We're used to seeing acres of newsprint devoted to hailing Kate Middleton as a woman who could be the 'new Diana', a saviour of the monarchy.

Now, however, both she and Chelsy Davy have suffered quite a broadside, a columnist in the royals' favourite 'Establishment' broadsheet seemingly dubbing William and Harry's girlfriends "thick".

Writing in the Daily Telegraph — a newspaper dubbed the 'Tory-graph' due to its very Conservative tone — columnist Jan Moir has been especially damning of Prince Harry's girlfriend.

Despite Chelsy preparing to become a postgraduate at Bristol University next year, having already studied politics, philosophy and economics at the University of Cape Town, Moir writes: "Harry's squeeze Chelsy Davy looks like the kind of dumbo who might stumble over a dot-to-dot puzzle, while we can only dream of the delicious scenario if Andrew ever took Courtney Love home to meet mum."

The reference to the widow of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain comes just days after the famously wild Miss Love recalled welcoming Prince Andrew to her Los Angeles home.

Many have been surprised by an image of the Queen's second son which features in the singer's new autobiography, Dirty Blonde. Andrew and 41-year-old Courtney are pictured in her hallway, jointly holding a teapot.

As Courtney recently explained, the highly controversial rocker and the Prince had previously met: "Oh, I bumped into him at Hay-on-Wye. I was with Alan McGee {a music mogul who discovered Oasis}. Prince Andrew said that I made the best cup of tea he'd ever had."

According to the lead singer of Hole, she was dressed in bunny slippers and a fluffy robe when the Prince, by now separated from Sarah, Duchess of York, made an unexpected late night visit to her house in L.A.

The time of the royal arrival? 1am!

Says Courtney: "Prince Andrew turns up at my house at one in the morning and he wants to party. He'd come to Hollywood to look for chicks. I don't know what he expected at my house. I answered the door and he was there with a bodyguard."

Meanwhile, Jan Moir reserves a few plaudits for Kate Middleton, although even she appears to be condemned as just another 'Sloane Ranger'.

Writes Moir: "Perhaps only Kate Middleton can save the day. Prince William's girl has a history of art degree from St Andrews, and, even if that’s only what dim Sloanes do to prove to mummy and daddy they can read, at least it's a start."

"Traditionally, girls such as Kate then work at Christie's for two weeks before they snag a rich banker — but she has shown her stylish form by accepting a job as an accessories buyer instead. And if you think that buying handbags and necklaces is what all women with a pulse do, then you are just being cruel."

If Kate and Chelsy didn't already know what they've let themselves in for by falling in love with William and Harry, they certainly do now, for clearly the knives are being sharpened towards a new generation of royal partners....

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Name: Helen	Comment: I wonder what Jan Moir has a degree in? Oh thats right, to write for the Daily Telegraph you only need to dip your tongue in acid and spew vitriol. It is really a shame that these so called Journalists do not get to know the people they put down. Perhaps Jan Moir suffers from the female version of P---- Envy.

Name: Kate

Comment: M-M - your remarks in your post are terrific and articulate ... I also believe that Chelsy is as intelligent as any of the royals and better educated then some of them!.. Chelsy is an independant lady who has formed views of the world. She loves Prince Harry ( whatever love is!) and I like them as a couple.. If she uses her degrees to benefit the monarchy as Charlotte has mentioned in her post, to encourage other young people to go for higher edcation, or attain as much education as their circumstances allow, then Chelsy will be an asset. Regarding Kate.. I am disappointed in Kate, that she has allowed her reputation to be a bit tainted because she never sought some kind of employment or charity work after her own education. However if she is the lady that Prince William has chosen, sobeit.... I just wonder if Chelsy would have taken the same route as Kate and sat about waiting for the Prince's phone call? Anyway, they are both lovely looking ladies...and IMO will make lovely Princesses....for the article... Thank you Joanne...

Name: exploora	Comment: Merchandising handbags is a big business. I thought Kate still had that job. Take William's grandmother, you couldn't find a more famous example of a woman who always carries a handbag. Many women do not feel complete without a handbag. I susptect, at times, William's grandmother feels that way.

Name: M-M

Comment: To me it seems like that quaint Press notion of 'good Prince v bad Prince ' is played out on the front pages all over again with their GFs . Chelsy has clearly been cast along with Harry as 'bad Prince'. It doesn't matter how intelligent she is ( and surely she must be to have passed the subjects she has , and to be enrolling in a post-grad course abroad ), she will never measure up (in the eyes of the eager Press ) to 'Good Prince' Kate' The RF also probably can't wait for Harry to break up with Chelsy because like many Colonials she entirely lacks the true defference to those above her . No doubt she is very polite ... but not DEFFERENTIAL the way someone from the British middle classes would be , perhaps she cannot even see the point of it all - she knows that life goes on perfectly well elsewhere in the world . Then there is the Mugabe connection with her father . The British aristocrats like their own villany well hidden not flaunted for all to see . There is also the well-known b**chiness of some female reporters (c.f.Jean Rook who attacked Diana ) who's tongues are dipped in acid ! Poor Chelsy , and it seems like a real love affair too

Name: Karmen Day

Comment: First of all anyone calling someone "dumbo" who has just gotten a degree in economics is themselves the ones who should question their intelligence. To add to that Chelsy is going on to get a postgraduate degree in Polotics... a person cannot be "dumb" to accomplish that. And second, while Kate's part of this article is hardly the usuall over the top praise she usually recieves, it is hardly criticism. She is right that the History of Art degree is usually a degree that rich kids get. And I am in no way being mean to anyone (including Kate) who has that degree, it is just the truth. And as far as her not getting a job and then quitting after a week, well that is hardly showing a character strength. She has only had that job for a couple of weeks anyway. Now if she had that job for a year and kept it and did more than making tea than that would show character. But as of now, it is hardly something to write home about. "And if you think that buying handbags and necklaces is what all women with a pulse do, then you are just being cruel." No, what is cruel is this: "Harry's squeeze Chelsy Davy looks like the kind of dumbo who might stumble over a dot-to-dot puzzle..." Obviously this writer is just basing her observations on how she looks to him rather than actual facts. This writer is just a fool, who obviously (whether or not he's from CH) doesn't care about presenting any valid information and just wants to spread her malicious view around as fact. Shame on her!

Name: Ompeng	Comment: Gosh do I detect jelousy here....Jan Moir needs a MAN!!!!!

Name: Hazel

Comment: Reading your post today on Andrew and Courtney Love and the possibility of her meeting the Queen, couldn't help but recall this (http://dlisted.com/2006/11/30/drag-queen-literally/) recent commentary and marvel at the irony of both together. And on topic - right on, Lisa! No one of the (current )royal men has been known to ever excell academically, so why wonder about their choice of mates. In fact they all seem to be hedonists in the full extent of the word and it only seems fitting that they find similar partners.

Name: Lisa

Comment: Chelsy might as well hang it up- this came from somewhere other than a pea-brained reporter. Someone at Clarence House doesn't like Chelsy!!!! If she ends up married to Harry, she will forever be fighting the image of "dumbo", no matter how many degrees she earns. Other than William, I have heard that the MEN of Windsor aren't that bright either so where are the dumbo stories about them???

Name: Jacqueline

Comment: What I don't understand is why would any woman want to date the princes if they are going to be put through the ringer like this...I don't pay either woman's bills so I could care less if they work or not and I fail to see why others should care. Say what you want about Chelsy but her degree speaks for itself..she's no blond dumbo..she's a bright young lady with more guts then most. As for Kate..well she did get a degree..she has put up with a lot of flack from the press the same as Chelsy but someone Kate does not do one thing for me. Kate does not inspire me to buy anything with her picture on it. Yes, I know we should not compare her to Diana but at least Diana had that special something that made me long to know more about her..Kate just leaves me cold.

Name: exploora	Comment: And just to add one more thing, they both could be very good cooks, or know where are the best places are to eat.

Name: Charlotte

Comment: Chelsy is pursuing a post-doctorate degree. She is no dumb blond in my book. Plus, her major is no mere history of art-we all know why certain ppl major in that. I think Chelsy is quite intelligent and ambitious in many good ways. I really think she could serve a good role model as a lady who is pursuing advanced degrees. If she marries Harry, I hope she involves herself in charities that encourage women to pursue education, especially higher education. As far as Kate goes, well she is kind of predictable, but if William and the Queen have faith in her, then I am happy for her.

Name: coco

Comment: To even respond or fret over Moir's comments would not even be worth their time. I'm sure if we knew Kate and Chelsy personally, we would find them both very articulate, and smart women. Yes they are young people so to speak, that go out and have a good time, but lets be honest, I know some 40 and 50 and 60 year olds that love nothing more than to go out on the town and have a great druken time. So kudos to them!! Lets all remember they are not shy, naive, 18 year olds. And by the time they do marry if ever, they will have a much clearer understanding of just what is expected of them in the Royal Family. Unlike Princess Diana, I think they will be more prepared. And I wish them all the very best.

Name: Muriel

Comment: I've another idea. Perhaps, since, according to the media, neither young man has enough sense to choose a proper bride, they could get together a nominating committee,and hold an election. The winner could be announced to all, including the groom, the day of the wedding. That way we could all feel assured that the proper young woman had been married into the Royal family! Ridiculous? Of course it is,but that does seem to me to be their attitude.

Name: Muriel	Comment: I think it's most unfortunate that the press seems to think it has the right to pass judgement on anyone! It really doesn't matter what they think of either young woman, the only opinions that count are those of William and Harry! If they're satisfied, and happy, then everyone else should be too.