On Labor Day (this past Monday), we had some information from Katie Nicholl’s new book about Duchess Kate. Nicholl is a long-time Daily Mail royal beat reporter, and Nicholl has long had ties and exclusive information from the Middleton family, so her book Kate: The Future Queen has all kinds of little gems and Middleton propaganda. As it turns out, Nicholl is still giving some exclusives to Vanity Fair, which she has done before. VF just published a “what went down behind the scenes of Prince George’s birth” story from Nicholl:
Despite the chaos surrounding the birth of H.R.H. George Alexander Louis, third in line to the British throne, Prince William and Kate Middleton have made decisions that ensure he’ll get the best of two very different worlds, writes Vanity Fair contributor Katie Nicholl in an exclusive adaptation from her Kate Middleton biography, previewed in our October issue.
George Brown, a friend of the Middleton family who has known grandparents Carole and Michael for 31 years, explains that before Kate married into the royal family, William promised the Middletons they could always be close to their daughter. Brown tells Nicholl, “It was a condition when they got married that they [Carole and Michael] would be a part of the grandchildren’s lives. Carole’s a natural with children, and she will be a wonderful grandmother, and I imagine she’ll want to be very involved.”
Shortly after the birth, William, Kate, and George relocated to her parents’ house in Bucklebury. A family member tells Nicholl that the move was a huge security operation, and that there was initially some resistance within the palace because of the complicated and expensive upheaval of relocating the couple’s personal protection team. The source states, “I’m not sure the Queen was entirely in favor of the idea of them all moving to Bucklebury; it was certainly not the norm, but it was what Kate wanted, and William supported her and made it happen.”
Nicholl reports that at the Middletons’, the couple had their own wing, comprising a double en suite bedroom and private living room, while another bedroom had been converted into a nursery. The setup meant William and Kate could enjoy complete privacy as well as round-the-clock help from Carole and Michael. Nicholl reports that during the early weeks, George slept in the same room as the parents, in a Moses basket by Kate’s side of the bed. Each morning, Carole whipped up nourishing fruit smoothies and healthy meals while Kate also snacked on her favorite muesli bars. Though Carole insisted on keeping visitors to a minimum, Pippa and James dropped in regularly to see the baby, while Kate’s closest friends sent cashmere sleep suits and blankets for George, along with Kate’s favorite Jo Malone orange–blossom-scented candles (the same she gave out at her baby shower, perhaps?) and bath oil.
A friend who saw Prince William just two weeks after George’s birth tells Nicholl, “He is absolutely loving it and he’s a natural father. He is very relaxed and happy at home with Carole and Michael, whom he gets along with well. He joked that it was nice to have a bit of peace and quiet to get out to play polo. It was very sweet: he said that he wanted George to grow into a polo player and that he would teach his son to ride from a young age.”
Another friend tells Nicholl that the couple opted not to hire a maternity nurse: “William said he didn’t want a nanny or nurse coming in and doing shifts. They were agreed on that. They wanted to do the early days themselves.”
It’s worth noting that many royal sources have already disputed that whole “no nanny or nurse” thing. While I think William and Kate wanted to do spend George’s first weeks without a nurse or nanny, People Mag reported weeks ago that after a few weeks, they did hire someone to help out part-time. Plus, Carole and Michael were on hand. Plus, Carole and Michael have staff at their home. Also: it’s very, very VERY interesting that the Queen wasn’t crazy about Kate’s insistence on spending so much time at Manor Middleton, especially with that expensive security roll-out. Apparently the print edition of VF has more info too and Nicholl’s paper, The Daily Mail, had some other information:
The Duchess of Cambridge had a ‘perfect, natural birth’ when she welcomed baby Prince George on July 22nd, the latest issue of Vanity Fair reports.
‘She spoke to some of her best girlfriends after the birth and described the birth as perfect,’ a source told the October issue of the magazine. ‘She said it was straightforward and there were no complications. She wanted a natural birth and she was so happy she was able to have one.’
The article also sheds light on new details surrounding the birth, such as Kate’s appearance when she entered the hospital in the early hours of the morning (a dark shawl and her hairl loose around her shoulders) – and how waiting photographers decided it would be inappropriate to snap her.
The article also reveals that the Duchess’s hairdresser, Amanda Cook Tucker was on standby for the entire month of July. The hair stylist, who arrived at the hospital with an assistant, was also responsible for bringing a selection of dresses for Kate to choose from for her first post-baby appearance outside the hospital, the magazine reports.
‘She chose the pale blue spotted Jenny Packham dress that afternoon because her tummy was still very rounded and she decided there was no point trying to hide her bump, so she went for a flattering dress that showed off her curves,’ a source said.
They added that the Duchess was apparently still very emotional at the time, and ‘incredibly nervous’ about posing for the press, though William was on hand with plenty of reassurance.
Now the Cambridges are apparently planning George’s christening, which is set to take place in October or November after the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh return from Scotland. In accordance with tradition, the royal baby will have six godparents, which are likely to include Kate’s sister Pippa and William’s brother Prince Harry, the article reports.
He will wear a replica of the christening gown worn by Queen Victoria’s children as his father and grandmother did, and as the future head of the Church of England, will most likely be christened at Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury like his ancestors.
Of course she had her hair stylist on stand-by!! It’s because she’s so low-key, grounded and modern. Seriously, Kate treats her hair like it’s the crown jewel of the British Empire. Interesting detail about the Packham dress, though. I thought she might have picked it out beforehand, wanting to homage Princess Diana’s polka dots.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I like her and the more I read about her the more I like her.
I agree. I think they are as “normal” and grounded as a royal couple can be. They live a different life then others. This is low-key for them! Plus, I love that info about the jo malone orange-blossom perfume, that’s my favorite as well!
There is nothing normal about living in multi-million dollar castles, having servants at your beck and call, having hair stylists on stand by to fly to your location any where in the world, spending 3/4 of a year on vacation and spending only 10 hrs. a year doing any type of work. They are no different from the other royals except the only royals actually take their roles seriously and do much more charity work.
If you want to see a real down to earth royal couple (notice how I didnt say normal), look no further than every Scandinavian Crown Princely couple and Dutch royals. William and Kate only want to be normal as long as it doesnt interrupt their lavish lifestyle and gives them a reason not to do something.
Please people, the royals are a parasite. Tax payers bank roll their extravagant lifestyle – full stop. William and Kate have their own publicists who arrange photo opps with the family dog to appear ‘normal’ and middle class but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
There is nothing ‘normal’ about being waited on hand and foot, having your personal hairstylist on call and scheduling your home life around your next polo match.
There is no such thing as a truly down-to-earth royal, couple or otherwise. They all live lives of extreme privilege and luxury.
The Scandinavian royal couples only APPEAR laid back and humble, but they’re far from being that. They all spend a lot of money on themselves and do very little.
Mette-Marit exploited her position as a royal to defy Norwegian laws about surrogacy just to help her friends get a baby in India, an act that is illegal in Norway. But MM knew her position provided her immunity, so off she went to India babysitting the baby until her friends got there. Spends serious money on Valentino couture and several holidays a year, each lasting a month or more. Canceled her attendance on several official events for no reason whatsoever. She didn’t attend several State dinners even though her position required her to be there as her country’s future Queen.
Frederik of Denmark is worse than William in laziness. Frederik mostly sails around the world nowadays, rarely does any official duties befitting a future King and often appears bloated and hungover. He’s living a hedonistic lifestyle but still takes so much money from the government for doing so, so little. I’m talking about barely 60 events a year for Fred; not counting the birthdays, holidays, and leisure events which, for some reason, the Danish royals count as “work” to pad up their calendar. Had he been a Windsor, he’d be crucified in the UK press by now.
I have a really hard time with ‘royalty.’ lol
Maybe she wouldn’t be so obsessed with her hair if a billion people weren’t looking at and commenting on it.
Exactly! If she came out in wearing sweatpants and her hair thrown back in a ponytail, ppl would critizied her for that. She can’t win.
Jess
Not true.
It’s actually quite common for Kate to receive comments here when she wears a ponytail! This is not a damned if she does/doesn’t. That is a weak defence since it’s only true if she was never to receive compliments from her critics. And she certainly does so your argument flops.
If she and William took a backyard, informal photo and went about it in an informal way it would all seem sincere. If they did a formal photo it would all makes sense with the hair and such. You can’t have it both ways. So she can win. She just needs to pick a side per PR move. Either be normal and act normal or assume her role and responsibilities.
I think you are right about the constantly being critiqued! What I do NOT get is her hair, 99% of women can do a better job of it on their own. I find her hair quite blah for a better word. I think if she had come out of the hospital with a plain ponytail or a simple a headband pulling it back it would of been more appropriate and well receieved than having a hairdresser on call$.
Agree. She can’t win. If my picture was being taken by every media outlet around the world 24 hours after a natural birth, damn straight I’d have a hairdresser there for a blow out – make up artist too!!!
Pandy
If you took a backyard private photo and then sent it out to every media outlet claiming it was totally informal you’d be as much a liar as they are. Can’t have it both ways.
Or maybe she wouldn’t be so obsessed with her hair if she had more going for her besides being a pretty girl that married a Princess. LOL. Hilary Clinton doesn’t have a hair stylist on stand by everyday even though billions of people look at her hair and comment on it. She has more important things to worry about.
Well said T.C
Oh, excuse me . . . when Mrs. Clinton was Sec. of State and traveled all the time, a hair stylist traveled with her. I also believe she had someone who took care of her clothes (might have been the same women). Nobody cared because she had a difficult job and she had to look good while doing it.
No offense, but Hilary could spend a half hour getting a haircut, in my opinion. At her age, that long hair and headband looks ridiculous and unprofessional, and is unflattering and aging. If Obama didn’t cut his hair or shave and looked as unkempt as she does, you would hear about it. You can be intelligent and well groomed at the same time.
But Hilary Clinton (as First Lady) did state that all she had to do to knock breaking world events off the evening news was to change her hairstyle and then all the news would be about that. And poor low maintenance Hilary was always being harped on for being dowdy. So you can’t win. Even as Secretary of State, she made world news when she went to official meetings wearing glasses (instead of contact lensse) and wearing her hair down.
When Hillary Clinton was traveling she was traveling as FLOTUS. She had an image to keep up and that also reflected to her husband the President. No one has spoke poorly of Kate having her hair done for her diplomatic trips. If anything it’s because of her inappropriate attire. She should have her hair and make up done professionally for those trips.
Kate can be both normal and leisurely, and well put together with all her perks. She just can’t take only her normal leisure life and the perks of her Job without doing her work. Let her relax in her down time, but she must also work to earn goodwill from her country that supports her such luxuries.
Yeah, I wish they would let go of the Kate Hair stories. She has lovely hair, she has a stylist on call, and she will always, always will because she’s a wealthy royal.
It just is.
Maybe the press will focus on other things now that she is a mother, though.
Agree. If any one of us were able to have a hair stylist on call we would jump at the chance.
You can have her hair for X amount of $£. It’s a well known fact she wears a wiglet/half weave.
im not a royal and i get a minimum of 2 blowouts a week, normally 3 or 4
i only blow out my own hair under duress
Saint Diana the good emerged from the hospital with her hair styled as well. If you knew the entire universe was taking your picture, I think you’d have a hair stylist on call as well. Why is this so strange for people to accept?
It’s shallow, self-serving, and pretentious in the extreme. When the hard-working taxpayer has to foot this and other bills, then they have every right to be upset.
A billion people don’t care because they are too busy living their own lives. Why are some people falling for this nonsense about this very lazy, self-serving woman?
There’s nothing down to earth about this family.
Exactly, its PR bull.
The life they lead is normal for them. There are millions of people around the world who live differently than I do. I don’t judge any of them. They live what is normal for them. William has known no other life than the one he lives right now. He does not know what it is to be hungry or cold. For that matter, neither do I. That doesn’t make me the target of people living in poverty in underdeveloped countries. I don’t have the wealth and privilege that Kate and William have, and others around the world don’t have the comfortable life that I have. It doesn’t mean anything more than there are a multitude of different lifestyles, situations and traditions on this planet, and hating someone because they have more than I have is ridiculous and pointless. Strive to make your own life the best it can be and quit worrying about how others, who have more than you do, live. Worry instead about helping and encouraging those who still have need for the basic comforts of life.
@Lia
+1. Great comment.
That’s fine. This is William’s world and the only thing he’s ever known. What I was referring to is, own it. I would expect William and Kate to have a reality far different then most people. Don’t paint a picture of this is just a normal family when it’s not. Don’t tell the world that your down home, low maintenance, when in fact you’re not. There’s nothing wrong with being treated as the King of England, but own up to it, and not be ashamed of it.
Lia, while I do agree with what you say in regards to anyone else in the world, the standards do change when it’s these two. They are held to different standard and people expect differently of them. While it may not be fair (for them) that’s what comes when you also get to live off the pockets of your citizens.
I like that since she gave birth, she hasn’t gone back for her Botox shots. It’s nice to see movement in her forehead. The effect of “emoting” with facial movements restricted by Botox is jarring, the way she looks now is far more natural and I much prefer it.
It’s just that she was filmed live and the UK Press couldn’t do their usual uber rethouching to her photos before they went out over the air. Kate’s face has never been great and her skin has never been much to write home about, in person she has pock marks. Even on her wedding day, her face looked hard. imo
I have no problem with Kate wanting to stay with her parents after the birth or any of that. It tickles me though, when people say that doing so will allow the baby to experience “two very different worlds” as if her parents live in a grass hut and fetch their own water.
I believe the differences Will and Kate are highlighting are primarily emotion ones. True, neither family is poor but I think it is safe to say that the Middleton home is warner and more relaxed than the palaces. William has grown to love that about his in-laws and wants his son to have a close, supportive relationship with his maternal grandparents because that is their style. I am sure that Charles and Camilla are supportive and probably adore the baby but they will hardly be that hands-on in these early years. Not their style at all and Camilla is not known to prefer the company of small children.
So I imagine this is why they want little Georgy to spend lots of time with the Mids. Homemade cookies, being tossed into the air, bubble hats in the bath tub, Wednesday night lasagna and Monopoly are just a few examples of things Will and Kate want George to experience.
An experienced cast of servants, the best schools, private equestrian lessons, glamorous holidays, lounging in an array of palaces and estates, lavish parties at Highgrove and so forth – these are also part of George’s future but why shouldn’t he have the best of both worlds?
He should have the best they can offer him, of course. Perhaps I misunderstood what they meant by two “very different worlds.”
Camilla is said to be incredibly good with her grandchildren. Very hands on.
That said, it’s great that the MIddletons will have an active role in their grandchildren’s life, too.
What I find odd is that “a condition of the marriage was that the Middleton’s would be a part of the grandchildren’s life”. That’s just ODD – parents don’t typically set conditions on their children’s marriage. This isn’t the 1880s. But that part of the article might be complete bull, too. It’s more likely it was a casual, private conversation between William and Kate, where they agreed to spend lots of time chez Middleton.
I also agree with GoodNamesAllTaken that the material aspects of the MIddleton’s world are getting closer to the royals all the time.
Suze
Your take on this seems realistic and also echoes my opinion that between the extremes often lies the truth. Maybe Will has embraced the motto: “happy wife, happy life”
Coolnames
I agree. Little Georgie is going to be one happy little tyke. Devoted parents and an aunt and two uncles who will spoil him. I imagine from Carol and Michael he will grow up with a sense of belonging, unconditional love and the warmth of a tight knit circle. From Charles and Camilla he will develop a strong backbone, a love of books and a respect for nature, the environment and the importance of tradition. Lucky child indeed!
This isnt the first I have heard of the Middleton’s marriage conditions. If true then I wouldn’t seem like Kate dragged Will to the altar or Carol manipulated him. It would seem more like Will had to do a little convincing/reassuring. Maybe things are not always as they seem. If, at the very end, Will realized he didnt want to lose Kate, that would have finally made her the hunted and not the huntress. Maybe he didnt want Kate to become his Camilla.
The Middletons have horrible family values.
William cheated on Kate repeatedly and when Kate finally developed a backbone about it, Carole invited him over to see if they could reconcile. What mother does that to her kid?
We have confirmation now that Kate switched schools to stalk William, and tried to meet up with him on his gap year, and the Middleton parents funded that toxic behavior. Kate never had a full-time job after graduating college because as the head of Jigsaw said Kate needed to be available for her relationship, but William still dumped her because he wasn’t that serious about her. Charles had to be the one to tell William to stop using Kate if he wasn’t sure what he wanted. The Middletons? They just kept funding it all.
The Middleton parents are toxic. That’s not love and unconditional support at all. They’ve invested a lot of money in this relationship and they need returns. Pippa has her contract with Waitrose, the Middletons are getting more connections and press for their business and have moved to a nicer place. And William has a tried and tested fan club in the Middletons to put up with him no matter how he treats their daughter.
@ Suze :
I’ve read that Camilla spends a lot of time at her own home near Charles’ Highgrove so she can see her grandchildren there. Charles apparently finds small children irritating and/or too loud. Even when his sons were little, he was said to prefer time alone in his walled garden. I’m not a Camilla fan but that’s what I’ve read – i.e. she loves having her grandkids over.
Charles actually adores her grandkids, Laura Lopes said he and Camilla babysit when they can.
Meredith
That was a horrible rumor started about Charles claiming he hates small children around his things. It’s all around false.
What girlfriends? Pippa?
Million dollar question.
That is a great question. I can’t recall the last time I saw Kate out and about with friends. How isolating.
By her own choice.
She ditched all but one friend in the pursuit of William. And even that one friend wasn’t photographed with her for many years during the final stretch until last year when suddenly new pap pics of them appeared.
Any ‘friends’ she has now are ALL William’s friends.
That point alone makes me pity her because as the Mountbatten Sisters proved in their recent posting, when difficulties arise, they will all side with William.
Pippa and her mother (and her female bodyguards) are the only women she’s photographed with on a regular basis.
Is this a big deal? I’m not a royal fan-girl in the least, but come on. That’s where they wanted to go, so be it.
Isn’t this horse dead yet?
Exactly!
I agree! I’m a royaloonie and I’m tired of the hair/dress/staying-with-mum stories. They’ve been done to death.
Beside Kate and William and George have left Casa Middleton and are apparently living in their own family unit now. So onward!
She’s got great hair. No begrudging her taking care of it here. She’s no Paris Hilton for Gods sake. She’s a royal and if her hair wasn’t so quaffed the tabloids would be ripping her for that.
I can’t blame her for wanting to be with her mother after the birth – I’m about to have a baby and really really want my mum to be there and help me during the first (scary) days with the baby.
+1
Its certainly normal to be with mom in first weeks of postpartum. I didn’t even get out of the bed for a week. My mom cooks, cleans, takes care the baby and the older kids. She bathed and changed the diaper. I literally just took a very very good rest, eat and breastfeed.
She could do that longer but I refused to do so because, well, she’s not a helper. I can’t be thankful enough.
No one takes care of me better than my mom 🙂
I’m fine with Kate wanting her Mom around. I think it’s very understandable, but I think it’s interesting and worrying that in two years of being married, Kate still hasn’t carved out a place for herself where she feels safe and okay in her own home and could invite Carole over for extra support, and instead has to go to her Mom’s house.
Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. And treasure these days, they go by so fast. My “baby girl” was just married in June!
And my baby (the only one) started her Senior year of h.s. this week! She’s great! Mom however…near meltdown level! (o;
Congratulations! Bonding with a newborn is truly a magical time. You are so lucky that your mum wants to be involved.
On topic-It is the behavior of the Middleton gang that bothers me. They are graceless and appear self-serving…just opportunistic in general.
They invested a lot of money and effort in their quest for the prince. Now I think they feel that they can cash in. Just think the whole bunch (Wills included) should look to Sophie’s father, Autumn’s parents as examples to follow.
I also feel like they wouldn’t be giving Kate this much attention, if she hadn’t married William. Because if she’d married just some random rich aristos, then there wouldn’t be any toleration of the Middleton’s cashing in on their name—my opinion. I think they try and butter up William as much as they can, because they know that eventually he’s going to throw some of that around to them.
LadyAnne, ITA.
I will absolutely not shame any woman who wants to be with her mother…or her husband…exclusively after the birth of her first child. The RF will just have to suck it up and not grumble about “tradition” or protocol being violated. They blatantly ignored the emotional side of motherhood with Diana, and look what a hot mess that became.
Why couldn’t Carole go to Kate’s. It’s just insane to say there was no room for Carole.
The security operation most of you aren’t paying for was a FORTUNE so waity could get her way AGAIN.
The sad part is that Kate is such a TAKER always wanting HER WAY in everything down to working 1 day a week.
If she is so fragile maybe she shouldn’t be married to royal.
Whatwhat
This is perplexing. It would have been cheaper and overall easier for Carole to move in with Kate. Instead Kate moves in with her mother and millions are spent updating the Middleton’s house and extra security. Meanwhile William has left the Middleton’s home. When Kate went with George, their imaginary nannies, Carole, and a ton of luggage leading one to think a longterm visit she left not 24 hours later. Now with rumors coming out more and more how William is so removed from Kate there are often separate bedrooms and many more hunting trips. Can’t they at least try to seem in love?
+1 It is mind blowing how much these two stick it to William’s relatives and get away with it. I think maybe William is such a loose cannon they just let him do whatever he wants, because he’ll do God know’s what otherwise.
Carol could move in with Kate and william for a couple of months. that would have been less expensive.
If I were Carole and had to choose between my own luxury home in the country or a palace where I had to be careful about everything and likely felt that everyone was watching me to report stuff to the tabloids, I’d stay in Buckleberry too. Not much love for the Middletons at the palace perhaps?
If Carole had been ok’ed to stay at Kensington, she would she would have skipped all the way from Bucklebury. She would give her right arm to stay in the Royal Apartments. And once she settled in there, the men in grey would have to use a crowbar to get her out.
I read that Carole argued many times that Kate should spend the night before the wedding at Buckingham. She was repeatedly told “no”. But Carole did manage to ride in the glass coach that Diana used, grinning and waving to the crowds as if they were there to see her.
Really unfortunate person.
I dont know why people get so bent out of shape about the royal family… its as bad as those who worship them. Some people have lots of money from doing absolutely nothing. It’s just the way the world is and there is no amount of “work” or “charity” they could do to ever make that fact ok with you… so chill.
+1 – that is the way the world is. It ain’t fair and it never was and never will be.
Kate’s wish to be with her mother immediately after the birth isn’t the problem.
The problem is the extra security cost of this expense when they have at least 2 homes, in wales and Scotland, that would have met her wishes eg privacy, security, her parents and siblings staying, without adding more expense on the public purse.
Ken Wharfe, a former RPO, put it best:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/commentary-stay-of-weeks-would-surely-cost-taxpayer-millions-8666394.html
And predictably, those few weeks at Middleton Manor ended up being more than £1M.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/417647/Fears-for-royal-baby-Prince-George-s-safety-sparks-ring-of-steel-in-Bucklebury
With regards to her hair and general appearance,*Kanye shrug*. she is in the public eye. It’s a necessary expense. One can’t censure her for it though i may snark on how poorly it is executed given the dedicated team behind it.
I agree with you completely.
She sounds spoilt.
1. Tenants had to be evicted and compensated so they could have 1A in Kensington Palace.
2. Tenant had to be evicted (and compensated?) for them to have Anmer Hall.
3. Security had to be provided and modifications done so Kate and baby could stay with Middletons.
Must be nice to get what you want all the time!
We do not know what modifications were suggested by whom. It is only clear that Will and Kate will enjoy the results so why single out Kate? Besides, the Queen will not sign off on anything she does not ultimately think is prudent. She wants them to be happy which is very kindhearted. She also gave Kate a free hand in decorating the residences, including access to furnishings and artwork currently in storage at BP. That does not sound like a woman giving in to her grandson’s spoiled wife in order to keep the peace.
Also Charles and Camilla personally gifted Will and Kate the $ necessary to decorate the new digs at KP. Kate has some things to prove and a lot to improve upon but if she were a spoiled, demanding brat a lot of the RF would not bother with her beyond keeping up appearances.
I think the upgrades to the Middleton’s home wasnt necessary but Will wanted her to be there. As long as his wife is relaxed and happy he gets to go off and play more polo with Harry. When it comes to Kate Will may very well be the one insisting that everything be perfect and no expense spared. I dont know if he is head over heels in love but he is very protective of her and wants her and his son to be happy.
But sure, blame Kate for everything.
When things are reported as being Kate’s idea, Tara, I go with it.
And you seem to know an awful lot about the Queen’s mindset. As she’s never given an interview, that’s really interesting.
Very generous of William insisting on everything being perfect and no expense being spared when he has the poor beleaguered tax payers to pay for it all — what a gent!
Bluhare
Your indignation makes me laugh and I want you to remember that this is celeb gossip.
I most certainly cant know the Queen’s mind but just look at her actions. Ultimately she has to sign off on these decisions and it is my very firm opinion that in the end no one tells Liz what to do. I also hold the opinion that she wants her fanily to be happy. Do you know otherwise?
No tenant was evicted from Kensington. Princess Margaret’s old apartment was being used as temporary office and storage space by palace staff. The apartment was scheduled to be cleaned of asbestos and the plumbing and electical work done, even if Will and Kate had not decided to move in.
Amner Hall is on the Queen’s Sandringham estate and the Queen decided she would give it to Will and Kate. The tenant was scheduled to move out in a couple of years anyway and decided to leave before then. According to a spokesperson for the Queen and the tenant, no money was requested and no money was given.
Princess Margaret’s apartment had already been leased to a charity who had renovated it without removing asbestos, wood panelling and were getting ready to use it as public space per the State Rooms, when WK viewed it.
HM had to renegotiate with the charity to return the lease back to the royal family as she did Anmer Hall, and she had to refund the cost of the renovation the charity had undertaken.
It is being renovated. again. This time removing the asbestos and other specifications that WK wanted.
The tenant at Anmer Hall had signed a lease which did not expire for another 5 years when they were asked to leave (until the end of 2017), they ran their business from there and did not wish to move, the Queen paid the tenants a “generous settlement” to move out early.
Thank you, LAK and flower.
Tara/mslewis: You will find I rarely post a fact that I cannot corroborate. And if I do post something I’m not sure about I say so.
mslewis — what do you think the poor tenant’s going to say when the queen asks him to bet it?
GO LAK!
So many comments assume that the royal family does nothing except eat Bon bons. The Queen is an incredibly hard working woman. At age 86 she keeps a schedule that would bury me at half her age. Every single day she hosts either a luncheon or a dinner, or both, for all kinds of organizations. And she reads about all of the guests ahead of time. In addition she attends multiple public appearances. Princess Ann is also a tireless worker. Really, all of the royals attend many, many engagements that get no press coverage, and that also includes everyone’s favorite target – Duchess Kate. And a note; much of the security is paid for by Prince Charles or the Queen. She actually pays more in income taxes every year than the royal family receives from the government.
The Queen and Princess Anne ARE hard workers, but lazy Kate is not in their league. Anyone who says otherwise is sadly misinformed and ignorant. That’s all.
The BRF’s security is paid for entirely by the tax payer.
The court circular bears out how much everyone works. There is no dispute over how much any of the senior royals work except for WK. There is little evidence that they work even though they keep insisting that they do. They aren’t egregiously being accused of this fact by gossip sites. It’s a matter of record.
HM/POW only started paying tax in 1992 and only because the govt, as willed by the people, insisted upon it as a condition of tax payers picking up tab for the repair of Windsor castle which had suffered a great fire that nearly destroyed it.
There is a law preventing public scrutiny of how much tax they pay, although it is known that any arrangements they do have are strictly voluntary as opposed to the mandatory requirement for the rest of the population.
I think it’s crazy that the British taxpayers aren’t allowed to know how much they pay in taxes, especially considering it’s been confirmed that the Queen has pushed back on legislation that would require her to pay more. i hope all that deference ends when Charles succeeds, but seeing how his memos were covered up, maybe it’s not likely.
Nat – that’s not even half of how wrong these things are. The Queen and POW hold a veto that allows them to decide which laws they can accept, or not, where their family, particularly financial, affairs are concerned.
The Guardian newspaper has really tried to investigate how many times this veto has been used and been stone walled by the prior law that prohibits transparency.
They have confirmed that the veto has been used, but haven’t published the details.
Given how much hiding William does, and his continuous efforts to curb the press either directly or via the press complaints commission whilst insisting on his full perks, I don’t see this situation getting better.