The Queen wants Kate Middleton to get a job before marrying Wills

Sydney, Aug 25 : The Queen has reportedly suggested Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton to start working for a charity, before their much-anticipated engagement is announced later this year.

Concerned that Middleton has been without a job for some time and is perceived to be doing nothing other than socializing and waiting for the Prince to pop the question, the Queen has privately suggested the 26-year-old should work with a children's or animal charity.

The couple's pals have also told The Mail that plans are in place for Clarence House to announce the couple's engagement around Christmas time, ahead of a royal wedding in May or June next year.

However, the Queen wants the couple to be working before any announcement is made.

"There is concern at the very highest level that Kate Middleton still does not have a job," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted one royal source, as saying.

"The Queen is keen that the monarchy should lead by example and that the princes and their girlfriends should all be seen to be hard workers.

"The Queen has made it known that she feels Kate should get involved with a charity, possibly an animal charity, where she can be seen to be doing something proactive and something entirely safe.

"It is important that Kate isn't seen to be doing anything controversial, and she needs to do something completely different from any of the charity work that Diana did," the source added.

Middleton is said to have already received several invitations to work with various charities, including some involving children, but has turned most of them down.

However she is a committee member of a roller-disco fundraising event for Oxford Children's Hospital.

Middleton has not worked full time since giving up her job as an accessories buyer for fashion chain Jigsaw last November.

ANI