William's girl takes bus

Apr 7, 2006, 16:32 GMT

Kate Middleton proved she is still just a normal girl recently - by taking a bus during a shopping trip.

The girlfriend of Britain's Prince William, 24, went unnoticed as she waited at a bus stop in London's West End.

Looking every inch the sophisticated royal girlfriend, Kate - who wore a summery skirt and smart boots - she sent text messages on her mobile phone until her public transport arrived.

One shopper who did recognise her said: 'Kate is a real stunner - Wills is very lucky.

'I don't suppose she'll be sitting at bus stops for much longer.'

Meanwhile, Kate has been taking basic accountancy lessons to help launch her own clothing business.

She is being coached by a family friend ahead of her first venture into marketing children's clothes.

Kate previously completed work experience for friend Dylan Williams, who runs a sportswear company in Berkshire, and Alistair Parker-Swift, who founded a chain of successful clothes shops from a hut in Devon.

And the ambitious graduate - who met Prince William whilst studying at St Andrews University in Scotland - has now decided to branch out on her own.

A friend is quoted in Adam Helliker's Sunday Express column as saying: 'People seem to have the wrong idea that she's some sort of drippy thing waiting around for William to make a decision about whether they'll get married.

'In fact, she's a confident, intelligent and independent young woman who intends to make her own way in the world regardless of who she happens to be going out with.

'She's not the sort to mope about while William is away.'

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International