The UK press is SO MAD at Duchess Kate and Prince William. What’s sort of funny is that this time around, it feels like the press is equally mad at both Will and Kate for a variety of reasons, and various media outlets are showing the younger royals that they actually need the press. Following last week’s revelation that Kate and William added ONE event to their schedule – a state dinner in OCTOBER in which Kate will get to wear some royal jewels – the Daily Mail’s gossip girl insists that Kate will totally be back at work… next year. She will deign to do another “royal tour” with William next year. The poor sausage will likely have to forgo one of her Mustique family vacations. Doesn’t anyone realize how she struggles?
After my revelation last week that The Duchess of Cambridge has been disappearing from her husband’s private social life of late, I can reveal she plans to make herself very visible next year – by touring the Caribbean. Kate intends to answer those who, in the aftermath of my big disclosure, have suggested she has become an ‘invisible’ part of Prince William’s life, by accompanying him on a major Royal tour.
She has even cancelled the traditional Middleton family start-of-the-year trip to Mustique in order to accommodate planning for the tour. I’m told the destination is expected to be the Caribbean and that William and Kate’s children are set to join them. If all goes to plan, it will be Prince George’s second Royal tour, while his little sister will be making her official over- seas debut. By the time of the trip – in February or March Princess Charlotte will be an adorable nine months old and will undoubtedly steal the show – just as her brother did at the same age touring Australia last year.
The first clues about the Royal tour came when Kate re-arranged her trip to Mustique. For the first time in years it won’t be in January or February, but earlier, in November. The couple’s regular holiday chums – most of whom keep to the same weeks every year – were said to be surprised, as the sociable Middletons tend to arrange their holidays to coincide with other families they are friendly with.
Kate and William would not be far from the Middletons’ favourite island during their Caribbean tour, of course, but they will not be deviating from visiting an assortment of the 16 Commonwealth countries where the Queen is Head of State.
The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and The British Virgin Islands are said to be high on the list. The latter is a familiar Royal stomping ground as it is home to Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, a favourite holiday destination for most of the young Royals. Prince William first visited the private island with his mother Princess Diana in 1990. A Royal insider said: ‘Nothing is certain yet but these things must be planned miles in advanced. It certainly won’t be a holiday.’
An aide to the governor general in the Bahamas said: ‘I am not able to confirm any information but I refer you back to Buckingham Palace for their schedule.’
First of all, a tour of the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands sounds exactly like an amazing vacation and the fact that they get to call it a “tour” is absurd. Secondly, William and Kate “tour” like no other royal, in that their tours are hyped for months as “full of back-to-back events” and royal courtiers insisting that their tours are going to be so exhausting that they’ll need three months of doing nothing on either side of the tour just to recover from the grueling schedule. When in reality, they schedule built-in vacations (“to recover”) within their tours and then they just do two or three events a day, usually fun stuff like boat-racing, wine-tastings, zoo visits or going to open-air fairs. Third thing: so they’re rescheduling the Mustique vacation to accommodate this tour, huh? How grueling, vacationing in Mustique in November instead of January.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Aww those poor sausages – missing out on Mustique for the Caribbean. What hardship they must suffer to appease us plebs.
I don’t understand how anyone can possibly admire this couple.
I have very little sympathy for those who support royalty and are annoyed about this couple. That’s what you get with a hereditary system – pot luck. At least with democracy you can vote them out. So suck it up royalists.
Dude, the U.K is a democracy, as are most Commonwealth countries. Think of royals as like… really high ranking ambassadors. You don’t get to vote out your spoiled embassy families and their diplo brats either, America, and they cost a lot of taxpayer money too.
@ polonoscopy
The UK is a constitutional / parliamentary monarchy with no written constitution and no possibility of controlling the Royals activities but with bad press.
Nope, ambassadors aren’t as spoilt as Royals. And they can be democratically controlled and they have to face court procedures if necessary.
Nope, ambassadors aren’t more expensive than Royals. Matter of fact, Britain has BOTH ambassadors and Royals so they pay a sh**load for that.
Nope, other forms of “really high ranking ambassadors” like the German President (who doesn’t have much power) are much cheaper and they can be voted out. A German President costs about 5-12 Mio Euros a year plus three or four Ex-Presidents each costing about 500.000 Mio Euros a year. That is 7-12 Mio Euros a year and the can be voted out and even have to face court procedures if they go corrupt. And they are democratically controlled (e.g. you know what they do and what they say and whom they invite and what presents they receive).
The British Royals cost at least 30 – 40 Mio Pounds plus security costs which isn’t even disclosed.
Additionally there is this rule that any conversation with British Royals must not be published. Also the Royals’ letters to politicians aren’t disclosed. So the voters don’t even know where the Royals put their support.
It seems all rather not so transparent.
Prince Andrew sold his residence Sunning Hill for a very high price (higher than asked) to some eastern oligarchs. And he bought a ski chalet recently. His ex-wife Fergie defaulted on her credits and she is in the red now but she is still living large and probably on Andrew’s money (= the taxpayer’s money).
I don’t understand why Kate and William still get positive press.
I’ll tell you why I support the monarchy despite thinking these two are wasters. Having a unitary republic means that respect for the country (in the form of the head of state) is conflated with respect for the head of government. We see this in the US and in France, where there is often an attitude of, “You can’t criticise the President” (see Reagan, Bush, Mitterrand etc). You can separate out the two as in Germany, but the German president is a politician just like the Chancellor. Democratic monarchies (Sweden, Norway, Japan, Netherlands) have the highest rates of median economic prosperity and happiness of all systems of government.
Tina
It’s great you support monarchy but your reasons/examples are factors not causation. For example, happiness, although subjective has been repeatedly shown to be self-describe in homogenous cultures. As for American presidents being outside the realm of criticism…wow.
LOL……………….I guess I missed the memo where it said we couldn’t criticize an American President!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tina – I wouldn’t support a model that conflated head of state with head of government a la US and others either. All sorts of unpleasant rabbit holes with that in terms of democratic consequence, which are just as bad (and sometimes worse) as a constitutional monarchy for head of state. But I would certainly support a republic along the Irish model.
Levels of inequality and individualist outlooks are two of the strongest correlating factors with citizen happiness. And that is one of the reasons that the UK and the US both fare so badly in terms of happiness against more communitarian and equal countries – regardless of the constitutional monarchy or republic status.
@Imo and Vava, I know it sounds crazy after 7 years of nothing but constant criticism of Obama by the Republicans, but before him there used to be a norm that one had to have respect for the President, even if you disagreed with him politically, as he was the head of state. This was particularly present with Reagan and with Bush after 9/11. It changed somewhat after the Iraq war, but it was with Obama’s election that the norm really changed. I doubt it’s permanent, if a Republican is elected they’ll go back to saying the same thing.
@Sixer, it’s an interesting point, and I could live with a republic along the German or Irish lines (although the consistently higher approval ratings for the monarch in constitutional monarchies than the president in republics are worth noting – people really don’t like politicians). But I do think that we have to be careful about overt comparisons of happiness ratings, as the U.S. and the UK are both much more multicultural and less uniform than the other countries being discussed. What we really need is for Canada or Australia to become a republic to test the way and then we’d have a closer comparator.
And I suppose, my real reason for supporting the present system is because it works fine and it would be such a ridiculous palaver to change it.
Tina – I agree it would be extremely helpful for our pontificating if either Canada or Australia would oblige us by being our guinea pigs. It would be jolly decent of them! And it would give us improved comparators.
I always try to explain on here quite how much Brits hate politicians, and quite how low on the list of priorities the monarchy is even to staunch republicans like me, and quite how much Brits are resistant to change or upheaval if not given a very good reason for it (very good as what’s in it for me in my daily life).
Britain’s retention of a constitutional monarchy has so little to do with deference or even respect for the royals and indeed anything at all to do with the royals themselves – but if you live in a republic, you find it difficult to understand how or why that could be.
Totally agree. And I really think most people everywhere are reluctant to change, Australia had a chance to become a republic in 1999 and didn’t take it, and they’re much more republican than we are. We’ll see what happens when the Queen dies.
Yeah. William will be using up his first-responder job two weeks vacation days plus three mental health days and a couple of sick days on this royal tour thing.
Brutal, man.
Ah, sun, sand and surf; if this is work, then sign me up for a grueling tour STAT!
The most interesting parts of this article are 1) Kaiser’s choice of that first photo – LOL, and 2) that koala bear is adorable.
That koala is my ❤️
Yes, finger to lips: sssh, I’m going on two “vacations,” uh…. but the second one is really a grueling, taxing tour. Love the choice of her holding the wineglass with a very merry expression.
And the little girl in the red dress is darling.
I agree, Christin! She’s adorable.
YEs poor SIlly Billy – he will pout- how will get through January without a vacation
You know, I think these guys are pretty lazy and out of touch, and I think it’s a shame that they do so little with such an incredible platform.
However, I disagree that going on an official tour is equivalent to going on a holiday. It actually would be exhausting. Being “on” at all times, meeting strangers, being on display and under scrutiny would be exhausting. Anyone who has ever done anything even remotely like this can confirm it and these guys are under a much more intensive microscope than pretty much anyone else. Yes, they get to do nice activities, but always whilst being watched and judged and having to be pleasant and say the exact right things at every second. One “face”, one misjudged sentence will be jumped on and reported on around the world. It’s hard work being on constant public display. And you know, I expect a weekend, the fact that they took one during their previous tour is not a big deal at all.
There’s so much to complain about with these two, I honestly don’t think their official tours needs to be on the list.
Compare what they do on their tours vs. what other royals do on their tours and you’ll understand. W&K do far less on their tours than other royals and their agendas are filled with fun, tourist activities instead of work.
Can they not see that the “tour” qualifies as a tropical vacay?
But the fact that these are lush, warm weather destinations doesn’t mean these commonwealth nations don’t deserve a royal visit. I disagree that this is absurd. Harry had a great time and represented the queen well on his island tour. It’s just the frivolity of making room for Mustique that boggles the mind.
I think they can Imo and that’s why they’re doing it.
I’m echoing your “le sigh”. So much potential…
FLORC
Honest question – is it possible that Jason is on his way out? The past two week’s worth of Cambridge hijinx makes me think someone is not at the wheel. It reminds me of how my siblings and I would behave when the babysitter stepped out of the room to use the phone, fix dinner etc.
Wouldn’t be surprised – he is their 2nd Press Secretary since they got married.
Imo
I thought that! I think Jason came in young, fresh ideas and was ready to rebrand these 2. Twitter, new ways to get the edge on the press. A new-ish angle on Kate and what she does with her time. Only he bit off more than he could chew. Or rather he thought the Cambridges wouldn’t self sabotage by attacking the press so many times.
And another part of me things you’re right. He tried and he’s just appeasing his bosses as he stocks a lifeboat with his personal belongings.
Judging from earlier to now… He might have checked out.
OR! It’s possible he’s trying to please both William and the press. William won’t back down. And certainly not with the press lashing out at him. Jason has to work so hard now.
As it is there’s so many unknowns. Factor in the Midds marriage angle and if they’re ok. Because I honestly belive they would alert Jason and be getting some advice on how to handle it. He might have his hands very full and he’s trying to make sense of it all. Or he’s loading up that life raft. We will know latest by next year.
The life raft image literally made me lol.
Agree that this foolishness needs time to settle in order for the real story to emerge – similar to old Kodak pictures that couldn’t be seen until they dried.
I think Jason is on the way out.
He probably believed Bill when he said he was normal.
Now he’s been disabused, he’d probably beat Usain Bolt in his haste to find a way out.
(I’m projecting, I know. But it’s fun).
If they weren’t tone deaf, they’d forego Mustique altogether.
Instead they are just continuing their petit trianon life and being hard done by for going to Mustique when their friends aren’t there. Le sigh.
The islands deserve better.
Charles and Camilla toured in 2008. Sophie and Edward toured there for the Jubilee in 2012. The islands have HAD better. Has this Caribbean jaunt been confirmed yet?
Forego Mustique for PR reasons? Oh, LAK, you card!
I don’t think a constant stream of travel and visits with officials, and being photographed by vast teams of paparazzi while “visiting a zoo” or “wine tasting” in which you must always be behaving a certain way, dressed a certain way, and have your hair done (even though online gossips will tear you apart no matter what you wear or do) is in any way a relaxing vacay! Certainly not anything like being alone and relaxing with friends, and an absence of photogs. Why so much hateful criticism about them?
Ava – L: have you noticed what goes into other royals’ tours? It’s not all lightweight ‘fun’ stuff which is what these two do.
And yes, I once had a friend who worked a royal tour so I do know what goes into it.
The support staff are the ones being overworked. Not the royals
‘wine tasting’ and ‘visiting the zoo’ is not a good way to use the experts, diplomats and 100s of people dedicated to you for the length of your tour. If that is all your tour is made of, it is a good way of telling the world what a lightweight you are, since the royal is in charge of what they would like to see /do whilst on tour.
They would get a lot less flack if they actually visited charities and patronages in their homeland. George was pretty much hidden away from the Brits until he went along as a photo prop on the NZ/Aussie tour. And for the record, I have no hate for them. I am disappointed that these two have done so very little, when they have the wherewithal to do a world of good. They are vapid and uninspiring. If they don’t like the life they’ve been given, they can abdicate and leave the position for someone who wants it.
I am not an enormous fan of Angelina Jolie-Pitt but can I use her for a comparison here? The last time she went on tour (I’ve had to look this up!) she visited South East Asia to support victims of civil war at a refugee camp. I also checked up how many charities she supports – 29 as it turns out https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/angelina-jolie
also
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3179947/Angelina-Jolie-meets-forgotten-children-Burma-Hollywood-star-son-Maddox-don-wellington-boots-witness-squalid-conditions-victims-violent-civil-war-refugee-camp.html
Have a look at the list and try just for one second to imagine Kate – who has all the backing in the world, access to untold resources – doing a fraction of this? She has every opportunity in the world to help those less fortunate that herself and the plain fact is she can’t be arsed to do any of it. That’s reasonable cause for criticism.
W&K do a fraction of the work that other royals do on tour. Charles and Camilla did a trip to Canada around the same time as the AU/NZ tour by W&K. C&C were there for a week and did roughly the same number of engagements as W&K did over the course of three weeks.
When W&K spend loads of time wandering around a vineyard promoting down under wine, you hope it helps the wine industry. Contrast it with the 15 minutes KM spent at a children’s hospice in NZ, however, and it looks more like a vacation than a working tour.
Exactly! A tour of a war-torn country’s refugee camps – yes, not a vacation. A tour of the Caribbean? Are they mad! Certainly a vacation.
“But the fact that these are lush, warm weather destinations doesn’t mean these commonwealth nations don’t deserve a royal visit. I disagree that this is absurd.”
Exactly. The fact that some countries have nice climates and do nicely as tourist destinations does not mean that all trips there are automatically frivolous vacations. They are sovereign nations with all that that implies; to dismiss them as country-sized resorts is ignorant and ridiculous.
By the way, in defense of the “zoos and wine tours” remarks, keep in mind that the main point of a royal tour is leveraging their visibility in ways that increases public approval of both countries. The key word here is “public”. Let’s say one of the aims of the tour is to promote the local wine industry. One way to do that would be to report that the royals “attended a series of closed-door meetings with members of the Dept of Agriculture’s viticulture development sector.” That would be a very serious and grown-up thing to do, and it would also be completely pointless, since 1) the royals would be out of their depth, 2) their visibility would be wasted, 3) no one would notice, much less care, and 4) there would therefore be absolutely zero impact on the wine industry. In contrast, showing them having fun at a winery could potentially sway people into investing in/buying more local wine. In summary, these photo ops are not “about” the royals themselves; in principle at least, they’re about the host country, and hence serve a purpose.
True, there are more serious events that deserve attention (hospices, war memorials and the like), and these should definitely be in the mix for the same superficial but logical reason (viz. using their image to focus people’s attention on certain things). But make no mistake, the lighter stuff is vital. A visit where the young royals do nothing but stand behind podiums looking dour would not be advantageous to either party.
The pictures you are choosing of Kate are KILLING ME!! Hilarious!!
That damn ring!
I love that ring. not so sure I would want it based on its history of a marriage not born of love, but its beautiful. I remember watching the wedding of Charles and Diana and that was the first time I really realized there were still Princesses. I was a kid. William did not ask to be born into this family and he blames the paps I am sure for losing his mother .. I would hate it too. I don’t get all the hate, as I lost my mom really young and well it just changes you forever the person you were supposed to be is not the one u become. I can still see them standing behind that casket and that card that Harry had written on the casket. I feel no way about Kate but I agree she can’t win no matter what she does. They choose the monarchy still. smh
Missy
It’s no secret William blamed th paps for everything while Diiana was still alive. He’s never liked them, ever. And it’s said his last conversation with her was him so upset she was encouraging them. so, it’s convenient not to claim that, but not really supported as why he hates the paps. He would feel this way anyways.
And I lost a parent nearly same age as Harry and only several months after Diana.
There comes a point where yoou can wallow in self pity or you can change. You can live with a ghost or you can honor a memory. It’s a choice. For some it’s much tougher because pulling yourself out of that sink hole depression is a struggle. William though… He had loads of help. It was just counter constructive that he was always coddled and spoiled. Some tough love might have helped him.
Harry lost the same mother, but was raised with tough love.. I think that and their personalities made the difference.
It might be harsh, but the death of a parent when you”re young like that is tragic, but it doesn’t ruin all prospects you can be a a well adjusted adult.
“You can live with a ghost or you can honor a memory. It’s a choice.”
This is really lovely, FLORC. I lost a parent as a young adult, and I have to make that choice every day. Unlike Silly Willy, I choose the latter – it’s the best way. I wish he could see that. Clearly, his brother has it sorted and has for some time.
FLORC
Harry was not raised with tough love. After his mom’s death both he and William were either coddled or left to their own devices. Harry went through a phase where he was making one dumb mistake after another and acting out. William also did to a somewhat lesser degree and with more shielding. But both brothers were not given the resources they needed to cope with their mother’s death. The difference is that Harry made a conscious decision to mature and seek out more meaning in life. His transformation was the result of not only a lot of public scrutiny and criticism but a conscious desire to actually become a better person. In this sense William would have benefited from less shielding and more public scrutiny as a teenager and during his university years. In this way be horrible Harry and the perfect William narrative would not be so deeply ingrained in the public psyche. Also to be fair Harry has not had the same type of pressure on him as far as his future is concerned. The further away from the line of succession he goes the more relaxed and confident he appears to be.
I think it counts as a form of tough love, when your family and the press use you as a scapegoat to protect your older brother. Harry’s mistakes were extensively covered in the press, William’s were covered up. Harry had to apologize and deal with his mistakes, William never did.
IMO, imo, you have made several enormous assumptions in your post.
Nopity
I love your name! And i’m sorry you had to experience that. I’d think it hurts at any age because they’re still a figure you look to for so much.
I screwed up in my later teens. And a relative asked me if this is what my dad would have wanted for me. And with my mother having raised me on her own. It set me straight nearly overnight. Nearly because I sobbed so damn much in between.
I understand we all process grief in our own ways, but there I draw the line. To use that type of loss to justify a petulant attitude towards his life and his amazing oportunity to impact the lives of so many for the better. Especially when his mother embraced it? That’s all him.
Imo
It’s no secret William from a baby was raised in a different manner than Harry. Wasn’t covered in some old quotes from Charles and Diana? Not directly, but supporting still. That William from the start was given more and had special attention. He was the heir and even his parents raised him as such.
And while Harry was also loved in the same family he without question had it a lot tougher. Not just in the press either. As Nota points out he was a scapegoat for William. Harry was a “scamp” and William a sainted child. Even when he was disruptive in public/church/school it was explained in a flattering way.
That all aside I do agree with you Harry made a thoughtful choice to do differently. That William dwelled and took an easier route is sort of telling of his behavior since his first few years. Still, IMO.
And no. Harry has had greater pressure imo than William. While William ultimately has more to do he has more resources and no one forcing him along. Harry can’t breath without massive purpose or he’s torn apart for it. He’s made mistakes, but they are never covered up and always exposed over and over again. Especially to conceal William’s mistakes. So, in that way I think Harry has a far greater burden to bare (i know it’s not bear, but I really wanted to type bear!).
And Harry being this way because he doesn’t have that “burden”. I’m not sure. Diana famously Good King Harry made a point to show their temperments. Harry has always appeared to have this calm sense of duty and William has always appeared to have this “why me” attitude.
Nota
Do you seriously think Charles supposedly allowing Harry to be dragged by the media to cover for William constitutes tough love? I am sincerely confused about exactly what it is you’re contending/trying to say. Besides, though William certainly was up to his fair share of mischief the truth is that the media and the public simply found Harry’s gaffs to be more egregious. I know you’re an unwavering Harry sugar but that’s how it is. And Harry made it pretty easy for them, to be honest.
FLORC
Harry has not always had a calm sense of duty. Harry has always been kind, gregarious and thoughttful. They are not the same. His sense of duty solidified because of the military. And Harry may be William’s scapegoat from time to time but make no mistake – both boys knew the day would come when William has to bend to his destiny and Harry gets to basically carve out his own legacy, within boundaries. Harry may have had external stressors but he has always known that he has dodged a bullet. That knowledge comes with some psychological advantages.
“bend to his destiny”? He hasn’t done so, refuses to do so, publicly states he doesn’t want to, and many think it would be better if he’d walk away as he is free to do.
Charles used Harry’s mistakes both for his own PR and William’s, that has been shown. As FLORC said, he was always treated differently and that attitude from his parents was a big part of it. That counts as a form of tough love to me, you are welcome to disagree with my opinion.
William was always to be put first, covered for, and praised. The press covered up William’s egregious actions, like partying, reckless and drunk driving, because of this weird pact. And because they wanted to believe in him.
Diana instilled in Harry the idea that he is to support his brother no matter what. He does this to his own detriment. I think Harry has made big mistakes, William has made bigger, but only one of them has owned up to them and moved forward.
Ugh. Her expressions make her look completely vacuous.
Which is what she is.
To be honest, while I really dislike these two (especially William), I don’t think a tour in the Caribbean is the same as a vacation in the Caribbean. It just isn’t. I know it sounds glamorous, and wine tasting and watching sailing and cutting ribbons might sound easy and enjoyable, but the fact is, Kate’s every move will be scrutinized. Her weight, her hair, her clothes, who’s carrying the children, EVERYTHING. That’s not relaxing. She will be photographed endlessly. That is NOT a vacation.
That being said, it’s not a lot of work either as they normally only ‘tour’ for 2 weeks maximum. They should be doing a lot more of this sort of work. (Not specifically Kate at the moment right now as she’s still on maternity leave, but in general).
It’s widely thought and only confirmed directly by Kate a few times she doesn’t care what people think. Only what William thinks. And when taking a step back and looking at the “stop being mean and judging Kate” articles thy’re not from her angle. They’re from William.
Everything else is the dust kicked up always. Someone will always feel it’s their place to mock someone in the public space. Doesn’t mean that information reaches back to them or anywhere close.
And her weight… That’s all Kate and William. When her weight drops there are no bashing articles. Just concern articles. And people wondering why she’s with her trainer instead of with charities. Always complimenting her healthy figure.
This “tour” isn’t a tour. It’s a vacation and if anything. There’s more negative on an actual vacation. This “tour” will be overwhelmingly positive in comparison.
“healthy” figure? she used to look healthy, now she looks like she needs a burger, STAT. you can see what the drastic dieting has done to her health-wise by looking at the quality of her skin & hair.
Keli
She still looks healthy. Her weight is dropping, but still, healthy.
And her hair/skin. That’s aging along with smoking, sun, and not keeping up with cosmetic upkeeps.We see the grays sneak through and the wrinkles. When it happens it’s just a drastic difference in appearance, but it’s been the constant for some time.
(other post didn’t go through, trying to recreate).
Running up to the wedding, she was being used as thinspiration on anorexia websites. Her response to public concern about her weight loss was, “It is all part of the plan.”
The different between the photoshop her and the real her in jarring. Now that we’re seeing less photoshop, there may be more surprised comment about changes in her appearance because some people didn’t realize what the “real her” was.
Nota
Most early marriage Kate photos are thinspiration. And many articles expressed concern at her weight. Not attacking. Real concern she was following too closely to Diana. And as a result or coincidence the palace eased up even more.
FLORC – by eased up, do you mean they lessened the pressure on her and lightened her duties and (ahem!!) workload? Or do you mean that they encouraged her to seek help to avoid a downward spiral into a full-blown ed?
Candice
I mean by better stories and easier access to everything. Thinking back there were numerous instances where The Queen or Charles would take Kate out on an event to help her along. Or where she would go alone. She struggled so obviously with word fumbling and forgetting protocol it was connected in a few articles this might be too much for her. And at the time she was still said to be in “princess training” that we know was pure bs. So, she was left alone and could shop and vacation. She would be the only 1 (except William) deciding when she was ready and willing to work.
I think it’s fair to think much of her ease comes from indirect treatment of something. Or the palace giving her enough rope to swing or hang. No matter how that goes their hands are 100% clean.
Tours ARE work. Except for the Cambridges. They billed all their tours as hard work, but the reality, especially the AUS/NZ one, is vacation.
The optics of going to the Caribean 3mths after your vacation in the Caribean, and carrying out a vacation-like tour is completely OFF.
LAK
And you know there will be minimal events leading up to the tour so they can “prep” for it.
Their tours always have several ‘private’ days included, so yes – they are vacations.
How sly of them. They doubled their public vacation time. This way they will be on vacation through a large part of the winter. It’s one heck of a sacrifice to move up the date for Mustique and miss out on your ‘chums’. :eyeroll: They’re such shameless hustlers.
I think we veer into sketchy territory when this type of physical commentary enters the conversatiion, imho. We can not know the health status of Kate by her weight, skin or hair. It is highly likely that her hair , while thin, could just need a good post partum serum treatment. She could be considered too thin, subjectively, but could be better micronourished than you or me. Her skin more than likely is damaged from sun, wind, smoking etc but she’s also suffered from eczema for years and applies her makeup in unflattering ways.
And the old eat a burger refrain could potentially insult those who are naturally thin.
As far as her weight goes, she has dropped a LOT of weight since her early 20s. The weight loss always seems to come at times of increased visibility (breakup with William, run up to the wedding). The other women in her family (Pippa, Carol) are slim but nowhere near as slim as the figure Kate seems to prefer to maintain. She is not “naturally” as slim as she is these days. I would not necessarily go so far as to say that Kate has an eating disorder, but I do think she is VERY VERY vigilant about what she eats and having gone through two pregnancies and at least one round of breastfeeding in fairly quick succession, I question just how well nourished she is on either a macro or micro level. Pregnancy and breastfeeding will suck the calcium, iron, etc. right out of you if you aren’t careful.
Jenna
Probably all true but in general this kind of conversation makes me uncomfortable.i believe Kate prefers an extremely, maybe overly lean look and I also think she has a hard time keeping on weight when she’s stressed/anxious. Not really our business but that’s just my opinion.
Jenna- you may be right, but in my experience breastfeeding can alter some women’s metabolism. My kids are 21 months apart, and both of them were exclusively breastfed for 9+ months.
I ate very healthy while breastfeeding, and ate a ton because it made me so hungry, but the baby weight melted off. I gained 40 pounds with each pregnancy, but it was all gone within 3.5 weeks of giving birth. I’m built a lot like Kate, and even though I have not breastfed in 1.5 years my weight is about 20 pounds less than when I was in my early 20s. I eat clean and exercise 3-4 times a week, but i don’t count calories or ever go hungry. Some women’s bodies just change after pregnancy and breastfeeding- I don’t think it is a sign of bad health.
Imo
I’ll only say it’s our business when it’s flaunted in extremely tight clothes and promoted as “healthy”. That her diets and work out routines have all also been officially commented on as boasting it draws concern for those reading it.
Jenna
There’s too much to assume there. That’s certainly in my “wheel house” and i’m not even comfortable touching it.
Kate and her family had been playing to the paps during her get-a-ring years. It’s not like William chose a wife who had spent her years in obscurity before the engagement.
QE2 gets scrutinized all the time and she comes out looking lovely and gracious. She’s been going through this scrutiny for what? Nearly 64 years on the throne?
If Kate can’t practice and get used to the scrutiny and start to develop a thick skin now, then when? It’s only going to get more involved for W&K as they move up the rank from Duke & Duchess to Prince & Princess of Wales and then finally to King and Queen (or Queen Consort).
Did Kate not know during her years of publicly pursuing William that if she did catch him, she’d have to spend her whole life in the limelight as his title became higher and higher?
Poor Kate. Auditioned for a job for years. Finally got it (along with all the perks, benefits, and huge salary) and now her supporters think she should go on a permanent, full-pay sabbatical rather than having to go through any growing pains in getting used to the job.
It’s obvious that Kate has always, *always* loved the limelight. Scrutiny has nothing to do with it. She loves, *loves* to show off….er…everything.
Bluebell, What are you comparing though? Cambridge tour vs. Cambridge vacay or vs. a middle class vacay? I agree that a Cambridge tour is not equal to a Cambridge vacay. And their tours would be so much more luxurious than a middle class vacay plus their tours don’t have any stress that accompanies a normal job. Imagine going to work with zero pressure of being fired, demoted or getting your pay cut because of the quality of your performance. Imagine people preparing months in advance for your work visit even doing things like painting a room and ordering special flowers and food just for you. Imagine arriving at work in a luxury car driven by a professional chauffeur and stepping out to a huge crowd of people cheering for you.
As for media scrutiny and getting photographed, that may not negatively impact Kate enjoying her Caribbean beaches tour at all.
What you said about never being fired or demoted, and people getting rooms ready for you to come to work really hit me. Seriously, these two have NOTHING to complain about. Of the two of them, she should be the one most aware of this, as her parents actually had real jobs at one point.
What a pampered, ridiculous life. Really, they have no.purpose except to maybe do some work. Which they refuse to do.
Wow.
Much sacrifice.
Very Cambridge.
Many hard work.
So vacation.
Much hair-touching.
Very eyeliner.
Very ‘let them eat cake’.
Many wedge of doom.
Often moment of Marilyn.
@ Amelia
+1000
Carribeans
Trip after trip
Silver-spoon life
In that last but one shot they are looking at that poor Koala’s bottom as if it’s had a rip-roaring bottom burp – but then the look on it’s gorgeous little face suggests it has, (God Bless Australia!) It’s a shame when the most attractive creature in a photo of the BRF is a farty marsupial innit?
To quote Monty Python ‘I fart in your general direction’ is probably what he’s thinking there.
Ha! ‘I don’t wanna talk to you no more you empty headed animal food trough wiper’ fit’s perfectly really – ‘your Mother was a Hamster and your Father smelt of Elderberries’ – sigh I love it…
“He must be a king.”
“Why?”
“He hasn’t got sh!t all over him.”
“I am your king.”
“Well, I didn’t vote for you.”
“You don’t vote for kings.”
“Well, how’d you become king, then?”
[Angelic music plays… ]
“The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.”
“Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.”
Sixer/Amelia
That is Easily my favorite portion of that movie!
Somehow the image of Kate trying to be regal in the Caribbean whilst trying out her new scuba diving skills reminded me of this:
Dennis: Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
King Arthur: Be quiet!
Dennis: Well you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.
Dennis: “I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!”
It’s a great pic.
They are grating. Really grating. So, I am just going to focus on the KOALA! Look at that face. I love their little noses.
Very cute to look at from afar, yes, but they have a tendency to pee all over you (plus they smell like pee), and they’re full of fleas.
And their claws are quite toxic from the eucalyptus leaves they eat – you can get a nasty infection if scratched.
But I do love my avatar….
Tilly
I didn’t know that. They look so gentle but I wonder if they’re moody little creatures too? They also seem to have sharp nails. Not a good combo.
I’m in tears.
How will they cope with such a grueling schedule? And in such awful territories too…Bahamas, the Virgin Islands…
We prefer Harry in the Caribbean. But if you must, kindly weigh down the hems of her dresses and ask him to abstain from the rum-tastings.
LOL!!!!
LOL!!!!
LOL!!!!
So good, LAK said it thrice. Teehee!
Hahaha!
She really got carried away, didn’t she? 🙂
She must be so miffed that James, Carole and Pippa are living it up in St Barts at the moment.
Ring flaunting and the wedges of doom!
If Kate wants to be like Diana, wearing the ring and recreating vignettes of Diana’s life isn’t the way. The way to be like Diana, to be beloved, is to work hard meeting children, women, people through charitable work. The moments I remember of Diana, we are close in age, are when she was doing the amazing work that she does. Not her wedding or her clothes or even her ring.
Now, pumpkin, get to work.
“It certainly won’t be a holiday” LOL. oh please no one goes to the Caribbean to work. It was probably the only way they could get Kate to do any work.
Arranging for “tours” of places with warm climates and amazing beaches, yes… I just know they privately moan about the work and responsibility anyway. Oh, and the damn photographers.
It appears the press is going full force only after they got that royal slap down from Will and Kate about the paps stalking George. Now they decide to complain when she makes a work schedule in advance? That seems so silly and petty. To an extent, I can understand complaining about her not working, but they complain even when she does “work”.
I think the unspoken beef is where she chooses to do that work. It’s never anywhere very difficult, boring or unglamorous. She can make time to meet the Jolie-Pitts but not her own countries war veterans who risked their lives so she can live the life of Riley out of the taxpayers pocket. That’s just one example of her blatant refusal to undertake public service that is not precisely to her taste.
You’re missing a main point. It’s not about the work. It’s about what qualifies as work and how that is a factor in what they choose. Vacations, visiting popular tv sets, and sailing boats. These are fun. And they’d be overlooked too if there was any balance of duty to their country.
Meanwhile the charities are lucky to get an annual 45 minute photo op that hasn’t been cancelled and rescheduled a dozen times. And they need that exposure.
Like if you went to work and only showed up for the fun Fridays, but never for the work that isn’t fun, but needs to get done mon-thurs. Then when people call you on it when you come in friday it’s an all out attack because you’re showing up for work. What else can they expect from you, right?
It’s about what qualifies as work and how that is a factor in what they choose.
Couldn’t agree more.
Just looking, it seems that they are paid to look entitled. Why am I seeing only the absurdity of it? Is this suppose to make Britain stand out in some way, viewing more of the “emperors new clothes”? There is really nothing underneath said clothing, but a silly parade. I am tiring of the ridiculous, and the doublespeak. Will and Cathy don’t do a diplomat’s job, so why are they on display? I’m seriously confused about parading twerps..?
“Parading twerps”. Bwahaha!
Wolfie
Reading your commetn a thought crossed my mind from yesterdays thread. Between Imo and i. William is putting up a fight. He’s not really backing down and even Kay is calling it in more plain words.
That the Queen tolerates this behavior in William. But how much is too much? Can he continue this way for much longer? Threatening to remove freedom on the press and refuse to give back to the land that funds his lifestyle?
To all… Could the Queen or Charles ever reach the point where William is more the anchor sinking the monarchy? Or will they do all they can to keep him the heir? If it ever got that bad and they HAD to act… What would happen?
@FLORC – I think it will get to crunch point when TQ goes and Willy becomes PoW. If he doesn’t step up I think Chuck will give him an ultimatum, step up or give it up. It’s difficult to determine what Willy will do as he often says one thing and then goes and does the opposite – marrying Kate is a perfect example (told his father he wasn’t going to marry her and then announced their engagement a few months later without telling ANYONE in the family until the morning before the press release went out).
I can see this going down a similar path as Edward VIII – with his (Wills) wilful and selfish behaviour he will force the hand of his father and the gov with the decision/choice taken from him and he will be forcibly removed from the succession. Charles can be ruthless and I can’t see him standing by and allowing his son to destroy the Monarchy all because he doesn’t want to be King. Lets face it Willy would and he’d do it consciously. Either way he would still be miserable and whinge about his lot in life – he’s just like Victor Meldrew.
Agree with Betti, natural selection has made this bunch born survivors – and utterly ruthless when it comes to holding onto their position.
Also @ Betti – just for you (not aimed at you!) but with the best word in it – ever…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QKAbuoB24U
@FrisbeeJada – hahahaha i LOVE it. ‘Bollocks’ – hahaha. Am going to put that on loop for a bit.
I think it would be nice if Kate would put as much effort into the British Isles as she does for islands in the Caribbean. Her husband too.
yes, if they hauled their kids around England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland – that might give them some good PR.
These two are hopeless.
Most royal engagements and tours are scheduled months in advance. Another way these two are trying to “modernize” is that they try to hide everything just to jerk press chains. They’ve even taken to trying to hide public engagements from the press. Your job is promoting charity. You hate the press so much you refuse to let the press know when you’re visiting the charity for a public event?
This couple started out with media’s positive spin and seemed people loved them. Now, the media has decided to turn on them and rip their image to shreds, and the public is more than happy to assist them. This is just my observation from a distance. I think it’s really sad. It doesn’t matter what they do, it won’t be viewed as right. They used to rip Harry to shreds and now he’s the ‘golden’ Prince?
Well said. This is why it makes no sense to get caught up in media trends. It is so much shifting sand. People, instead, should be outraged that the media plays these games. If they choose to play favorites or switch sides instead of always reporting the truth how can they ever be seen as credible? Sugary coverage or revenge pieces are equally odious.
Imo
With you all the way on this. Sadly, if it’s what someone wants to read about a person it’s more easily accepted. “Kate wants to be normal and vacation Just like you!” “Kate tearing down Monarchy with her Wisteria Ways!” The truth is always somewhere between. Unfortunately that isn’t often looked for. It ruins the image people believe so deeply in.
I’m not going to be outraged at the media at all. If not for that, we’d know nothing. If Kate and WIlliam want to play games and annoy people, then they should be prepared for the chips falling.
That’s why William doesn’t want a free press. A free press wouldn’t bow down to his threats and they’d report the facts on things like work schedules and living arrangements.
FLORC
You’re on fire today!
Bluhare
I don’t disagree but I find it offensive that the media just doesn’t tell the whole truth all of the time. If access and the absence of threats from a spoiled prince determines the type of stories the media runs with then the media is holding the truth hostage for a payout. That is an outrage, imo.
Nota
Again, i don’t disagree with you but if the press isn’t already reporting as if they are free then William is not the problem, only a symptom. I think FLORC hit closer to the truth – whatever sells in conjunction with the narrative of the day.
Nobody cares if the media strips away the fairy tale veneer of royal life. But if they sit on the truth until it suits them to take off the gloves that is repugnant, imo. Getting miffed because William pouts and stamps his foot is selfish reactionism on the part of the press. They should’ve been telling the truth all along – they owed that much to the commonwealth and the taxpayers.
There are a great many people who care if the media strip away the fairy tale veneer. Set aside the obsessive teens on tumblr and think about the system overall. There are massive amounts of power and money to be won or lost, laws to be rewritten, based up on whether or not monarchy remains. Those who benefit from the system want the fairy tale promoted. Now we have a press who is in the middle, where even those who benefit from the system are realizing the system doesn’t work with someone like William in the seat of power.
I would think there are many misty-eyed types in the royal media who desperately wanted William to be worth it. They didn’t want to publish until they were sure they had facts and knew they’d been duped. With his fondness for suing, they have to make sure.
The press does this type of thing with every thing. To quote someone from a few threads ago, we have to have special rules about all of this for royalty?
Nota
I’m not willing to feel sorry for the press for getting bitten by a monster they helped create by promoting or tearing down agendas.
I like your other points though.especially interesting about William disappointing everyone’s hopes. I’ll say.
All they have ever needed to do was keep some sort of public profile and attend some charity events on a semi regular basis – maybe twice a month. The fact is they don’t do anything for months and then when they do deign to grace the public with their presence its for gala’s, film premiere’s or tours abroad – there is no visits to charities or other organisations that actually need their profile to help them raise funds etc.. to help disadvantaged people or war vets. They behave like celebrities and so should expected to be treated as such.
Harry grew up and has clearly become thrice the man Willy can only dream about.
Hardly. Benefit of the doubt given for potential, judgement given on performance. There are little things called time and actions between the two reporting attitudes. I think they call it cause and effect. Something like that.
But why did the media turn around?
That is the question, and an interesting one. I think it’s because of two things: an outsized sense of entitlement on the part of the Cams and a very bad handling of their PR that grew out of the first reason.
As far as sad goes? Nah. Lots of things in lige are sad but not the (probably) treatment of two of the most privileged people on the planet.
But why did the media turn around?
That is the question, and an interesting one. I think it’s because of two things: an outsized sense of entitlement on the part of the Cams and a very bad handling of their PR that grew out of the first reason.
As far as sad goes? Nah. Lots of things in life are sad but not the (probably) temporary rough treatment of two of the most privileged people on the planet.
It’s worth remembering the media spin was initially fed by KP who claimed Kate would ‘hit the ground running’ as Duchess Kate. Everyone, press and public alike presumed that would be a life of public service and supporting Charities. She has significantly failed to do any of it. If the Media have turned (and they haven’t turned completely yet, not by a long shot) it’s because she has given them something to turn against.
From the engagement interview:
TB: Kate, you’ve had a long time to contemplate this moment.
Miss Middleton: It’s obviously nerve-wracking, because I don’t know the ropes really, William is obviously used to it, but *I’m willing to learn quickly and work hard*.
TB: A lot of opportunities obviously within the family, a huge ability to change people’s lives for the better, I guess that’s something you must have contemplated as well.
Miss Middleton: Yes, well *I really hope I can make a difference, even in the smallest way. I am looking forward to helping as much as I can*.
Exactly! It was all just smoke and mirrors to land William.
Harry’s improved image is exactly like his mother’s initial image. It came from the public, not the media. No matter how many press releases the Palace sends/sent out saying that the heir is golden, the public preferred Diana/Harry.
And Harry’s image was originally a press fabrication. Yes, he partied, but it was sold as the only thing to him. And perhaps it *was* the only thing to him.
Without fanfare and press releases, he has gone to work. Diana in the end fell in love with the hype and that undid her, but the sentiment is the same.
The support that Harry/Diana has/had came from the public. That also means that the public is willing to overlook many things and see Harry/Diana as golden.
William never learnt the lesson of Charles. He could have the same qualities as Harry and vice versa, but he needs to revise the execution and work with those trying to keep his image golden. No point in the PR telling the public William is the golden prince if there is no follow through.
For years, Harry was the wastrel Prince, until he worked and continues to work to change that image. Britain loves an underdog. And Harry has lived upto the public’s love of a turnaround underdog story.
Harry is genuine, at least he certainly comes across as being genuine. He is truly his mother’s son.
Thank you LAK. You’ve put into words how I feel about Harry. He has been working almost non-stop, I’ve heard that he’s going back to Africa soon.
People had high hopes for Kate, then as the months/years go by you notice her lack of work, the lack of effort when she does do some sort minuscule amount of “work”, à la boat race, for example. Then you realise that it’s not only Kate but William as well, who is the HEIR for goodness sake.
Harry’s been doing the amount of work that William SHOULD be doing. He has a charming personality to boot, so why not love the guy?
All the time they were painting him as the party prince, he was building Sentebale from age 19. His brother was waffling around entering, annoying, and leaving multiple branches of the military, so somebody had to take the fall.
Harry is coming back and then heading right back out to work on his various projects/charities. Harry is living up to his mother’s memory, while William is living off his mother’s death to get away with being lazy as hell.
LAK
Well said.
Nota
Harry was not portrayed as the party prince. He was the party prince. Those stories were not less true because there was an agreement to shield William’s similar follies. Appreciating and respecting the fine man Harry has become shouldn’t include erasing his mistakes. It lessens the hurdles he admirably cleared to improve himself, imo.
William drank and partied more than Harry but it was covered up. William admitted it in an interview, and he admitted that Harry never drank and partied as much as was reported. While William was partying and disappointing branches of the military for a decade, Harry was partying less than William and building Sentebale.
His own brother, who never misses an opportunity to side swipe him, points out Harry wasn’t as big a partier as reported. Has Harry made mistakes, heck yes, but there wasn’t as much to be erased as some people think.
Nota is right. Harry’s party prince image was fostered by the press. His mistakes were not covered up like William. There are tales that go back to teen years that are hair (heir!) raising, yet those tales will never show up in the media unless William is loses his status.
And lots of editors and paps have admitted over the years, as recently as that spring documentary ‘Reinventing the royals’ – on youtube – that pictures of Harry looking dishevelled were taken from one incident and used several times over subsequent weeks to make it seem that he was out partying and drunk every week.
Of course we mustn’t forget William himself telling the world that the biggest misconception about the two of them is that Harry is a party animal when infact William is worse. (interview with Matt Lauer for Diana’s Concert)
There are incidents that did make the press and quickly quashed. As recently as the detail of William being so drunk at Melisa Percy’s wedding that he lost a tooth and no one mentioning that Harry was at the same wedding. Harry is like the Yorks. He has to earn every bit of good press and if he puts a toe over the line, he is crucified. IF he’d lost a tooth at a wedding, that would have made front page news instead of being buried in an avalanche of words.
Again, saying but but but what about William doesn’t nullify Harry’s struggles. The media refusing to out William doesn’t erase Harry’s drug use, partying, binge drinking, Nazi uniform, strip billiards romp, drunkenly taking off his clothes at Charles’ birthday party, taking a punch at a photographer, repeatedly making racially insensitive comments, jumping on the hood of a car after drinking all night etc etc.it simply doesn’t.
IMO: we aren’t nullifying Harry’s antics, we are pointing out that some of those antics were exaggerated. The media admits to doing so.
Further, if you think Harry was such a wastrel, then William was a worse wastrel. AS WILLIAM HIMSELF SAYS.
When you list all of Harry’s bad points, it merely reminds us that William has done worse because he tells us so.
Harry has done many good works in the ensuing years since the media used to rip him. Kate and Wills have shown themselves to be lazy Takers. You think they are making up it? Where’s Harry? Where are William and Kate? You want the press to lie to keep your view of W&K as cheerful hard workers intact? No, thanks.
If the press aren’t appeased by the vacation in November That and maybe this will be a mess.
And if Kate drops any subtle lines to the locals like she has before the press will not bury it. They will cling to it. They had just better work.
And how good of William to pull hhimself away from his 2.5 day work week of 8 days for this tour in famous tropical tourism beaches. The poor dears sacrifice so greatly.
Side question. What does he do the rest of the week? Twitter has been getting a bit nutty with Catching William all over the place, but never really around his family. And never really with his staff or “working (whatever that means)”
There’s no confirmation on either November or the tour yet, right? I cannot see them announcing that they’re going on vacation. They’ve always studiously hidden that as best they can.
I think they snuck off to Mustique at some point this summer, hence the diving certification and deep tans.
Nota
Wait for it. A charity visit will be added and then cancelled to find the Cambridges (or just the Midds) have been on vacation for a few days already.
Michael Middleton is not currently in St. Barts with his family? Sounds unusual.
There has been rumblings for a while about the state of her parents marriage – could be why she’s been off the radar and why Carole practically lives with them now – Carole and Mike have separated. OR he’s busy running PP’s now that Carole has stepped back from it to raise her grandchildren.
There has been rumblings for a while about the state of her parents marriage – could be why she’s been off the radar and why Carole practically lives with them now – Carole and Mike have separated. OR he’s busy running PP’s now that Carole has stepped back from it to raise her grandchildren.
I guess someone in the family has to work!
If anyone shouldn’t be there, it’s the brother Beardo (BB) aka James. I mean how many people do you know who keeps driving small businesses into the ground yet keeps up the jet set lifestyle?
Yea… You don’t vacation as your busines is going under or struggling. You work hard for it. Unless you’ve given up like on the others.
I don’t care who you are. If you care about a business you are a major part of you fight for it. Not check out and just declare it a loss before moving on for a 3rd time.
FLORC
Well BB’s got horseshoes up his a** (lucky to be born into that family) when you consider the fact most people don’t have chance after chance after repeated business failures.
True. His being in the Carribbeans now and then probably again in January/February isn’t going to go down well for his employees worried about their jobs.
I know he’s countered with the info that he got a 1 million pound funding, but that means nothing if his business can’t make a profit but would be over 250,000 pound in debt with that new investment. I still wonder who’s the idiot who put more money into Boomf when he has a history of money-pit businesses.
Boomf was poorly conceived from the start. FMORC looked at it and thought it was a business venture to only take a loss for tax purposes.
I’m not sure about his employees with BOOMF, but his cake business had people who needed those jobs and he abandon it as it no longer needed promoting too.
If nothing else he’s a miserable business man and yes Citresse. No way he would get repeat funding unless people are expecting some benefit only he can bring… It’s odd. Very shady.
@ FLORC
When I read about James’ failed businesses and then with this new 1 million pound funding, I keep being reminded of the video of Sarah (allegedly) selling access to Andrew.
I’m not saying that’s what he’s doing with the money and W&K, but it doesn’t make any sense to me as to why would anybody sink money into a three-time loser’s failing business. How is the investor(s) going to get his money back or any kind of value from it? Was it given with collateral in exchange?
Yeah it could be something shady re- they work the loophole tax write offs etc… who knows? But thank god for freedom of the press, because at least we get little hints here and there and then sometimes it creates a bigger picture.
Remember when the marriage of Charles and Diana was going sour and the press was counting their days apart.
#FreeTheBlueWedges
#SinkTheBlueWedges
i wonder if they get thrown overboard on their cruise, if they float bc of all that cork?
Has anyone bothered to ask these countries if they really want another royal tour? Can they really afford it? If I were a citizen of one of the less fortunate Caribbean nations the Cambridges plan to visit, I would be pissed off at the expense – money that could be better spent on infrastructure improvements, healthcare, or schooling.
Unless and until I see the receipts that having the Duke and Duchess Dolittle visit my island or support my charity pays off in PR and money, they can jolly well stay home at Amner Hall or KP. I would take Harry over them any day!
Exactly – have KP foot the bill, not semi-destitute Caribbean islands. As a Canadian I really resent us having to pay for royal trips here, salaries for the Governor General and his staff, the provincial Lieutenant Governors and their staffs, etc. etc. for these two shirkers.
Do these costs get figured in to RepublicUK’s calculations of the true cost of the monarchy, or are those only UK-based costs? As we’ve noted, you pay more per Canadian resident than people in the UK pay for them.
Nota: no, the overseas costs of the royals aren’t included in republic’s calculations.
The costs of the tours are covered by the visited country’s tax payers.
Where it’s the foreign office handling the tour eg China, then the foreign office will absorb that cost.
Agree wholeheartedly and hope they aren’t returning here anytime soon.
Thanks, LAK!
@Bearcat: The visit could me more about the UK trying to hold on to a number of islands that want to go Republic and do away with the Queen as Head of State. The UK Government may think that a little nostalgia may help to convince the islanders. But honestly, I think the islands cannot begin to identify with a broomstick and a stuffed shirt. Harry is so much more charismaticand naturally engaging that he would be a better bet when selling the crown.
This is so predictable it’s getting sad. These two must be so inept that they’re not allowed to handle heavier diplomatic work . Then again, William now has a pattern of being idiotic when meeting VIPs: not meeting with the NZ premier/PM during OZ tour, not knowing who King Felipe of Spain is when they met in Belgium last year, which is so moronic of William and shows he doesn’t practice diplomacy by knowing the basics about the other royals and attendees of important events,
So maybe it’s better they just stick to doing the fancy stuff.
How come Harry could do it in Jamaica? In Brazil? His tours are always packed with meeting with officials and exploring the locales and interacting with the residents. His tours are fun but they’re not exclusive: his activities often involve ordinary people where he gets dirty and hands-on, plays with the kids and there is a balance of work and play.
IMO it is very odd that those who bemoan this grueling “tour” as hard work are actually focused on Kate’s hair and clothes and makeup, which says everything about Kate, that people worry about her appearance and how hard it is to look good for the cameras than her actual body of work. She is defined by her vanity and superficiality and that is what people have come to associate with her.
Many royal tours last 3 days to a week, not the 2-week “tour” these two require to attend 45-minute fancy events to bring attention to themselves and be praised for doing bare minimum.
These two only do the things that other rich people do: yachting, wine tasting, taking a walk around the marina, inspecting aircraft, and then they even manage to take several days off within the tour itself! LMAO! Pathetic.
And notice their events always have the peasants behind a rope to keep them out lest they touch the two blessed brats. Then they impose protocol on how to talk and approach them like they’re so very special when it’s only the HRHs before their names that make them appear respectable since they certainly have achieved nothing to earn actual respect.
OMG. They are really back to their pre-marriage antics. I cannot believe with all the suffering in this world, that they would boast about a “grueling” tour of the Caribbean. I think I just vomited a little.
iDK: Oi, well, it’s a right bloody nuisance, ain’t it? You ‘ave no idea ‘ow this sort of thing affects me time schedyule, do you?
ImaginaryPrinceW: But, darling! The islands! A rest, eh? Tanning, wot? Fancy cocktails to try, eh? Chance to breathe! Long 42 hour work year’s reward, eh? Smokin’ on the beach, no paps, eh! Servants five pounds for ten, eh, so, no babies for miles, grim Maria in a different hut, wot? Presents from the locals! Lobster every morning, as you like it! The Office sorted it all: Plum assignment! Caribbean tour! Quite wrestled old Camilla to the rabbit hutch floor for it! Think of it! Caymans! Bahamas! Villas of friends! Days of sun and rum punch from pals of Pop! Should be pleased, eh? Massive great honking work credit, too, wot?
iDK: ¬¬Oi! Oi! R’ally? – an’ no one asked ME, did they just? “Ooh she’s just the mum of the future little bloody king, ain’t she, she’s just the very brain workin’ to train the brat who’ll run the ‘ole future of the bloody monarch butterflies, in’ she?” I’ll ‘ave you know, I’ve ‘ad the haus du Bluhare whip up all me Next Year Mustique frocks, didn’ I? Wiv me powerful new SixerSexxySwim Next Year Mustique-type of bikinis? Me new Next Year Mustique snap-on rinse-ov beach ‘air is almost done in the fac’try, be bring’in it to the state banquet fer me! Now what?
iPW: One can still surely use those items in November, and –
iDK: Don’ be daft! Me November Mustique is a total different bird, ain’t it? Bought that all of two months weeks ago, shop til I drop, din’ I, while you was trying to get yer copter off the ground weren’t I! Barely even time to go ‘ave awful little borin’ Carole Charlotte, did I? I don’ pretend to like style, but shoppin’s me job now, so I do as I c’n an’ I’ll ‘ave you know it’s been a right sweat the past four weeks, but finally got me November Mustique set! ‘ad to miss that weddin’ fer me new island jeggings fittin’, didn’ I? So, what was you thinkin’? Me whole month of August, wasted on Next Year Mustique an’ we ain’t goin’? Now I must start over fer Next Year Caribe’en looks? Frocks fer boat races and wavin’, bloody exhaustin’ to even think about ain’t it? Well Mister Junior Nibs, I ain’t ‘avin time fer no walks amongst the poors fer like to six weeks, I c’n tell you! Be lucky if I ‘ave time to ‘ave the staff wash me ‘air fer the state banquet, ‘afore I jumps on the plane to bloody This year Mustique! You know I adores me Next Year Mustique time wiv me mum! ‘ow could ye do this!
iPW: — but, dear, it was your Mum! Quite specifically ordered me to arrange this! ‘Get my princess into press photos in a delicious climate, but take her where the commons go!’ she said! “Image booster eh!’ she said! ‘Daily Smell jumpin’ on ‘us too much now, Willy! Get ‘er some loverly beach time but in a place where the poors can buy themselves a package! She must be seen to sacrifice too, or they’ll pull ‘er five hundred pound natural human hair right off on Poppy Day! An’ make her wear boob tubes and capris fer the paps, like the unwed punters do!” she said! Her own words! And, she tells me Mike has a line of Bahama Birthday Paper Plates’n Balloons coming up, wot? Seems supportive, family biz, hold the tent pole, wot, another good family project, must do my part, wot?
iDK: — Oi, mummy said? Me own mum?
iPW: Indeed! Look, here’s your Mum’s memo, wot: ‘No more commemoratives, funerals, poppy walks, me lad – me gal is ‘appiest in photos when she is seen doin’ only ‘as she pleases fer ‘er workload! Look at me Pips on the ski slopes! Me gals was born wiv faces fer fun, see! Disney World royals, ain’t they, like them two frozen gals! An’ so you go, an’ let me wee new Princess play amongst the poors early next year, as you did down under wiv Gary George an’ the convicts’ children! an’ before I say knife, you two will be all beloved ag’in, an’ can be off to wallop around the south o’France without a pinch from the press! An’ while you’re far way doin’ good in the Caribe’en, all eyes on you down there, why eye’ll ‘andle the ruddy Ginger, don’ you worry! thinkin’ he can make a press point by openin’ is bloody Games on American Mother’s Day! borin’ do-goodin’ orphan! too good for me Pips, is ‘e? Well, eye’ll handle ‘im, while you lot get yerselves some press by givin’ and givin’ by travelin’ about an’ allowin’ the common island folk to kiss yer hems wiv gratefultude. do it soon!! ” And so she makes a good point yet, again, eh? Really a lot of work and pain, when one thinks of it, wot! Lucky to have us willing to go, eh? Sacrifice now, savor later, wot? Make a good bit of press! ‘Young Royals Endure Caribbean’, wot!
iDK: Oi! Well! If me mum SAID, well! If me mum said, I’ll start me Next Year Caribe’en shoppin’ straight away! Oi! I say, what frocks did yer dead princess mum wear to the Caribe’en, then? Cor, didn’ she ‘ave ‘erselv the most loverly cheetah-print beach romper fer ol’ Necker beach in a picture me mum has on ‘er study wall?! Oi! I ‘aven’t much time an’ me ol’ seamstresses Stella an’ Sarah B ain’t at all ‘alf as fast ‘as they ought be! Right cows! Me mum will ‘ave to give ‘em a push!
I got this 1! And it’s Hilarious!
YAY!! We’re back to pig Chav-in!!! 🙂
You had me at 42 hour work year, Liberty!
for me it was grim Maria……and tanning, wot?
ROFL 🙂
Oh. My. God.
I skipped over the other scenarios you depicted because, quite frankly, short attention span here.
For some reason, I read this one and I am CRYING!!!! Ha ha ha!!!
SixerSexxySwim is my Whatsit Madison handle.
NOT REALLY!
🙂
Anyone wonder if maybe Kate suffers from Depression or something else?
She used to be more social and seen out and about on the street, but not so much in the past few years post George… maybe Duchess life isn’t all she thought it would be?
Now that she has has a few kids quickly she has fulfilled all that was required of her and she finds her life empty since it doesn’t seem like she herself has a group of girlfriends since she pretty much axed all outside people from her life to focus on William , and now realizing he wasn’t that great a catch in the first place?
I have nothing but sympathy for people who suffer from agoraphobia or depression or something else, like poor Princess Masako of Japan. But if Kate was suffering from depression, she wouldn’t be able to go to places like Wimbledon and enjoy herself for hours on end. She suffers from laziness.
I really think it’s a stretch to make these claims when they can only come into play to explain why Kate doesn’t appear as a regular worker. The argument loses all traction when you factor in all the social and fun things she does. That she’s out in crowds almost daily to shop. If it was an issue she could do it online. And wouldn’t interact so much with the store staff.
There’s just no legitimate foundation given the eviidence of her day to day and clinical requirements to honestly think she has even a minor case.
There you go again, making sense and sounding logical. Stop it!!! 🙂
I honestly wish we can do away with using mental illness as an excuse. Kate is plain lazy. That is it. We should stop absolving her of responsibility and accountability by speculating that her disinterest in work is caused by something more serious than her not having any ambition except to be a kept woman.
She is not depressed. I also doubt she has anxiety disorder. Everything she does when she’s not working, which is 95% of her daily activities, like shopping and getting her hair done and holidaying multiple times a year, all point to being well, fit, and capable of going out and having fun…as long as it’s something she wants to do and as long as it’s not actual work.
Well said.
As someone who suffers from clinical depression as well as extreme anxiety I can assure you Kate isn’t either – she wouldn’t be able to do even half of the things she does if she were, including going shopping or attending Wimbledon.
She is just lazy… and self-absorbed.
I can tell you for a fact that you can be severely depressed and go out in public and act like nothing is wrong. I’ve done it, then collapsed when I got home. I was significantly depressed and working full time. I’m not saying that’s the case with Kate, and there were certainly days where I had real trouble, but I did it. She doesn’t even have to go out 5 days and 40 hours a week either.
It absolutely insulting to other royals to call their “tours” anything but holidays when their purpose is meaningless (beyond having fun) and their calendars are 95+% filled with fun holiday activities.
Plus, Harry did an actual royal tour to the same place only a year ago.
Do admit reality, KP: this is another taxpayer paid holiday for the Cambridges.
Whoops – was thinking of Harry’s tour to Brazil & Chile last year. His Caribbean tour was in 2012. But I still stand by the fact he did an actual tour (and everyone loved him – including the Republican PM of Jamaica).
That’s exactly what it is – let’s call a spade a spade. Spot on about the other royals who do actual “work” and seem to genuinely care about their various charities. Can’t believe those two get away with being so work shy and plain lazy.
It seems that the Royals prefer to do their royal duties in sunny warm holiday destinations.
How many visits did they do to carribean locations?
How many visits did they do to Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland or even Cornwall?
I don’t know but remember poor pregnant Diana in the Welsh rain? Can you imagine Kate doing that? Diana really cared when she heard about all the people esp children and elderly waiting for her in the rain. She also put aside her own feelings of anxiety and fear.
I remember that too and as far as Kate is concerned, no way, no how – as simple as that.
I even recall that she learned as few words of Welsh for that visit and, as usual, mingled and chatted with quite a few of the old dears waiting in the rain. She was a natural, had a great attitude and a real sense of duty. Unlike WillNot and his Professional Shopper/Hair Flipper.
And the Welsh rain was cold. It was OCT 81.
Yes, Diana did have a sense of duty right from the beginning. Her favourite hymn from her school days was: “I vow to thee, my country.”
One off the top of my head: Charles and Camilla did a 4-day tour of Ireland in May, ending it with a dinner with the PM. Unlike much of his royal work, it got some press because he visited the site of where Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA.
While the other members of the BRF might not be visiting Antarctica, unlike Willy & Waity, they certainly aren’t only focusing on sunny locales where they can work on their tans – nor are they refusing to do engagements (beyond fluffy ones and/or ones featuring a celeb or two) within the UK.
JMO.
I’m starting to think that it wasn’t because Kate was the love of his life, that William married her. She was the only gal who actually wanted him and this marriage and this type of existence. The rest of them just avoided his phone calls as soon as it became apparent he might ask for their hand at some point…
There is a well known social gossip, Taki, who is connected up the wazoo with everyone (because he makes it his business to be) who wrote an entire article about this very point in mid-2010(?). Taki is Europe’s answer to someone like Dominic Dunne with better connections and willing to gossip publicly.
I can’t post links, but Google article heading ‘why Kate Middleton was Prince William’s only option’
wow….what a great article!!
Love the part about daily duty, regimented schedule, hundreds of charity appearances a year, mind-numbing small talk, crushing responsibilities…
I know he didn’t write th article, but you just described my theo Taki LAK! It’s his business to be in other peoples businesses 😉
http://takimag.com/article/why_kate_middleton_is_prince_williams_only_option/print#axzz3jm51Nvw4
I like this quote from the article but dispute its relevance to Kate:
” Well-bred, moneyed English beautieshave learned from Princess Diana’s legacy, reportedly feeling like Jane Wellesley before them: give up an already-abundant life for stifling duty, no privacy and the chance to briefly wear a heavy crown in Westminster Abbey? No, thanks.”
While not an aristocrat, Kate still moved and had access to those circles and could have dated and settled down with someone from that set. She would have had the best of both worlds: wealth, prestige but without the nuisance of royal duties/work and endless scrutiny.
That is a good article, and very true! I think I might have read it before the marriage, but really didn’t know much about William and “Catherine” at that time. LOL. What’s cool is how prophetic it is!
@Wendi, yes, but. Kate and Pippa were climbers, wannabes, probably because of their mother. They weren’t aristocrats, and I’m sure those “blue bloods” didn’t let them forget that. So they are hungrier than girls who grew up taking it for granted, like Cressida Bonas.
@FLORC Re taki — always superb. Fabulous article. Like Vava, I think I may have read it before, but I’d forgotten it and what a great read. Thanks for posting. [And doesn’t Kate look like more of a Downton Abbey character in that photo? And, so much healthier?]
Well, I think SHE was and is in love with him, but HE just sort of realized it was the best he could get. I like Kate actually. I think she would’ve been happier with someone rich and posh but not royal.
I just called to move our family vacation from these dates. We work on UK time since hubby is working there. Agent did everything for free. She “Understands not wanting the drama.” HA!
Good plan! Yeah, you don’t need all that drama when you’re on vacation.
Plus, they’ll take your cell phone cameras away….