If history has taught us anything, it's that there's no such thing as the perfect royal marriage. Even Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's beautiful 73-year union weathered its share of rumors and speculation.
From the outside, almost every royal relationship looks like a living, breathing fairy tale. Things are obviously more complicated behind closed doors. Those doors seem a little less closed in the modern era, where royals' every moment of the day can be documented by photos, posts, appearances, and more.
The latest couple to have rumors about their relationship make headlines is Prince William and Kate Middleton. Their marriage has been talked about quite a bit in recent years, but recent suggestions indicate the couple may be headed toward a split.
A European tabloid story picked up by larger international outlets claims that Prince William and Kate Middleton are separating. The since-deleted piece said that Kate took the couple's children and retreated to her family's home in Buckleberry in the midst of continuous discord in the relationship.
The royals did appear at separate engagements on May 18, the day the news blew up. However, there's no indication that the couple is actually separating. The palace has not commented on the rumors, but it's believed that the story was quickly and widely deleted due to their influence.
The article also alleged that it has been the increased pressure on the couple causing problems in their marriage. As they get closer to the crown, they get farther from the kind of quiet country life that Kate and their kids allegedly desire.
The story is largely being disregarded as just rumor, but the fact is, rumors have surrounded William and Kate's marriage for quite a bit. William has been characterized as a hothead and an occasional cheater, with Kate holding down the fort for her family and trying to keep things just so. Their public presence flies in the face of these rumors, but even those in close royal circles will concede that there's some truth to what's dismissed as lies.
For many, it brings to mind the relationship between Charles and Diana. Certainly, there's not as wide a margin of popularity between William and Kate as there was between the Prince and Princess of Wales. Many do wonder just how much of a blow to William's public persona a separation or divorce would actually be.
The fact is that having a high-profile relationship doesn't make you immune to the problems that come up in relationships. It doesn't seem like William and Kate are truly splitting, but trouble in their marriage shouldn't be seen as headline-making news, either. Relationships go through stages and seasons, and it would be disingenuous to act like the future king and queen of the United Kingdom don't have their issues to work through from time to time.
That said, many haven't forgotten the royal machine's unwillingness to shut down other harmful rumors as they spread in the past. William and Kate might need work, but so does the rest of the family — and the institution — on when they'll take a stand and when they'll stand down.
