I’ve been sitting on several minor royal stories all week, hoping we would get some new photos of Duchess Kate. While Kate did step out this week – go here to see her Erdem dress – we don’t have access to those pics. And strangely enough, even though that outing probably constituted a formal public appearance, the Kensington Royal Twitter and Instagram did not post any photos. I think it’s because the outing was just for a hotel party and that doesn’t go with Kate’s “new image” as a hard-working advocate for children (keep it up, new PR guy).

So, here are some stories knocking around about Kate and William:

*You know how the Brits like to bet on everything? Well, oddsmakers say that if Kate gives birth to a girl, the name “Charlotte” is no longer the far-outpacing favorite. Alexandra has become the new favorite. I like either name, honestly. They could call her Alexis or Alexi or Lexi. It would be cute! But no one saw “George” coming, so I think we should go with something even more old-school.

*Eddie Redmayne went to Eton at the same time as Prince William, and now that Redmayne is a big Oscar-winner, people are asking him more about his connection to William. Eddie has always said that they were never close, and in a recent interview, he said that he hasn’t seen William “since school” and William didn’t send him any congratulatory messages for winning an Oscar.

*Kate will likely do her last public appearances (until after she gives birth) next week. She already had a few charity stops on her schedule, and yesterday she added a very special event for the 11th: she’s going to visit the set of Downton Abbey. And when I say “set,” I don’t mean Highclere Castle, which stands in for Downton Abbey. She’s visiting Ealing Studios, where they film the servants’ quarters and stuff. She’s going to watch some filming and pose for some photos. She’s said before that she watches Downton, so she should enjoy this.

*Kate also has lots of stalkers. They are being monitored.

*William did not bad-mouth China, even when asked point-blank about elephant mistreatment by a Chinese amusement park. He was just there for the photo-ops, people.

*Is Kate worried that her staff is spying on her and telling all of her gossip to the Queen? Gossip Cop says no, but I say… that’s the royal life. Every royal worries that their staffers are spying on them and telling other people their royal business. Half time, the staffers are spies.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.