I didn’t even know Duchess Kate was supposed to make a public appearance yesterday, but she was scheduled for something and she had to cancel at the very last minute. I mean… yes, we’ve heard again and again that Kate is profoundly unwell and that doctors are checking in with her every day, so it’s no surprise that she had to cancel another appearance. What surprises me is that it really sounds like they waited until the very last minute to cancel, and that there was little to no advance publicity around the visit, had it happened.
Only days after it was suggested that Princess Kate would be returning to her royal duties in October, the Duchess “continues to be unwell” and was forced to cancel her first appearance Wednesday. Kate, 32, was scheduled to attend the opening of the Clore Art Room at London’s Barlby Primary School as part of the Clore Duffield Foundation’s 50th anniversary year.
However, Kate, who has been a Royal Patron of the Art Room since 2012, was forced to cancel due to the ongoing effects of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe pregnancy sickeness she also suffered when carrying George, who is now 14 months old. The symptoms – intense nausea and vomiting – are “similar in severity to last time,” a royal source confirms to PEOPLE.
But it is unknown as to when Kate will actually “turn the corner” and feel well enough to continue with her public duties, a royal source says. Meanwhile, adds the source, the Duchess “continues to be unwell and we are keeping things under review.”
“As with all her engagements, we are taking decisions closer to the time of them occurring, and we are keeping them under review,” a palace spokeswoman says, adding that this one was made public due to the fact that the engagement still took place and that Kate was “really keen to send her support because she couldn’t be there in person.”
The palace would not say if other engagements had been canceled. She is thought to be at home at Kensington Palace.
It was just a few days ago that royal aides were telling anyone who would listen that Kate is preparing to do some events in October and November and she was feeling better. So… again, if she’s feeling poorly, just own that and cancel appearances with enough leeway so that the charity can organize someone else to come in Kate’s place. This isn’t necessarily on Kate – if anything, I think it’s bad staff work. Her staffers should be working with the charities to organize other royals or celebrities to make appearances on Kate’s behalf, rather than canceling at the very last minute and leaving charities high and dry. Oh, but Kate did send a note for the event. Read it aloud with lots of hair tosses and weird pauses and it might feel like Kate is reading it to you!
‘I wanted to share my congratulations with you all for the launch of the new Clore Art Room. I was looking forward to joining you all for this particularly special day as part of The Clore Duffield Foundation’s 50th Anniversary year. I am truly sorry that I cannot be with you all today as you celebrate this milestone. As Patron of The Art Room I feel great pride to see the work that the charity is doing. Vulnerable children flourish in the safe havens that The Art Room provides; this highlights just how important it is to support children at a time when they most need help and support. This partnership with The Clore Duffield Foundation is a significant moment for The Art Room. As I cannot thank the Foundation in person today, I would like to extend my thanks to Dame Vivien and her Foundation for supporting a cause so close to my heart, and making such a transformational facility available to the children of Barlby Primary School. It really is hugely exciting to look to a future with even more Art Rooms, where the lives of many more challenging and vulnerable children will be transformed. I hope that you have a wonderful afternoon. My sincere apologies for not being able to join you but I hope that I will have an opportunity to visit Barlby and see the Clore Art Room soon.’
So, at least she sent a note. Kate could really use a big-name surrogate, like a close female friend who could make personal appearances on her behalf.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Send George in her place.
Would people love that or not? LOL.
She should work with either Beatrice or Zara to develop a backup system. Although not as popular as Kate, they could appear on her behalf and it would soothe the patronage’s feeling a bit, as well as keep the public happy. When I say “she should work”, I mean her staff, of course, with her direction, or direction from Wills.
I personally think she’s been seriously unwell during this go around, so no complaints from me on that front. I do think the KP front office is pretty inefficient in managing the great assets they have in the young royals, but that’s not a Kate isue.
I’m not going to argue laziness while she’s pregnant either. I can wait nine months before resuming my carping!
I agree about the KP suits. The mismanagement is beginning to look like slapstick these days. Bumbling fools everywhere you look.
Darn it, Sixer, I don’t want to wait 9 months for your carping to resume! 😀
Oh, I can do plenty of BRF moaning in the meantime, mimif! Just not on Kate not doing engagements cos she’s pregnant and ill with it. She might be swinging the lead, of course, but I’m not going to make that my automatic assumption.
Give me some posts about expenditures or Willnot farting about pretending he’s got a real job and is doing it just like a peasant would, and I’ll be there with my Sixer bells on!
Sixer – I know that the rest of the family will step and provide plenty of material in the next seven months!
Not to mention those crazy KP front office types. If public companies were run the way they run the palace we’d be in a world wide recession by now.
It’s all so Downton Abbey! I find it embarrassing to be honest. These fools are more associated with Britain than, oh, I don’t know. Fish and chips. Me. The NHS. All the good things. (Less me, perhaps, but I’m in a happy mood today so I’m shoving myself right in there).
I think this was one of those ‘we’ll let you know’ engagements. I agree with all posters here, there’s some very poor management among the W&K staff.
Sixer, if I had my way you would be on the tourist board brochures, for sure.
Zara would be my choice. But I don’t think she’d count, would she, as she’s not technically royal. She has a husband, baby, and a career too. But if she could I bet she’d step in.
When George can babble a speech where people can pick out a few words, he’ll be great!
It might be bad management by KP staff.
I would think that that would be rather unusual as all the staff of the Royals do cooperate and advise each other and so on.
Also KP staff didn’t take up their jobs yesterday but they have some experience so why did this happen?
It might be a power struggle between Kate and her staff who tries to get her back to work. They offer her something and initially Kate agrees and then at the last minute she bails out.
I would hate to have to work with somebody who cancels at the last possible minute.
It might be some pr move as in “look she really tries to do some work but she really really really can’t”.
I don’t know what’s worse: undue privilege granted by birth or by marriage. Zara has royal blood but isn’t royal because of her father? Kate does not have royal blood but outranks Zara because of marriage? Sure Zara has done more than Kate, but she didn’t have to spend her teen years establishing pedigree, so she had more free time for a career.
“I find it embarrassing to be honest. These fools are more associated with Britain than, oh, I don’t know. Fish and chips. Me. The NHS. All the good things. ”
Not really, Sixer. 🙂
In their “royal” heads, maybe, and even that is very iffy.
The rest of the world – with the possible exception of very unsophisticated folks – does NOT think of them when they think about Britain. Believe me.
Sending Bea or Eugenie as back up would have been brilliant (hence, why it didn’t happen). Primary school kids just want to meet a real princess and they must have been so disappointed 🙁 Wouldn’t it be nice if the BRF could work together like a family. Or at least a firm.
If the rumours of her bullying the York Princesses are true, then she’s probably closed that door.
Emily
Even the Whitewashing for the wedding couldn’t bury that story.
And the York princesses do a lot of charity work on their own. Eugenie is in the states currently working and Bea keeps a solid schedule of events. Events for her often last more than a few hours. Especially if within a hospital.
What about sending Pippa? She’s not a royal but presumably she wouldn’t mind doing some favours for her big sister and she has a decent enough public profile.
She’d give them PippaTips about the importance of colour matching.
Amal should be Kate’s surrogate! Or is she going to continue her law career now that she’s Mrs. Clooney? That seems doubtful. Dame Amal… doesn’t sound terrible. Neither does Sir George. Will and Kate should consider it (maybe Amal could even educate the duchess on how to dress for formal events!)
The Palace has REAL Princesses and Princes ( they don’t need controversial wannabes) they have others they can send if they choose to replace Kate for a charity visit. They don’t need to look outside.
Baby George would be fine , just send the nanny with George and let him run around a bit and grab things and make his famous faces. Job done. 🙂
Oh I know, I was just messing around. And George would be amazing! Can’t wait to see what he grows up to be like 🙂
I’m sure there are all kinds of subs to send in; these people have schedulers and appointment-makers and all kinds of lackeys to do their bidding.
But I don’t think a royal sub is available. William is off at ‘training’, Harry actually is working, the queen/Phillip/Charles/Camilla/Sophie/anne/Zara etc etc all have their events planned out months in advance. Maybe autumn (zara’s sister in law) could go? But she doesn’t really do events . And the York girls are off ‘working’ in New York
… Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice they would be fine replacements, too bad they are away.
Kate would Love that! 🙂
LOL
Sophie is getting honored this month, by a journalist organization. This woman has WORKED and earned respect the old fashion way. One step at a time, through putting herself out there, even when making mistakes, digging in working hard and after 15 years she has become quite respected.
Kate …take note.
Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, and Autumn Phillips are not “working royals” and receive no taxpayer funding. They are not available to sub for Kate Middleton because 1) they are not working royals and 2) they are working their real-world jobs. I *think* Autumn is currently a stay at home mom with plans to return to work when the girls are older. She said something in an interview about not being able to afford to stay home forever.
Whenever you see one of those four women doing charity work, she’s doing it on her personal time. You might not agree with their career choices, but Beatrice and Eugenie do have jobs last I read (Sony and Paddle8). Better than Middleton’s 2 days a week as a coffee girl / buyer at Jigsaw for a total of 9 months.
I think your take on Beatrice and Eugenie is very generous. Beatrice in particular.
Beatrice and Eugenie may not be working royals, but their father is and Someone is clearly funding their lavish lifestyle. Eugenie lives on NYC on a $50,000 a year salary and Beatrice has (had?) an unpaid internship at Sony.
How so, bluhare? What gossip do you have on Beatrice (in particular) and Eugenie? Please share :).
If Charles and Andrew weren’t so strained Bea and Eug would be working royals with security perks. Charles and those close have made this known over time when he gets the chance Andrew and those related by him will not receive royal perks at all. Some can say Bea and Eug don’t work hard and are only “working” jobs and charities because Andrew is making a push to create public good will for them.
(Countering comments not directed at Bluhare. More broader, ongoing conversation regarding theYorks and their “work/careers”)
End of the day they are princesses. They work jobs they gained through a combination of connections and earning. And no one can say Eugenie and Beatrice don’t work hard for their charities, fundraising whenever possible.
Notasugarhere
As a snarky side note Kate still took time off from her Jigsaw job, but it was tailored to her anyways.
Princess Beatrice has also done events with the Queen at the Palace at the Queens request.
Autumn can’t afford to stay at home forever? Isn’t “at home”, mummy-in-law’s rent-free palace? Or did the queen give her grandson a palace of his own when he got married? Tough times!
I agree/agreed with the decision made by Prince Charles to par down the royals on the payroll. I’m not British or even a citizen of the realm. However, to a public that bankrolls the royals, I don’t think it looks good in terms of perception (in modern times) to have what seems to look like indolent royals feeding at the trough given cuts to public services, etc. But here is another however . . . However, I think he needs to reconsider his decision simply because Kate & Will are beginning to look like White Dee of Benefits Street.
Kate is not the first pregnant woman who has had to work or who has been asked to work under adverse conditions. I’m sure her mother did it or would have (given what seems to be her ambitious nature). William is not the first complacent royal to be asked to go out and press some flesh. What is new, I think, is the combination of the public’s vigilant eye (24 hours), it’s sense of ownership & wanting “value for their money, and the various means & outlets they can use to express their discontent. It is really my belief that the Scottish vote would have went the other way had Kate & Will been on the thorn. (Of course there r other reasons why the vote went like it did but still . . . the future is looming & Britain has lost a colony or two before 🇺🇸. Yes, I know Scotland is not a colony.) . . . And although people can/will/ and have trotted out how much the monarchy brings in, it’s difficult to argue facts with emotion & perception—especially if/when the tide turns ugly.
Will & Kate & their PR machine keeps pushing the we r just like u angle in order to forge a tie with the public. That’s a mistake. Why? Cause if u r just like “me” then u go to work in good health or ill—weighing that decision against your professional obligations and/or the policies set by your employer, etc. Yes, there r exceptions and difficult decisions must be made. However, people
are only so willing to be bought off with pictures of rosy-cheeked squealing toddlers 4 so long & past goodwill for the monarchy. Pretty soon, I think, people will look up and honestly wonder just what value do two seemingly incurious unemployed adults add to the collective & as a result why should they (W/K) be above the scorn that society has been trained to spew at those who fall into the takers/spongers category.
@Dena. One of the former royal chefs made comments similar to your last paragraph. https://twitter.com/DarrenMcGrady
@Notasugarhere:
Thanks!! It’s true. It’s either Will Windsor or Will Middleton and I’d suggest the former simply because W/K would both lose in the “ordinary people” category if/when the public starts drawing strict comparisons between themselves & the Windsors.
Instead of seeing the privileges of royalty the public will instead see double-standards and loose systems of accountability, etc., etc. it’s a slippery slope and a dangerous game they are playing. Why? Cause they don’t have the type of charisma one needs to bamboozle and/or charm a crowd (#1); they don’t seem to have a passion or a level of curiosity about anything (or so it seems) that people can relate to (in order to build/form a relationship with the public (#2); and neither do they have a work ethic that people can point to with pride or as a saving grace (#3).
I think W/K (William especially) see the work that the elder royals do as just shaking hands & cutting ribbons–nothing of real value. They (W/K) don’t understand or cannot see how those small things help to build relationships to the public and how those things help to keep the public on the side of royalty. It’s like squirreling away little pockets of goodwill for the harsh (perhaps) winter to come. However, and unlike most if the other royals, W/k have very few items of goodwill from which to pull.
“I think W/K (William especially) see the work that the elder royals do as just shaking hands & cutting ribbons–nothing of real value. They (W/K) don’t understand or cannot see how those small things help to build relationships to the public and how those things help to keep the public on the side of royalty. It’s like squirreling away little pockets of goodwill for the harsh (perhaps) winter to come. However, and unlike most if the other royals, W/k have very few items of goodwill from which to pull. ”
Such a great way of putting it!
Both Beatrice and Eugenie would never have gotten the jobs they have if they were not the Queen’s granddaughters. Yep, they put in some effort and they did study. But in the end they got their jobs due to who they are and not due to what merits they have.
Beatrice once tried to train as an investment banker(?) or property saleswomen(?) although she is dyslexic(?). Nobody can tell me she got those jobs because of her merits.
Charles might reconsider his efforts to slim down the Royal Family. Kate is hardly doing any charity at all and William doesn’t seem to be particularly good at it. Williamd doesn’t seem to like doing charity work, does he? Harry seems to be the only one of the younger Royals who does some decent charity work.
There are many people in this world who get an “in” because of connections. It may not be fair, but is alive and well in many professions. Middleton was handed the Jigsaw job because her mom was acquainted with the owner.
B&E have many advantages in this world due to their birth. IMO those are often outweighed by the burden of their parents. They earned their degrees, they’re trying to make their way in the world, just like lots of other 20-somethings — many of whom use connections to get jobs.
BTW, are you inferring that a person with dyslexia is not capable of being a successful investment banker or property manager? What else do you think dyslexics cannot do?
To add on Dyslexia… Isn’t Harry also dyslexic? He needed a tutor and used them more often that William growing up.
And anyone watch Shark Tank? Damon John, creator of FuBu and MultiMillionaire admitted his dyslexia is so bad he can barely read at all. Yet, in his mother’s basement he started a business and was smart enough to understand contracts and numbers even if he couldn’t actually read them or do the math on paper or a calculator.
And ofcourse people get jobs because of their titles and names! Nepotism is everyone and isn’t shunned. Some employers want to hire people because of their family to generate interest.
How do you think William got the job he’s training for that didn’t previously exist?
•Florc•
Yes both Bea and Harry are dyslexic. Bea got diagnosed early and was able to get help all throughout her schooling which made a huge difference in her academic success. On the other hand, Harry wasn’t diagnosed until he was 17 and often felt the stigma of being thought stupid, when he’s not, he’s dyslexic. Discovering that he was not just good but a fantastic pilot (often a dyslexic strength) was a watershed moment for him.
As a note: All three of King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden’s children have dyslexia, as does the king himself. KCGXVI has it really bad — he has struggled in public to spell his own name. 😳
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10005522/Princess-Beatrice-becomes-patron-of-dyslexia-charity.html
Thanks LadySlippers for the link and all that extra information!
And what is a watershed moment?
•Florc•
It’s the colloquialisms that are tricky to learn in a second language, aren’t they? 😊
Harry did not get the same help Bea did which is why he dislikes school. Victoria, Carl Philip, and Madeleine have all spoken about the struggles in school as well as being teased.
As for watershed moment , it means that a big break through happened.
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_watershed_moment?ad=1
CP Victoria also deals with face-blindness (Prosopagnosia).
LadySlippers
Not only are there a million, but they don’t always translate even within their own language. It can be more regionally determined. And thanks for the link as well!
•Jane•
Except it’s not normal practice to send a sub when a royal is unable to go to an event in which they are a patron of. William went in place of Kate to Malta because she was due to represent the Queen, so it was a diplomatic event. Totally different situation with The Art Room vs Malta.
They may need to change that practice because of the Cambridge duo!
Not really apropos of this, but marginally related, where did I read that the old system of patronages was going to be phased out? Was it here? I cannot remember…
•Suze•
Eh. Stuff happens and I think the current system works just fine. Royals are human too after all.
Penny Junor touched on the fact that with the Brits trimming the working royals down that they are looking into a more synergistic way of handling patronages à la the foundation William and Harry started (which apparently is very radical for the royals). Also, according to Junor, it’s Beatrice and Eugenie that have chosen not to work for The Firm — not something Charles is doing. Not sure how true it is but it was interesting to read.
Well, we will just have to see what happens in the future. I’m one who loves to see things change up and am not so much for tradition – very much the anti-BRF stance. I’d love to see them working together instead of staying in their own little worlds, as they do now. I do hope the foundation concept works and allows the family to evolve a bit.
Sixer has pointed out that dilettante princes have stepped up when their time comes. Maybe Wills will become a dedicated royal presence at some time in the future – stranger things have happened. As he goes, so goes Kate. It could only be good for the royals.
I’m not sure about Junor’s take on Bea and Eug – it just doesn’t really ring true. They seem eager to be part of official family work, although we will never really know for sure.
A note?! From Kate! O.M.G. Whatever. I highly doubt she even wrote that note.
the royals have staff for such things. And that is good so because the advisors have better knowledge about grammar and phrasing and especially about the charity and its people.
Sounds harsh but i doubt that Kate even remembers the names and how the staff of her Art Room charity or the named Dame Vivian or the Barlby Primary School look.
I bet if she had hand-written it they would have a picture of it.
As for rememberin Dame Vivian …. She is one of London’s big charity players and multimillionair heiress. I think she ranks pretty high up in those circles (acquaintance of the Rothschild family and such) and I think she is quite close to the Royal circles as well but she isn’t flashy. Kate better remember her name and her efforts or else Kate won’t have any charities to promote in the near future. …. oh wait, that is exactly what Kate wants, isn’t it?
It felt like slap on the face to me when *she* wrote, sorry, sorry, sorry, “I hope that you have a nice afternoon”.
I’m faulting the staff for this all around. Maybe only somewhat Kate. Does she never check in on her staff? Can they do anything, make it look like her staff is asleep at the desk?
And yes. If the note was handwritten the charity might actually post a picture of it or have a paper take a photo. Like the parents of the boy in the hospital. Although that letter was typed out using language she doesn’t and autopenned so I don’t know.
End of the day Kate is the queen of willful ignorance and apathy. Not out of malice or anything intentionally hurtful.
I’m not faulting anyone.
Kate did exactly what other royals do in this situation — she sent a note of apology because she was unable to attend due to illness.
LadySlippers
Regardless of what other royals do. I think this is discussed more as a fault rather than what is proper because Kate cancels so often.
•Florc•
Should Kate work more? Yes. But she’s sick not playing hooky. And William is the one determined to do stuff differently.
Send the Queen’s corgis, that would make the event more interesting.
Mojoman: Yes! The Corgis would beat Harry in the public polls for likability .
Not possible.
Yea.
Those corgis are not kind from the stories.
They mauled one of Beatrice’s dogs. I read somewhere the rule is nobody is allowed to pet/touch the corgis – because they are so vicious.
After being bombarded with pictures of Amal’s hair, Kate’s hair just looks flat in comparison. She needs to up her game.
This is probably exactly what Kate is thinking and why she opted to stay home.
“I´m so surprised Kate couldn´t work” said no one ever.
+1
Hahahaha
Maybe I’m being naive, but I think the last minute cancellation means that she was actually planning on going. (This charity is the one she does the ‘most’ for-whatever that means) hence why the staff was saying back to events in October, but then I think the puking got the better of her.
The cynic in me thinks that they read everyone harping about her feeling better in a month and not buying it, and then canceling the event to show otherwise. Except I doubt Kate is actually capable of that kind of planning.
@ L
Exactly my thoughts. Cancel at the last minute in order to make it look as if Kate really REALLY really wanted to go.
Maybe her advisors did plan it like that?
It could also mean her symptoms are fluctuating and she had a few days where it looked as if she were improving. Enough to hope that this event might be a go.
AND, to be fair to both Kate and the staff, docs often wait until right before an event to make their decision. I’ve had plenty of experience in that dept to know.
LadySlippers
I agree… But!
If there was any chance Kate wasn’t going to be able to make it wouldn’t a backup have been planned? Wouldn’t there be a backup anyways in cases where it’s “played by ear”?
Her staff seems awful. Does she have any actual input to how they conduct her business? It seems like a running joke.
•Florc•
Often when a royal is sick there ISN’T a replacement. William went to Malta because Kate was due to represent the Queen, not true here.
And we don’t know that The Art Room wanted another royal or anything like that. My guess is they just rolled with it and got on with the day.
LadySlippers
Thank you. I did read that in a comment above of yours and it made sense.
End of the day this can all be business as usual, but it’s still another cancellation and much prep for her visit that goes to waste. All justified and unavoidable. We’ll just see how it’s remembered. You know it will get twisted to praise and persecute her.
Maybe this is mean, but I think this turned out best for the charity. The simple press release was widely reported by the media. So, the charity got all the attention of being associated with Kate without any of the distraction — like her inappropriate clothing, hair fondling, and cutesy speech giggles. The articles actually reported on the charity’s initiatives and achievements instead of focusing on Kate’s immature gag of the day.
Interesting idea. I bet there’s a lot of work on their part preparing for a 30-minute–or however long they take–royal visit. So yeah, publicity for the cause without the hassle.
Hey, I get it, some mornings you just want to stay in bed and have cup of tea;-)
I feel bad for her. Don’t hurt me.
Heh – I have my Kate issues – well, mostly the Cambridge duo issues – but I think she has been laid very low. She hasn’t even managed a shaky appearance, and she did that during her first pregnancy.
On the plus side, I am sure she is getting the best care possible, so that makes her luckier than 99% of women. But it still doesn’t make life perfect.
Right. I’m not a Kate apologist, at all. I think she should work a lot harder when she’s not vomiting. I think she should put weights in her hems. But something about this nagging a pregnant woman to make public appearances when she feels unwell just seems mean to me. I really think she would go if she could.
I found with my HG that sometimes it would seem to be improving for a few days, then would sudddenly become severe again. Apparently the pregnancy hormones keep increasing in jumps, then they plateau, then jump again, up until 3 months.
Yor body starts to adjust during the plateau, but the jump lays you low again.
Azurea-mine was the same…but was severe for 6 weeks. I feel so bad for Kate. I can’t imagine the pressure she’s under.
•Azurea•
I was the same way. A few days of — yay — this is about to wrap up! And then back to clinging onto the throw-up bucket or the toilet lid. (Not to mention taking all the myriad of anti-nausea meds)
I also mentioned that doctors often wait until the very last minute to make their decisions.
Plus, I’d bet staff were communicating with the art room all the time.
GoodNames
To be fair you have good long stretches here where you are a Kate defender/apologist. We’ve had back and forths before and i’m far kinder than most here lately. Not a bad thing. Just something I’ve noticed.
I’m not faulting Kate here. It’s her staff that is awful. Or maybe this is all an elaborate plan to paint an image of Kate that both wants to work and is horribly, terribly ill? Or does my new tinfoil cloche need adjusting?
Something about this whole story seems like her people are making terrible decisions.
FLORC, I almost always agree with your criticisms. I have felt lately that some of the criticisms on here (not yours) are so extreme, and so ridiculous, that I have defended her more than I normally would. The main thing I defend her about is this. I know people don’t believe she has HG, and that’s fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But she is obviously quite ill, and I just get tired of people saying she is having a baby to get out of doing work. I think she enjoys being a mother and wanted more children all along. She’s very close to her own siblings, so it makes sense that she would want more than one child.
I think she is wasting a wonderful opportunity to help people through charity work, and I will never understand why. But I don’t think she’s an evil person. And I doubt anyone would actually have a baby to get out of working. I just try to provide some balance I guess. I certainly never meant to come across as an apologist for her. While I think there is much to criticize, I just find some specific criticisms of her to be crazy. Does that make sense?
•GoodNames•
I often find myself sticking up for Kate (and other Royals) because of the nastiness of the criticisms. And often for exactly the same reasons as you. I’m certainly not a fan but people forget there are a multitude of reasons why people do things.
Here, Kate followed the normal pattern long established by other royals when unable to attend an event. And she gets blasted for it. I don’t see how that’s fair — to her or anyone else.
Right, exactly. I knew you would understand, dahling!
GoodNames
Hmm… I could have sworn it was you, but maybe not. Maybe we had a back and forth where you agreed with me and I thought we were debating? It’s happened before and it’ll happen again with me. If not I’m sorry!
As a whole on Kate it’s come to the point where we praise the tiniest victory and see a lot of fumbles before we criticize.
Send a brown, sausage curl wig, some black liquid liner, and a skirt that won’t stay down. No one will be the wiser.
LOL!
Hehehe. That was good.
I feel sorry for her on this one. I’m sure she knows she’s seen as lightweight anyway (personally, I think she’s still finding her way a bit, and that husband of hers doesn’t help things much either), so it’s got to be hard for her to be feeling awful and unable to do much at the moment, knowing it’s going to be seen as just another example of her perceived ‘hands-off’ approach.
ITA. While I don’t think she will ever be a hard-working royal, due to her resume (or lack thereof) I think she is keenly aware of how people perceive her and she is torn between fixing it and running away to the country (all illness aside.) I don’t think she has good guidance, most likely due to William’s independence. It will really be interesting to see how Harry’s future wife handles the Firm, seeing as Harry has a much more hands-on approach than Wills.
I’m thinking she’s really sick this time around. More so than with the morning sickness that lasted only a short while when she was carrying George. Per the DM (Ha!), rumors about her second bout with HG (combined with her age) are fueling bets and speculation that she’s carrying twins. But, actually, the possibility is not that far fetched. I was 30+ when I had my twins and they were totally, and I mean totally, unexpected because there’s no history of twins in my family and I was not taking fertility drugs. Anyway, whether it’s one or two, I would imagine she’s being cautioned to rest as much as possible and keep the stress of public appearances to a minimum. And, I do think appearances stress her out.
It’s just too bad that sympathy for Kate is laced with skepticism because of her track record. If she’s as sick as reported, then my full sympathies go out to her. But people can’t help disbelieving her because she hasn’t proven herself to be a hard worker all these years. As many have said before, no one would doubt her if she worked diligently as a contributing member of the Royal Family and is now taking the time needed to recover from her illnesses during her pregnancies. But it’s like the boy who cried wolf – you can’t believe it when something legitimately happens.
@Feeshalori, yes, she doesn’t have a good track record of working and I’m definitely not one to make excuses for her. But, with this last engagement being local, and with little prep and no pressure to perform as a diplomat, I’m inclined to think that she had to miss it because she really is ill. As some have already mentioned, her work history as a royal leaves her open to criticism but also to little expectation to commit to a more vigorous schedule in the future. Personally, I don’t believe she’s a civic-minded person nor a hard worker by nature unless it’s something she enjoys. And that steely determination to stick with PW from college to the altar–that’s probably the most ambition we’ll see out her for the next few years.
Olenna
I do agree. Her track record of cancelling charity work and events is long. For me it’s a case of crying wolf in a way. She’s got a legitimate reason to cancel. As far as this event in its own goes, it’s a done case. Now though, people hear “Kate cancels another charity event” or for purposes of this comment “there’s a wolf at my door” and people give a side eye. There really is a wolf and we’ve been told there is a presence of a wolf, but when she cries wolf we pause and question the validity.
It’ll be a bittersweet situation, but I wonder if they ever have marriage troubles and Kate takes the high profile/strong worker path. Maybe in a sense hoping to mimc Diana’s goodwill with the people. I’m drifting off topic, but my point is made I suppose.
Those staff people should just clear her calendar for the rest of her pregnancy.
Why do they keep pushing her? I think they should just issue a statement to the effect of the Duchess’s appearances will be modified as needed throughout her pregnancy. Set the expectations low so that when she is well enough she can surprise people and when she can’t be there no one is disappointed.
No one pushes Kate. This has been covered officially a hundred times. Kate makes her own schedule.
+1
U know . . . 4 me, when I pay attention, it’s not about her seeming to want to be a stay at home wife and mother & focusing all her attention in that small protected bubble. To each it’s own. I don’t govern their lives. W/K do. I think I can’t get pass the fact that she’s 32 without what looks to be ANY real or substantial life experience outside of family & bagging big Willy. Was everything prior to Big Willy “wife grooming” or grooming for inclusion in aristocratic / debutante circles? Couldn’t have been because she (if anybody) could have used a nice stay at a finishing school. I mean she comes across (on her own merit) as such a blank slate & just ill-prepared & no desire to be.
I am in no way suggesting that she and William r procreating so that Kate can avoid work (although I’ve had co-workers pull the sick kid routine to pass on projects they didn’t want, etc.) but the girl’s track record ain’t good. U know . . . That goes for William 2.
Dena,
“I mean she comes across (on her own merit) as such a blank slate & just ill-prepared & no desire to be.”
That’s exactly how she comes across to me as well, as a complete cipher personality-wise and a complete lightweight professionally. That she also seems unwilling to improve is a complete mystery to me.
ArtHistorian
I know women like this. They’ve married well and everything haults. Nothing is pursued anymore. And when that world that revolves around any forms of self improvement (that aren’t physical or superficial) the slightest thing is stressful. When a world is made up of such protection a broken nail can bring your mood down.
Kate appears to do only what is expected of her. She goes between William and her immediate family and barely anywhere else. What need does she have to improve? All her goals are met and she’ll want for nothing.
@ Art Historian:
It truly is a mystery!!! I don’t know if I don’t get because that’s not my experience or personality or that I perhaps don’t know anyone who is truly like that (although I know a few women who lean in that direction). I guess I just don’t understand the mindset or the emotional/psychological state. I don’t get it!!!😃😁
I just keep thinking about how much of her dreams and ambitions she might have given up in order to hang onto William. When they broke up she trained to participate in a sporty charity event and it looked like she enjoyed it, but then they got back together and she pulled out of the event. I just think that it is sad that she felt she had to give up on something that she to all purposes seemed to enjoy just to hang unto him because that doesn’t really seem like a relationship where they are equal partners.
However, she has chosen to do this and must live with the consequences, but I can help feeling sad about it because no person should have to give up on their own dreams to subsume themselves to another person’s needs. I have been in a situation where I put my own personal life on hold to care for a sick person for years and it nearly killed me. I got sick myself and had to pull away from that situation and I even though I feel guilty about it, I am much happier pursuing my own dreams.
There was absolutely no prior announcement about this visit and the charity managed to not leak it despite having told the children. Sounds like PR to me. She got a lot of sympathy for cancelling Malta so it seems like an effort to remind people that the snowflake is still sick.
I guess neither KM nor her staff have ever heard of “Plan B” and having a contingency plan (sending another celebrity out there or whatever else) just in case, especially if their admitted plan is to wait until the last second to say whether they’re cancelling out of an appearance or not. Or maybe Plan B is just to send a note and think that’ll compensate for all the planning and work the charity organization did in the expectation that she would come.
Hopefully, KM had sent a hand-written note instead of one typed up by a staff member with just her signature at the bottom (Isn’t this the same type of thing she sent to that sick kid a while back? A typed note with just a misspelled signature at the bottom?) Sending a type-written note is not adequate in this type of situation, imo, especially with all the preparation the charity would have had to have done.
Also, I don’t understand why she nor her staff hadn’t publicized this supposedly pre-planned visit beforehand because that would have helped the charity and hopefully have gotten more people to donate to it. I know how she is and that she’s not much into helping publicize her charities because she and her staff probably think that it’s her visit that is the key thing to showcase rather than generate wide public recognition for her charities.
“This isn’t necessarily on Kate – if anything, I think it’s bad staff work.”
I think it is mostly on KM because she’s a 30-something grown woman who should be able to use at least some brain cells to think things out for herself and what she’s doing and what the effects of it would be. I can’t treat her like some idiot or some young, inexperienced newbie who has no clue what’s going on and has to have others think for her until she gets her **** together.
Speaking of Plan B they make awesome burgers!
Kate is a 30+year old that has never had to mature into an adult. If anything she’s appeared to regress from her University days.She’s sheltered and at least from the people in direct contact with her nothing is expected. Or atleast not demanded/requested of her. If it was weighted hems or undergarments would have showed us by now.
From a PR/Goodwill perspective they should reschedule and Kate can make a donation or grand gesture. A note is very basic and 1 step above bare minimum of nothing.
I can think of many ideas, but in truth the note will likely be the end of it.
I am curious though. Where was the info leading up to this? The hype? How Kate would be in this appearance? Leading up to almost all of her scheduled events we know about it. Nothing is truly secret, but instead milked for all it’s worth.
Florc, you’re absolutely right with your comment “Kate is a 30+year old that has never had to mature into an adult.” I was just pondering this the other night after several hefty glasses of sauvignon blanc, and in my wine haze I thought about how immature she seems at 32, and the child-like, helpless and naïve an image she projects. She seems to have to be wet-nursed along about everything, and is so clueless about the simplest things like not wearing flimsy dresses in the wind, sew weights in hems, no more thongs or going commando. William clearly holds her reins but she seems completely happy with the arrangement.
Jaded
If you ever find it try Trimbac. It’s a wonderful pinot blance. I can only get it in the states at the NH liquore store. And so when I make that trek I make sure I have a case waiting for me. It’s that perfect.
Regarding Kate’s attire. I think she dresses for William and herself (show off legs/bottom). Which is fine unless she’s on duty. I’ve mentioned before I loved her early University style and even early William style. She wore slips, hem lines were proper and all before she had a dress code.
She was certainly coddled. Her parents wanted their children to never want and they don’t. This can backfire though and imo it did. If it’s not an interest of William’s or a friend of William’s what does she have?
And for a stretch of time Kate held her own. She was maturing and became her own person. She still lights up here and there when her competitive spirit is sparked. Volleyball, field hockey, and sailing shots are great examples (wish she took on some sports charities). Even her training for the crew competition William(?) pulled her out of towards the end.
That’s why I say she’s regressed. We become adults and mature for our changing demands and environment. What we want for ourselves. Kate’s goals were all met, but the cost was leaving a lot of what made her, her behind to suit William.
Every so often in video or stills I see a sad look like on Charlene. Most recently her face when she exited the helicopter in her DVF dress on tour and after the sailing race and signalling “Loser” to William. He didn’t like that and she just looked distraught.
Florc, thanks for the Trimbac tip – I’m in Ontario so I’ll see if our LCBO or Vintages stores carry it.
And she has regressed, but apparently happily enough as she is married to the man she loves. She’s given up a lot of freedom but I imagine she’s deriving as much pleasure out of being William’s wife and mother to their children. She’ll never attain the level of commitment to work that other BRF members have, and it may end up being a bit of an albatross around William’s neck in future, however that’s a long ways away and who knows, she may eventually mature once her kids are older and she’s at loose ends.
FLORC, I completely agree with you. Kate has regressed.
She is losing her relevancy, IMO. Honestly I think what she, William, and their staff have done with her PR is really quite depressing.
I’m always so late to these forums but Florc has expressed my thoughts. My main criticism or problem is the insularity & lack of life experience. Kate has been crippled and doesn’t seem like she even gives 2 shits about learning to walk let alone crawl. She is 32 (they both are). The expectations should be higher yet it seems as if people continue to find ways to excuse, coddle & enable them both (W/K). I’ve said it before & so have others–Princess Estelle of Sweden (a 2 -3 year old) has put in more public / professional appearances (shaking hands et al) then Kate. It’s ridiculous.
Ah, Florc, I remember that state liquor store very well having lived in lovely NH for several years and buying my libations there.
Jaded/Dena
That would be very sad to see. Kate only appears to have her parents, siblings, child(ren), William when he’s not away, and maybe William’s friends are becoming more her own.
In a few years time the children will be sent off to school, Her parents might not be around, and her friends/siblings are busy with their own lives to have the free time she does. And if William leaves her she has even less. How do you stand on your own 2 feet when you’ves always leaned on others for support?
And I adore Estelle’s instagram! She is likely to be well adjusted.
And the albatross comment is much like Vava’s too. In time the PR won’t be able to save her image. And it will reflect poorly on William. Even he won’t be able to squash that level of public opinion.
Kind of reminds me of the lyrics in Billy Joel’s song “Pressure”. Vrey to the point we’ve discussed here.
Feeshalori
It’s always my husband and I looking out for it. If we pass it at least they have another on the other side of the interstate!
Yes, exactly…have a plan B ready just in case.
What’s with her Par handlers? Why didn’t they have a Plan B ready?
Kate wasn’t due to represent the Queen here so there is usually no ‘Plan B’ when a royal is unable to go to a personal patronage event. To the best of my knowledge, the event goes on as planned with no royal and the patronage adjusts accordingly. That’s ‘Plan B’.
It was Kate’s chosen charity, not the Queen’s:
“[Kate] has been a Royal Patron of the Art Room since 2012” and it was “the opening of the Clore Art Room at London’s Barlby Primary School as part of the Clore Duffield Foundation’s 50th anniversary year,” so I’m thinking it was a big deal for the charity. Imo, she owes them more than just an ‘Oops. Here’s a note. Make do with that.’
And this would have been the first time since July in which she appeared at any one of her charities, so it would have been a big headline and possibly a major boost for the Art Room’s donation fund. But as her and her staff’s admitted strategy is to wait until the last second to cancel if need be, then I think that there should have been more effort in coming up with an acceptable substitution than just sending a note.
She should have been more conscientious, especially since it’s a long wait in between appearances at and involvement in her charities. It’s not like she’s so busy that she couldn’t have given this more thought.
She and her staff could have done more to help get this charity loads of media attention rather than what little she did by sending a note. I’m sure there’s loads of British celebrities just itching to get on her good side and be owed a favor by her and who could have gone to the charity event in her place which would have helped give HER CHOSEN charity more press coverage. Or as FLORC said, “make a donation or grand gesture.”
•anne_000•
Except, no royal sends a sub or does anything other than what Kate did. Not Philip, not Camilla, not even Edward (DoK) and all are recent royals that had to pull out of a number of engagements due to illness. So what Kate did is perfectly inline with that.
In general, should Kate (and more importantly William) be working more? Yes. Absolutely, but that’s for a whole different discussion that what is taking place here.
No most royals don’t send subs. It would be odd in the case of the Queen – because really – if you expect the Queen there is no substitute for the Queen.
However, as I mentioned above, the BRF may have to rethink this approach given who they are dealing with here. Not in this situation, since I think Kate is blameless, but just given the history of the Cambridges and their approach to work.
•Suze•
Serious question, why exactly should they change the practice?
Even with everyday people, we don’t have subs when we call into work except for the REALLY big projects. That was what happened with the Malta trip as it doesn’t get much bigger than a state/diplomatic trip representing your Sovereign which isn’t the case with smaller events, such as The Art Room.
Lady Slippers – I *always* have a backup at work. Everyone on our team does. Always. No one misses things like town halls or conference calls if we are out – and we’re small potatoes.
If royal appearances are going to be fewer in the future, missing one will be a big deal. A big deal for royal PR and a big deal for the event itself. It would be wise to always have a plan in place, a royal face for the public.
Royalty is all about what is perceived. If it isn’t a big deal when they don’t show, why have them at all?
That said, it may not have been a problem up to recently. The BRF is historically very reliable. Since the Queen has gotten older, she has missed more gigs (more than Kate, I should point out), but William/Charles have stepped up for the important events.
@LadySlippers Given how KM has a reputation as a slacker (from what I see), especially among the BRF, she needs to step up her game whenever she cancels out at the last second, which her staff admitted is now the way they’ll alert the charities – at the last second. I think this and how she thinks a note will suffice makes her look worse.
Imo, if she’s going to cancel, then give them a heads up days in advance, especially when she know she (supposedly) still has HG. Instead of saying she’s going, get well first then start working in earnest. That way, it looks like she’s committed.
LadySlippers that’s just not true…..
Royals have and DO asked other Royals to fill in / sub for them.
Prince Charles ASKED KATE to fill him , sub for him. I remember it well. It was quite documented.
Here’s the night and I think many who follow Kate will remember this night.
Prince Charles requested, asked that KATE fill in for him.
The night became the Hair Extension story:
Quote:
The duchess was conducting her first solo engagement as a member of the Royal Family, standing in for her father-in-law, Prince Charles.
The prince had been due to host a glitzy black-tie private dinner at Clarence House, his London residence, in aid of In Kind Direct, a charity he set up in 1996.
Unfortunately Charles was suddenly required to fly to Riyadh to present condolences to the Saudi Royal Family following the death of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
So he called his new daughter-in-law and ASKED IF SHE COULD STEP IN. ”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2054129/Kate-Middleton-scar-Childhood-op-left-mark-Duchess-Cambridges-head.html
I can’t understand why Kate needs a staff of doctors to tell her whether she’s well enough to make a visit. If you’re vomiting, you can’t figure out independently that visiting a school is a bad idea?
•Bethany•
The problem is that IF Kate does indeed have HG or even ‘just’ severe morning sickness — it can quickly turn and become a serious medical issue. Which can have long term consequences for both mom and baby. Staff and Kate should let that call be made by the people that have more education in medical issues than they do.
We wouldnt be having this conversation if she worked a lot harder majority of the time. Its like the coworker that gets away with little things like longer lunches, sometimes leaving early, coming in late and no one has a problem because 99% of the time they work their ass off!
Yes, we seem to talk more about her intent to work than any actual work.
I think I preferred her first pregnancy where all future events were cancelled until she felt better.
Now it’s all about her intent- like she really wants to do it but can’t. So the PR, as it has been for quite a while, is all about abortive attempts. They could have kept this most recent event quiet because we didn’t even know about it. And yet, here we are. Again. It seems to be about the potential. Do other royals make announcements of this kind, I wonder. Sounds more like an attempt to keep her relevant.
Those who are saying the Royals never ask other royals to step in for them are wrong.
It does happen as a person who has followed Kate forever I remember one such occasion..
Prince Charles Asked Kate to fill in for Him for a Palace event.
I remember it clearly because the event became more about Does Kate wear Extensions or not wear Extensions.
Here is the time KATE was Asked by Prince Charles to fill in for him.
QUOTE:————–
“The duchess was conducting her first solo engagement as a member of the Royal Family, standing in for her father-in-law, Prince Charles.
The prince had been due to host a glitzy black-tie private dinner at Clarence House, his London residence, in aid of In Kind Direct, a charity he set up in 1996.
Unfortunately Charles was suddenly required to fly to Riyadh to present condolences to the Saudi Royal Family following the death of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
So he called his new daughter-in-law and asked if she would step in. ”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2054129/Kate-Middleton-scar-Childhood-op-left-mark-Duchess-Cambridges-head.html#ixzz3F4GI3QOM
Suze etc: Breaking news: vacancy at KP. someone who knows how to manage diaries and planning, to train staff to always have a plan B and to allow charities enough time to regroup when a royal cancels AT THE LAST MINUTE.
Incoming new breaking news: Someone who is a master at PR. If the ‘rottweiller’ s image can be rehabilitated so can these two.
…seriously, incompetence is the name of the game it seems with this couple. ditto shoddy PR management.
on a royal note: it matters not how ill Kate is, if she breaks so much as a hang nail, it’s treated as if it’s a national emergency. that’s simply how royals are treated so no one an know for sure the extent of her illness except KP, her family and her medical team.
LAK
Thank You for posting this. No matter what Kate’s condition is it’s over treated and has excessive diagnosis. That’s my opinion anyways long before she was ever pregnant.
@Kaiser. We see what you did there. “Surrogate” vs. “substitute”.
Kaiser. All hell has broken loose in Tanna twitterverse. William and Kate have decided to take legal action on him over Prince George photos. (.. And Tanna is NOT backing down)
Stay tuned for all HELL breaking loose!
I’ve been watching this too. Tanna will either be given a huge scoop brokered by the Midds or this will be the straw that broken the camels back and things will get interesting!
Richard Palmer Twitter handle royal reporter had a great few tweets about 22 hours ago on this. His logic is well balanced.
Let me just add that I don’t have a whit of sympathy for Waity’s likely fake HG. None. Where was she before this so-called illness set in? Maybe four arduous ribbon-cutting type outings since the quasi-vacation in Australia and New Zealand. Disgusting. I’m just about done with this chick.
Charlie
Her HG could easily be legitimate. Here’s why.
There’s a set criteria. Like many medical issues. The criteria has been lowered as time has passed. It’s easier in a way to be diagnosed. Many people associate HG with the older criteria. More severe symptoms were needed. Now it’s a broader definition with less severe symptoms.
Like saying you have a cold. Maybe years and years ago you needed a fever, cough, weakness, etc.. Now you just need a general feeling of being unwell and maybe a cough. No fever needed.
Now, her morning sickness might be not fun, but I don’t think it’s keeping her from much she doesn’t already avoid. Just not she has a valid reason. She’s pukey.
More hell stirring behind the scenes , Tanna has erased all his tweets.
William has taken legal action On Tannas photos.
Some former Palace employees on Twitterverse are taking Tanna’s side and not William’s.
Stay tuned for some major revelations “perhaps” if this goes to court.
William is so naive. I doubt the Middleton family want Tanna in court.
He knows a lot he could spill, perhaps!
JMO