Papparazi capture Kate Middleton in her bikini.Central Image Agency Inc.
A linguist, photographer, fashionista, columnist and sex-shop owner share their words of wisdom for Kate Middleton:
Get off High Street
Kate Middleton has featured prominently on several best-dressed lists and has emerged, over the years, as an icon of classic, refined style. The blue Issa dress she wore to announce her engagement sold out within hours in London. She has been photographed in everything from form-fitting evening gowns to dark denim and suede knee-high boots. But fashion experts say Ms. Middleton's wardrobe could stand a shakeup after the honeymoon is over. "I feel she needs to be more adventurous," says Ciara Hunt, former editor-in-chief of Hello! Canada and a royal commentator. "She has great style and she knows how to dress her figure, but I do think she has to get off the High Street." She cited Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama as potential style role models for the princess. "They've shown that it's okay to mix and match. Kate needs to stop going totally High Street. I just feel she has to raise her game a bit."
Take a time out, together
Thirty years ago, when Prince Charles wed Lady Diana Spencer, the bride's virtue became a worldwide obsession. In 1981, Princess Diana's uncle went so far as to make a public statement before her wedding to quell speculation: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she was a virgin. By contrast, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been living together on and off for years, and nobody seems to care. The couple display an easy intimacy with each other, which is part of their charm. Still, experts say, passion has to be nurtured over the course of their marriage. "Intimacy is not something that you are always going to feel. A lot of the time, you can hit a wall after the first two to three years of a relationship," says Carlyle Jansen, founder of Good For Her, a Toronto sex shop. "Of course, pressure and stress have a huge effect on our sex lives as well. Kate's under a lot of pressure so the couple is going to have to find ways to unwind and get away from it all in order to decompress and rekindle their passion."
Learn French
By age 11, Queen Elizabeth was able to speak six languages fluently: Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish and English. "Languages are a royal tradition, and French is at the heart of it," says language expert and author Mark Frobose. While Kate Middleton undoubtedly studied foreign languages in school, Mr. Frobose does not believe she has mastered them. His advice: "Learn French." "It will enhance her own experience of marriage if they are able to speak to each other in French. It is the obvious choice for Kate for several reasons. Prince William is fluent. France is right across the Chunnel and is great for romantic getaways. French is the language of romance and love."
Smile!
When Princess Diana was killed in a car crash with her boyfriend, they were being aggressively pursued by the paparazzi, a fact that still haunts the Royal Family and shapes its relationship with the press. So far, Kate Middleton has been skilled in managing the cameras, even though her family has spoken out through the Press Complaints Commission, warning photo agencies to exercise caution while photographing them. As princess, the glare of the spotlight could turn fierce. "She does a great job of handling herself already. She should keep on smiling and I would say realize that everything she is doing is being captured for the world to see," said Louis DeFilippis, a celebrity photographer and CEO at Central Image Agency Inc. "She seems very in control. She definitely doesn't seem to mind the attention. She's smart about it." Mr. DeFilippis's photographers have captured Ms. Middleton on camera dozens of times, including shooting her in her bikini. "She knows the boundaries. Privacy is basically going to be inside her own home, as it would be for anybody else. She's going to become a hotter news item than ever before." His advice for Kate? "Don't try to run, because we will always catch you."
Keep your legs crossed
Kate Middleton has so far managed to avoid the kind of gaffes suffered by other members of the royal family. (Prince Andrew's friendship with a convicted pedophile. Sarah Ferguson being photographed topless and apparently having her toes sucked by her "financial adviser." Prince Harry wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party. We could go on.) Karen Cleveland, a Toronto etiquette columnist, is not overly concerned about Ms. Middleton. "She's so polished and she was well before the chaos of her engagement. I don't think we have to worry about Kate Middleton pulling a Britney when she gets out of a car," Ms. Cleveland said. "She's refined and I think she is going to do everyone proud." Her advice for the young bride? Keep calm and carry on. "Continue to do what she's been doing. She's landed her prince. He's clearly head over heels in love with her, so as long as she continues to be Kate I think she's got it nailed."