Kate

How does one become a Princess?  Most of the answers that people will give today are in terms of "inheritance," where a woman will either be born or marry into a royal family to receive the title.

Now, in medieval Europe, where intermarriage between social classes was considered even more ridiculous than today, how would one become a princess?  With luck and enough knights in your (Lord) Father's army to conquer the incumbent King/Queen and their offspring.

The second option really isn't that appealing.  (A lot of things from the medieval period are, in general, somewhat unsavory.)  The Princess Diaries would have been really different from that perspective.

I try not to dwell on the fact that inherited glory is generally more tempting than self-earned glory.  My work ethic itches a bit to think that the current Windsor family has lived a pretty cushy life without ever having to consider the common man's definition of "work."  I recognize that the royal family lives with constrictions that the average American can shrug off-> when (if ever) it is appropriate to burp or scratch one's nose, if they can ever suffer the indignity of learning to snowboard or play video games, or what costumes are appropriate at Halloween parties (I'm looking at you, Harry.)

So where does that leave Kate?  Her beginnings don't appear flamboyant -> her parents were airline employees (though, I admit that I do not understand the finer points of British socio-economic status; perhaps the position of stewardess is lucrative in England.)  Her decision to date Prince William came with an extra fifty pounds of etiquette and the loss of all privacy.

I was especially intrigued by the fight that the couple allegedly had a few years ago.  How does one "dump" a Prince?  It is easily feasible that she felt burdened by the extraordinary relationship, but the breakup would have been just as extraordinary.

In my very narrow worldview, Kate is either an unbelievably mature young woman with strong values, or she has a very acute sense of ambition.  I'd really like to believe the former, but nowadays, when reality shows demonstrate just how insane humans will become for their five minutes of fame, the latter is not beyond belief.

However, if indeed she is riding William's coattails, then she is really, really good at faking a smile.