A royal replacement? Diana, Kate aren't that alike

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Could a replacement for Princess Diana be in the works?

Prince William of Wales and his commoner girlfriend, Kate Middleton, might -- might -- be inching closer to engagement, so suddenly she's news beyond the United Kingdom. She could be the next queen, assuming William's stepmother, Camilla, remains a mere duchess once his father, Prince Charles, ascends the throne.

Buckingham Palace denies that a William-Kate engagement is imminent, but paparazzi attention has grown so keen in recent weeks that a team of bodyguards is guarding Middleton at her home and escorting her to work and clubbing in London. Last month, in her most prominent public appearance since they met five years ago, Middleton and her family were invited to the ceremony for William's completion of officer training at Sandhurst, the Royal Military Academy.

Comparisons to William's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, are inevitable. Gossip editors are already salivating. Juliet Herd, features editor of the British celebrity magazine Hello!, praises Middleton as "a modern princess along the new European-style model." American royals watcher/biographer Kitty Kelley predicts Middleton is so stylish she could become "a real staple in People magazine."

But both say Middleton and Diana are different in significant ways. "Diana was much younger, less experienced, less worldly wise," Herd says. "Kate has been given training" on how to deal with press scrutiny.

Kelley doubts Middleton will capture the public imagination the way Diana did almost immediately. It's true that she's "very stylish, pretty, smart, much more educated than Diana and of a savvier generation," says Kelley. But unlike Diana, she doesn't combine the qualities of vulnerability and flirtatiousness. "She sees the press, especially the paparazzi, in a much more adversarial way."

Before getting the ring

Diana, 19 Kate, 25 Family Commoner, titled daughter of an earl, divorced parents, huge historic estate Commoner, untitled, upper-middle-class daughter of still-married mail-order entrepreneurs with modern five-bedroom house in suburbs Education Private schools, failed exams, sent to Swiss finishing school at 16 Private schools, graduate of Scotland's University of St. Andrews, degree in art history Occupation Babysitter, kindergarten teacher in London Junior accessories buyer for fashion boutique in London How she met her prince Grew up knowing his family, met at a party after older sister dated him first Met at St. Andrews, lived in same dorm; later, shared a house with two friends Domicile Shared a flat with girlfriends in London paid for by father Lives in a flat in London paid for by parents Style Plump, a little frumpy, sensible shoes, floppy hair, girlish Slim, sophisticated, great accessories, favors boots Personality Shy, insecure, adolescent madly in love Confident, down-to-earth, discreet adult

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