Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton has revealed she has a full-time job and is not merely waiting around for a royal marriage proposal.
The 26-year-old has been working for her parents' multi-million pound party accessories business, compiling catalogues for customers, according to friends.
The revelation comes after months of speculation about how Middleton appeared to be spending most of her time partying and holidaying instead of working while waiting for William to pop the question.
The Queen was reportedly so concerned that she suggested Middleton, dubbed "Waity Katy" in some British media reports, find a job with a charity.
But close friends of Middleton's say claims that she is "workshy" are "utter nonsense".
"There is a complete misrepresentation about headlines such as `Waity Katy'," a close family friend told Hello magazine.
"She is working very hard for her parents at their company Party Pieces and has been doing so for the past few months on a daily basis.
"The company is a big one and the catalogues are produced regularly. Kate's responsibility is helping to put them together.
"She is a young woman who wants to keep active and that is why she is annoyed at the headlines saying she doesn't work.
"She is actually working full-time, is on the payroll and plans to continue doing the job." Middleton has also been helping organise a charity roller disco for the Children's Hospital in Oxford next month.
The magazine said while Middleton graduated from university with a degree in art history four years ago, she had found it difficult to get a job in a gallery because of the media attention surrounding her and Prince William.
Her last job was as an accessories buyer for fashion chain Jigsaw, which she left last November.
Speculation has been mounting in Britain in recent months about whether Prince William will propose this Christmas, with a royal wedding to follow in May or June next year.
Meanwhile, Prince William has carved out a successful army career and completed stints with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
His next mission is to spend six weeks with the elite Special Services before continuing his training at the Ministry of Defence headquarters and the Foreign Office.
