13 Kate Middleton wannabes gather at palace

[January 20, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Call it a royal art project.

With 100 days to go before the royal wedding, 13 young women decided to mark the occasion by dressing as Kate Middleton and gathering at the gates outside Buckingham Palace.

The unannounced arrival of the wannabes wearing identical copies of the dark blue dress Middleton wore when her engagement to Prince William was revealed gave tourists a jolt Wednesday. Their "Kate look" included replicas of her diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

The women are students at the Royal College of Art in London who clearly enjoy making a splash.

The 29-year-old Briony Clarke, remaining in character as Middleton, said, "I thought it was time I got with my people."

The students got the attention they wanted, but Middleton has the prince.

[Associated Press]

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