William parties and Kate stays at home - are cracks starting to show?

British media are speculating about cracks in the relationship between Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. Photo / AP

Speculation is mounting about cracks in the relationship between the heir to the throne Prince William, and his hugely popular wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

British media are reporting that Kate has been a notable no-show at several recent social events, including last weekend's wedding of one of William's great mates - leading to her being dubbed the "Disappearing Princess".

Some say the recent lack of public appearances is because she has her hands full with her 3-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte and 2-year-old Prince George. But others aren't so charitable, saying her non-appearance at the wedding in South Devon was another sign the 33-year-old doesn't want to emulate William's mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales, and be the public face of the royals. Kate's sister, Pippa, accompanied William to the wedding.

Buckingham Palace sources have talked to British media about the emergence of the "Middleton Rules".

They say that just three months after her daughter's birth Kate wants to be a royal on her own terms and has no intention of being trotted out to a swag of high-profile events.

Friends of Kate this week privately insisted she had let it be known two weeks earlier that she would not be attending last weekend's wedding.

But it was reported Kate and William's names were still on the reception seating plan on the wedding day.

"They were meant to be sitting on the top table," a source told the Daily Mail. "The placement had been imaginatively written on an antique-looking mirror inside the marquee and the names included William and Catherine Wales."

The Prince fuelled speculation when he was in no particular hurry to leave after the wedding, staying on in the village for another night and day.

Close friends insist Kate's critics are cruelly ignoring the sheer exhaustion of managing George - who hit the terrible 2s in July - and his baby sister, whom Kate may still be breastfeeding.

And had she attended the wedding, much of the spotlight would have been on her and not the bride, say her supporters.

Others questioned why William has happy to party for a prolonged period without his wife.

There is speculation that Kate does not want to take Diana's title, Princess of Wales, when the time comes. Daily Mail editor at large and respected royal expert Richard Kay said Kate was fed up with the constant comparisons to William's late mother.

- Daily Mail