English Study from BBC Learning English

A royal romance, an everyday love story

Both couples are looking forward to the future

Planning for the future

In this sixth episode of our special series leading up to the royal wedding, our two couples discuss planning for the future.

Section One: William and Kate

Listen to this interview with Prince William and Kate Middleton, and see if you can answer these questions:

1．Why does William say he waited so long to get married?

2. Is Kate keen to learn the ropes?

Listen to William and Kate

The answers are at the bottom of the page. You can also download a transcript of the interview on the right-hand side.

David and Jennifer

Section Two: David and Jennifer

Now listen to BBC Learning English's Yang Li interview David and Jennifer. When you've listened, try answering these questions:

3. What does David say he hopes will play a part in their marriage?

4. What does Jennifer think will be a symbolic part of her marriage to David?

Listen to David and Jennifer

Answers to the questions

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1．Why does William say he waited so long to get married?

He wanted to make sure that Kate and her family had the best guidance and a chance to see what life is like in the royal family.

2. What does Kate say to show that she is keen to learn the ropes?

She says she is willing to learn quickly and work hard.

3. What does David say he hopes will play a part in his marriage to Jennifer?

He hopes they will have children.

4. What does Jennifer say is symbolic of her marriage to David?

She thinks that changing her name will be an important symbol of her marriage.

Chapter 6: Planning for the future
Interview with Prince William and Kate Middleton
William:    Her and her family, I really want to make sure that they have the best,
sort of, guidance and chance to see what life's been like, or what life is like
in the family. And that's kind of almost why I have been waiting this long,
is that I wanted to give her a chance to see, and to back out if she needed
to, before it all got too much. Because, you know, I'm trying to learn from
lessons done in the past, and I just wanted to give her the best chance to
settle in and to see what happens the other side.
Kate:    And I'm also glad that I've had the time to sort of, to grow and understand
myself more as well, so…
William:    Does that mean I've done well?
Kate:   Hopefully good... Yes!
William:    We're hugely excited, and it's… you know, we're looking forward to
spending the rest of our times, the rest of our lives together and seeing
what the future holds.  
Kate:    I don't know the ropes, really. William, quite obviously, is used to it, but
no, I'm willing to learn quickly and work hard, and I'm…
William:    She'll do really well.
Kate:   Yeah.
William:    You'll do very well.
Kate:   Yes. Well, I really hope I can make a difference, you know, even in the
smallest way. I'm looking forward to helping as much as I can.


Interview with David and Jennifer
Yang Li:    How do you envisage your future as a wife to a husband, or husband to a
wife?
David:   I think, [we're] definitely looking forward to taking that next step in our
relationship. I think for, for both of us I think, hopefully children will play a
part in that.
Jennifer: Really?
David:  (laughs) So hopefully, children will play a part in that. I think it's a big
statement of commitment for us to get married. But it takes more than
just getting married to keep a relationship going. And I think just continue
to, you know, enjoy each other and, you know, that's what I'm looking
forward to doing.
Jennifer:  It will bring a seriousness to, and a commitment, to one another I think,
and to our families and to our friends. It feels really important to me now.
I didn't think it would feel this important. We're talking about name
changes and things like that, which aren't as important, but still seem
quite symbolic. So I think we'll continue as we are, but I think we
understand that we'll now need to know that you have to work at things so
that we stay together for the rest of our lives.
Yang Li: Are you Jenny, going to change your name to Mrs Langrish?
Jennifer:  Yes I think so. I decided that the other day, actually.
David: She's been practising her signatures.
Jennifer:  I haven't really!