Here are some photos of the Duchess of Cambridge at an event today for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The event was part of Best Beginnings, which is part of Heads Together, the loosely affiliated organization comprised of a dozen mental-health charities. The focus was supposed to be… postnatal depression, and the stresses faced by moms. For the event, Kate repeated this Eponine London suit. She wore this gingham suit last year in March too! It’s her “spring is coming” suit, I guess. I sort of liked this suit last year so I guess I can’t complain about it this year. It is nice to see her in something bright and fresh-looking.
Apparently Kate made a speech at this event. First, she paid tribute to the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack:
Duchess of Cambridge sends her 'thoughts and prayers' to all those 'sadly affected by yesterday's terrible attack'https://t.co/jUTbuxH0YC pic.twitter.com/3Gcmnae24N
— ITV News (@itvnews) March 23, 2017
Her fake-posh accent, my God. And she couldn’t even memorize what she was going to say about the attack! After that, Kate spoke about the pressures of motherhood:
“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge – even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost. And yet there is no rule book, no right or wrong – you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family. For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance.”
Well, at least she isn’t saying that she’s lucky to be a great mother because she had a nice family, which is how she usually talks about mental health issues. And I appreciate, however incidentally, that she acknowledges her privileged position as being a mother with “support at home.” Yes, she has support. Nanny Maria and Carole Middleton are both extremely hands-on with those kids. God knows what Kate would do without them.
PS… I can see the wiglet.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Did Diana have a “real” posh accent? I seem to recall that she did, but I’m not sure. Maybe Kate is trying to channel her MIL?
Diana was the daughter of an Earl, went to private schools (incl a Swiss finishing school). Her accent wasn’t as plummy as her husband’s, but yes it was posh.
That is because Lady D was posh she came from an ancient family of earls
What type of accent is she going for? It reminds me of the one high school theatre students put on for Shakespeare.
It’s like nails on a chalkboard. She slurs her words and can barely say some words because of that stupid accent.
+1
you nailed it)it’s painful to listen to.
The Queen doesn’t even sound this posh. She has modified her accent since the early speeches in the 50s, but even at her most posh, you could still understand her.
I usually don’t defend Kate at all but I think she’s just very nervous. I’m sure she’s had some elocution lessons and is so focused upon what she’s saying that it’s coming out as being very forced. You can see and hear the nerves.
I think you’re right. I teach people how to speak publicly, and most are nervous when they start. But there’s an easy way to overcome nerves–practice.
totally agree BlueBird. Nice to read a sympathetic comment. You really can see/hear the nerves!
And trust me, I have nothing but disdain for this whole family and as a Brit their lifestyle and uselessness boils my blood. But I still feel a bit sorry for her.
I agree. All eyes on her and boy, do we dissect everything! I think she might have a hair piece but it looks better than most extensions/weaves we see. I’m okay with it. Maybe she lost a lot of hair with her pregnancy.
Let’s say the rest of you had had a job for six years, after chasing it for 10 years. Would you be given a pass for such poor performance in your job after 6 years, or would you be fired? If she doesn’t like public speaking, get help. If she is lousy at giving speeches, maybe practicing the speech many times instead of reading for the first time at the podium would be helpful.
My god that fawning expression of the woman meeting her.
Vom.
I know, the woman could be a highly accomplished doctor and yet she has to bow to Waity who is best known for her wardrobe or wiglets. Ugh
I’m not sure why the British still bow to “royalty.” I get that there is no law saying you must bow or it’s the shackles, for you, so most people make the decision to do it, but it’s so odd. Granted, I have very healthy self-esteem, but if I were British (I’m American and 2 generations removed from GB) I would not bow to anyone other than the Queen, and that is only because I respect her work ethics … and her jewelry.
The others? Nuh-uh … it’s so degrading …
I recall Diana’s family being both quite old & wealthy & therefore her accent was simply her accent. Kate’s, I gather, has evolved. I could live with it if all of the other issues – hair, reading notes, looking up and down didn’t exist.
I’ve just read the comments on the Daily Fail – they are not amused about grinning Kate.
They even criticize TQ:
‘My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected’: Queen pays tribute to the London terror attack victims
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4342328/Queen-pays-tribute-London-terror-attack-victims.html
I’m surprised that the DM published so many negative comments.
i really like that suit on her.
I like it, except for the weird button thing on the top. It makes the top look like it is on backwards.
For someone so pedantic about her self presentation, i never understand why she steps out with such poor wiglets.
More Mehgan please! this pair are in deep trouble when Meghan and Harry really get going. hurray!
Her fake accent is/sounds horrible.
Its painful for me to listen to – she’s more focused on that than on what she is saying.
She is not someone who likes talking in public. She sounded shaky
If she doesn’t like to talk in public, being a royal is the wrong “job” for her.
Maybe she should put her coloring book away and do her homework.
I have noticed that there are no front facing photos of her. Both William and Kate are known to passive aggressively ignore the press at events, or make it difficult for them to get good shots. I have a feeling Kate is doing that here to punish them for William’s recent Dad dancing backlash. If she is it shows that William and Kate refuse to learn from their countless mistakes. The crowds of onlookers who go to watch when Kate arrives at events is getting smaller and smaller as time goes on. People are rapidly losing interest in them, and when they do they will be in real trouble.
I noticed that as well!!
She’s been doing this since she got married – she positions her body away from the press even if she’s being rude to the person she’s talking to. When she was GF she was all over the paps.
If you look elsewhere, you can find front-facing photos. This is just a sample (5 shots) of the photos that were taken.
I have definitely heard it remarked though that they basically don’t acknowledge photographers, and that Kate strategically keeps her eyeline above or below camera lenses.
She looks tanned. The suit and color look good on her.
Diana was more blue blood than the Royal family so yes, her accent was real.
If you watch the video of Harry’s Christening, I thought Diana’s accent sounded more posh than in later years. She sounded much like HM.
Some of it is environment. You hear it all the time. But with Waity she really fakes it during interviews. Harry is the most natural, down to earth.
As a British English person without a ‘posh’ accent Kate screams fake to me. She’s doing what foreign actors do with an English accent when they think it sounds a bit ‘snotty’ (I can understand how it would) they put added ‘snottiness’ into it on the basis it will make them sound really English, it doesn’t it makes them sound like a foreign actor doing a bad very snotty English accent, (for a hilarious example see Nichole Kidman in ‘Australia’ or Madonna in anything)
Diana’s accent was natural, she was posh and didn’t need to add anything to make herself sound posher than she was. That’s what Katie Bucket is doing, she’s putting added ‘posh’ into it that’s unnatural and it really really jars. That said she seems to be making more of an effort in her content. She had to acknowledge the victims of the terror attacks (RIP and condolences to all of their families who I’m feeling for most right now) and she at least acknowledges she has help – for this one that’s actually a bit of progress. She still looks desperately nervous though.
Despite myriad distractions like her accent, hair and expressions, I thought the content of her speech was pretty good. Sadly it’s lost in translation 😢
I assume she’s had some sort of private vocal training. Why does she do it, though? It’s so transparently obvious that she’s imitating a style that is not naturally her own. Does she speak this way all the time or just in public? Would William’s advisors have suggested it? Was it part of “Princess training?” & Why doesn’t William tell her that she sounds ridiculous. ugh.
William might not listen to her enough to notice.
I’m curious as to whether the deliberate change in accent is something that Kate chose, or whether it is the result of The Firm trying to play Pygmalion.
The fake accent appeared years before they were engaged.
@ xo and Malificent I don’t believe The Firm would expect her to change her accent, the Queen is not necessarily a snob, she see’s everyone as her subjects (!). I think it’s probably coming from Carol Middleton, she’s been behind Kate for years in her pursuit of and keeping of William. Carol has her eye on the Prize (Queen Consort and titles for her own family) and is encouraging Kate to ‘play the part’ of Grand Duchess, partly because she thinks that’s appropriate for Kate’s ‘status’ and partly because it elevates her own. Problem is Carol and Kate both clearly have tin ears plus Kate is nervy so it all comes out sounding dreadfully strangulated instead of natural.
@ graymatters – no I don’t think William listens to her either, I don’t believe he cares enough to bother.
I hate the way that lady in the top picture is bowing to her. My god.
Me too. On the other hand, that green dress she is wearing is gorgeous.
Hmmm — it might just be because she’s standing on a step, and wants to be at Kate’s eye level. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt, but it does look pretty obsequious.
Thank God for the subtitles…I could barely understand a word she said.
No one over 5 years old should wear gingham.
The button trim (yay!! buttons!!) on the front of this hideous suit make it look to me as if she’s wearing it backwards.
Her hair looks ratty and awful.
Those shoes….LOL
LOL! Those shoes clash so much. Who else would wear suede shoes with a gingham outfit? She has no taste. SMH
I have multiple gingham items in my wardrobe and I’m 32. Shrugs…
The Dolittles never get something right. Not that they care though….
I just watched some video of Pippa when she was on the Today show. Her voice is lower, and she speaks normally and quickly, but there are tinges of some accent training. But because it is lower it is a lot easier to listen too.
That suit looks really cheap. Also, her hair just drives me crazy.
The pattern of the dress reminds me of those plastic covers you put down on a picnic table.
Didn’t like the look last year and don’t like it this year.
LOL Citresse, I knew it reminded of something, but couldn’t think what.
It reminds me of something iola would where on mama’s family all that’s missing is the glass and the hat.
DM has lots of comments about how, really, is gingham the right choice in light of what happened yesterday? She also sounds like she’s not getting enough 02
I believe that if she dropped the fake accent her speeches and overall presence would go better. People mentioned she looked nervous? Maybe she’s nervous about forcing that accent out with continuity without it going everywhere.
Also – she’s sending her condolences and mentioning the attack but she has to read the words? Way to make it seem put upon and not authentic. She needs tranining, NOW. Especially if Megan joins the family and exposes how little Kate does.
Five years into the marriage and all the money/time in the world to work on giving speeches, but this is what she does. If she hasn’t had help by now, it’s not going to happen.
I recently went through a sort of executive training where they taught us how to stand with confidence, speak persuasively and own the space you’re in. It’s amazing how much more confident you feel just by correcting your body language. It’s also the exact opposite of everything Kate does. Instead of owning the space she’s in, she hides behind her hair, clutch or notes. Instead of delivering at least the emotionally charged part of her speech with sincerity, she makes no real eye contact with the crowd and appears as if she’s talking to nobody in particular.
If she had taken any training at all, at least something would’ve stuck. I can only believe that she doesn’t care enough to seek improvement and make a change. And then someone actually claims Kate has soft power! I’ve seen middle school students deliver speeches with more credibility and influence than Kate ever has.
When I am in court, I always put my hair up so that it is out of my face. Playing with your hair looks childish and distracts from the substance of what you are trying to say.
This is all basic speech giving 101 that even regular folks have access to. If Kate can’t be bothered to get help, then it means she doesn’t really care to improve and should be criticized until she is forced to be professional in her speech giving. Right now she is not professional and has zero excuse for it almost six years into this job.
Bill and Kate Middleton are so useless.
Watching a clip from Kate’s speech reminded me of watching a student presentation in high school. She kept looking down at her notes, her hair moving, her nerves. Why wouldn’t she read the material, get familiar with it so she could look out at the audience while speaking. It’s not like she doesn’t have help. She may be even more lazy than William.
Ha! We must have typed this at the same time! Shite. I agree!
I don’t know that it’s all down to laziness. I think their is some truth to Willnot and Cannot. I can’t imagine William would be happy if she put effort in to being better at this. With her he will never be the worst. Mot because he is good but because he has had coaching and experience he seems happy to deny her of.
I always feel like someone just gives her the notes to read in the car/helicopter on the way to the event, and that’s the extent of her preparation. How insulting.
It always surprises me that these people, who literally make speeches as their job, have to look constantly down at their notes as if it’s a 3rd grade book report in front of the class. WTF is that? You’re not reading the Ulysses for crying out loud. It’s just bloody words.
Imagine Kate doing a PowerPoint presentation? Between the screen, her notes, pointing at screen, her hair flying around, her nerves etc she may have a dizzy spell and fall off the stage.
Would love to see that, the great grinning dimwit.
Citresse, you are on top of it today! Thanks for the laugh!
The young student (20) we currently have at the office makes better speeches and presentations than this almost middle aged woman. Content was interesting but her mannerisms and lack of eye contact are too distracting.
Kate and Wills are just not Queen/King material.
Is her tan streaky on her legs or is that just me?
Spare us all the crap about how overwhelming parenting can be please. It definitely is, but think about all the help she has and all the people who can give her advice and take the load off. Parenting can be a lonely affair, especially if you are a single parent. Everything isn’t always down to her. If she doesn’t feel like reading George a bedtime story, she can get someone else to do it. Anyway, she works very little and she has lots of time. She will probably be making the same speech down the road when her kids are in boarding school, and looking for sympathy.
I had a peak the other day at a documentary on you tube entitled Williams Women. Although made when Kate had just surfaced on the scene I have to say she did very well to catch Wills, he seemed to have a lot of female interest from the aristocratic ladies, so Kate probably had to polish herself to keep him keen, I would hasten to say, either with accent, carriage, keeping fit, manners etc etc she really is quite the little aristocratic package.
This is not the accent of the aristocratic crowd. It is the fake posh accent she’s put on for years, clearly fake as no one else in her family has this silly accent.
i agree maybe she is trying too hard. Actually interesting note, I wonder if the Willie weekend in Verbier has shaken her up, that little princess girly image has disappeared. Note when she talks about the sad events, it could be the Queen.
I honestly can’t see any wiglet and there are ways to make your hair without a wig. But I might be blind.
Is she going for a RP accent? Is that what you mean by “posh”?
I like the suit but it’s a bit tiny for her frame. She’s stick thin and it looks like it’s going to explode at any moment. Sometimes I feel she’s cosplaying The Nanny. Amal Clooney does it too.
Daily Mail has this photo that seems to have no photoshopping. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/23/16/3E8F9A3500000578-4341580-image-a-29_1490287646717.jpg
HOly shoot. Those cat’s bum mouth lines…
She looks like she’s in her 40’s in that pick … and not 40’s in a good way …
Hey guys, honest question: how do you see it is a wiglet? I am curious. Keep staring at the photo and don’t see it. But probably don’t know what signs to look for
It’s the top of her head. If you look at the third photo down it’s more obvious. Look at her hair part and where it ends.
Kate is a fragile, over-groomed, over-dressed trembling mess. She is an amazing example of incongruous marketing. She hopes her words will make her relate-able but her message is lost in her precious clothes, stilettos, 2-hour-blow-out-hair and mannerisms.
You nailed it!
The suit looks really good on her, though I liked it better with the black accessories last time she wore it.
I liked her speech. It’s very honest, and I wonder if she also had some issues with PPD after her pregnancies. Mothering is really hard, especially when you have a spitfire (my younger is one, and I strongly suspect George is too.)
Her tremulousness is nothing new – I think she has a public speaking phobia and works pretty hard to power through it. But why give her credit for that when you can nitpick her to death about her imperfections and then turn around and slam her for trying to act perfect.
Come off it. With the nannies and queen Carole, how much “mothering” do you think Keen Katie does?
I think she’s probably pretty hands on. Yes, she’s got a nanny, and yes her mother is around but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t take care of her children.
And I actually think her public speaking has improved. She’s no pro, but it’s much better than her earlier speeches.
Diana had a fear of public speaking. She worked hard at it and improved in a handful of years. Kate Middleton is 6 years in to this job and I see no improvement, because improvement would require 1) admitting she’s bad at it and 2) working to improve.
Bad at it is being kind, mumbling words, stopping at the wrong place, no feeling, no meaning.
All the gravitas of a peg dolly. And that suit looks like it’s made from a giant roll of J-Cloth.
It really bugs me that Kate always has to show off how thin she is. Pretty much every tight, pinched-looking outfit she wears is designed to draw attention to her skinny arms, skinny waist and skinny legs. She’d never wear anything not ultra-form-fitting, and it’s depressing because it suggests to me that she has no sense of self-worth beyond her looks, her figure. You just know she’s the sort of person who would always have to show up at Halloween parties as a Hot Nympho Kitten Witch because she couldn’t handle, even for one night, shrouding what she sees as classic signifiers of sexual attractiveness.
I want to say to her: you’re a grown ass woman, a mother of two, embedded in a life of extraordinary wealth and privilege. Own it. Show some confidence, some poise, some panache! But it seems she really can’t. I mean, she’s had, what, 5, 6, years in which to learn to grow in stature, with every possible kind of help at her disposal? Her public speaking is a disaster – gauche, timorous, palpably reluctant.
On the one hand, I find it infuriating because the perks of her position go hand in hand with responsibilities which I would also consider a privilege i.e. being a powerful spokesperson. And she shrinks from that power over and over again. On the other hand, she’s shackled to the ludicrous talking pommel horse that is William, and god knows what her life is like behind the scenes.
+1,000,000
It’s like she’s play-acting at, not only at being a Royal, but being a well-adjusted, caring human being. And she’s failing as she has, like you said, no gravitas. She reeks of not wanting to being there, being forced to be there and would rather be at home on-line shopping with her FIL’s black AMEX for company while her staff takes care of the house and kids because she can’t handle the stress of it all.
@callmeishmael—“gauche, timorous, palpably reluctant”—yes that’s brilliant.
Kate gets the biggest strokes from the press and her fans for being skinny with a huge mane of flying hair. She clearly clings to those things very tightly.
The lack of progress on her public speaking and presentation skills is very damning to me. It shows someone who is not trying. It’s been almost six years since she became D of C.
I like to follow the public appearances of Queen Maxima as a corrective to Kate because she is someone with actual substance who has matured in her role.
Terrorist attack in London and this vapid wooden performance is presented to us, her words were uninspiring and devoid of any feeling or warmth. Where are the RF? Why are they not visiting the relatives of the murdered , comforting the wounded, praising the public services and rallying the nation ? Perhaps they’re all dad dancing in Verbier.
Richard Palmer sucking up, describing this as a “brave and meaty speech”.
Does anyone really need the Duchess giving a speech about the rigours of parenting? Really? she is no role model for young women.
More banalities from Katie Keen i wish she would find some other cause to be keen about as she always comes across as patronising when she talks about parenting. However motherhood is her only accomplishment other than landing the dubious prize that is William so i doubt she is remotely interested in anything else.
The suit looks ill-fitting and crushed from sitting in the car. I didnt think the shoes matched it very well. The DM comments were not very complimentary and the paper seemed to pick the most unflattering pictures to publish. Knives are still out for the Keenbridges at least until the next photo of G&C is released.
her public speaking is interesting, many years ago I had to attend a day course on public speaking through work (just a work related thingy, one of those one off things that the boss thought was a good idea) at the time. Anyway unless it’s all changed, the tutors main pointers were to hold your head up, stand straight, pause between sentences, and if your opening speech is very important you should really try and learn it by heart. The first sentence learnt off by heart to make impact as you look at the whole audience saying it sincerely and meaning full. I don’t think she holds her head up enough and she isnt learning the speech as much as possible.