I always forget that November 11th isn’t just about the American holiday of “Veterans Day”. It’s actually a larger memorial day for servicemen and women around the world. November 11th was the day the armistice was signed in 1918, ending World War I (or “the Great War” as it’s often called in Europe). In the UK, November 11th is called Remembrance Day, and it’s noted by two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. (the eleventh hour in the eleventh month on the eleventh day). These are photos from London, where Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Catherine, Duchess of “commemorating sacrifices of the armed forces held at the Cenotaph.” Prince William wore his RAF uniform and joined the Queen in the laying of a wreath. You can read more about the UK ceremony here, and you can go here to read more about Veterans Day in America.
I’m also including some photos of Kate on Saturday, where she was spotted leaving Harvey Nichols after what I’m assuming was a spot of shopping. She’s not carrying any bags, but Harvey Nichols delivers, so… yeah, she was shopping. Girl loves to shop. I don’t really understand the mindset of Kate’s fans when they praise her for not having a stylist – surely her fans see that “it looks bad” when Duchess Kate spends so much time shopping? It makes her look like a vapid spendthrift. You know what else makes her look bad? That in the two months after her “exhausting” Asian tour, she’s barely done four public appearances. Four appearances in two months. For real.
Kate leaving Harvey Nichols:
Photos courtesy of WENN.com.
Her eyebrows bother me.
Me too… Kinda darker
I was there this morning, some of us got the day off from work as we had family in the procession.
It was a beautiful service, as always, with a lot of Commonwealth representation too.
Lest we forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Well said xxx
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
we will Remember them.
It is Remembrance Day in Canada as well.
I have always found this one of the most moving events in Canada. I grew up in Ottawa and went yearly to the ceremony with my mother. I had three children of my own and made sure I brought them to our local cenotaph and understood the sacrifices that were made on our behalf. No matter wear we are, we all stop for two minutes of silence at 11:00. My father was in the navy in the South Pacific and while he is no longer with us, I take out pictures of him from wartime on this day and have a chat with him. My mother always said that VE Day was one of the best days of her life, the joy, the feeling of freedom and hope and the accomplishment of so many. “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. I’m going to get a kleenex now.
-like her brooch–
The poppy is in remembrance of those who died in WW1 initially, and later WW2. It was recently expanded in Britain to fundraise for more recent deceased veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families.
It’s adoption is from the poem “On Flanders Fields” by Canadian medic and poet John McCrae. If you ever get a chance to visit Belgium and northern France you really should try and do a tour of the battle sites and graveyards. The sheer scale and number really hits home the scale and horror of the war there. The poppy is the symbol for all of the WW1 Commonwealth sites, particularly in Belgium. I was there 4 years ago and it still affects me today.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lest we forget.
I really want to go and stand on Canadian soil in Europe some day. Vimy is such a huge part of my psyche as a Canadian, and a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. We got the “Royal” part back early this year. :). The service this morning was beautiful as always, with fly-overs and nice weather.
Now a tot for Grandpa and bed-time for me, I worked overnight last night.
I did do a tour of battlefields and cemeteries in northern France. It was awesome and emotionally draining. The Vimy monument and Thiepval where the names of the missing are inscribed are heartbreaking. In two years, I’ll be in Belgium – definitely looking forward to that.
And the Commonwealth War Graves Commission did a fantastic job of designing the look of the cemeteries – they’re beautiful and moving.
I didn’t go to Vimy, but I did see the Newfoundland memorial at Beaumont Hamel. I used to live in Waterford and it was moving seeing all those familiar surnames – the ties that bind.
Thiepval is overwhelming. You have to visit the Menin Gate in Ypres and the nightly memorial at 8pm (on the dot!) where they play The Last Post. It would bring tears to a glass eye.
The one thing that hit me like a ton of bricks was in the cemeteries when I first really read the memorials. I had expected to see obviously graves bearing individuals names and ones bearing the legend of “Unknown Soldier”. What I had not prepared for was inscriptions such as “A member of the Royal Irish Fusiliers” or “Three members of the XYZ regiment”. It then dawned on me that it meant that there wasn’t even enough of the “unknowns” to tell what regiment they were in. I bloody wept that evening.
To understand World War 2 you need to see the sites of World War 1, especially by coach as you will see CWGC graveyards all over the countryside. And to see what the physical effect the shelling had on the countryside, a visit to the Lochnagar Crater is a must.
None of my family fought in either war, so I can’t even imagine how emotional it is for those who do.
The services should be starting up soon, here in Canada. 🙁 I would also like to add that I want to beat the crap out of the people who steal the poppy donation boxes. Have some shame!
That makes two of us. Seriously, how low is that? Pathetic.
Three. What a shame. Show some respect for our veterans!
It is very pathetic. no words for them. My remembrance Day service on the East Coast was very good.
Her blusher is heavyhanded. Matches her eyeliner. And, yeah, she’s lazy as hell.
Yeh, what the hell is up with Kate and Sophies blush? Looks like they did each others before the service. I don’t like the amount of blush, the placement on the cheeks, or the colors of it.
It was really chilly today in the UK, I had glowing cheeks as well (and nose!), and looked like I’d been a bit heavy-handed with my blusher!
It was freaking COLD here today in the UK. Their cheeks are definitely flushed from the cold.
The hardest working royals have always been the Windsor women (blood relations) – the Queen and Princess Anne. Say what you will about the royals, those two women have a massive schedule of events year after year. The Queen is in her ’80’s, you know. And actually never had high hopes for Duchess Kate doing that much work, so I’m not really disappointed. Actually I wish I had her vacation schedule!
At least her hair is done in a ponytail 😉
And the pony tail doesn’t look insanely thick which means she’s not wearing her extensions.
I was hoping someone else noticed! It looks so much better styled and out of her face.
At least at this remembrance day her hair didn’t cover the poppy.
Also, wasn’t it last year she was seen giggling and smiling during the event where one should be more pensive?
I’m watching it on CNN right now.
As for Kate: someone please tell her she looks better when her hair is up instead of letting it fall all over her face.
And as for her rare public appearances, perhaps the Palace is keeping her on a tight leash since the topless photos. There was also an article a few months ago that says it will take her another year to come up with a new batch of charities. I hear Harrods and Harvey Nichols need a new royal patron…
A new batch? A year? Why in the world–whatever, forget it, this day isn’t about her.
It’s Remebrance day for the common wealth. It’s Remembrance day in Canada as well today.
It’s a sad day here today. My grandfather passed away this year in September. He was a WW2 Vet, who had ended his service as a major. He was a wireless air gunner in the RCAF, serving with the 489 Royal New Zealand Squadron, 455 Royal Australian Squadron and finally, the 415 RCAF Torpedo Squadron. He saved the lives of his crew on more than one occassion. He was assigned to the UN later, serving in Lebanon, Japan, and Egypt. He’s been all over the world, and has accomplished more than most people can dream to ever accomplish, and he never once bragged about it, or felt superior to anyone.
You must be sad today Erinn. I always get a bit weepy on Remembrance Day (I’m in Toronto) as my dad was a WWII vet – he flew bombing missions in North Africa, got shot down, almost captured by the Germans. He did 2 tours of duty and I have a box full of his medals. He was such a gentle, lovely, self-effacing man (he died in 2003) that you’d never know he willingly put his life on the line. Anyway, as for Kate, meh….she looks like she’d rather be anywhere than there. I like her less and less all the time. Useless waste of air.
My Grandpa passed away twenty years ago next week. He fought in WWII as well. I always think of him as Remembrance Day approaches. He is proud of me joining the service I think, even if I was a bit late to the party.
BUTTONS!! 🙂
For god’s sake ditch the eyeliner already!
She can’t …. It’s tattooed on
“You know what else makes her look bad? That in the two months after her “exhausting” Asian tour, she’s barely done four public appearances. Four appearances in two months. For real.”
Perhaps – considering Princess Diana – the royals don’t want Kate having too many charities. Diana had a full plate and then some with all her charity work, AND it made her incredibly high profile.
I think considering the media involvement in Diana’s life, perhaps letting the newest royal have a little space isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Several things:
1. Diana was in cahoots with the media. This is a very well documented fact and she herself acknowledged it. She said she did it for sympathy and to deliberately upstage the royal family, Charles in particular. In the end, she lost.
2. The Palace has said repeatedly when asked directly that Kate is in charge of her own schedule and pace of work. The choice to work or not work is entirely upto her. Nothing to do with the rest of the family. What is happening instead, is that her media friends are putting it about and wrongly dragging Diana into it, that somehow The Palace is to blame or that the Palace isn’t fussed because she isn’t POW yet. Nevermind that she may never be POW for another 10-15yrs or ever.
3. Diana liked to work. She said so repeatedly. She said life in the palace was super lonely and miserable so she liked to work to meet people rather then go home to an empty palace, servants notwithsatnding. Later, in her war with Charles, she tried to spin the tale that she was overworked and under trained when infact she rejected all offers of help to go by her instincts, which lucky for her turned out to be very good. At the end when she reduced her work rate, it was to be MORE hands on, rather than photo ops of the 100+ patronages she had. In her own words, work saved her life.
4. William and Kate’s pr strategy is to invoke the ghost of Diana to excuse any perceived negative actions or to promote themselves. It’s clearly working because the public by default refer to it as a reasonable excuse.
5. Diana was very good at her job, Kate doesn’t appear to be or to be intersted in the charitable aspect of her job.
6. The Palace isn’t some kind of forceful institution that will control Kate’s life as though she is an automaton. Sure there are rules to follow BUT as Anne, Philip, Charles, Andrew, Diana, etc have said, this isn’t a job you learn because there is a manual or you are being guided by the veterans. It is a job you learn by DOING.
I nominate you for Most Well Informed Royal Poster!
I second the nomination. Very insightful post!
I disagree. LAK may be the “Most Snowed by the Media” Diana Poster but I beg to differ on your knowledge of the Royal Family.Everything that is done by “The Firm” is planned, practised and presented. And fully appreciated by people of the Commonwealth! You just have to look back on the year England celebrated last year with the Jubilee, Olypmics, etc! Bloody Brilliant! What Americans think about the Royals doesn’t really matter to them.I think Wallace Warfield Simpson sealed that deal.So back off Kate Haters. She was there at an important service to remember and reflect. So a picture shows her licking her lips or walking, god forbid. She is human and well-liked by people who count.
I don’t know about ‘greatly appreciated’, what’s to appreciate? My whole family is born and bred of several Commonwealth nations, if not England itself, and while there’s isn’t hatred, the younger the family gets, the less use they have for the upholding of this tradition. The proverbial palace has some filthy corridors and increasingly it’s more inertia than loyalty that keeps them in our lives. Her face is on our money and she owns all of our swans and as long as her power is distant, symbolic and not exercised in any truly meaningful way, there isn’t really any revolution fodder–who would bother?
alc — Regarding your statements
1. “So back off Kate Haters.”
Referring to Kate’s critics as “haters” is just wrong. She signed an implied employment contract with British taxpayers when she married William which means she is an employee of the British people. This gives the public the right to evaluate her work which includes criticizing her performance when they believe she is not working hard enough to fulfill the terms of her contract.
2. “She was there at an important service to remember and reflect.”
Well she was definitely “there” but the photos indicate she was not doing ANY remembering or reflecting about the lives lost due to war.
alc: LAK may be a lot of things, but one of them is NOT snowed by the media. Every time I have asked her a question, she’s given me a FACTUAL response, not a speculative “I hate Kate’s dollycurled face” answer. Would you like to tell us where LAK is incorrect in her response to my nomination? Which still stands by the way. Oh yes, and she’s British, so knock off the Americans Hate Kate angle.
As I understand, at the beginning of Diana’s marriage, she was not trained for the public work, she had to learn how to deal with everything in front of the public. Also, she was soon pregnant and still working at the family’s public appearances. No wonder she got so much attention, which later she used as a kind of leverage.
No wonder they are trying to control the situation now. It is not the same situation or person. diana came froma. Troubled family situation, and was too young, unlike Kate.
I’m not a Kate hater, whatever that means. I usually find something to like about her appearances. In this case, it’s the jeweled poppy, which I think is beautiful.
That sugary stuff said, I appreciate LAKs insights, and I think they’re probably relatively accurate! Thanks LAK! I like some royal gossip once in a while. That’s what they’re around for in my world.
I will say that I find Remembrance Day to be a touching and important holiday, and I think it’s better celebrated in Europe and Canada than our Vets Day here in the US (although we pay loud lip service to our armed services.)
Oh wow she looks sour. As if she just heard on the way to the balcony that somebody had p*ssed in her breakfast.
In fairness, it is a VERY solemn occasion (I’ve watched it on tv in the past)
I would think anyone who attends has a similar expression on their face.
She didn’t look solemn last year. In fact, her manic hyena grins were on full display.
Dovetailing with the response above, Kate got slagged last year for guffawing with Sophie throughout the ceremony. I’m sure she was reminded this year . . . .
She doesn’t look solemn so much as bored.
suspicions: she is either newly preggo or has had a miscarriage-would explain the sour face and the lack of appearances….just sayin
Jeez, can we PLEASE stop speculating about the state of her uterus?
As much as I believe in honoring Veterans like my grandfather(a WW II vet) and uncle (Vietnam). I prefer the sentiment of Armistace Day the hope of global peace and remembering both the soldiers and civilians who died.
You know it is a Remebrance Day? Instead of eyeliner and blush put a little bit of appreciation and proudness on your face!
Right on!
soooo dreadfully boooooring
I do hope you’re talking about Waity …
I think she should have worn a bigger hat.
😀 Rita!!
She did try a bigger hat, Rita, but it was too heavy and made the skinny little thing tip over! 🙂
Maybe she’s now pregnant or actively trying and has a light schedule for that reason. Since it is her primary job and all.
A wholesome and lovely woman.
She is about as wholesome and lovely as a used diaper.
+1 🙂
Nymeria,
That is about the funniest statement I’ve heard in a long time. Hee Hee!!!
Re: the service: She doesn’t look solemn. Sbe looks bored.
Re: work: She spent 10+ years “working to hook & keep” PW. She probably figures that she is on a well earned vacation now. On real note, she probably doesn’t have a concept of “service” or even “privilege.” It could simply be the way she was raised.
Agree.
Kate’s parents came from fairly humble origins and worked very hard to make their company a success. However, they don’t seem to have passed their work ethic on to their daughters, whom they seem to have raised to be social-climbing free-loaders.
And I reckon Kate is beginning to lose her popularity with the general public. She’s just so…. nothing. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but unless she gets herself knocked-up pretty soon, people are going to start getting impatient. And yes, it IS her job to produce an heir.
Ok, I’m a bit of a Kate fan, so I sometimes visit ‘What Kate Wore’ to ID some of her clothes. Anyway, according to them, she’s done at least 6 public appearances if you include today.
Football park opening
Middle Temple visit
Saint Andrews Gala
Team GB palace reception
Newcastle & Stockton visit
Remembrance Day
That’s about one appearance a week, which isn’t so shocking. I don’t see any of the other royals doing much more.
Also he’s a Duchess and the future Queen, why would it look bad that she visits Harvey Nichols? It’s not like she’s there every day.
I think she is doing her part. I do think the press likes to pick her apart though, and minimize her work.
There’s nothing to minimize about her work because she does the bare minimum required of her job.
The press has had a love affair with her since she got engaged in 2010, but that has worn off ever since the topless pics surfaced and William’s witch hunt of the press. No more niceties toward the Cambridges. It’s been a year and a half since Kate became Duchess and she has little to show for it.
The press has nothing else to talk about her anymore because they have exhausted all avenues of sugarcoating and whitewashing her “achievements” to sell her to the public who already knows how lazy and entitled she has been for the last 10 years. No amount of lies and exaggeration will be enough to make them forget that Kate has no work ethic to speak of and she’s never shown any interest in anything aside from being William’s GF-nursemaid.
When was the last time she did anything for one of her 4 charities? It’s been six months since the last event! The Palace had been proud to proclaim that she does “1 visit per month” but no follow-up has ever been done about that.
So please, don’t say that the press minimizes her work because if there’s truly something about her that needs the attention, they’d give it to her. They were giving her all kinds of praise last year for the most trivial of things, but now the shine has worn off and Kate remains uninteresting, dull, and lazy.
The media can’t talk about her hair, clothes, and skin care treatments all the time, can they?
If Kate has the work ethic and schedule like that of Princess Anne or Sophie Wessex, then you can be sure the press will be covering a lot of her work.
Please tell me you re joking when you say the press minimises her work and she works more than the other royals.
Firstly, go check the court circular. It’s a public diary of ALL the royals work. Most of them make several appearances daily with no press coverage.
The press gives her maximum attention for very little work. Eg last year Sophie completed 250 engagements to Kate’s 50. No press for Sophie. Maximum press for Kate. Tell me 250 vs 50…..who is working harder there….
Charles completed 600, and will do the same or similar this year, plus he is currently touring Australasia (2nd tour this year), no-very little press, and he isn’t going on vacation as soon as he gets back or taking off 2months before he carries out 6 engagements then go on a 2wk beach holiday to Mustique as WK are just about to do.
Please, if you want to make a comparison, I urge you to visit the court circular. It can be accessed on the royal family’s official website.
And BTW: not all appearances are official working engagements. The court circular tells you which are work and which are private.
Kate does 5-8 engagements in one week, then takes 2-3months off during which time she’s on holiday. She’s patron of exactly 5 charities. She’s visited them exactly 1 (once) in a year to MUCH MUCH fanfare and press fawning….
I never said she works “more than the other royals”. Good grief. I just think that She is being compared to Diana all the time, but not eh real Diana – the saintly construct of a Diana. Lady Diana was a hard working person who loved her charities, no doubt, but she was not the burning flame of duty and the icon of motherhood and paragon of heroism that people seem to want to remember her as.
And the other royals have always worked just as hard as she did. I simply have no idea why it is the public’s job to count how many appearances Kate has. She may be slacking, she may not. I just honestly don’t understand why everyone feels the need to bash her for it endlessly, when no one really knows the whole score anyway.
@Fancyamazon – my post wasn’t aimed at you but rather the person ahead you who said and implied that very thing.
I do agree with you with regards Saintly diana vs Kate, but I also disagree with you with regards real diana vs kate in the sense that they shouldn’t be compared and unfortunately when they are compared, Kate falls short but only because I compare work records, nothing else.
I also disagree with the notion that one can’t know how many engagements the royal family do because it is all a matter of public record. And maintained in the public record.
As to why people, like me, count how many engagements she does vs everyone else, it is because for many, many years we were sold (stupid in hindsight) Kate as a hardworking, super trained woman who was going to hit the ground running and was rearing to go etc these are all direct quotes btw from some of those statements. The pre-engagement excuse for her lack of work Was pretty much the same ie she had to be a wed before she could work, and would start immediately. And it gets very annoying when all her subsequent engagements are presented as though she is forever working and it’s such exhausting work. That’s what gets people to look closer and evaluate what she actually does.
I’m impressed that Sophie does that much work. I was unaware of her schedule.
Are you kidding, one appearance a week. The lady standing next to Kate, the Countess of Wessex, the Queen’s daughter-law, Pr.Edward’s wife does anywhere from three to six royal appearances or charities in a day, it’s just that the British press ignores her because she’s married to the Queen’s third son, but Sophie runs circles around Kate and imo is more elegant and attractive, as well as being a hardworker, a serious working royal.
The whole telltale sign with Kate, imo was that she chose to go to HOLLYWOOD just after the wedding. Rumours are she pushed William to get the Palace to arrange a reason for them to go there because all she wanted to do was go to LA and meet moviestars. Kate is vapid and lacks substance, that’s why she’s losing fans. People aren’t fooled by that fake ass British tablid press telling the world how great she is when people can see for themselves she LAZY as hell. She would not have been in that nude scandal if she had not run out and skipped the Paralympics. She thought being Royal was going to be like being shopping and vacations, but she’s finding there is more to it. I hope she gets pregnant soon, because she looks very angry, she has been looking angry or mad about something all week.
@LAK, I get it, she looks lazy compared to the Countess of Wessex, but do you really think Sophie was doing all these appearances during her first year of marriage? She wasn’t. According to the same ‘court circular’, she did even fewer than 50 engagements between June 9th 1999 (Her wedding day) and June 9th 2000.
It could be that she’s being eased into her new role, giving her time to adjust. Nobody wants another Diana.
Charles may do 600 appearances a year, but he also has 125 members of staff and spends about £12 million a year. Kate isn’t even funded by the taxpayers yet, it’s ridiculous to compare the two.
In a few years, after they’ve had a couple children and she’s settled into her role, I’m sure she’s be much more active. I’m not writing her off yet.
@Tina – research is your friend. Sophie had her own business that she worked at as well as being a royal during that first year.
So her tally includes a proper job (like you and me) for her PR firm as well as royal duties.
WK have the use of Charles staff if they want it. They choose to only employ staff that makes their living easier but not the working. Kate can easily take up as many staff as Charles, but she has turned all down bar household staff and office staff.
Charles staff includes people who work for his charity The Prince’s Trust. He isn’t just a figurehead who turns up for 30mins photo ops before running off to talk to his plants!!! I would suggest you look up the work that The Prince’s Trust does.
Charles at the same age as William had carried out more royal duties as well as his naval career. Also, since the monarchy is being slimmed down to just Charles’s family, who do you think should pick up the slack if not his family???
Finally, if you think Charles is an unfair comparison, then let’s compare WK to Anne. Her tally last year vs K. She’s not running around with 100 people working for her, and yet she’s making 400+ engagements a year.
Do you know what Kate does all day? According to that fictitious piece of propaganda in VF magazine, she makes jam to give away, walks the dog 3 times a day and makes William his favourite supper and runs his bath in wales.
However, according to the pap pics, and people who run into her and tweet about it, she is frequently spotted in London shopping, shopping, shopping. All the time she spends in London, and she can’t drop into any of her 5 (FIVE) charities?
She has personal office staff. What does she pay them to do? Really? It’s clear when she speaks that no work goes into any of her speeches and she’s no more clued into what it is these places do despite being their patrons.
Charles may have 125 staff to make his life easier, but he is well informed at each engagement he attends, which is several times a day, on who/what/where/when any of the people/charities he meets are.
who do you think funds all her shopping trips? Certainly not William’s salary with her tastes. Charles funds them, and the taxpayers fund Charles.
I never understood the “don’t want to overwhelm her” defense…doing 1 charitable visit a week, at a minimum, cannot be that hard, especially the way everyone fawns over her. What’s more worrisome to me is just how unprepared she seems for all her visits. Maybe she’s just nervous and uncomfortable, but after a year and a half, the only way she’s going to get better is by actually doing it.
Gosh, I would love it if my full time job were charity work.
@Tina – sorry for the double response, I couldn’t edit out a lot of what I said in my previous response above…I am typing from my phone.
1. WK have staff. 4 minimum for household, 9 for office. All piad for by Charles.
2. All their expenses personal and public are paid for by Charles.
3. Any tally of the 125 also includes WK’s/Harry/Camilla’s staff as well as Princes’s Trust staff.
4. WK indirectly and directly receive tax money. All expenses incurred in the line of public duty, not just security! But including clothing,grooming etc is paid for by Charles who writes it off for tax purposes. Also, their new flat at KP, currently undergoing a refurbishment at a cost of £1M all from tax payers of charity. Not to mention the charity write off cost due to their deciding to re-use that particular flat after the charity had gone to the expense of refurbishing it into offices and hadn’t quite moved in yet.
Sophie had a job for the first few years as a royal, but she also had her patronages sorted out, and visited them regularly, and not for photo ops.
Everytime Kate steps out, it shows just how little work she does behind the scenes. It is amazing that she made more effort at the beginning than she does now.This is a girl who didn’t care for charities pre-engagement despite many of them asking her. And always blamed the palace for her lack of engagement, which again the palace has refuted. We are simply seeing what she did pre-engagement now. And once again, the palace is being blamed when it is all upto Kate.
@Tina – a voice of reason 🙂
@LAK, research is my friend? You’ve got to be kidding me.
The Countess of Wessex had a job in PR, and the reason she was able to maintain it is because nobody gave a fig about her. Nobody followed her to work, or stalked her employers like they have previously with Kate. And I really doubt she was working 9-5. She was a figurehead at best, and abusing her royal connection for the business at worst.
Also (with research as my friend) wasn’t she forced to quit her job after that tape came out of her disparaging members of the British government to a fake Sheikh? And saying ‘The public have put me on the plinth vacated by Diana.’? Please.
“Finally, if you think Charles is an unfair comparison, then let’s compare WK to Anne”
Really? Compare her to Princess Anne? Who was born the Princess Royal, is 62 years old, and has grown children and grandchildren? Hardly fair. Again, this is Kate’s first year as a royal, and her first year as a wife. If she wants to make jam, or, heaven forbid, cook dinner for her husband, why the outrage?
Anyway Anne gets a substantial amount of money from the taxpayers, and has been performing official duties since before Kate was even born, so she obviously will have a much fuller schedule and many more charities as she’s been doing this for decades.
“She has personal office staff. What does she pay them to do?”
Um, maybe answer correspondence? Arrange her schedule? She is the future Queen.
“I would suggest you look up the work that The Prince’s Trust does.”
I’m English. I know what the Prince’s Trust does. But thank you for the rather condescending suggestion. That’s it for me.
I don’t understand the need and desire to infantilise a grown woman.
(Tina – Sophie could have been the tea lady in her business for all I care. And she could have been the worst tea lady there for all I care, the point remains that she had a Job whilst working as a royal. And whether or not the business was a success, is irrelevant because as every business owner will tell you, it’s a hard job to do irrespective of outcome. Sophie wasn’t sitting at home like Kate. No one was making excuses for her. So her tally of engagements in that first year has a reasonable explanation. Kate does not. And since that appalling fake sheikh business, she hasn’t put a foot wrong, at least publicly.
I can compare kate to anne because anne wasn’t good at the job from the gate but she kept at it. Ditto Charles, andrew, even Philip. They have all said that they learnt by DOING because there wasn’t a manual to follow despite being life long royals.
Kate, as confirmed and speculated upon, has been royal adjacent for 8+yrs. William himself said he wanted her to have a good look at it before commitment, the palace has been exceptionally open about all the help kate has received in the past and present, so one would say that she’s had similar grounding to the life long royals unlike Diana or Fergie who were simply thrown in and expected to manage with a few helpers and pointers. And going back to sophie, despite her working before and after the wedding, and also being royal adjacent for 4yrs+, no one went out of their way to build her up as the best thing since sliced bread in the same way that Kate was.
I have no objection to Kate being suzy home maker if that is what she wants to do. What I object to is her media friends and sometimes Palace (although they haven’t been so involved lately), potraying her as some kind of hardworking, multiple engagement fulfilling,supertrained for royal life person EVA when clearly she’s not and with time has shown that she’s not interested.
And being English as am I, you should know this. It’s public record.
@LAK – So the article in VF magazine was a “fictitious piece of propaganda.” Oh, I see, because it was quite positive. Didn’t agree with your negative idea of all things Kate. But, I think by far the most interesting statement in your comment was that Chuckie has a staff of 125. 125 people?! What the hell do they do? And you’re proud of him for being well-informed for his appearances? No wonder, with that many folks to feed facts into his dull little head. With a staff of 125, Prince’s Trust or not, it should be no surprise that he can’t be bothered to put toothpaste on his own toothbrush.
Charles is knowledgable at his engagements, Kate is not. Simples. They both have a lot of help but only one appears to do their homework whilst turning out at least 600times based upon last year’s tally whilst the other doesn’t appear to do their homework despite turning out minimally.
Since I disapprove of VF propangada to sell Kate as something she’s not you wish me to approve of them selling Kate as something negative?? Really? Why should I do that if the negative is also untrue?? And why would I wish them to write anything negative at all. They shouldn’t write anything. Period. Let her work speak for itself. Look at Anne, she’s gone from bad publicity to respect without a simpering fictitious propaganda campaign.
If you read my posts, I have always railed against the disparity between pr fiction and reality.
@LAK Charles has also been doing this his whole life. I would hope he would be knowledgeable at this point.
@Merritt – Agreed, but I will give you Diana, Fergie, Sophie, even Camilla. None are/were life long royals, but they all are/were knowledgeable at their engagements or at the very least looked/look like they know why they are there.
There are always teething problems at a new job requiring an adjustment period, but Kate seems to be the only person in the world who is given excuses for her tardy performance, and lack of progress when reviewed.
Plus Christmas is coming up and I know several who have started their holiday shopping.
Sorry, but if I were a princess I would probably be doing the same things. Why do people have to get so up in arms?
Oh, and I love her jewelry. Girlfriend has a fabulous collection of sparkles.
She is attending a solemn event and is looking respecful and appropriate. How can that be wrong?? Sophie is doing the same thing – what else should Kate be doing?
I think she’s trying to look solemn after last year’s inappropriate giggling during the Remembrance Day service.
As others have said, Remembrance Day ceremonies are very important all across the Commonwealth today. 11.11.11.11
Well at least she’s not laughing like last year. OMG she CAN wear a ponytail!
Edit: Oops should’ve read the comments.
Btw, I think I’m firmly in the extensions category now. That is a small ponytail for all the Cousin It hair she supposedly has. But why lie about it?
Hey, give the girl a break. She needs something to fill her vapid and empty existence.
Let her shop.
she is doing her best “mcayla is not impressed” impression
Kate is Laaaaazy, never had a real interest, or job, or even a real hobby, except to pursue weak William. She’s just lazy and worse she is in a role which she is obligated to portray herself as a charitable person and she can’t even fake that.
I used to defend Kate by saying if I had loads of money and influence at my disposal with no real obligations, I would do nothing but shop and brush my hair too. But circumstance led me to a paid temporary leave (obviously I don’t have princess money, but I’ve managed to maintain my lifestyle while not working). After about 6 weeks of doing whatever the hell I wanted, I was desperate for something to do. I even started thinking about asking to return to work early. Everyone else was busy and when they weren’t, it got boring just hanging about or walking around the mall. I went through a little depression-felt like I was wasting my own time. Which leads me to wonder how someone can do this, doing nothing but shopping and grooming, day in and day out, and not FEEL absolutely worthless?? Even uber wealthy people busy themselves with hobbies or charities or politics (haha Romney)-SOMETHING! How on earth does she do it and not feel like she’s going to explode? I need whatever sedative she’s taking because that would drive me up the wall.
But she does have obligations! She’s not Paris Hilton (though sometimes you’d be forgiven for thinking it) or some other heiress. She’s a ‘duchess’ whose extravangant lifestyle is funded by the British taxpayer. She she should at least be pretending to be earning her keep.
I honestly think that Kate is just a very vapid young woman. Not a bitch, just a spoilt girl with no interests other than shopping and diets, and no ambitions other than to marry well. Same goes for her sister.
^ This! +100! Nicely said, Izzy4ya.
Wow…she looks SO over it! That is the look of a bored, spoiled, pampered housewife who has to attend an event that she has no interest in whatsoever.
+1
” *sigh* I could be shopping right now…”
Well, at least someone reminded them this year not to guffaw like they’re having a gay-ol’ time. But yeah, my guess is that they are actively trying to get pregnant and keeping her off duty so as to reduce stress… Because she is very, very susceptible to stress.
Edit: Oops I see someone already wrote ‘guffaw’ re. last year. Great minds… Lol 😉
I like the picture of her singing, it’s cute.
At least, she isn’t grinning like a hyena. She does look incredibly bored or constipated. I can’t really tell. Maybe she’s nauseous because she’s finally pregnant? Nah. Bored.
So glad someone mentioned her ponytail. Definitely a lot less hair there than we used to seeing. Proof to me she wears extensions.
Well whatever the hell she’s doing all day is applying that awful eyeliner and blush. She looks older than me! And we are the same age.
My advice: Gain 5 lbs and put down the makeup, that is all.
Not as lazy as Charlene in Monaco…
Charlene actually does a lot of work and travels a lot. She is really committed to supporting children and athletes. I think she will take any excuse to be away from that pig of a husband
wrong, Charlene is very active! The problem is the press reports only about “the poor, sad Charlene” and not about her charity work.
Charlene has traveled to Countries for her charities, she has been working in her first year much harder than Kate. She also kept up with her interests and brought in South African athletes to Monaco,to train for the Olympics.
The British press just likes to play up some myth of some sad Princess, when in reality there are just as many photos of her smiling and enjoying her new life as a working Princess, but the British press ignores it, because they have an agenda.
Kate is no better than anyone else. She is hyped to the high heavens by the press and people are just getting tired of reading about someone who is not living up to the hype, while other Princesses are working and get ripped to shreds. The British press already started in on ripping Princess Madeliene of Sweden apart, for no reason, except that she might actually make Kate look inadequate. I can’t stand the British press, they are such hypocrites.
LOL…i hardly read all the comments but this was an interesting lot.
Duchess Lumpy Face. All the fillers in her face are moving around and look lumpy and doughy. Ugh. Not a good look for someone who is only 30 years old. In the 4th photo, she looks so bored. Also in many of the other photos, she’s doing something weird with her mouth. Strange.
At least this appearnace on a balcony she had her ta ta’s covered
Asinine again. Kate does as many public appearances as the Queen wants her to do. Period. Charles is the heir to the throne, and Camilla is his consort. The bulk of appearances and events should and does fall on their shoulders.
I can’t help but to agree.
– I think Queen doesn’t want another PR upstart by a non-blood royal.
-Needs to highlight Prince Charles.
-Kate temporarily lives far away with Wills near his Military post location I thought?)
-Kate now needs to get pregnant and does get easily stressed (shy?) another reason for light schedule.
Kate was Lazy before she married William and now she’s lazy after she married him.
The Queen didn’t want William to take her back when he dumped her and said her wedding dress looked horrid when it was on display. I don’t think the Queen likes Kate very much and with the nudie scandal it probably just gave the Palace the excuse they probably wanted to send her to the hitherlands and only pull her out when they see fit. That smug face Kate had, sure has disappeared. Ha!
Oh did anyone see her Uncle Gary selling stuff on Twitter,using her image? Class…….NOT
That woman looks bored as all get out, but she looks less…harsh than usual. Maybe she skipped a ‘tox appointment or two?
The beginning of this post really boggles my mind! How could you not now that Nov. 11 is not just veteran’s day but also remembrance day for England and the common wealth! World War one was a war of European powers! World War two would have also been a war of European powers had Pear Harbour not been bombed in 1941! I am no American. I am from the common wealth my family lost soilders serving in both the world wars and I have never been so closed minded about history to not even acknowledge that in America the day is called Veterans Day. Maybe people will think it nitpicking but I do not. This is something that should be common knowledge for any country and citizens of the common wealth’s greatest allies are no exception. Pick up a history book and don’t insult the memories of Europe’s and the common wealths many soldiers who gave there lives. As for Kate, her showing up at the remembrance day ceremony is hardly news! She will be Queen Consort one day. This is the least she as well as countless citizens could have done to honor the fallen soldiers. It hardly warrants news and it is null in comparsion to things others in the royal family have done. I rare;y read articles highlighting the hard work the HRM the Queen as well as her sister Princess Margaret did during the actual war. They helped with the war effort, Hell Prince Phillip even served. The war effected him even more greatly his family was displaced from there country, his sisters married royals with nazi connections and died in horrendous plane crashes. This day means a lot more to the Queen and to Phillip, they lived through Hitler, there parents lived through the great war which really made people fearful for the future of monarchy. Articles written about these topics are much better than highlighting that the Duchess showed up to an event required of her. Every other royal did the same and has done so for years! Don’t understand the point of articles highlighting her every move.
Also to all the comments defending Kates poor work ethic! It is is amazing and shows that the Queen is definitely from a different era. Her grandfather and father did an excellent job in informing her that her life is one of duty. Royalty is not a celebrity. They are an institution and the queen has always treated her duties as head of the institution with great seriousness. But again I guess it shows that she is from a different time when she actually appreciated her position and realized coming from the political climate of Europe at the time just how disposable royalty was becoming. Maybe that’s why the Queen doesn’t treat her job like a joke and an endless shopping trip flaunting her wealth about every second like Kate (let’s not forget this is partly what did away with many of Europe’s royals. The Czar being the most famous). If Kate and William are not careful they will have people screaming sentiments similar to this again and ruin all the hard work Queen Victoria etc. put forward to perserve the British Royal house.