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Prince William - Source: Reuters -
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Bookies have slashed the odds of a Christmas engagement for Prince William and his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, after Buckingham Palace moved to crack down on paparazzi photographers.
Attempts to preserve the British royal family's privacy have fuelled speculation Prince William is preparing to propose during traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, the Queen's estate in Norfolk.
A spokesman for bookmakers William Hill says the company has cut its odds for a Christmas engagement from 12/1 to 6/1.
"A group of our customers have interpreted the Queen's decision to crack down on the paparazzi as a clear sign that she expects extra activity over the Christmas period, which can only mean a royal engagement," he told the website of Britain's The Daily Telegraph.
The Queen and the Prince of Wales have instructed lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell, an expert in media law, to draw up new guidelines for photographers.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry are all prepared to take legal action over "intrusive and unacceptable behaviour" by photographers.
Royal watchers interpreted the move as an attempt to stop paparazzi harassing Middleton in the way they persistently followed Diana, Princess of Wales.
Some members of the Royal family still blame the paparazzi for the death of Princess Diana in Paris in 1997.
Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward believed Prince William was at the heart of the crackdown.
"I think William is behind this," she told the Daily Express.
"I think he is setting some ground rules for his future with Kate."
