William's Girlfriend "Despises" Nickname

Kate Middleton, Now 27, Seen By British Tabloids As Just Waiting For Prince To Propose, Has Been Dubbed "Waity Katy"

(CBS)  Prince William's longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, is celebrating another birthday, her 27th, without a ring on her finger.

And that, reports CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar, is another reminder of a portrayal of her in British tabloids that she'd just as soon forget.

Out on the town Thursday night, Princes William and Harry launched a new charity, part of an increasing slate of royal duties the pair are taking on.

William, who's also preparing for 18 months training with the Royal Air Force as a rescue helicopter pilot, was minus the beard he'd been wearing. It was, MacVicar observes, a "rather patchy affair," anyway.

The prince and Middleton spent the new year together at the royal retreat of Birkhall, his father's home on the Queen's estate of Balmoral.

It wasn't their usual glamorous skiing vacation with a crowd of friends, sparking new rumors that the pair may be closer to an engagement.

"They're very much in love," says royals watcher Neil Sean. "They're very tactile, they're very good together, he makes her laugh, she makes him laugh, and I think also, dare I say, that she kind of slightly rules the roost!"

Over the last year, the couple have lowered their public profile, notes MacVicar -- less time in nightclubs, where photographers wait, more time quietly with friends.

But with Middleton's latest birthday, the lack of a formal announcement about the future of the relationship has left her with a tabloid nickname she's not too crazy about -- "Waity Katy."

What, exactly, is she waiting for?!

"Well, I suppose she's waiting for The Proposal," says Katie Nicholl, showbiz editor of the Mail on Sunday, "the moment that will happen when she will be a princess in waiting. Kate has always been a model of what a royal princess should be: patient, loyal; when the prince has needed his time, she's given it to him. She's been exemplary. But 'Waity Katy' has stuck, and it's a nickname that she absolutely despises."

Middleton has been criticized for her failure to get a REAL job, MacVicar points out, and has been portrayed as hanging around, waiting for her prince to pop the question.

And, given HIS schedule for the next year and more, with months of intense training on RAF bases, she may have longer to wait, MacVicar concluded.

[cmp271]

Kate doesn''t have to wait for anyone. It is implied by their long standing courtship she will be his wife. She also has to wait for him to grow up and quit being the party hearty lad on the town! Quite a task considering that is all he and his brother seem to know how to do, when they aren''t playing games in uniform, or flying Chinooks and landing on her property. Kate has a job with her families business. What does everyone think she should be doing? She does work!!! She doesn''t need to be a CEO. She is not a gold digger, he would have dumped her by now.

Both of them need to get married, the sooner the better!!! Get on with it!!!Book ST Paul''s and do it!!

[koopa98]

I think after sleeping with the Prince she has a pretty good shovel of her own.

[guyw9]

First of all, Waity Katie is ONLY 27 years old. What is the rush?!?! Second, Waity Katie WILL wait as long it takes to get that engagement ring on her finger. That has been her ONLY ambition in life - golddigger!

[dagrandma]

OMG! 27 years old an no ring on her finger! How utterly horrible! Quick Kate, jump into the English Channel and drown yourself because -- GASP -- you''re 27 years old and DON''T HAVE A RING!!!!