Jay Lloyd's Getaway: A Royal Romance Gratefully Avoided
As the world this week watches a London wedding, Jay Lloyd recalls his advice to a daughter attending college at St. Andrews, Scotland, where the latest royal romance began.
Reported by Jay Lloyd, KYW Newsradio 1060
When my wife and I jetted off to St. Andrews in 2003 with our daughter, I gave little thought to Prince William. He was just going into his third year there. And Kate Middleton was not, as far as we knew, in the picture.
But when my daughter Kathryn later told me that she wound up in a "social setting" with the prince (that's St. Andrews-speak for a pub), an ominous thought occurred to me, and so I offered some fatherly advice.
"Honey," I said, "about the prince. I do not mind if you become friends, but please, no romantic relationship."
With eyeballs rolling she asked, "Why do you say that, Dad?"
"Because," says I, "it is customary for the father of the bride to pay for the wedding. And at this stage in life, I'm not about to bankroll a royal wedding."
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And so today I offer a single-malt toast to Michael Middleton -- the real father of the bride -- and to a favorite getaway spot, St. Andrews.
