No surprise, People Magazine did another Meghan Markle cover. I’m wondering how these Meg covers are selling, and whether Americans are more interested in the sugary coverage of Meghan, while British gossip-readers are more interested in the shady gossip, like the stuff about Meghan’s family? I don’t know. I keep thinking that the British papers will start treating Meghan a bit better once she gets married and has a title. They might also start treating her better when she really does “hit the ground running” like duchesses before her have promised to do.
Sure, there’s a wedding to plan. But Meghan Markle is also in training for a whole new life. And she’s doing it faster than any royal bride before her.
“Meghan has been regularly making private visits to organizations as she gets to know the U.K. charity sector,” a palace source tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.
“She’s on a very busy schedule behind the scenes,” says the source. “She has her wedding preparation and is meeting a number of people all the time — from Harry’s charities, staff at the household and the Royal Foundation.” (The foundation oversees the charity work done by William, Harry, Kate and now Meghan.)
Supported by new palace aide Amy Pickerill, Meghan has been touring the U.K. with Harry. “She’s got good causes in her heart too,” says one of his friends. “They had done similar things in their [individual] charity work, and he’s really interested in following her lead.”
“She wants to make a difference, and she will make a difference,” says Lorraine Heggessey, CEO of the Royal Foundation.
We’ve heard the “private meetings” line so many times from the Duchess of Cambridge’s people, I think we’re already primed to disbelieve it, because in the rare times we are able to track Kate’s movements, she’s already proven that she needs hours of shopping to make up for one hour of “work.” With Meghan, I’m hoping that it’s different. I’m hoping that in Meghan’s first year of duchessing, she signs on to be a patron of many different kinds of charities. We’ll see.
Also: I kept meaning to write about this but I never got the chance: William and Harry really do have no interest in working on their father’s signature charity, The Prince’s Trust. Charles had hopes that at least one of them would join the board or help him run it, but in a concession to their ambivalence, Charles has appointed his cousin David, the Earl of Snowden, to be his “number two” at the Trust. The Daily Mail said that Charles “didn’t ask” William or Harry to take the position because they’re soooo busy with their own Royal Foundation. Bullsh-t on that. How about this: Meghan starts doing work with the Prince’s Trust? How great would that be? It would be up her alley too – The Prince’s Trust gives scholarships to creative-arts students.
Cover courtesy of People, additional photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.
Just reading about her schedule makes me more convinced that Pippa’s got the best deal of them all.
She’s got the money, the status and no obligations, so, yes 😂
Pippa also doesn’t have 24/7 scrutiny and criticism of her every move, which to me is the worst. Think how awful it would be to have no privacy out in the world at all, and the press’s sharp knives always at the ready; I’d honestly hate it.
But DOES Pippa REALLY have the money? It could be all smoke and mirrors, time will tell.
How is James Matthews’ money smoke and mirrors? He runs a hedge fund. It controls over $1 billion in assets. Not every year is a winner, but I’d hardly describe their wealth as fake.
Comment by Martha M., “So that Pippa woman’s bloke is a hedge fund manager? It’s a pity I’ve already got a nice hedge in my front garden, which I funded and manage myself, but if I decide to grow another one round the back I now know who to approach. I wonder if he does topiary too?”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3700415/Mr-Pippa-s-hedge-fund-City-scandals-James-Matthews-firm-admits-losing-thousands-bankers-shut-facing-lawsuit-US.html#ixzz59laQIFC3
Too right…Pippa has all but disappeared from the tabloids and seems to be enjoying her married life in private.
The family Pippa married into a family that actively remove their media / internet footprint unless it is absolutely necessary. It was fascinating to watch it in action during Pippa’s wedding because pictures / references were removed from the photo agencies and online media articles almost as soon as they’d been posted.
Prior to the wedding, the DM wrote articles about the wider Mathews clan and by the end of the day, if not within hours, the articles had been removed.
It’s curious because Spencer Mathews is as public as they come, but i guess they’ve accepted his need for fame as long as they are kept out of it.
I suspect Pippa thought she would continue her fame thirsty ways after the wedding. Hiring a publicist for the wedding and honeymoon implied that was the goal, but i suspect she was indulged, and then shutdown completely like rest of family.
On the rare occasions that she is papped these days, she doesn’t look camera ready like the pre-wedding days.
Pippa TOTALLY has the best deal out of all of them. I wonder why Kate didn’t go this route. I also wonder if she’s a bit jealous of Pippa, now that she’s actually seen what her life as a Royal is like (i.e., that she’s expected to work, and people actually pay attention to how much she works per year). I think she would be a lot happier right now ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I’m much more inclined to believe that Meghan actually is doing more behind the scenes.
@ Lak…I wonder why 😎
Meg’s resting ‘smize’ is much more accomplished than Kate’s RBF.
I still keep wondering if MM got makeup on the white beret.
Lol. I imagine you with a magnifying glass zooming in and out to see.
Nah, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Actually, Magnolia, you would know…..how do you keep a beret like that on the head? Do you know?
I meant it as a joke because it made me laugh yesterday. 🙁
I don’t wear much white anymore because of little hands and paws unless it is a grubby t-shirt or a robe.
@ Bella Dupont : I assume that she used hair pins to keep it in place. Some of the smaller, flimsier hats need some anchoring or they will fall off.
Bella Dupont: Fascinators have an internal alice band. The band is usually hidden by the hair.
@Magnolia I can’t wait until my kids are older so I can start wearing white/ivory again without being constantly stressed out about it getting trashed. Still have the dogs to contend with but they can’t reach my shirts! 😉
@Lak
Aaah….that makes sense …..it being a fascinator as opposed to a traditional beret…..I used to love wear the full sized berets but could never work out how to make them take this miniaturized style and shape (pancake) since they never have any sort of anchoring mechanism within the band…..if that makes sense….
Chuurs, that helps actually. 😉
@ StillSarah
I did think of using pins, but the problem is that you’d have to completely ruin the beret by making holes to accommodate the pins….or at least, that’s the only way I could think of it working.
BellaDupont: Here is a visual of fascinator showing the band.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/38/cb/d8/38cbd878b3cad7d4dc3266ab88d9ba48.jpg
Sometimes it’s an elastic band and comb holding it in place as this image shows
https://www.milanoimai.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fascinator-Elastic.jpg
https://cdn.notonthehighstreet.com/fs/f9/82/1b11-69e8-406f-afa3-ec938f29a395/original_simple-vintage-inspried-veiled-fascinator.jpg
http://rubinamillinery.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/how-to-fix-a-fascinator-C.jpg
@Bella DuPont
You can quick sew an elastic band or ribbon on inside to stick bobby pins through. Make sure to leave gaps that a pin can slip through and get a good grip. Or you can buy them with little holes for the pins. My girls wear theirs pushed back on their heads or with pins. My son likes to copy them, so he just sticks it on and lets it get stuck in his curls.
Also, find a brand that fits your head. Some of them are huge, and some are tighter.
Oh, and if you can find mini bobby pins they are great for this.
Thanks Lak……the red Rubina fascinator has exactly the sort of solution I was hoping for. 😉
@ Magnolia:
I wish I could see a picture of your son in his fascinator/beret ……they are so incredibly cute before they get all macho and self conscious! 😀
@Bella DuPont
It is adorable. He is a happy, cheerful little boy and a free spirit. I hope he never loses that. We want to encourage him to have the confidence to be himself and true to his individuality and not conform to expectations when he doesn’t want to do so.
Uhhh… what a strange question.
It’s not a question.
I know I couldn’t wear a white beret for that reason.
Nor me, minx, but then, I just cannot wear hats of any description. They just do not suit me, and I look and feel incredibly awkward. Since my sisters, daughter and best friend all look fantastic in any kind of hat, it still really pisses me off that I cannot pull it off like them. Meghan’s beret looks like a lump of f dough has been plonked on her head, and still is 100% better than how I’d look.
I still think MM is really going to earn her keep, and will eventually win over a lot of her naysayers.
I think it’s a totally valid question…!
I recently read a book on how to look like a millionaire without actually being one (for……. reasons) and, according to the book, the ultimate way to communicate wealth and status—should you be planning a trip to the Hamptons and want to look the part—is to wear SOLID WHITE.
White is so much more difficult to keep crisp and sure and unyellowed (and unsoiled!), compared to safe, sturdy black. It’s also so tough to match. It has to be that same bright, angelic, almost radioactive white. And at a certain point, you have to toss your white clothing out, just because it ages so quickly.
So “white” communicates “I have my own money to throw around, I have my own disposable income.” Dressing Markle like this sends a clear message to naysayers: She’s no imposter. Her claim has already been staked; she’s already a Royal, so all the skeptics and bigots can just buzz off already.
So, yes, “God, how do you keep that coat and hat CLEAN?” *is* the question you’re meant to ask. White is luxe. Colors and prints are for harried working moms, auto mechanics, and even soft-handed tech workers and CEOs. You know, “the rest of us.”
Not too long ago I walked past a guy in the airport who looked like he might be a hip-hop musician, and he was fresh to death, in his white running pants and jacket and white leather running shoes. It’s a great look if you can pull it off. My first thought was “he must be flying First Class!” and my next thought was “or he sure knows how to look the part.” Looking the part is crucial in determining how you want to be treated, and I believe that whomever styled Markle in this dazzling day outfit—right up to the ludicrous beret—did right by her.
LOL! Now I’m wondering if there was a perfectly shaped quarter-moon of non-makeup skin when took off the beret.
Enter Fenty Beauty IG 😀
Fenty already got my money last week. Please don’t let them get me again!
Probably true. Meghan is used to working. She would get bored just sitting around.
I would not take as gospel anything written in the People would you? Pure speculation like most of what is written about M.
I would. I couldn’t sit around all day in those drafty palaces. Most of those houses are cool for history but unless the family was able to maintain them and modernize they aren’t comfortable. I would be hitting the sherry by noon.
Though if the Devonshires felt the need to say dump Chatsworth on me I wouldn’t refuse. lol
I can believe this as Harry is known to do a lot of work that never makes it into the press and the court circular. He does a lot on the down low to avoid making big brother and his stepford look worse than they already do. So am not surprised she is following that lead.
I think part of the issue with the U.K. press being negative toward her is that they have basically been putting Harry down to big up Willy boy for years. Plus that combined with how the Cambridge’s like to sue the press if they dare write anything negative about them. I always recall a story about how William cornered a royal reporter (can’t remeber who is what and what rag they worked for, it might have been Katie Nichols from the Fail) and demanded that they stop writing bad things about Katie Keen/her family and to leave them alone. Guess he missed the memo about the Mids tipping the press off, something that the paps have written about.
Wrong spot.
Known by whom?
Lol glamping in Africa isn’t exactly sneaking in charity work. I’m convinced it’s Meghan who will show Harry how to finally walk the walk.
For goodness sake, he doesn’t go glamping in Africa , he spent July 2016 helping others In the largest relocation of elephants and wildlife ever.
That’s what people behind the scenes have said, including those with little to gain like attendees of Invictus. He puts in time behind the scenes which isn’t counted.
The heir vs. spare treatment will continue in the press and is already including Meghan.
@nota, that’s my feedback too from people who are British, live in the UK and work closely with his charity areas.
How would people attending invictus have a clue as to what Harry’s actually doing every day? I highly doubt they have access to his schedule. And where are all these people making these remarks? Sorry I just don’t buy that Harry is putting in the hard yards. Absolutely no evidence.
You mean the people who attend the meetings, the phone meetings, and talk about how engaged and involved he is? Like the person who admitted Harry was driving him crazy calling him from either deployment or Lesotho to keep giving input and stay on top of the Chelsea Gardens for WWTW and Sentebale.
I do think he genuinely cares about Invictus and Sentebale, and that he puts in more hours overall than William.
However, I don’t understand how neither one of them was given the Prince’s Trust, end of. Why is Charles such a pushover? It really should have been William’s responsibility, since he will be the POW, correct? I kind of understand Charles walking on eggshells around William in order to maintain access to his grandchildren, since William does seem petty enough to use them as leverage.
But this has now reached a ridiculous point, where Charles has two sons but he had to give the job to David? Wtf? Why do William and Harry both seem to think their duties are optional?
I wonder if Charles will crack down once the Queen passes away?
Hopefully LAK, Nota, and others will have some insight because it seems to me that this would be something of a “last straw” for Charles.
Lorelai: afew years ago, Charles publicly complained about the fact that WH had turned down the Princes Trust. That appears to have been the extent of his displeasure and David together with other trusted aides eg Michael Fawcett have proven to be the solution to what to do with The Princes Trust.
As for William and his poor showing on all fronts, once in awhile insiders will bitch about him on twitter. According to them, It’s accepted at this point that William is William and neither Charles nor the Queen can deal with him nor do they want to do so.
There is absolutely no evidence that William and Harry want nothing to do with the Princes Trust. There is no way that Linley Snowdon will take on the whole thing when Charles has to take over most of the Queen’s work. Linley is a very busy man with a big business, and has become involved because he has real creative and business know how, unlike W and H, and can therefore really give meaningful input to the Princes Charities which are largely about helping young people to take up business initiatives and such.
@Lak, @nota mentioned that Harry is justified in not taking over full responsibility of PT because that should be the heir not the spare responsibility. If that is Harry’s view, I believe he is validated. He is not the heir, he does whatever share he needs to do due to his relationship with his father, the rest is up to William to get off his butt and pull up his socks and take on his responsibilities as THE heir, wouldn’t you agree?
The Princes Trust is very much associated with Charles – its his big passion project that he started when he left the navy in his 20s. I can understand that they have their own interests and that they want to make their own successful endeavours. You know I think that while Chuck is disappointed that they don’t really want to take it over he should also be proud that Harry at least has shown he has the same passion and commitment to helping others (Invictus Games/Sentebale) that Charles showed when he created PT. That’s a good legacy in itself.
ITA that Chuck will wait until TQ passes before doing something about William. Chuck is playing the long game with the DoLittles, he’s certainly given them the rope to hang themselves with.
My feeling is that William wants to walk away but is waiting until he becomes PoW and has his hands on the Duchy millions, which he will fleece for all he can get.
I don’t think William or Harry should feel responsible for the Prince’s trust – just like I don’t think Will or Harry’s offspring should feel duty bound to carry on with the Royal Foundation or Sentabale.
William and Harry will benefit financially no matter what they do. Why do you think Andrew was livid about his daughters being cut from public duty?
Known by who, exactly? Commentators on here? I’ve never seen any evidence or legitimate reportage of all this supposed extra charity work Harry does and isn’t credited for.
A you’re blaming his brother for his lack of work ethic? Okay.
I have never seen any proof of all the supposed work Unemployed HArry does behind the scenes – I actually believe this more of Meghan cause I imagine the schedule of the young royals will drive her batty. She is used to being busy and none of them are.
I still don’t believe she will be allowed to do any more than Kate does. And I think People isn’t doing her any favors with her new countrymen- do most Brit’s WANT an American actress to “change the royal family”? It seems like those who still support the Royal family are the most conservative members of the country and would resent the implication that the Queen needs “changing.”
Harry’s co-workers, from the diana concert to army to WWTW to Help for Heroes to Sentabale to the Chelsea Flower show to IG to the Nepal project to Duchy business etc have publicly spoken about his involvement. Not just the front photo op things, but behind the scenes work he does.
That said, it was obvious that he didn’t do much work in the past year and he admitted in his engagement interview that he was spending 4days -a week every fortnight wooing MM.
LOL@ Lak “he was spending 4days -a week every fortnight wooing MM”, funny. But, correct me if Im wrong, didn’t the 2017 tally that was put out at the end of the year show Harry’s numbers higher that both Wills and Kate’s?
Please don’t worry about Meghan I am sure she is not putting her feet up, she has a lot to do learning how to be a princess and planning her wedding, preparing for visits to different places around the country, trying to pull together a suitable wardrobe to wear to these functions without a proper wardrobe allowance. She must also be learning about the finances, because a lot of money is being spent already and she must be involved in how the bills are being paid and how much Harry has coming in and going out.
Plus she has taken charge of NottCott, which probably has a housekeeper/cleaner/odd job person. But I bet she is in charge of maintaining this listed building, organising food and cooking etc. She has to take care of her beauty regime too because of all those cameras zooming in showing every pore on her face. Meghan is certainly not twiddling her thumbs, the guest list and arranging accommodation for her family and friends must be taxing too, because everything has to be done secretly and mindful of security considerations.
Masamf: if you take out the IG events, his numbers are very low. For the first time this year his IG work was included so if you take out a big chunk of work for IG in September (or July/ August if we are being generous), he didn’t do much work between September 2016 – June 2017 to the point it was noticeable.
@Lak, that makes sense. Maybe that was the reason a decision was made to include IG this year! And so far, his numbers are incredibly low for Jan-March but that could be because of the wedding planning and preparations etc and, sort of taking time off to help his wife’s transition/assimilation into the BRF. Maybe he’ll pick up post wedding and honeymoon. Hopefully Meghan’s work ethic continues not only with her but also rubs off onto Harry.
Masamf: Harry was always working even if his work wasn’t being included in the CC. Lots of quiet visits usually mentioned on twitter by members of the public, but last year, there was very little of that. In a way i was relieved that he admitted he was spending so much time with MM because at least that explains that he didn’t just morph into a slacker like his brother. Or if he did, there was a reasonable explanation for it.
Now that it is settled or settling, i hope he goes back to work rather than more of the same because then i will be really disappointed as i have always felt like he made such a huge effort to turn things round after his Vegas calamity.
@Digital Unicorn – Such royal fan fiction. You put the Daily Mail to shame.
Digital, what’s the latest with the lawsuit over the topless pics of the flashing duchess?
Justbitchy: WK won. Damages were €100,000
If I’m remembering correctly, the law firm that represents the BRF does not charge for their services. I wonder who received the money or where it was donated
Which is no deterrent at all, given they were asking for over a million.
William, Kate and Harry have played the press for years and IF there are reservations about Meghan’s alleged secret visits, it is entirely because the trio – and especially William and Kate – have been caught lying or doing very little for far too long. It’s like the ‘boy who cried wolf’ story; after a while you don’t believe anything they say. These days the trio use PR to spin a whole of stuff to give the illusion that they are engaged, caring etc in order to entrench their privilege. The charity ‘work’ is not hands-on work but more a self-serving Windsor PR exercise, with people and charities as props.
That William and Harry have declined to take over the Prince’s Trust comes as no surprise; William has demonstrated no staying power in anything he professes to want to do (military, EAAA); Harry has drifted into self-indulgence since leaving the army. But still, the PR persists to protect the monarchy’s value to the nation without being questioned… Meghan certainly has influence over Harry at this point, but his entitled temperament and William’s influence will be hard to shift into sustained work of value when the work model devised by them is more illusory than tangible. So far, Meghan appears to be fitting in to what is expected in every way. It is feasible to assume that she will embrace their way of doing things because, quite frankly, they have a team to spin the hard-at-work story without needing to provide any proof of it. Throw in travelling the Commonwealth, being feted, but not really having to deliver might be what Meghan enjoys too. Like attracts like.
Don’t say this stuff!!! Meghan is going to change the royal family!! Work more than anyone else, defying all of the Lazies in the family. Even though we have seen zero evidence of any of that so far.
I think people who have invested in her so emotionally will be disappointed. I still can’t see why she was interested in Unemployed Harry except for what he could offer her.
yea. @addie what you wrote makes a lot of sense.
Oh, Veronica, I understand why folk do invest so emotionally in Meghan. When a WoC ascends to the pinnacle of white society (even to a batsh*t crazy family) of course she carries the hopes and aspirations of others too – not to be a princess, but to be seen and valued and respected for just being, before even getting to other abilities. Like you, I can’t see a great match; I genuinely hope both are moving ahead for the right reasons. Time will tell.
@ Addie. Your last comment is very accurate but it also speaks to the low self-esteem some woc have. Why does a woc need to be accepted into British/White high society for another woc to feel valued and respected? Why aren’t they already feeling valued and respected?
The Prince’s Trust is the Prince of Wales Trust, complete with POW feathers as the emblem. It is not Harry’s job to take over the duties of the Prince of Wales – that is William’s job and only William’s job.
William is set to inherit all of the private property (Balmoral, Sandringham) without paying a penny in inheritance tax. What goes with that is the responsibility of being (potential) future king and taking over the responsibilities and work of the Prince of Wales and the Duchy of Cornwall.
I think Meghan might get involved in it, they do a lot for the arts and supporting young people.
But yeah William won’t take it over then he becomes PoW, I suspect Charles will hand it over completely to his cousin when he becomes King. It’s long been reported that Edward will take over the DoE award scheme when his father passes, he’s already heavily involved in it.
It will certainly be very unlikely that it will be handed to his cousin, unless that ones own business is going belly up.
Rapunzel, from what we’ve seen already? No, I don’t expect William to step up. He failed to complete two custom land management courses, when he is supposed to oversee The Duchy, Sandringham, and Balmoral in the future. Harry is the one who has been seen visiting and working with Duchy properties in Romania, when that is also William’s job.
Bottom line, this isn’t Harry’s responsibility and IMO he shouldn’t be criticised for not taking up The Prince’s Trust or any other POW or Duchy duties. He isn’t the future POW so it is not his job (nor Meghan’s).
William will inherit hundreds of millions in property and investments – private ones – without paying any tax. He is responsible for taking on the duties associated with the public role that hands him so much private wealth.
1. Please provide evidence of the real reason why William did not complete those courses, things are not always as they appear.
2. Harry will be very well taken care of, Charles and the Queen will make sure of that.
How do we know that William failed these courses?
Nota- do you think William will step up to the Prince’s Trust once he officially becomes POW? Or will he still say no?
These are my thoughts exactly! Why on earth should Harry be expected to step up and do this when this job is not to fall to him? What a weird thing to expect. It’s not like he hasn’t kept busy with Invictus and Sentebale and from the commenters I hear that he does a lot (however you want to quantify that, he’s doing more than the heir) of non-promoted visits and things. Harry is doing pretty much what the spare is expected to do. The heir ain’t.
I wouldn’t do it. I love my siblings, but I wouldn’t take living with less and do more so he can galavant around flying on the Duke of Westminster’s private plane under the radar. No way. I presume he is still given access to it by the younger DoW.
Only to get thrown under the bus harshly when the older brother is doing worse. No.
Billy needs to grow up and step up or take a drastic pay cut.
I’m confused. Why is it any of their responsibility? This isn’t a tradition (for lack of a better word) that’s been continuously passed down to the heir. This was Charles’ passion. Why would either of them have to the over instead being able to create their own as well? William definitely seems like he has the time and no inclination to start his own, but what if he had created the Invictus Games and Sentebale? Would it still be his responsibility? Or is it more of a principle thing since his workload is so minimal? Honest question here. Don’t understand how the passing of responsibility works.
Stephanie: I think there is a view that since Charles has created an organisation so strongly tied to the POW title, a brand so to speak, it would be nice (for Charles) if the next POW took its stewardship. It’s the same scenerio with DoE scheme. Edward has taken over its stewardship from Philip as he is expected to be the next DoE.
In reality, I think The Prince’s Trust is so well administered that it will survive Charles moving on.
As for William, I think everyone (the royals and public alike) is always playing the game of what to do about William and suggestions made about what he could be given to do with his time. Courses are arranged, holi-tours are arranged, joint engagements are arranged, little brother is co-opted and still we always have the problem of what to do about William because he has not shown any inclination to self motivate himself to do anything and doesn’t appear to have any passions or curiosity to inspire him.
@nota If Charles wanted William and Harry to take over his foundation, he should not have endowed a second foundation in their names.
I’m not sure I agree with this. Yes, it’s Charles’ trust….HIS charity that HE created. It’s not as if it is a long-standing duty of a PoW. I suspect these charities that William and Harry are starting might face a similar situation in the future if/when George, etc don’t feel a particular passion for them. It sounds like Charles has good people working with him on the Trust who will be able to pick up the slack when other duties pull him away. And if it really bothers people, at some point I am sure they can change the name of the Trust so that it is not so exclusively associated with the Prince of Wales.
Not surprising at all. Meghan has supported herself for years, unlike some (cough cough Kate) others.
Never understood this “she lived off of her parents “ thing. She was lucky ( like others few ) to be born to parents who make good money and like to spend it on their family. I say it’s better than spend it on a number of other people and things. They also got a pretty good return on it too. So, sh did not want to work and she could afford it.
It’s just weird in this day and age for a healthy woman to not do anything while waiting on a marriage. No job. No volunteering. No friends. I may not have a paid job at the moment, but I:busy with kids and that is work. What did she do all those years with nothing to busy her brain or hands?
Shopped, vacationed, went to the hairdresser, and waited for the phone to ring, Betsy.
I have nothing against families helping each other but adult kids not working is weird. There was really no reason that Katherine didn’t have a job at after college was over instead of just sitting around waiting for a ring. I think that was folk issue.
@Rhys I have very generous parents and I agree with you to an extent. I think it’s great if parents are willing and able to pay for their child’s education so the kid doesn’t start out their adult life with a ton of debt, and I don’t even have a problem with parents helping *a little* with rent, groceries, etc. when their child is just out of school, starting out, and trying to make ends meet.
But with Kate, it was ridiculous. She literally did NOTHING after graduating from university and they subsidized her completely, including lavish vacations, designer clothes, plenty of cash for partying, etc. Not to mention that they flat-out bought her an apartment in one of the most expensive areas of London; very different from helping a kid with rent in an extremely expensive city like my parents did (while I was working full-time, and had tons of loans to pay off).
And it wouldn’t have been so egregious if she had been doing SOMETHING. Charity work, taking classes, whatever — but she literally waited for William and did nothing to enrich her own life for almost a decade. As someone else said in another comment, she got her “Prince,” but completely failed to develop as a person. It’s really sad IMO. Her parents did her a disservice if you ask me.
I also don’t understand how she wasn’t too embarrassed to live this way for so long. I have friends who have enough family money that they wouldn’t “have to” work if they didn’t want to, but they all went on to higher education, got jobs, have hobbies, volunteer, etc. It would be so awkward to have a conversation with Kate — what would she be able to talk about? What could she bring to the table as a friend? I would have been far too mortified to just shop all the time while all of my friends were in graduate school or working, even if my parents were billionaires. It really prevented her from being able to relate to a lot of people.
I don’t get the criticism of James as much, though. Sure, his business ventures have been…silly, but he’s trying. He doesn’t just sit around all day doing nothing.
@Betsy, how do you know Kate has no friends? Just because no one has thrown her under the bus like Meghan’s acquaintances seem to do, doesn’t mean anything. Lack of loyalty to Meghan, from friends to family is sad and maybe a bit telling.
I said the same thing in another thread. I don’t know why it’s seen as a criticism. I know my brothers and I are fortunate enough to not have to worry about tuition, bills, rent/first homes, holiday & socialising money, etc. It’s one of the reasons why I choose to give back as much as I can through different volunteering interests. My parents give, but they also expect us to continue on with our higher education and gain experience, amongst other things. My father would never let me sit on my ass, lol. I can relate to Kate because I was raised in a similar way.. but one thing Carole obviously failed to do, is to make sure her offspring could stand on their own two feet if need be. I can’t fathom how James is a mess with all of the connections he has access to!
@Lorelai So much judgement. The Middleton’s are free to spend their money as they see fit. What Kate did with her time and what she discussed with her friends is no one’s business but her own.
Since she lived on private funds, rather than the public dole, I don’t see why her past employment status makes a whit bit of difference now.
@Lorelai – I completely get your point! I would be bored too. Maybe. But she strikes me as a homebody kind of person who has fun doing quiet things. Remember, Kate’s hobbies that we know of are photography and adult-coloring books. Hardly ambitious endeavors. She’s obviously wanted to be a mother and a wife which was perfect for Wills.
Her decade of idleness shows us that she never worked and never intends to.
The excuses made for work shy duchess dolittle are appalling! Gee, even photography can be a real job if one wanted to make it one. I know a guy in my country that has made a living out of photography, and he never even got any credentials for it. He bought a camera, self trained, and just started going around asking people if they wanted pictures at low prices, then he progressed to parties and now he does entire weddings. Started with one camera now he has an entire company with about 10 employees, his kids are done university and are now working in the family business, all that from a single camera and humble beginnings. Kate could have made a job out of her hobby if she had wanted to, but she clearly was never interested in doing anything rmotely possible to work. She could have pegged her photography onto party pieces and started from there, but she never viewed herself in that lense, she was only interested in waiting for Wills to propose.
@Masamf – the key point is SHE doesn’t want to and she can afford not to. Your friend made his hobby into a job, Kate doesn’t want to. She has enough money to not do what she doesn’t want to do. Yes, it might sound appalling and odd but this “she should, she could” is similar to counting other people’s money.
Kate didn’t have to do anything as a private citizen but people are going to look and judge. That’s life. Now she is maintained by the taxpayers and should work. Thankfully she’s been making more appearances and hopefully will keep it up.
Part of the discussion about Kate’s lack of activity during the gf years also includes the stories that were out at the time -one being that she was serious about photography, another being how involved she was with her parent’s business, another being the stint at Jigsaw.
Part of the reason her work became public discussion is because the Middletons made it part of the discussion.
@Rhys, I don’t agree with you. Kate does NOT have the money to afford her any slacking off, she is living off of the tax payer. Even during the gf years, she did not have any money of her own, she was leeching off of her parents’ hard work and sweat, so the claim that Kate has the money to afford her chosen lazy do next to nothing lifestyle is just absurd. At this point, the taxpayer is her boss, she needs to work and earn her upkeep. Since not much is required of her as the bar has been ridiculously lowered to her do little level, the least she can do is show up regularly and diligently for these few minute engagements; she owes that much to the British tax payer and there’s no way of going around that.
Her lack of a job or doing charity work from the many years after university showed that Kate is predisposed to be lazy. It was a concern for the Queen because she knows that the BRF has to be seen to be working in some form or else the public starts to question their existence. And despite all the PR at the time of the engagement, Kate remained lazy and barely doing appearances, with a slight bump recently. William is also lazy, as is seen by his failure to set up anything comparable to Invictus or Sentebale, which Harry did at a much younger age and in the latter case while he was still in active duty.
I don’t know how many decades of not working are required to demonstrate that neither will or Kate have a strong work ethic. Even using the lowered standard of what work means in a Royal context.
Amazed when people defend the three adult Middleton children for not working or supporting themselves, being constantly bailed out by Uncle Gary’s money (and now Terribly Moderately Wealthy James Matthews’ money), and do little but party and vacation with their adult lives. I see nothing admirable in that behavior. I’d be ashamed of myself if I acted like that.
Pippa lived off her parents/Uncle Gary while hunting wealthy bachelors, and the (failed) Middleton sibling business ventures were funded by Uncle Gary. Pippa was never going to marry a man who wasn’t wealthy – money and title (or fake purchased title) were be all and end all for Pippa. Can’t stomach that attitude.
LAK can recount a lovely story of Pippa hitting up all the titled aristocrats at Edinburgh with personal notes, because she only wanted to be friends with them and no one else. She chose to only associate with wealthy aristos, because she was title and money hunting. Bennett Family Mark.
So…Pippa was an astute networker, then? I don’t imagine she had to work all that hard to consort with aristos since her parents made sure she went to school with them.
IDK I really loathe the social climber label. Maybe it’s the American in me, but in my culture, leveling up is what’s expected. “Don’t knock the hustle” and all that.
@NOTA – then there is the throw away comment Guy Pelly (William’s bestie) made to the press about a rumoured hook up with Pips – he said ‘I’m not titled or rich enough for her’. And Guy is very much part of William’s inner circle.
Networking for work vs. trying to marry yourself off to a wealthy and titled man. Exactly, DU. The Wisteria Sisters weren’t admired or wanted by many aristocratic families precisely because they were so obvious.
Do you guys remember the story told by a school contemporary who was invited to the Middleton home for a sleepover only to discover that all the invited guests were girls with titles? Only the Middleton daughters were untitled.
I think everyone has a desire to lift themselves to a better station in life, but it’s so strange that the Middletons should attach such importance to titles. In the modern age, they are meaningless. No one thinks titled people are special brand of humans except the Middletons.
I’m always shocked that ambitious and hard working Carol raised three kids, none of whom have a work ethic. It is SO odd.
@LAK — the Middletons, and certain fashion magazines. But I agree otherwise.
Meghan seems to understand this marriage also represents the acceptance of a lifelong job. She is a worker. Kate seemed to see her marriage as a placid comfortable state of being handed on — from being supported by her family, to being supported by Royal money like it’s c. 1820. It is about acquisition and pleasing herself. She is workshy like her husband.
It’s not so much that coming from a well-off, generous family is bad but ambition and drive should also be a part of one’s character. Kate was sufficiently interested in different careers but couldn’t tesr herself away from William’s side long enough to pretend to make a go at any of them. To be fair Chelsy and Cressida’s drive also seemed to fizzle out after graduate school. These people know they can pay the rent without holding a steady job. Chelsy sort of designs jewelry and roams around Europe with the posh crowd. Cressida wrings every ounce out of her cringeworthy acting chops and wears see-through blouses on Instagram. *shrug*
Let’s be honest, there are literally thousands of kids who come from families that are far more wealthier than the Middletons who do not work and don’t ever have plans of working. However, they are not in the spotlight like Kate. Her pursuit of William and their subsequent relationship was in the public domain. Therefore, open to scrutiny and comment. So, that’s one thing.
Kate’s family also acquired their wealth during her youth. It’s not like it was acquired several generations ago. That’s another thing. So, her being part of the idle rich on the wealth scale is a recent acquired taste. Her family literally worked during this generation to acquire what they have.
It also seems to me that people nowadays are encouraging their daughters, if only tacitly, to explore and have a life outside of one’s mate— at least in my bubble. Given where Kate and her family started in the class-game, I think we assume that that was a part of her upbringing too. However, if she was solely groomed for upward migration then perhaps not. Kate’s “work” and hustle was to land someone either with a title or title and wealth connected. Mom, dad and uncle acquired the money and the kids roles were to acquire tittles, prestige and more money through marriage.
I said all of that to say this: I don’t think any of us on this board hate the player (Kate) or the game (many of us tips our hats to Carole) but are just gobsmacked that some women are still playing it (#1) and (#2) that despite winning it Kate’s seems like such an empty vessel. It’s like she’s won but lost herself, and the price was her own development brought about by regular life experiences.
I have said it is a pet peeve. I don’t know many very wealthy people who don’t demand their children do something useful. Most high level millionaires and billionaires make their children work, or they cut them off. Even 45 makes his kids work. JFK Jr and Caroline work/ed. The Bloomberg daughters work. On and on.
It doesn’t do the child any favors to spoil them in a fashion that they won’t be able to maintain if a financial disaster hit the parents. The Middletons don’t have that kind of money to keep the three of them in high style or in the circles Carole wanted for them on their own.
It builds character and resilience as well as self esteem.
I had a spoiled acquaintance stay with me when I was single, and I practically loathed her by the time she left. She was useless. She didn’t know how to do laundry and wouldn’t pick up after herself or do anything. I was appalled that she would rather throw clothes in the trash than wash them. Every phone call to her parents was a fight, and they would complain about her spending, but they didn’t change anything, so she is still the same today. Her child looks at her like who the hell are you when she tries to put on the Mommy show for others. She is lazy and only works on her looks.
It isn’t just about having money but about being a well developed self sufficient adult.
I think that is why Kate isn’t independent and Pippa felt marrying James as a consolation prize was better than finding a career. And Mr. Marshmallow. I have no words.
@Magnolia my jaw is still on the floor after reading about an adult who would throw clothing away because they didn’t know how to do laundry. WTF?!
People never talk about Kate’s father but he inherited wealth.
PrincessK: Kate’s father inherited an education fund for the kids. The terms of the trust that was created by his ancestors was only for educating the kids, nothing else. And it wasn’t so big that one would class it as ‘wealth’. The kids still needed scholarships to make it work.
@Lorelai
I was horrified and quietly fished them out and had them cleaned and donated. That kind of waste is ridiculous. Her parents bought her house in LA so she could pursue acting. She got bored and just abandoned it with everything in it and left the car.
She does not care.
She is extreme, but I heard some of the oligarch’s children aren’t much different.
@enoughalready “see through blouses on instagram” – Hahahaha awesome!
It’s not like Meghan had a choice. She had to. Seeing that she gladly used the little bit of money her dad had left to get an uni degree that she never used, then lived off of her boyfriend while desperately trying to become famous, and quitting her job as soon as her relationship with the prince was public, I doubt that Meghan would have achieved anything even by the age of 36 had she had the money that the Middletons have.
Well, I guess it’s true is you say so, Anna, you being so close to the Markles and all. You know, for some reason your comments remind me of her unfortunate friend, Priddy Something or Something Priddy (whatever), and her half-sister Sam. Last time I saw tabloid pics of them, they were both looking a little green. Must’ve passed on getting their flu shots this year. And, speaking of year, what a great year 2017 was for Meghan! Aren’t you just ecstatic for *her* good fortune? Closing out a successful 7-year run with her TV show and getting engaged to a man who obviously adores her. Some people have all the luck, wouldn’t you say, Anna? Yes, that’s exactly what I thought. You totally agree.
@Anna – bingo! Excellent point. Her father was putting gas in her car while she was going on auditions. I don’t see it that much different from Kate’sparents paying for her skiing helmets to wear with Wills on vacation. Just a different scale.
Meghan jumped on the chance to become a rich royal and live off of taxpayers’ money. She dated this guy for, oh, they still can’t figure out if it was more than a year, less than a year. Meghan gave up her career she supposedly valued so much as a woman. Fine, the series were running its course, but to give up an entire career? That’s Grace Kelly circa 1950s. She got baptized. She will most likely become a citizen within next few years. She acts exactly like someone she claimed supposedly not to be, going on with her self-worth and independence on her blog. And you know what? I don’t blame her. It’ll be a much more interesting and financially secure life than that of an up and coming actress. Just don’t with the “Working Woman Meg”, please. It’s okay to be honest in wanting a better living.
She worked until November of 2017, moved to London next week, their engagement was announced that month. She’s a hard worker with hustle, worked side jobs while trying to get acting jobs, had a money-making website, and clothing contract with a Canadian chain. She knows how to work and she works.
She seems to be showing that in behind the scenes work and the number of engagements she done. She’s already surpassed what KM did during the same period and we’re still two months from the wedding.
tumblr leaking again?
Anna, +1!!!!!
We knew this. Meghan said this herself. She has been quite busy meeting many organization as she prepares to pick her patronages. I am sure they will announce her first one within the month of the marriage.
As for Charles appointing his cousin David to join him on the Prince’s Trust, David runs a successful furniture company and is a busy guy. A lot busier that Will and Harry IMO.
Is this the married Earl of Snowden who had a coke snorting tape that featured gay activity with an aide? And the BRF used it’s muscle to keep British media from naming him so they just kept using euphemisms that most people began to assume was Charles himself. And then the American press came to the rescue and dished the name. And then the seller sold the tape to an entity we can assume was not a media house. That Earl of Snowden or another upstanding family member. Just curious. This family makes Meghans sketchy half siblings look like monks
@Frome “This family makes Meghans sketchy half siblings look like monks” LOL, funniest comment I’ve read in a long time.
I don’t remember that. I’m not saying it’s not true, I just don’t remember it. David Linley built Linley Furniture, he’s a designer of sorts. He’s been married to Serena Linley, daughter of Viscount Petersham, for a long time. They have two children. He’s the former auction chairman of Christie’s. He seems a very busy, capable guy. I think PC made a great choice appointing him.
Yes, this actually happened. The guy shopping the tape actually went to jail for it and even then British media wouldnt touch the story. They must have had the entire palace staff monitoring that gag order because I remember even message boards based in the UK were taking down discussion threads that named him.
Anyway, here you go https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/29/viscount-linley-son-of-pr_n_70287.html
OHHHH so that who that was about. I seemed to lose the train of that story. I thought it was Edward or Andrew being bisexual reliving his boy school days. Naughty one isn’t he? A kinky aristocrat? Nooo. Never ever ever ever. lol
I think MagnoliaRose was just being facetious— as you said, we know from her posting history that’s she’s a kind and tolerant person. I highly doubt she has issues with bisexuality.
Sarcasm isn’t your forte, is it?
Me too. I think Magnolia Rose wrote what she wrote in the spirit of nuaghty boy what are you getting up to, blushes, sly winks and eye brow raising tones
I believe Magnolia’s referring to the cocaine, the partying and the intimate liaisons with an aide while married. Not being bi. Drugs and s*x with an underling (not addressing sexuality) can be considered kinky.
Oh, that is ok French Fried. I was sarcastic but not articulate. Lol That is on me not you.
You are right French Fried. I grew up in such a liberal environment I forget that I need to be aware of that and not take it for granted that it is a universal experience. It seems so absurd to care about sexual orientation but sadly people still do. I am glad you reminded me. And don’t see your way out. No worries.
I’d much rather you say something and allow me a chance to clarify in case others felt the same. I don’t want to hurt anyone.
🙂
The Earl Snowdon you are referring to is this guy’s father. He was a notorious party-er, of fluid sexuality, a horror husband and quite the philanderer and cheater on all his wives and girlfriends. Had several kids out of wedlock including one who was born the same week he wed the Queen’s sister.
On the flipside, he survived childhood polio though he was afflicted by after effects in his old age. He was a member / patron of various organisations that researched crippling diseases and founded an award scheme for students with disabilities which is still going strong.
And he was a world-renown photographer, principally portraits.
He died last year. His son, above, is the new Earl Snowdon.
If you watch ‘the Crown’ he is portrayed on the show by Mathew Goode.
Speaking of naughty family members, The Earl Mountbatten and his wife were notorious. Most of the poor dating decisions made by Charles can be blamed on the Earl who mentored him and encouraged him to behave the way he did. Most people blame Philip, but it is really the Earl who is to blame.
Nope. I’m not talking about his dad. His father was by his own right a drug taking swinger. DNA even confirmed he fathered a kid with his best friends wife just weeks before he married Margaret. Nobody including the kid (a woman in her 40s) believe this was a cuckolding. More likely a threesome gone wrong. By the way, this bestie was also supposed to be his bestman but it emerged that he had been arrested in Hyde Park for cruising men so he was replaced with Margarets doctor friend. Lord Snowdons former photography assistants also say they thought he was bi. So trust me, I know his story well. I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about his son.
Google Viscount David Linley cocaine sex tape and look for Irish, Australian and American outlets. This all went down about ten years ago.
The David Linley scandal wasn’t discussed in British media, but googling through up loads of links!!!
Amazing.
His father’s shenanigans are constantly being reported whilst David’s shenanigans are either downplayed or don’t seem as scandalous as his father’s shenanigans.
I’m surprised anyone thought it could be Charles since Charles’s pecadillos, like the 1st Earl, are also widely known, and Charles’s type is very distinctly not David’s type, male or female.
Now LAK you can’t leave that last tidbit and not expand on it.
What do you mean? What does Charles do?
Linley reported the attempted extortion to the police. The two men were arrested and tried – one a fantasist, the other with a long criminal record. The allegations were proved to be false.
Charles made a good decision to appoint David as his second. They have always been close and David keeps a low profile. Aside from the wishing and hoping as to what Ms. Markle should be doing and that she would be “perfect” on the board of the Prince’s Trust…..give the woman an opportunity to get fully acclimatized to her new position; marriage first, eh? After that, she will be toeing endless invisible lines of protocol and the RF pecking order…so leave imaginary board elections alone for the time being.
Agree. Give her a chance to breathe and find her feet.
Also, I think quality patronage is far more important than quantity. Personal interest in a cause is a far better reason to get involved than obligation and/or expectation on the part of others. I’m sure Meghan will adopt good causes in time but the quality of her patronage (which I’m sure will be hands-on) will be far more important than the quantity.
Given that we know MM is repeatedly visiting Grenfell survivor charities / groups, The Princes Trust would suit her perfectly because their principal goal is outreach and financial help for people who might not be able to get it via mainstream means.
During the Royal Foundation forum Meghan was asked which charities she will be involved in and she said that she could not say anything about it now, which means she knows and all will be revealed when hopefully she becomes HRH Duchess of Clarence.
I’m crossing fingers and toes that they get Clarence!!
Clarence and Avondale (know this won’t happen but a girl can dream)
Pardon my ignorance, but how did People magazine get to know that MM visits charities ‘privately’? Is it the charities that called up people to tell them that MM just visited? I’m wondering cos we have been told on this site a lot that MMs people do not leak stuff to the press, only Kate and Carole do.
@Jenni, it has been all over the news lately that a charity organization discussed the times Meghan visited them privately, Meghan said same during the first RF forum. Google it, its all there for anyone to access.
99% of these stories are made up
Meghan said it herself at the Royal Foundation Forum. This is hardly a secret.
I don’t like comparing women. But in this case it’s just right here in our faces. Meghan as a woman of colour would have never gotten away with Kate’s work schedule in the past 7 years and never mind showing her junk.
I feel she will have to be exceptional and flawless to be seen as an equal to Kate.
Add in the heir vs. spare treatment by the press and it gets even worse.
@Rumi – “I feel she will have to be exceptional and flawless to be seen as an equal to Kate.”
Only by the ‘begrudgers’, hopefully, and everyone else will, in time, view Meghan on her own merits which, to date, seem infinitely superior to Kate’s in terms of engagement, people skills and willingness to embrace the work her new role demands.
I think Meghan is thick skinned. Her career meant a lot of rejection and brutal criticisms that are far worse and said to her face. This is harsh if she allows it to mean anything. Faceless people in a comment section or tabloids with an ax to grind are never going away.
Instead of working to make those who don’t like her for imaginary reasons or bigots or just bitter and miserable people who hate everything, she should focus on her goals, being happy, building a life with her husband and working hard to do good things. She will have plenty of people who will like her. There will always be those who don’t and leave it on their laps and don’t take it on. It doesn’t work. No one is beloved by everyone.
Harry loves her enough to want to spend the rest of his life with her, and she wants the same so why let the negatives invade her happiness?
@Magnoliarose – Yes, good point re her prior experience and of the downsides of being a ‘public figure’ but even that must pale alongside the shameful viciousness of what her engagement to Harry has unleashed. Even with a thick skin, that’s got to be really upsetting.
But yeah, let’s hope she’s sensibly ignoring it and it’s not impacting negatively on her.
I agree Enough Already.
@Skylark
I think it will bother her sometimes. Probably it will bother her loved ones the most. But if she is genuine and hard working, it will break through to those who will accept it.
I am sure Camilla has some tips. 🙂
Magnoliarose: Now that you mention the abuse Camilla got…..nevermind people writing horrid comments on noticeboards, what about people viciously attacking you in the street throwing food at you. Being so afraid to go out that you don’t leave your house for a year. And that’s with all of Charles’s protection!!!!!
Camilla can definitely tell MM about navigating hateful public.
I agree with Skylark. During the engagement interview Meghan was very frank when she said that she was shocked by the intensity and negative interest in her, and Harry said, ” Well I tried to warn you”. This goes to show that you have to be IN the RF to really experience how awful it is to be subjected to non stop abuse and forensic scrutiny.
I suppose we contribute to it in a way but at least here most of us try to adopt intelligent and rational analysis of royalty, whether we support the institution or not.
@princessk, here, people are mostly pcritiquing Kate’s wardrobe and work ethic (or lack of) as opposed to DM that are literally subjecting Meghan to abuse because of ethnic background, country of origin, career choice and a previous failed marriage. That’s the difference that I see in the 2 sides.
“I don’t like comparing women. But in this case it’s just right here in our faces. Meghan as a woman of colour would have never gotten away with Kate’s work schedule in the past 7 years and never mind showing her junk.”
This line of thinking drives me bonkers. Markle is not trash off the street. She graduated from Northwestern University, which is a competitive and fairly prestigious school. It is expensive and there are no merit scholarships. Her time there overlapped with Mamie Gummer’s—Meryl Streep’s older daughter. The school has a wonderful theater program.
And if the Royal Family wants a “private person,” they got it in Ms Markle. There was a private thread on Facebook in which a huge number of Northwestern alumni tried to find anyone who remembered Markle from our graduating class. Two did. Although she was indeed active in our theater department, she was evidently a shy and extremely private person, even in her school days.
Prince Harry was always going to marry a “regular person” and, as civilians go, he could not have done better.
Eh. I want Meghan to get involved in the Prince’s Trust if that’s what she wants to do but I dislike the idea of being “forced” to take on a charity that you have no passion for. It’s not her “job” to work there, it’s the Cambridges, so let her have something she cares about. I’ve worked at a lot of non-profits and you can tell the difference between the wealthy donors who genuinely care and the wealthy donors who are ticking a box on their resume so it looks good on their way to their next political appointment. And it shows in the work they produce. Passion counts.
Meghan won’t be forced to join anything. I think the RF will let her carefully pick her patronages and give her the time to settle and adjust. The 1st year will be all about this and people need to give her that time without putting all these expectations on her. She had done a lot so far but she is still just starting. Let her find her own way.
I have been complaining that Kate has been avoiding work for so long so I will give her credit for actually working these past 2 1/2 months. She did another unannounced engagement yesterday too which is good. She needs to keep this work force even after she gives birth.
As for Meghan, i have no doubt she will do more work than these 3 royals.
If Meghan indeed does as much work as we hope, it will be interesting to see if she shares Harry’s approach re: having a lot of it not show up in the CC and “count” as work as to not show up William and Kate.
I realize that at the end of the day Meghan will have to just go with it and do what she’s told, but she doesn’t seem like the type to completely keep her mouth shut about something so blatantly unfair and manipulative.
The Palace is very unlikely to allow Meghan to do more work than Kate, for obvious reasons.
I disagree. I don’t think that is how Charles operates. He is there to maintain the BRF and will put that first. Not Kate. Not William or Harry or Meghan. He will not allow Kate’s whims or needs supersede the needs of The Firm.
I think “working more” can also be seen in behind the scenes work, preparation, acting professionally, giving good speeches.
Hopefully Meghan will work hard. As for the British press I think if Meghan was the blonde, white skinned girl that harry usually dated the press like the daily mail and their commentators wouldnt be so huffy. As for the royal blogs like royal gossip and royal dish there is no hope for those bitter ladies.
Why – WHY cant Kate have & raise some royal babies and then work? Later?
The expectation that she should be working all the time is really over the top.
Criminy.
The “all the time” that commenters mean is a few hours a day a few days per week most weeks of the year. That would be full time and exponentially more work than she has ever done. It’s not asking for much, really. Kate would still have plenty of time to be a hands-on Mum and get her shopping done.
@Stinky and @Pamelarose, why can’t Kate raise kids AND work at the same time? Its not like Kate works a 9-5 job!! All women in the world around raise kids and work at the same time. All the other royal women have worked and raised kids at the same time, what is so different and special about Kate Middleton? I raised 5 kids of my own plus other extended family members whose parents dies of AIDS, and I worked my farm and raised my family as a single mother, put all my kids through school (in Uganda school is paid for right from kindergarten) and now they are all adults with families of their own. My kids work to support themselves and one is raising a son and working a full-time job at the same time. Why can’t Kate do what every other woman in the world is doing? The expectation of Kate to work isn’t jealousy on my part Im afraid!
Of course she could, but honestly, if you had the choice, what would you actually do in her shoes? And seeing the long game, how there isn’t really a path to retirement, and responsibilities in later years will be a lot higher, I can see why she’d want to take it easier while the kids are very young. I mean, I think it’s good they wouldn’t leave their kids for 5 months at a time like the queen did at their age.
Stinky. No one is saying get a 40 hour a week job that has 2-15 minute breaks along with an 1/2 lunch.
I want to know what you think is too demanding for someone in Kate’s position, someone who is a mother BUT also a senior member (by marriage) in a family that uses its public side for self- protection, PR, and philanthropy? Mind you, she has a live-in nanny to help with the kids—so she’s already outsourcing her f/t mom duties there, and she has full-time house-keepers / servants, so she’s outsourcing breaking her back vacuuming, loading the washer and dryer, and cooking meals. I also assume that she and William have a groundskeeper too. Soooo, she’s not out trying to figure out how the lawn mower works. Also, both children are now in school—at least part-time.
So, again . . . given the totality of what we know about her life, and the examples and evidence of others in her position (be it royal or royal adjacent), what for you would be (a) too much for Kate, (b) the sweet spot, and (c) too little?
I’m not asking this in a mean way. It just seems to me that at age 36, asking her to show up maybe 2 places once a week isn’t a lot. Those of us volunteer as tutors show up 2x a week for an hour. Her events miiiiiiight be that long. Then, there are those of us who do work either part-time or full-time and who volunteer as well. Then, of course, there are those women who have children that also work but juggle immediate family (and not just kids). I don’t devalue stay at homes moms, but I do want to understand your reasoning re: Kate.
Peace.
Work for a busy royal is only about 5months out of the year. For one as workshy as Kate, it’s about a fortnight per year.
Yet a fortnight is considered cruelty to Kate.
“The Windsors are very good at working three days a week, five months of the year and making it look as though they work hard.” – Mark Bolland
All of the other royal women manage to raise kids out of the limelight and work more than Kate Middleton. Sophie nearly died having Louise, and Sophie worked more engagements the year she was expecting and the following year – more engagements both years than KM has ever worked in a single year.
KM “works” less than 200 hours a year. A YEAR. In exchange for a ridiculous 1percenters existence. They are supported with taxpayer money, therefore they are required to work for the taxpayers. How difficult is this to understand?
Most of the other working royals are in their 80s and 90s. Charles and Camilla are near 80. Edward and Sophie are 50’s. Why on earth shouldn’t a healthy 36 year old, supported by taxpayers, work more than 200 hours a year for her employers?
But Dally, low and middle income folks may not even have enough funds to retire on either, and would have to work till they’re the same age as HM (if they’re even that lucky to get a job). I mean, yea it’s tough to keep going, but at least the royals don’t have to worry about mortgages, child care and health care. They don’t even work 9 to 5. They can have expensive hobbies and pets. Very very privileged. I’m not advocating they work till 100. In fact I thought Phillip retiring in his 90s was too much. But they do get a lot back. Both WK and HM need to acknowledge it’s time they step up. Seems like HM knows it. It was even harder for the Queen when she was growing up and then crowned. She went through the war, her father’s early death, and had to deal with 2 young kids while learning to be Queen and a mother, and then 2 pregnancies during her reign. She went through a crumbling empire. I mean I’m not an advocate of royalty but the four of them have not gone through what she did. Meghan, I’m sure has received rejections while trying to build a career or even growing up, so I think she has resilience and self-awareness. Harry has gone to combat so he may have witnessed devastation, so yeah he might have some steel and a sense of his privilege. WK? They are really lucky they have been sheltered thus far. They seem to be doing more events so let’s see if this is a gradual improvement.
Nota – “Charles and Camilla are near 80” Charles is 69, Camilla 70.
My bad. It remains that four of the other royal workhorses – between 70 and 90 years old – continue to outwork the younger royals.
It would be better for her to have time away and be on her own accomplishing something than spend all day in an existence that is pampered along with nothing to manage or challenge her.
Children grow up and eventually leave, and hopefully, she is a well developed woman who can carve out a satisfying new life.
Part of the problem is that they won’t own it. They want to represent themselves as hard-working while not doing it even by royal standards.
The other problem is Kate seems happy to turn up to things that are fun -Visiting the Downton Abbey set, Harry Potter, sailing, tennis, movie premieres etc. Wanting to wait until her kids are older is one thing, not wanting to do work that isn’t like a fun field trip is an entirely different thing.
Good points.
You know, it’s not REAL work. Wear nice clothes/hair and makeup done, get driven to some building, walk around having a few chats and looking interested for an hour or two. Then leave. It’s not like they go to these charities and scrub the toilets and have to stay all day. Then let someone else plan a charity ball/party/event and you review the plans (after your secretary has given it tentative approval) and say yay or nay. WORK … okay!
Getting dressed up, having hair and makeup done, looking interested for an hour and having to make chit chat with strangers sounds more exhausting than running my own business for 80 hours a week. I could possibly handle it as often as Kate does it. LOL
@Kiddv, but then you made a wise decision not to marry in the BRF. Kate, if she wanted to stay on her lazy a$$ and do nothing all day, should have either married a commoner or not married at all. But she married William who comes with this entire package so, suck up gal and take care of your business.
I totally agree with you KiddV……all these people criticising the younger royals for being work shy should try it themselves. The Queen has worked hard but she did it and still does it in 20th century mode. These younger royals have to cope with a very intrusive media and have engaged much more directly with the public. The Queen never engages in proper conversations or makes private visits or befriends ordinary people. She has lived her life in a bubble which reduces stress. The prospects for the Fab Four in social media crazy 21st century are very different and far more stress inducing. Also I think that too much visibility is also problematic.
I agree that Kate needs to step up and earn her keep, but as an introvert, I understand why she hasn’t. I’m not saying I agree with it, I’m saying I understand it. I’d be following the Queen’s drinking schedule if I had to do it.
Oh please, Prince Charles, Prince Edward etc were all scrutinized by the media but they all have an impeccable work record. The Cambridges and Prince Harry have no excuse whatsoever!! Being in the limelight should be the more reason to work hard and show the taxpayer that yes, they are worth their salt! If they really worked instead of slacking off there would be nothing to scrutinize them for. But because they rather spend tax dollars on shopping and going on vacation, that why people and the media are on their case!
Plenty of other people are introverts and still manage to get out there, work, and act like extroverts because their job demands it. She isn’t staffing a booth at a conference for 10 hours on her feet, chatting up thousands of people. She shows up for roughly 30 minutes, smiles, and listens while other people talk.
princessk, if they choose to go on websites, forums, and social media and read about themselves that is one thing. Otherwise? None of what you wrote applies, because they are feel to ignore it and only listen to any VERY filtered summations the courtiers and Jason give them. If they’re willing to listen.
Re: Kaiser’s musing about People magazine— I don’t think it’s necessarily that Americans are only interested in sugary coverage, but the crowd who buys People magazine tend to be, in general, I think.
I don’t even think that Meghan being an American has all that much to do with it. Kare has been a fixture in People ever since the engagement and is on the cover a few times a year (“Princess Kate”). To Americans, the royals are simply more celebrities to follow for the fashion, drama, etc. IMHO
Harry came to my old high school…in Chicago, on the Southside…a few months ago without BARELY A PEEP being said about it while he was there…and info coming out about it AFTER he left…so I think he does a LOT of stuff in the background…gotta say, I’m PROUD of his growth!
Really? That is great. I would have never expected that one though.
@Lala….was that when he was there with Michelle Obama.
Was that his appearance with Michelle Obama?
@Princessk. How did I not see your comment!
Yes, it was with Michelle Obama the day he also gave a talk at the Obama Foundation Summit.
What if Charles can’t ask Harry to take over the Prince’s Trust and Harry was willing but hesitated simply because it would outright make William look bad? It would be a PR disaster. That’s why neither took over and he asked his cousin to help. It’s a safer PR choice, me thinks.
Diana hit the ground running she had no choice she did tours over the UK with Charles attended many events and got on board charities really fast. William and Harry have always gone to help out and see charities with their mother when they were very young. Meghan has nothing she can show Harry to do he was bought up doing these things. Compared to Diana and Fergie both Kate and Meghan have done very little while engaged then in the first year of marriage. Diana had engagements to go to on her honeymoon. Kate has been having babies and if the Queen or Charles really had a problem with it then it wouldn’t be happening. Kate will one day be Queen I think Charles and his mother are doing what they couldn’t do and that was to take time to really be their with their children. I can see Kate helping Meghan this isn’t something easy. There are rules and really besides wearing a way too expensive dress and not being able to do up her coats there are protocols which she can’t ignore. Don’t forget Diana had a hard time adjusting and she grew up in that circle. Having Kate onside will only help her. As for Camilla please neither of the boys like her and I doubt their is any advise she can give them. Harry is closer to Charles they might be waiting until Charles is King and then one might take over the Princes Trust. I think they worry Charles would micromanage them. David will be great he designs and makes really lovely furniture so he has that behind him.
@Dana, no the Cambridges have zero reason to be work shy and do as little as possible. You yrself said Diana hit the ground running, so should Kate. Diana was a hard working woman and she worked hard and raised 2 boys, so I don’t get the Charles is allowing the Cambridges the time yadda, yadda, yadda. Kate can show Meghan zilch unless it’s tricks of how to sucycessfully dodge working. Camilla and Sophie are the best mentors Meghan can ever have and if she is wise, she will hold onto their wisdom and advice and don’t let go. And my guess is both women, Camilla and Sophie, will gladly mentor Meghan if she allows them to.
W&K spun lies in the engagement interview about her “hitting the ground running”. Right after the wedding and honeymoon was the press release about how she was not going to work, but was going to focus on being a housewife in Wales. With four staff including cook and housekeepers. Spotted 3 days a week in London during the ‘living in Wales as a housewife’ routine. They didn’t have children right away, but still refused to work more. Then came the game playing of demanding the largest already-occupied space at Kensington Palace, and running off to Anmer to play part-part-part-time helicopter co-pilot and housewife (with cook, two housekeepers, multiple childcare staff, etc.).
MM has already done more engagement than KM for the same period in their lives. We’ll have to see if she follows through, or if she drops off the radar and refuses to work like KM.
Even Diana admitted that Charles was a very engaged and hands on father, to the point that she was shoving him aside out of jealousy for the amount of time he spent with their sons.
So much of this reads as the popular W&K theme of bashing working parents. They are not being asked to work 50 hour workweeks. They could easily do 500 engagements a year and spend far more time with their kids than most working parents.
Camilla, Sophie, and Anne would be good mentors. Charles too, as he’d probably like having a DIL who shares so many of his interests. Learning how to work a room from Charles would be like taking a Master Class, as I wrote on another thread.
I love her cover shot on people! Adorable- she has an Audrey Hepburn vibe here.