\nAnd senior Buckingham Palace aides say that what is now referred to in the Royal inner-circle as the Kate Problem should be resolved before William announces his engagement to her. The Sovereign\u2019s private concern about Kate\u2019s lack of a career was first reported in The Mail on Sunday in June.
\nShe has already been nicknamed Waity Katie because of her apparent willingness to do nothing but socialise and shop until William decides when to propose.
\nNow, Royal aides have revealed that the Queen has privately suggested that Kate, 26, should get involved with a charity to counter the potentially damaging public perception that she is workshy.
\nAccording to friends of the couple, plans are in place for Clarence House to announce an engagement either shortly before or just after Christmas.
\nSeveral dates have been earmarked for a wedding, which could be as early as May or June next year. But one senior Royal source revealed last night that the Queen is convinced that it is vital for the Royal Family and its reputation that both Prince William, 26, and his girlfriend should be working before an announcement is authorised.
\nThis newspaper understands that it has been suggested that Kate should get involved with an animal or children\u2019s charity because it would be a \u2018safe\u2019 role that would not lead to any comparisons with the late Princess of Wales. The source said: \u2018There is concern at the very highest level that Kate Middleton still does not have a job.
\nThe Queen is keen that the Monarchy should lead by example and that the Princes and their girlfriends should all be seen to be hard workers.
\n\u2018The Queen has made it known that she feels Kate should get involved with a charity, possibly an animal charity, where she can be seen to be doing something proactive and something entirely safe.
\n\u2018It is important that Kate isn\u2019t seen to be doing anything controversial, and she needs to do something completely different from any of the charity work that Diana did.\u2019
\nIt is understood that Kate has been approached by several charities to represent them, including a number involving children, but she has yet to accept any of the roles. At present, her only charity work is as a committee member of a roller-disco fundraising event for Oxford Children\u2019s Hospital. Kate was invited to a fundraising event at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea in May this year but pulled out at the last minute even though Prince William attended. Kate has not worked since she quit her job as an accessories buyer for the High Street fashion chain Jigsaw last November. She recently took some photographs for the online company Party Planners run by her parents Carole and Michael but sources say she has not done any other paid work for months and is still being financed by them.
\nAs Prince William\u2019s girlfriend, she is one of the most photographed and discussed women in the world. But the fact that she is seen to spend her time shopping, holidaying and partying instead of working hard at a career has triggered a bitter backlash.
\nEchoing what many senior courtiers are said to believe, reader Sara Ruiz \u2018from England\u2019 noted: \u2018What would she do if he breaks up with her? \u2018Currently she just goes to the gym, to the hairdresser, shopping, on holidays and to party hard. She\u2019d better hold him tight or the encounter with reality is going to hurt her a lot. \u2018What are you thinking, girl? What kind of respect do you expect from the people? \u2018You could have been someone as you had the studies and the means to do it but instead you have let everybody see that you are just a lazy girl. Shame on you!\u2019 Clarence House refused to comment on Kate \u2018because she is a private person\u2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"