The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s recent whirlwind schedule of public appearances can be interpreted a few different ways. One theory is that they knew Harry was going to get a lot of attention, and they didn’t want to be forgotten and ignored. Another theory is that Will and Kate always tend to “step up” towards the end of any given year, as part of a last-ditch effort to improve their “numbers” for all of the reporting about which royal figures work the hardest. A third theory involves Kate merely making up for various events which she had to cancel after she became pregnant. That theory explains some (but not all) of her appearances in the past two weeks.
In any case, Kate seems to be feeling better now, but I guess she’s still not well enough to travel, because William headed off to Finland yesterday for his whirlwind two-day trip. Originally, they were supposed to go together, but then it changed to just William. I suspect there was a concern about George and his school schedule too – Kate probably didn’t want to be out of the country, lest she miss the drop-off and pick-up. In any case, while William is away, Kate’s mother is apparently staying with her at Kensington Palace. They were seen leaving KP together yesterday – go here to see photos.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been enjoying some mother-daughter bonding time with her mum Carole Middleton, while her husband Prince William is abroad. Kate, 35, and Carole, 62, were pictured leaving Kensington Palace in a car on Wednesday afternoon, with Kate behind the wheel. The pregnant royal, who is expecting her third baby with William, wrapped up in a tweed coat while mum Carole wore a fur-trimmed jacket.
It’s not known where the pair were heading to, but the outing came just hours after Kate visited a primary school in London. The Duchess spent a couple of hours with children and teachers at Robin Hood Primary School, where she learnt about their gardening campaign. Kate, dressed down in jeans, a jumper and a wax jacket, helped the young boys and girls plant winter bulbs and gave a speech, touching on her own childhood.
My guess is that Carole and Kate were headed out for some shopping. Kate does that a lot when she has a morning event – she’ll spend an hour (or less) at a morning event, then she needs some retail therapy. I remember a time when Kate would just pack up and go to her parents’ house in Bucklebury whenever William was away! I guess she didn’t do that because of George’s schedule now too.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
“mother – daughter bonding time” lol.
They bond together all time. I guess that Diana’s tragic relationship with her blood family as well as with the royals had a strong impact on both William and Kate. If I think about it both situations are tragic. First, because Diana suffered so much from such an early age. Abandonment and emotional cruelty. Yes, I know that the mother had lost custody and that was a tragedy in itself. But Diana couldn’t count on her father and siblings either. Yet she did so much for the British people and worthy causes worldwide.
On the other hand Kate’s dependency on her family is outrageous. Family comes always first. No shade but thinking of all those people that work outside their countries with no family with them, those who live in the same country but work long days and see their families for a few hours at most while also handling chores, care for ailing children or parents. I think she should have gone to Finland but the exposure was too big. Less chance of mistakes on a foreign tour. And what could she have contributed? A waive and a flick of a hair. Now WK score twice: he as future King abroad, she with the home constituency organizations. Which she should visit weekly.
Since when is depending on your family outrageous? People have been doing it for thousands of years.
@Megan – I am only talking from my life experience. I’ve lived in a handful of places. I had to struggle in making friends and having relationships that were meaningful. And I am not the only one who’s lived like that. I am in a very good place now and believe me, I am grateful for all the shitty and more than shitty times. I still talk to my family almost every day. I am critical of Kate because she does so little while focused so much on her family when she’s never actually worked and because she lives permanently in that comfort and privilege zone. That’s what bothers me. I hear of children being carers for their parents, in the UK for example. People that have super hard times and no support whatsoever yet they work and take care of themselves and family members. I am outraged and I want to express my outrage.
Being part of a close family unit is not a problem. Being part of a co-dependent, hyper-insular family unit where none of the three adult children are capable of functioning like adults *is* a problem.
I don’t think that depending on her family is bad. And I think it might be nice for William to have access to another mother figure. However, Kate does seem a lot less independent from her mom than most married, mid-30s, mothers of two.
@ Megan, +1 probably enjoys talking to her mum more than just to courtiers who may well look down on her.
I am just jumping in to say that most people have co-workers looking down at them yet they have to withstand the pressure (sometimes get ill because of the stress) but they keep working to put food on the table. And respect is earned through hard work. Not all will appreciate it because bullying at workplace is a very sad reality. But that is not an excuse for laziness. Not in my book.
Kate is not worthy of respect and I wouldn’t be surprised of courtiers looked down on her. She’s never proved she’s competent in any field. Her degree does not matter because she’s never used it. She left her Jigsaw job after a few months and she’s received criticisms about her lack of attendance. A job given to her by family friends. I’ve recently seen again the engagement interview and her “references” were her family. She’s worked hard in her family’s business and pulled her weight. Nothing that she can be accountable for. Family will always speak nicely of her. No objectivity whatsoever.
There are other things I fault Kate for, but her relationship with her family is not one of them. I think it’s a good possibility that she and her mother really just enjoy each other’s company. My mom and I are like that. We talk every day and have lunch several times a week and I never get tired of her. On the other hand, she and my sister have a loving relationship, but are not friends that way that we are. Different personalities and all that. If I was in an isolating environment with hardly any friends (like I think Kate is in), I’m sure I would become even closer with my mom.
Of course they did, spending their hard earned tax payers money. I wouldn’t be surprised if Carole had a Granny suite at KP – she practically lived at Amner Hall.
She didn’t live in norfolk. They also could have gone to pick george up from school
The Middleton’s have an apartment a mile from KP. No excuse for Carole to stay at KP, if in fact she ever does.
I thought they sold that – wasn’t that the one that Kate and Pippa lived in off Kings Road?
I thought Lord of the Marshmallow James was still in it.
I think you are on the money. Doesn’t want to leave George and let’s be honest, two day public events are draining when pregnant. I just wish she would put more effort when she wasn’t beating the royal linage.
Maybe Kate and Ma Middleton are helping each other get through Harry’s engagement. 😉
Probably plotting together re: the Royal engagement haha!!! Also, appearing at two events while pregnant might be tiring, but think of all the women who work full time up until the delivery date. I took the metro to my job in DC when I was pregnant with my 9.11 pound son and more often than not people wouldn’t offer me their seat so I had to stand. My sister in law also works in DC and while she was visibly pregnant a man stole the seat another passenger offered her. The man who stole the seat just laughed at her!! Oh Kate, you wouldn’t make it in the real world!!
Spot on @Zombie! And belated virtual hugs to both sisters 🙂
LOL at ‘beating the royal lineage.’
It’s on the court circular that Kate hosted a meeting at KP yesterday afternoon too.
They know they can’t keep up the same schedule that they used to. I see no scenario where Meghan and Harry are ever called “workshy.” You don’t work your whole life like Meghan and then just lounge.
There are many women who work and build careers then get get married and become Housewives, so yes Meghan may just lounge after getting married. She was an actress and she has given that up.
I HOPE The Middletons ,Carole, Mike, James are NOT invited to Meghan and Harry’s wedding . Well I hope only Pippa gets invited only to the Reception, like she did Meghan. .
I’m so tired of seeing them splattered over everything, royal news. They are William’s pushy go to family I hope Harry keeps them out of his business, out of his life as much as he can.
I liked during the engagement interview when Meghan said she met the Spencers, Harry’s mother’s family and the Windsors and they were all lovely to her.
I hope so too. Maybe Harry has finally realized how much Dolittle and Cannot use him to leech off any public goodwill they can while still throwing him under the bus when bringing up youthful indiscretions. I hope him and Meghan are totally happy and do their own thing with as little Windsor/ Cambridge/ Middleton interference as possible. They deserve every chance at a happy future without being sucked into everyone else’s dramas.
I suspect that the whole lot will be invited – Pippa yes to recipocate her wedding invitation but am sure a request will be made to invite the est of that family.
I think so too. Mainly because he doesn’t want bad PR that Meghan is battling Kate’s family. They’ll all be there. He was at Pippa’s wedding, and she was at the reception with him.
I think that’s how Harry and Meghan ended up at that wedding. Middletons playing the long game and wanting an invite to the next royal wedding. No history of Harry and Pippa spending time together, so his attendance at that wedding was head scratching.