Filed under: Kate's Style

AP

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wants to take on a slightly more modest title -- housewife. The newlywed has decided not to become a full-time working royal immediately following the wedding. Instead, she will focus on being an "ordinary RAF wife," the Daily Mail reports.

Her husband Prince William works as a search-and-rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey, where the couple rents a farmhouse. And, according to the U.K. newspaper, he has asked aides to keep his new wife's commitments to a minimum to help ease her transition into public life. Presumably, William's reservations stem from his late mother Princess Diana's struggles with the sudden fame and attention of being a royal.

Besides two or three scheduled events with William, the duchess plans to spend most of her time at home. Aides have told the Mail that she is refusing to conduct any engagements without the prince for up to two years, although they claim she "will not be idle." She reportedly wants to model herself after Camilla Parker-Bowles, who plays only a "supporting role" to Prince Charles.

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"It's so rare that someone in her position gets the chance to live as a normal wife and she intends to make the most of it," a friend told the publication.

Every year, the royal family carries out over 2,000 official appointments throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide, according to the British Monarchy web site. Because of their military service, Princes William and Harry are exempt from full-tie duties, but do take part in important national events and commemorations. Since graduating from St. Andrew's in 2005, Kate has held only one part-time job, as an accessories buyer for London store Jigsaw.

As for Prince William, he returned to work this week after spending a weekend away in an undisclosed location with his new wife. According to the Mail, the newlyweds' honeymoon, which will take place in mid-May, involves a ten-day stay on a secret island in the Indian Ocean at a cost of over $6500 a night.

"It's one of the most incredible places you will ever visit and Kate will have the time of her life," a source told the paper. "It's everything you could want from a honeymoon destination and more -- beautiful beaches, tropical seas and complete privacy."

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