Queen Elizabeth II Should Lend Kate Middleton a Tiara for Ceremony (ContributorNetwork)

Kate Middleton's wedding dress has been the subject of much speculation since her engagement to Prince William in November, while her head dress has been largely ignored. What, exactly, will she wear atop her head? Will her attire feature only a veil, or will she don a regal tiara, as well?

Some media outlets, such as the Royal Wedding Insider, have suggested Queen Elizabeth II should offer to lend Kate a tiara from her royal collection.

When she married Prince Charles in 1981, Princess Diana's hair was adorned with the beautiful Spencer family tiara.

But because Kate is from a family of commoners, her family does not have royal jewels to offer.

If Queen Elizabeth II were to offer to lend a royal tiara to Kate, it would be as if Queen Elizabeth II were putting her official public stamp of approval on Prince William's marriage. After allegedly criticizing the couple for scaled-back arrangements, such as arriving at Westminster Abbey in a car rather than a carriage, Queen Elizabeth's public approval would do the couple and the monarchy good, allowing the perception on a united front.

But would a royal tiara conflict with Kate's image and brand of a down-to-earth, common Royal princess? Kate does, after all, come from an independently wealthy, coal-mining family.

Kate will need something borrowed, by traditional standards, and what better to borrow than a blessing and tiara from the queen herself?

Besides, the majority of common girls would love to wear a royal tiara for their wedding. A borrowed tiara itself would be a symbol of Kate's entire girl-next-door-to-princess story, putting a final stamp on her rise and inclusion into Britain's most prominent family.

Perhaps Queen Elizabeth II could lend Kate the fringe tiara, which Elizabeth herself borrowed from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when she married Prince Philip in 1947.

Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.


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Kate Middleton: Her Bridal Boot Camp; is She Getting Too Thin? (ContributorNetwork)

In late February on the American entertainment television program "Extra," there was a segment on Kate Middleton and her bridal boot camp. Royal insider and owner of Britain's largest photo agency, Darryn Lyons, told the American viewers she is making a lot of fanatical wedding preparations. The cost is running into the tens of thousands of dollars for her.

This boot camp consists of exercises, etiquette lessons and a high-protein diet. What exactly is going on at her extremist bridal boot camp? Some have remarked she's gotten much thinner since her official engagement photo taken in November 2010.

Inside Kate's Bridal Boot Camp

Part of this boot camp is to please Her Majesty, in addition to looking as beautiful as she can possibly be without going too far. One might think spending $12,000 on dental work is an outrageous expense. Middleton spent that money on a French orthodontist to make her teeth perfect. It is certainly understandable to brush up on one's etiquette as that is absolutely required for royal circles. More than anything else Kate wants to fit in with her new in-laws.

Exercise and Diet for the Upcoming Wedding Day

Here is where it gets into the boot camp mode. She has a rowing machine in their home with William. Kate spends at least half an hour on it every day. In addition to that piece of exercise equipment she has a Stairmaster and a treadmill where she works out for an hour. She used to run outdoors until Middleton was provided with a security detail after the engagement announcement.

Her diet is high-protein consists of omelets, beans on toast with brown bread (her favorite), white meats such as turkey and chicken, and plenty of healthy organic vegetables and fruits. It's been reported a "wellness coach" has been brought in because she has already lost 16 pounds. Many have commented on her weight loss.

Is She Getting too Thin?

During February, Middleton and Prince William made their second official royal appearance in Scotland. She was dressed in a vibrant red two-piece smart suit with black buttons, belt, gloves, hosiery, shoes and other black accessories. One of the comments made from the press were "she must of lost 10 to 15 pounds in the past two months" and "I hope she's not 'pulling a Diana'" in reference to Princess Diana's well-kept secret of battling bulima. Hopefully Kate Middleton will be back at a healthy weight, thanks to her wellness coach, in time for the royal wedding on April 29.


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Report: Kate Middleton Wedding Dress Designer Chosen

Kate Middleton and Sarah BurtonKate Middleton's wedding dress designer is Alexander McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton, according to reports in British newspapers.

While McQueen officials are issuing denials -- which they would be obliged to do, even if it were true -- sources told the UK's Telegraph that Burton has been chosen for her discretion, talent, and quirky, feminine take on elegance.

The 36-year-old was promoted to the top design job after McQueen himself committed suicide last year. First Lady Michelle Obama caused a stir when she wore one of Burton's McQueen designs to a State Dinner for Chinese president Hu Jintao in January.

London's Sunday Times is also reporting McQueen's CEO Jonathan Akeroyd gushed to a colleague the fashion house had won the coveted commission for Middleton's April 29 wedding to longtime love, Prince William.

Burton denied the reports regarding her involvement to Vogue UK: "I'm not doing it." Akeroyd also denied the rumors saying: "No, not at all. I'm the CEO, I would know if we were doing it."

The commission has also been rumored to belong to Bruce Oldfield, a favorite of the late Princess Diana and designer of Queen Rania of Jordan's wedding dress.

Even if the latest rumors are true, Burton and company wouldn't want to have the exalted McQueen name stepping on a future queen's well-shod toes.

The designers of Princess Diana's 1981 wedding dress, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, repeatedly denied their role as royal couturier.

Middleton has made it clear her dress designer is to remain a closely-guarded state secret until her wedding day, so she can surprise her fiancé as she walks down the long, dramatic Westminster Abbey aisle.

Last week, St. James Palace announced the highly-anticipated dress details would be released first on its own Web site, The Royal Wedding.

Daily Telegraph Fashion Editor Hilary Alexander told London's Daily Mail if the Burton/McQueen news is true, it's a welcome relief for fashion: "It's desperately in need of an injection of fabulousness in the wake of the whole John Galliano scandal."

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