Kate Middleton's royal visit

Feb 27, 2006, 14:11 GMT

Kate Middleton visited Britain's Prince William at Sandhurst Military Academy yesterday - renewing talk of a royal engagement.

Royal experts said it was 'highly significant' that William's girlfriend had been invited by the prince to look round his military base.

And Kate, 23, sat with Prince Charles at a special service in the chapel at Sandhurst.

Charles and Kate then joined William, also 23, for a curry lunch with other members of his regiment.

A military source said: 'William was delighted and proudly showed Kate round.

'They seemed besotted with each other.

'It was the first time she has visited Sandhurst since he began his officer training.'

However, despite rumours of an engagement, royal sources insist the young prince will not propose to Kate until he leaves the army.

The handsome royal will reportedly complete at least four years in the Army before thinking about getting engaged to his girl.

A source told Britain's The People newspaper: 'William finds all the talk of an imminent engagement laughable.

'He takes his relationship with Kate extremely seriously. But he knows his service career will occupy most of his time.

'He does not wish to play the field - he simply does not believe in pledging his future to somebody he then ends up spending very little time with. Sandhurst is the first big test of their relationship.'

William and Kate - who started dating after meeting at St Andrews University - are said to be taking their romance slowly.

The source revealed: 'Kate, like William, is perfectly happy to take things slowly.'

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International