Royal couple returns to remote island

ANGLESEY, Wales - Britain's most glamorous royal couple isspending this week on an island - just not the kind of islandeveryone expected.

It's not a private honeymoon retreat in the Caribbean or theSeychelles, but Anglesey, a wind-swept spot off northwest Waleswhere Prince William works as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilotat the Royal Air Force Valley base.

A palace spokesman said the couple had decided to stay "weeksago."

So instead of suntan lotion and lazy dips in an azure-blue sea,it's back to work just days after the couple's picture-perfectwedding captivated much of the world. Kate Middleton, now theduchess of Cambridge, does their shopping while William trains andworks on the base.

The choice may offer the emotionally exhausted couple somethingeven more valuable than a hectic, security-protected jaunt: Privacy.

The couple rent a whitewashed farmhouse close to a private beach,and away from snooping camera lenses.

"They don't get bothered at all here," said Daisy Gibson, a 19-year-old university student. "There's rumors about where they are,but nobody knows where they live really. They don't get recognizedthat much when they go out because they look quite low-key when theywalk around."

It may also be their best chance to spend time together ashusband and wife. The prince's office said he will not go to theFalkland Islands off the coast of Argentina as part of his trainingthis year, but the posting is a routine part of the three-yearservice he began in September 2010.

Britain has ruled the South Atlantic islands - known in Spanishas Las Malvinas - for almost 180 years, but Argentina still claimsthem.

People in Anglesey may act like it's no big deal to have thelikely future king and queen in residence, but most were glued tothe tube for the entire royal wedding at Westminster Abbey.

"I watched all day," said Gibson. "I loved the dress, I want itfor my wedding. It's exciting to have them here."

And word does spread fast when Middleton, sometimes accompaniedby William, goes grocery shopping at Tesco or Morrisons, two budget-oriented supermarket chains.

"Everyone knows," said Gibson. "It gets around. But the people atRAF Valley say it's just like having another person on the team,they don't treat him like he's any different. You can't when you'rein that position."

While William is developing his military career - a long-standing tradition for men in the royal family - Kate is serving asa "forces wife," a role many Britons can sympathize with.

It is a far cry from the glitz of London, where they often spentlate nights clubbing before retreating to one of the royal palaces.Instead of boutiques in upscale Chelsea there is Poundland, adiscount emporium where every item costs $1.65. The island - whichmeasures about 30 miles from one end to another - has a smallpopulation of just roughly 66,800, according to a 2001 census.

The couple's decision to delay their honeymoon, which will takeplace at an undisclosed overseas location later, surprised many. Butafter spending months planning a pomp-filled royal wedding seenbefore a global TV and Internet audience, they may just want to getback to their own routine.

"They're waiting for the hoopla to die down," said a spokesmanwho spoke on condition of anonymity in line with the palace'spolicies.

Palace officials are trying to protect the couple from theunprecedented interest in their lives, hoping to avoid the houndingthat followed Princess Diana, William's late mother. They hope tokeep the location of their home in Anglesey out of the press becauseof security and privacy concerns.

The couple are able to move around freely in Anglesey, but thereis normally at least one "protection officer" discreetly nearby.

Their haunts are well known. William sometimes eats at theSeacroft restaurant in Trearddur - although he and his friends wererecently turned away one night because the place was full - and alsolikes the White Eagle pub, with its floor-to-ceiling windowsoffering a dramatic view of Caernarfon Bay and the Snowdoniamountains beyond.

Prince Charles, William's sometimes acerbic father, said earlierhe was glad they had decided to wed because "they've been practicinglong enough."

Charles had no such opportunity to gauge his compatibility withDiana. They married in 1981 after a brief courtship, produced sonsWilliam and Harry, and then sunk into a bitter, drawn-out divorcewith mutual accusations of infidelity that deeply embarrassed theroyal family.

Locals expect worldwide fascination with William and Middleton toboost the number of visitors to Anglesey, a remote part of Walesthat boasts lovely beaches, fresh sea air and picturesque coves.

"I think this will improve it," said W.H. Robert, 51. "We hope toget more people in, we hope to get more cruise ships in."

The island is partly rural, with cattle and horses in manyfields, partly a tourist draw, with cliff-top hotels and seasidepromenades, and partly a military base. Most of its social life isbuilt around the base, a combat pilot training center founded in1941.

Anglesey is also a transit point for people bound for Ireland bycar and passenger ferries, but the main port of Holyhead is slightlyrun down, with a number of vacant storefronts.

Robert said residents are fond of William because of his "just-one-of-the-lads" approach.

"People like that," Robert said.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A cushion commemorating the engagement ofPrince William and Catherine Middleton which was presented to PrinceWilliam by his flying colleagues sits on a chair at RAF ValleySearch and Rescue Headquarters.