The great Kate Middleton weight debate
With six weeks to go until the royal wedding, every scrap of information about the couple carries more weight in the news than ever.
But now, it is something Kate Middleton has said about her weight that is sparking a debate.
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CBS News Royal Contributor Victoria Arbiter reported from outside Buckingham Palace that Kate's weight is under some scrutiny following a flippant remark in Belfast.
On "The Early Show," co-anchor Erica Hill said, "Poor Kate can't catch a break."
Arbiter explained, "(A) remark she made ... has been misconstrued. A member of the crowd on the walkabout said to her, 'Don't lose any more weight,' and she just casually laughed and said, 'Oh, it's all part of the wedding plan.' Well, of course, everyone now thinks, does that smack of an eating disorder and worries that builds up to the wedding? Most brides like to look their best on the day -- especially when the whole world is watching. So perhaps she's lost a little weight. But she looks very healthy in her face."
Pictures: Royal wedding gownsPictures: Prince William and Kate Middleton
Hill noted the debate has been fueled by pictures of Kate in a white bikini emerged from a 2006 trip she took with the prince. Hill noted some are saying Kate may be a little too thin at this point.
But Arbiter pointed out, "Those photos are five years old."
Hill added, "She's very athletic, she's very sporty. So one would imagine she's really just in great shape."
Kate's also in the news for a skimpy, see-through dress she once wore while she and William were enrolled at St. Andrew's University. That dress -- purported to have caught the prince's eye -- is up for auction.
Arbiter said the dress is reportedly expected to fetch around $15,000.
She added, "Of course, if there are any avid royal collectors in the crowd. it may go for a lot more. But the infamous dress is said to have sparked the romance, so it could be worth something one of these days."
As for Prince William, he's in New Zealand today, Arbiter said, spending time in the city's red zone with those affected by the earthquake in Christchurch.
Arbiter reported, "He met search and rescue teams and also visited the most damaged buildings. He then went to the country's south island to meet families who lost love ones in the Pike River mining disaster at the end of last year. Tomorrow. he'll attend a memorial service for the quake victims and on Saturday, he'll travel to Australia to see the areas that were damaged by the recent cyclones and floods."
Hill observed, "Really another show of this increased role for the royal family."
Arbiter said, "Absolutely, yes."
