple will live in the north of Wales where the Prince will continue to serve. 

Kate comes from a family of self-made millionaires, her parents working for an airline before starting their mail-order company specializing in children's parties in the south of London.  Kate had worked for the family business until recently taking a position as a buyer with fashion retailer Jigsaw.  The Prince had done what any gentleman had done and had asked for permission from Kate's father for her hand.  "They make a lovely couple," Michael Middleton reported as saying, "they are very fun to be with and we have had a lot of laughs together."

Here's to a very happy couple and to the future of the British royal family!  We are looking forward to a spring wedding in Westminster Abbey!

Do you dream of the day you become a 'princess bride'?  Check out this Treasury in honour of the royal couple and all those brides who aspire to be just as happy!

PEARL - Vintage Ivory on Roy... BridalShoppe $56.00	0.65ct Natural Sapphire Diam... honngaijewelry $1840.00
Genuine pearl earrings - fo... dutchpearl $9.00	Royal - 3 poms PartyPoms $15.00
Something Blue - Throw Bouqu... ABespokeTouch $40.00	Blue Peacock Shoes...Somethi... Parisxox $122.00
Hollywood Royalty . Dangle E... ellabellebouti... $29.00	Royal Blue and Black Lace Fe... IndigoDaisyWed... $40.00
Delft Blue Wool Felt Wedding... HeyMiemie $55.00	SALE Sapphire Blue Rhineston... emmjeyessvinta... $12.00
Emmeline dress AnnabelAndRuby $184.00	CHARLENE Peacock Themed Wedd... PeacockInvitat... $3.40
Ivory and royal blue satin g... PerfectGarter $30.00	Blue Kyanite Petal Necklace RebeccaLoonin $350.00
6 matching groomsmen SILK ne... projector $162.00	Royal Blue Dichroic Glass Cu... JoanJewels $20.00

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