Kate Middleton Rumoured To Have Resigned To Marry Prince Williams
Rebecca English
Speculation of a royal engagement is rife following Kate Middleton's resignation from her fashion job.
Prince William's 25-year-old girlfriend quit as an accessories buyer for the Jigsaw chain after less than a year, telling friends she wanted "time to herself".
Staff at the company's headquarters at Kew in London have been told that her job is being kept open for her should she wish to return.
Kate started the job - her first since graduating from St Andrews University in June 2005 - last November.
The role was created for her by Jigsaw's owners, John and Belle Robinson.
She was required to work only four days a week to accommodate her royal boyfriend's schedule.
Kate 'never committed'
A colleague said Kate was never committed to the job.
"She never worked full-time and appeared to take an inordinate amount of time off to go jetting round the world with her boyfriend," the co-worker said.
"It certainly rubbed a few people here up the wrong way.
'Not exactly a surprise'
"To be told she would be resting for a while 'looking at other things' didn't exactly come as a surprise.
"She has always been treated as a special case."
Kate, who studied the history of art at St Andrews University where she met the Prince, told fellow workers she was leaving on Thursday.
Her farewell party was low key and Kate was given an envelope of Jigsaw vouchers as a farewell present.
She had the day off as usual on Friday before flying out of the country for a holiday.
One workmate said Kate had spoken at length about her interest in photography, adding: "When she was asked what she was off to do, she said she was a photographer and she may open a gallery."
It is believed she has been offered a job selling luxury yachts from an office near Prince William's London base.
Kate 'preparing to be princess'
Regardless of the career path she chooses, the move provides Kate with some "breathing space" until an engagement is announced.
Friends suggest it could be early 2009 after William, also 25, completes his military service next year.
Sources close to the Prince have expressed their irritation that Kate appears to be so obviously preparing herself to become a princess.
Speculation of a royal engagement is rife following Kate Middleton's resignation from her fashion job.
Prince William's 25-year-old girlfriend quit as an accessories buyer for the Jigsaw chain after less than a year, telling friends she wanted "time to herself".
Staff at the company's headquarters at Kew in London have been told that her job is being kept open for her should she wish to return.
Kate started the job - her first since graduating from St Andrews University in June 2005 - last November.
The role was created for her by Jigsaw's owners, John and Belle Robinson.
She was required to work only four days a week to accommodate her royal boyfriend's schedule.
Kate 'never committed'
A colleague said Kate was never committed to the job.
"She never worked full-time and appeared to take an inordinate amount of time off to go jetting round the world with her boyfriend," the co-worker said.
"It certainly rubbed a few people here up the wrong way.
'Not exactly a surprise'
"To be told she would be resting for a while 'looking at other things' didn't exactly come as a surprise.
"She has always been treated as a special case."
Kate, who studied the history of art at St Andrews University where she met the Prince, told fellow workers she was leaving on Thursday.
Her farewell party was low key and Kate was given an envelope of Jigsaw vouchers as a farewell present.
She had the day off as usual on Friday before flying out of the country for a holiday.
One workmate said Kate had spoken at length about her interest in photography, adding: "When she was asked what she was off to do, she said she was a photographer and she may open a gallery."
It is believed she has been offered a job selling luxury yachts from an office near Prince William's London base.
Kate 'preparing to be princess'
Regardless of the career path she chooses, the move provides Kate with some "breathing space" until an engagement is announced.
Friends suggest it could be early 2009 after William, also 25, completes his military service next year.
Sources close to the Prince have expressed their irritation that Kate appears to be so obviously preparing herself to become a princess.
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