Prince William, Kate Signaling Something?
The on-again, off-again relationship between Britain's Prince William and Kate may be quite on-again.
As CBS News correspondent Richard Roth reports, they've been together in the snow-covered setting of a Swiss alpine resort where, if pictures could speak, the words would be, "Forget about those rumors of a breakup."
One British tabloid says it's "all white now" for the couple.
Sure, says Roth, William is still serving in the military, with a stint in the Royal Navy ahead and a declared ambition not to rush into marriage, and Middleton is still working in London and a frequent target of celebrity photographers.
But, Roth points out, their pairing at the Swiss resort of Klosters is considered something of a sign: It's where their romance first hit the headlines five years ago.
Photos: Wills Wings It
Robert Jobson, author of "William's Princess: The Love Story that will Change the Royal Family Forever," observes, "I believe, by going to Klosters, as they did in 2003, when the relationship became public, is making a statement, whether intentionally or not, and the statement is that, 'I'm with Kate Middleton. She is the woman I love. And she may be my future princess.'"
Photos: Kate Middleton
Still, he adds, "There's a big school of thought within the royal family at the moment that William needs time to develop as a man and to develop his role within the royal family. He comes to the end of his military service at the end of this year. ... After that, he's going to start his role as a full-time royal."
Photos: Harry At War
And Thursday, the royal family's other eager skiier joins them -- a return to Klosters by William's father, Prince Charles, who gave up traveling to the Alps last year, his office said, in a gesture to environmental awareness.
Traditionally, Roth notes, the Windsors' holiday on snow offers up just family photos and small talk -- though this was the place three years ago where Charles, the king-in-waiting, proved even that can be a slippery slope: When he was asked a harmless question about his then-forthcoming marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, Charles responded, "It is a very nice thought, isn't it? I'm very glad you've heard of it, anyway."
Then, famously, Charles muttered, under his breath: "Bloody people. I can't bear that man. He's so awful. He really is."
The reference was to a member of the press corps, which will be back with Charles in Klosters this week. Parker Bowles reportedly won't -- not a fan, it's said, of skiing, or mountain scenery.