Kate's car is fit for a princess
Last updated at 22:04 27 February 2007
She isn’t royal yet, but Kate Middleton is steering her way there. For Prince William’s long-standing girlfriend is poised to take delivery of a new Audi — the make preferred by her boyfriend and his family.
When Kate, 25, gets behind the wheel of the sporty A3 hatchback coupe next month, it is bound to provoke fresh speculation about when, not if, she is joining the Royal Family.
For I am told she has an arrangement with the German car-maker not unlike the cut-price deals enjoyed by the royals, who have a fleet of Audi cars.
The royals have a highly competitive leasing deal which is not available to ordinary motorists because of the priceless prestige makers receive from their cars’ exposure. It means the company famed for its slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” is rapidly becoming “Vorsprung durch Windsor”.
Many may also be wondering if the four rings of the Audi badge may soon be joined by a fifth — on Miss Middleton’s engagement finger — while she has become one of the world’s most photographed women amid rising speculation she and Prince William are to marry.
Audi received massive publicity after Princess Diana began driving an Audi cabriolet soon after her separation from Prince Charles in the early 1990s.
Since then, Charles has had a number of Audis, Prince Harry drives a black three-door Audi A3 turbo-diesel — similar to the £23,000 model Miss Middleton is set to receive — while Prince William has a powerful Audi S4 4.2 litre V8 saloon.
It is understood from friends of the couple that while Miss Middleton’s arrangement echoes that enjoyed by the royals, it has been negotiated separately. Her’s also differs from those made with celebrities, who are often contracted to make personal appearances at social events in return for free or subsidised use of the vehicle.
It’s a remarkable coup for Audi, which already sponsors some of Prince William’s polo activities. Friends of the couple say Miss Middleton was recommended the marque following rave reviews from her boyfriend.
