The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hit by downturn on the slopes

The ski slopes of the Alps hold strong romantic memories for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but, sadly, cold economic winds back home appear to be preventing their return. Mandrake can disclose that the couple will not be taking a skiing holiday this winter, amid suggestions that such a trip would “send out the wrong signal” to Britons struggling in the economic downturn. “The couple have no plans to go skiing over the winter,” confirms one of their friends.
A courtier says: “William and Catherine appreciate that not everyone can afford to go skiing and that pictures of them on the slopes might send out the wrong signal.” Last year, the Prince of Wales, a keen skiier, was put off the idea of a visit to the slopes because it was said that it did not look good in the recession.
Prince William’s relationship with the then Kate Middleton was confirmed in public when photographs of the couple on a skiing holiday in Klosters, Switzerland, were published in 2004. Two years ago, he took Kate and her family to Méribel in the French Alps. On the flight, when he was given an upgrade, he gave his seats to her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, while he and Kate sat in economy.
They also headed to Courchevel, with William, memorably, calling Michael “dad” during one meal, fuelling speculation over an imminent wedding announcement. Three years ago, Prince Charles cancelled his skiing trip to help cut down his “carbon footprint”. In 2001, he pulled out of his holiday to show solidarity with farmers during the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Duchess of Cornwall does not ski and is said to be no fan of the Alps.