Is Prince William Shacked Up With Kate?

LONDON, Dec. 19, 2007 — -- "Wills Is Cooped Up With His Bird"

That's the headline. The Sun newspaper claims Kate Middleton now shares Prince William's official London residence.

Apparently a source told the paper the arrangement is "unofficial," but that Middleton is fast becoming a "part of the furniture."

A break in royal protocol? A sign of an imminent engagement? Or a tabloid just telling the public what it wants to hear?

A public, chilled by the grip of winter, dreaming of a summer royal wedding? A royal wedding to rival Diana's fairy-tale day all those years ago.

No comment, of course, from the palace staff. A royal household press officer told ABC News, "We do not comment on Kate Middleton. We do not comment on the prince's personal life. We will not make any comment whatsoever."

Today, papers also printed photos snapped Tuesday of Middleton collecting birds that William had shot. How romantic — then a kiss.

If you're William and Middleton, nothing goes unnoticed. Everything is significant. Since they met at college, their romance has been a real-life soap opera, every step analyzed by the British media.

When they broke up in April, the media knowingly mused that it could never have worked: He's a prince and she's too much like the rest of us. Apparently she was looking for a commitment that he couldn't give.

Then they reportedly got back together and the flames were fanned. Ever since then, if they go on holiday, if she is seen with a shiny ring, the British tabloids are quick to muse that surely this must mean marriage.

They've now been together, on and off, for four years. William's now 25. He's not getting any younger. Some members of the British media and the public are pushing for Will to pop the question while she'll still have him.