It’s the stuff fairy tales are made of: Kate Middleton meets and marries a true Prince Charming, whisked from the suburbs to a palatial life of private jets, couture gowns and hundreds of household staff.
But for other ordinary girls looking to add a title to their names, Kate’s score means one less eligible prince on the market.
Related: A history of British royal weddings
To make matters worse, Prince Harry is being hunted like game by eager girls who are staking out his favorite hangouts and studying up on his topics of interest. With all that competition already booked on their cross-Atlantic flights, who stands a chance at a titled man?
The truth is, there are plenty of unmarried, hunky royals all over the world who are ripe for the picking: Call them low-hanging princes. In palaces from Sweden to Brunei, single boys with connections to a crown abound.
Related: Prince Albert’s wedding set for July
There’s even How to Date a Prince (howtodateaprince.com), a blog devoted to the quest that gives tongue-in-cheek answers to questions like “Is HRH (His Royal Highness) into you?” and “Prince or pauper? How to tell if you’re dating a prince.”
But be warned, girls. The life of a royal is not all fun and games. “The workload is enormous,” says Beatrice Aidin, a British journalist and royal watcher. “The royal family does have to sing for its supper, with openings and dinners and visits.”
It’s not the toughest job in the world, but if you’ve got illusions of lounging around the palace all day, think again. Movie princesses may do nothing but sing sweet songs and swoon for their suitors, but their real-life counterparts have chores like anyone else. Even Kate toiled as an accessories buyer for a British fashion chain.
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Beyond her employment history, Kate is the perfect template for any everyday girl with royal aspirations. Don't tattle to the press, for example — Kate and her mates have been a steel fortress of silence when it comes to public comments. Dress demurely, choose a signature style and stick with it. And make sure you've got that which-fork-to-use stuff straight.