When the dust settled after Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, many commenters and royal commentators suggested that the Duchess of Cambridge would be looking to change up her image with Meghan’s arrival. The suggestion was that Kate would lean in to “earth-mother duchess” vibes, like every story about her (from the palace) for the next year would be about Kate and motherhood and how natural she is with kids and how she really just wants to stay at home with her children. It wouldn’t be the dumbest branding choice, honestly. Keeping that in mind, People Magazine has an “exclusive” piece about Kate “blossoming” as a mom-of-three, so says Ingrid Seward.
Prince Louis’ royal christening went off without a hitch — from the carefully-selected godparents to Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s impeccable manners. And back in the spotlight after giving birth three months ago was royal mom of three, Kate Middleton, who was glowing as her baby son snoozed in her arms.
“She has blossomed and looked more confident, beaming with happiness,” notes royal biographer Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine. “Kate is hugely dutiful, but she is quite strong and leading the way behind the scenes. She is like her mom [Carole Middleton] in that sense.”
That includes setting the intimate tone of the christening despite the grandeur of the surroundings.
“I’m sure this is all Catherine’s influence.,” says a royal source. “I’m sure she is leading on building all the family relations.”
I also think that Kate seems more confident these days, but I’m not completely sure it’s because of motherhood. As many have noted, myself included, Kate perked up considerably as soon as Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. Suddenly, Kate was truly keen – she seemed more relaxed in public, she seemed more natural and like she was even enjoying herself a bit more. Is it because she knows her “place” is secure now that she’s provided three cute babies for the Firm? Or is something else? I don’t know, honestly.
I also don’t get this comment: “Kate is hugely dutiful, but she is quite strong and leading the way behind the scenes.” Is Seward saying that Kate’s duty is to be “weak” in public but “strong” in private? It’s a weird thing to say, right? As for this: “I’m sure she is leading on building all the family relations.” Mm-hm. We’ll see.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.
She’s glowing around her children. Motherhood is clearly her calling.
I think this is genuine. Her children react to her with familiarity and comfort. She doesn’t look or seem distant from them. William only two but it makes me think Louis was what she wanted.
I’m often with magnolia rose.
It is genuine but no one can deny she can relax now, cos media wants more Meghan.
Yes, I agree, Magnoliarose — it seems like Kate’s calling to be a mom, and I believe she has gained confidence and takes pride in her success as a royal mother. Although I’ve always believed that motherhood shouldn’t be seen as every woman’s destiny, I do believe there are women for whom motherhood IS their destiny, and Kate is one of those. I’m still in awe about how quickly she bounced back after each of her three pregnancies. I also quite like the way that she appeared on the hospital steps within a day after each birth, babe in arms, and making no attempt to hide her very natural post-partum tummy.
I’ve never been a fan really of the Royals. but she does look great and glowing. She looks like a wonderful mother. The kids are adorable. I think it’s more that all the attention isn’t on her and Will anymore. There’s now Harry with Megan to take away some of the unwanted attention. Must be a relief for her not to have all the spotlight on her every move.
I so agree with this: she is not scrutinize like she used to, she feels less the pressure and that helps her confidence.
She is now loved by the Brits. They all think she is perfect now that Meghan has come along. Meghan now gets all the hate on the DM message boards.
@Gigi: seriously? This woman has been crucified by the press because she wasn’t royal enough. I admit I have always found her too lazy, but her husband is lazy too…
Anyway I hate what British press does to these women.
This is what I think. She is feeling relief at someone else being around to take the attention off of her.
Plus, call me crazy, but maybe she actually *likes* Harry and Meghan and is happy about the new Fab Four and the family being “complete” in a way.
Agree. Another commoner to take the focus off of her. I think she and Meghan likely do get along and how nice to have someone else on the crazy ride!
That’s my theory too, the spot light is off her to some degree so she’s a little more relaxed and confident.
She’s beaming at Prince Louis. She’s seemed different after his birth. Is he the favourite child? Just kidding.
I think he’s the last and she’s savoring it. Unless Kate convinces Will to go for #4, because I definitely think that was the case for #3.
It’s weird like that though. Before you have kids you may agree to a certain number. In their case I think the heir and spare apply. But then you have them, and it changes how you feel. I don’t begrudge her for wanting more kids.
I would agree with this! My brother-in-law was fine with two but my sister truly felt they weren’t a complete family without one more. So, they had one more! Kind of unexpectedly cause they hadn’t fully decided if they would, but hey sometimes the universe makes things happen whether you want them to or not. She savored every second of “last baby” time and has never doubted not wanting more than 3. I feel like Kate may feel the same way!
I’m one of the people that thinks it’s not competition but relief that has led to her change. Finally she’s not the only one being torn apart in the spotlight. I’m sure she and Meghan get along fine, especially sharing the pressure of the spotlight.
I tend to agree. For all the things we can say about Kate, I don’t think she craves the spotlight.
I agree too. If she was doing tons of events, people would critcize her for not spending time with her children or wanting to conpete with Meghan for the spolitght. She keeps doing the same she alwaya did and gets criticized anyway. I think they are not besties, but get along fine.
Im with you, maybe the reason she looked so relaxed after H&M was because the spotlight wouldnt always be on her anymore. Lets be honest the actual Royals dont get critized nearly as much as those who marry into the Royal family so maybe she was grateful to have Meghan to comisserate with.
I also think the British press and commentariat are giving her nothing but favorable coverage these days. The current narrative around Meghan is all about her “breaking protocol,” but for Kate it’s all about how poised and maternal she is. Praise builds confidence.
I agree with this. Kate glows as a mother, that’s true. But I think she feels a sense of relief knowing that Meghan will be front and center. Harry and Meghan will be the worker bees while Kate will act as Queen Mother. The imagery made me chuckle.
She’s really beautiful in these pictures.
I find this whole “Kate has blossomed because of motherhood” narrative slightly bizarre. Like, it’s great to enjoy family life, but surely in 2018 even royal women are more than wives and mothers?
It’s like that’s all we can say about Kate’s personality and role – that she enjoys being a mother. Every time I read these stories, it’s like we’re in the 1950s.
Well, I think, just speaking for myself, that becoming a mother made me gain a certain confidence? Also, it took me out of myself. I’m much less selfish, and I tend to be more understanding and sympathetic and relaxed about things!! Or perhaps that just aging. I don’t know. I’ve just changed, I know that.
But that’s the great thing about it being 2018, women can choose who they are and what helps them to grow as people. For some, it’s being a mother and wife, for others it’s their careers or whatever it is they like to do. It’s one thing if others have been putting Kate inside this box of only being a good wife and mother, but it seems that Kate wants that role. It’s the brand she is selling to the world, so I’m fine with it. She is choosing it for herself.
As long as she’s living off the taxpayers, she doesn’t get to choose to be a SAHM. All of the staff they have, paid by the taxpayers, is there to enable them to work. Do you honestly not understand that?
Who said anything about being a SAHM?
@notasugarhere: I was referring to Kate, as a person, gaining confidence and blossoming as person through motherhood and being a wife. That is a separate issue from whether or not, as a royal, she should do more “work” due to her living off taxpayers. That’s a whole other issue that has nothing to do with being a mother and wife. I’m speaking about women in general.
As her ardent fans insist, as I’m sure you know homeslice, she should be left alone to be a SAHM because this is what she wants to do.
The idea that her PR of “good wife and mother” brand means she cannot also work for the taxpayers is insulting. Especially to all the working parents paying for the royal lifestyle.
@nota You are really digging deep to misread Iknow’s point. Kate can be complimented for being a good wife and mother without getting torn down for what you see as her many faults.
When the “good wife and mother” bit is used as a PR excuse not to work? Especially when it comes complete with multiple nannies and plenty of time away from the kids shopping, vacationing, shopping, and grooming but not working? Yep, not going to stop questioning the PR bit.
As a royal wife, she’s under pressure to produce an actual King and his/her spare. Once that is out of the way, I can see how that would ease pressure.
I do get the impression, in her case, that being a mother was a goal of hers, even if she hadn’t married a future King — like this is what she had always wanted to do.
nota, I’m not an ardent fan. I’ve been quite critical of Kate on here. I feel like she has plenty of resources to be a good mom and a good representative of her country. I do feel like I’ve moved a bit to her “side” lately because it’s become very hypocritical around here. Both Duchesses seem very keen to spend money on clothes (and not very good ones at that), and neither will ever work enough in their lifetimes to justify the cost. If you are truly doing “charity” work, you don’t need a half million dollar wardrobe, it’s just crazy. Now, I know MM is just starting out, so maybe cut her some slack. But honestly, if out of the gate your are wearing Dior, are you going to go backwards? I don’t see it. Kate in her “training” period was often ripped for her choice of clothes and her family, and the waity Katie and wisteria sister jokes. It’s not like she’s been spared either.
@homeslice
I disagree about it being hypocritical. We both agree the BRF is overfunded by a lot. They just are. But they are here for us to gossip about so we do.
All over the internet, Kate is given so much leeway for things she really should be called out for. Like her work ethic. It is a problem after all this time. Obviously, TQ thinks so because she hasn’t earned the family orders yet. I don’t remember the name of it but it is given for service.
Meghan should be given time to at least earn her criticism by showing a clear pattern of behavior. She hasn’t done anything to do that yet. I feel like people want to tear her down to even some imaginary score that doesn’t exist. Like Meghan has to look bad to make Kate’s faults look better when really they aren’t connected.
Diana managed to be useful and did a lot to bring attention and change to issues. It cannot be overstated that when she touched an AIDS patient she started conversations. When she looked fabulous geared up to discuss landmines it made people take it seriously. She is beloved because she did care.
They CAN make a difference. Charles has been able to do it with his work. No one pays attention but the guy is smarter than he is given credit for and has done good work that has changed lives for the better. Charity and humanitarian work are important because it can fill gaps where the government fails. If they do the behind the scenes work beyond photo ops then it is good. I mean they make a 100,000 pounds an hour so shouldn’t there be a return? lol
She has an opportunity to touch people and I wish she would take it.
“If they do the behind the scenes work beyond photo ops then it is good.”
But do they? It appears all too often that William and Kate have scant knowledge of what they are doing, who they are meeting and tend to wing it. I recall one charity that had Kate as a patron wanting to ditch her because her efforts were non-existent. That’s not encouraging.
Kate is getting better traction because Meghan is being pulled down and this nasty comparison is occurring. Yes, the BRF is vastly over-funded and yes, both duchesses should not need to spend the kind of money they do just to turn up to meet people for an hour. It’s a shameful waste of money.
Nota is also making a good point. While Kate may enjoy being a full-time wife and mother, the taxpayer is paying her to do more than that. None of the royals will ever give much value vs their cost to keep but at least Kate can get out and do a few events each week. It’s not real work and her kids won’t be deprived in any way.
Finally, Ingrid Seward is such a suck-up, it’s best to dismiss anything she says. Such a sycophant.
I’m not saying women shouldn’t be able to choose, I just find the narrative odd. I enjoy motherhood immensely too, but even so, it doesn’t define me. I was a complete person before having kids. Obviously Kate can identify however she wants in private, I just think it’s a strange message to send to/about women by the media/the palace/whoever is spinning these stories. I haven’t really seen royal men being portrayed in that way.
For me, personally, I find that narrative out of sink with who I am as a person. I LOVE my kids and family, but I do not define my worth as a person through them. But, I am finding as I’ve gotten older, I’ve altered my thinking about women who are consume themselves with their families. A few of the women I’ve gotten to know, for whatever reason, draw strength and self-confidence from being the caregiver of their family whether they work outside of the home or not. One woman told me that for her, having a family and keeping them on track, made her a better manager at work. She told me straight up that having a family and having to juggle so many kids, made her a more effective and confident. I thought that was fascinating. That’s for her. For me, I didn’t see the difference in my work performance. I struggled with finding time for myself when I got married and had children and found my way through maturity and life experience. My point was that Kate is the one who is leaning into the role as mother and wife and perhaps she drew confidence from that. It will be interesting to see if/when Meghan and Harry have children, will the media write about Meghan the same way. Because she doesn’t seem like that will be what she will want to define her.
For a decade or more, she had no identity outside of her obsession with and relationship with William. Now people are pushing to re-define her as Best Royal Wife and Mother Ever (TM), because there is still no “there” there when it comes to Kate.
I find it odd that this motherhood is finally making her glow narrative when she is on kid number 3. Why didn’t this happen for the first two kids?
The first two were the heir and the spare. I can see how that would build a certain degree of pressure in term of, er, making sure your fertility works in front of the entire world.
Mothers also probably grow more confident by the third kid. On the first one, I assume anyone, both commoner or royal, would be going “What am I doing? .” I mean, you go home with manuals to work your TV set, but no one really tells you how to parent a kid when you take the kid home. By the third one, you’ve had practice. On the first one, I think you’d be more nervous. I’m just completely guessing as I’ve never had a kid and the thought of one makes me kind of nervous. I get that she has nannies, but I can see how the first and even second kid could still make a person go “Um, how is this done exactly?”
I don’t know if this narrative is actually being hashed out by anyone other than Ingrid Seward and those of us reacting to what Ingrid Seward has said. Everyone in real life seems too annoyed by Donald Trump to think about whether Kate Middleton is glowing or not. In real life, everybody seems worried by other things, most of them political.
I think, as others have said, she always wanted to be a mother and she succeeded. Her kids are adorable and healthy. She’s happy and it shows.
Yeah, I’m sure she’s happy being a mother and that was a dream of hers. That’s not my point. I just think it’s strange to make a 36 year old woman’s happiness all about her kids. Like, surely, there could be a number of reasons for her increased confidence, like maturity, life experience, fulfilling hobbies, taking good care of herself, having found her place in the institution, etc. It’s the one-dimensional portrayal of women as archetypes (dutiful wife, nurturing mother etc.) that I feel is so backwards.
Agree, I think she looks more at ease and there are probably many contributing factors—gaining confidence in her role, getting more used to the scrutiny, aging in general, etc.
Em, I understand the point you are trying to make. Women who are mothers are more than just their kids, because at some point the kids will grow up and leave. Kate just hasn’t done anything of value in her life except have kids so they push the motherhood angle as much as possible. It helps to hide how little she has done with the immense privilege she has been given from her parents and now as a member of the royal family. What’s odd is that no one is really saying much about William being a father and how that has changed him. It remains a very sexist narrative that only the mother is transformed but the father is on the sidelines.
I hadn’t thought of that part Nic19. I guess because I think of William as a photo op father and a ghost probably at home. Like the old aristocratic hour to present the children and then Nanny carries them off to the nursery.
@Em. I agree with you. This is going to sound way harsher than I intend it but motherhood is such a low friggin bar. Nearly every creature on this planet one cell or higher is made to reproduce with a partner. And some can do it solo. The narrative that motherhood (and not even at the first go but at the THIRD) was responsible for a woman’s “blossoming” is a little…ick.
That’s not motherhood, that’s pregnancy and child birth. It’s one thing to make a child, it’s another to be an active mother.
Yes, but to parent WELL is not a “low friggin bar”.
Any occupation is easy to do poorly. Doesn’t take a lot to be a terrible teacher, or a terrible janitor or a terrible accountant. Similarly, to be a terrible parent is rather easy. But to be good at something? Takes work. Study. Discipline. Maybe Kate has worked bloody hard at being a good parent? I can see how that could transform a person… particularly if, up until that point, she had not really worked hard at anything much.
@Em & IKnow – thank’s for making this a broad topic to think about. I didn’t initially touch this thread because I agree with Em. She said it all but I like the how you brought some nuance and different point of view to the discussion. Me. I cannot relate to Kate at all. I don’t get how she got to the age of 36 with only a thimble full of life experience, particularly given her family background and her commoner status. However, now that stories have been shared about co-workers becoming more present and self-confident because of motherhood I can see how that might apply to Kate. I’m not saying I see it but that I can see why people might give her some leeway that way.
I think in the family sphere Kate is very comfortable and confident. It’s her world. She helped to create it and maintains it. Anyway, I would hope so (for anybody) especially after 7 years of marriage and 3 kids in—particularly after having dated that same man for as long as she’s been married to him but I don’t think that same level of comfort or confidence translates to areas outside of the home.
I think it’s starting to show outside of the home though? At least that’s how I took the article. For a long time Kate seemed to frazzled and very uncomfortable in her public role. Lately though it seems she’s found her place more.
She was doing a lot more appearances during this last pregnancy, so I guess we’ll see in time if this change in her public persona is permanent. Hopefully so.
Ok. Perhaps I was/am being short-sighted. She has started doing more speeches and age matures most of us. So, I’ll defer to what you’ve said. Next time it’s reported that she’s out and about doing something public service related I will watch for those signs of confidence, comfort and maturity (meaning having grown more into her role).
The medication probably helps
Charlotte has the same mouth expression as William in the header pic. Too cute!
bondbabe – I had to go back and look after you posted that and had to laugh — their mouths/expressions are identical there !
bondbabe – I had to go back and look after you posted that and had to laugh — their mouths/expressions are identical there !
I think it’s more due to Meghan arriving on the scene and easing the pressure of the spotlight off of her. Meghan is the newest shiny toy for the media to look at, Kate is old news. Her every move will be less under a microscope. I always wondered how she would fare sharing the spotlight when Harry inevitably got married. Looks like she is perfectly happy to stay in the background with her kids during her maternity leave.
People keep thinking she jealous I think she probably ecstatic to get the attention of her
Yes, I can see that.
She’s been married for seven years. What does it say that after all this time she’s still building relations and not already has them firmly in place?
And that behind the scenes line? We’ve been hearing that for years and yet nothing she ever does or says has proven it to be true.
I don’t expect things to really change until TQ passes. If Will is reluctant, then Kate follows his lead. I think she is happy in the home and leaves the family business to him. When he steps up, she will have to as well.
Yes, I think he sets the tone and she follows.
Life is about building relationships, we all do it in some form on a daily basis so I would say that is says…she’s human.
Aside from that, we literally know nothing of the day to day lives of these people.
Good points, April May. Same old spin. But this is Ingrid Seward kissing ass again. She doesn’t like Meghan, so now has to talk up Kate.
Whatever you think of Kate, it’s hard to deny that she looks extremely happy. And I would argue that she also seems more confident.
No one really knows what goes on behind the scenes with these people. We are ALL extrapolating here.
She generally looks happy/confident when she is the center of royal attention – on her terms. This has been true from the first time she showed up and paraded with the royals at Sandringham. It has nothing to do with whether or not she has any ability to define herself as herself – not in relation to William, children, or work.
And how do you know that her happiness is when she is the center of royal attention on her terms?
Easy to see in her attitude in videos and photos when she’s front and center – and when she isn’t.
@Minx….clearly it is when she is doing that being tall thing she does for attention
“I’m sure she is leading on building all the family relations.”
Is this a dig at Meghan’s news about helping Harry mend his relationship with his dad? That’s how it sounds to me.
And regarding Kate being more confident, I think she is a competitive person, after all she is very sporty. I don’t think there is nothing wrong with some healthy competition.
But this is just how I see it, I know nothing.
I’ve said this before—if Meghan’s presence lights a fire under Kate, and so Kate “works” more, fine! Who really cares what the reason is? It’s a win/win. The end result is what is desired.
Okay indulge me here w a fashion sidebar:
I think Kate is NOT GOOD at fashion, knows it, and has always over shopped, over spent to try and be that person she isn’t. (I can relate to the overcompensating, I’ve done it all my life).
Now, she’s a little older, she’s got three kids, she’s no longer the shiny new penny and she’s got Meghan to be the fashion girl and the focus so she’s like “hell yeah, frumpy coat dresses hide bumps and bulges and require no effort. Updos and hair nets last a couple of days and I don’t have to do the curling and blowout. I’m gonna lean in on this uniform stuff.”
—I also do this with black wrap dresses/jersey dresses. They are my sherbert colored coat dresses at a fraction of the price. Lol. Again, relating,
Ha, I own 4 Ralph Lauren jersey dresses because they look great and I can wear them for so many occasions.
Bahaha that is what mine are! We are unknowing fashion twins! But seriously they wash well, no ironing, look better than yoga pants or jeans, comfortable, what is not to love?!
Lol, I tend to agree. She seems to have picked a uniform of sorts, and it kind of works for her. I mean I wouldn’t hate to look like her on any given day. She looks polished and classy.
I think she looks better than she looked early on, less frippery, more streamlined. I also like her hair up or back, and shorter; I’m not a fan of sausage curls.
I don’t know if that’s fair. The shiny new penny Meghan is a few months older than Kate is. Kate appears content with her life, husband and family. That’s a lot when you consider the future of William and George. The novelty of Meghan will wear off after awhile until she gets pregnant and it will start all over. I wouldn’t trade one second of my life to live in either women’s shoes. Their every move is critiqued, applauded, questioned, marveled at….like they’re living in a fish bowl. I would babysit Princess Charlotte though and put her in some cute outfits and change her out of her blue Mary janes….lol
Huh @Nancy what are you talking about? So its an unfair comparison of Kate to Meghan because Meghan is older than Kate? And Meghan is older by what? 3 months and you think Kate is that much younger than Meghan? What’s their age got to do with anything?
Agree, I actually think she’s fine with Meghan being in the fashion spotlight and Kate can wear her coat dresses in peace.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. She loves her Louis. He’s a beautiful baby. Holding a baby in your arms is like a spa treatment to me. So comforting. I think Kate feels the same. The years have softened her and I don’t think there is any jealousy or resentment over Meghan. Had he married any of his prior gf’s, I’m sure people would have insisted she was jealous of them too. Too many old biddies with too much time on their hands. The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.
“Too many old biddies with too much time on their hands.”
Haha, seriously this comment sums up commenters on these BRF threads. Not all btw…
Just be glad he didn’t marry Cressida (bad acting aside) or another aristocrat or worse a royal from another country. THAT would have given the papers a field day and they would have sided firmly with the aristocrat. Classicism would be off the charts.
Oh gosh, dinner time. well I have to disagree. The cheese always stands alone. I would have loved him with Cressida (I even love her name). People forgot a lot of crap this guy pulled. I never give or use the excuse of age. Meghan is pretty, blah, blah, but I think she is as spirited as he is WHICH is fine but he needs to represent his country appropriately. There’s no order left in the world. I hope things work out for themselves and their country. William and Kate are perfect in their roles, it took me awhile to figure that out, but I’m new at this never-ending royal drama…so there you go. Nite all
“The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”
I seriously hope you don’t think that this statement/quote *literally* refers to motherhood.
Excuses, excuses. After how many years of dating and preparing, then marriage etc., Kate has finally blossomed and become confident…please.
Along the lines that one day she’s going to grow a work ethic.
Who knows, maybe she will? She has long time to do so. Now (I’m assuming) she is enthralled with her kids and home life. As they get older things will change. Now that my kids are growing up, I can see myself wanting to go back to work and get back to things I cared about before they were born. Women are all different in how they handle their careers/motherhood. And most importantly there is no right way. If Kate wants to be around her kids more and work less, yes, I suppose it poses a problem for her position, but really, who can stop her? Maybe Meg will have kids and want to work less too. Then maybe the country will decide if they want to continue to support this family?
There is a right way when every penny they have comes out of someone else’s pocket. Why is this so difficult for people to understand? All the other royal parents worked while having young kids because being a taxpayer-funded royal is a job. She doesn’t want to work? They can give back the 50 room palace, the 10 bedroom mansion, the two housekeepers, the army of nannies, the 3 dozen office staff, etc.
She can’t give it back because it doesn’t belong to her. She only has that stuff because of who she married. It isn’t her fault where it came from or that William is entitled to all of it. Even if she never lifted another finger she would still benefit from it. Life is unfair that way but she doesn’t owe anybody anything. She isn’t stealing from anyone’s pocket, the royal family is, blame them. If they wanted her to work more then they would make her, they don’t care and probably won’t care either if Meghan decides to cut back when she has kids.
The royal family has been publicly lobbying them to work more since they ran away and hid in Wales. Philip even did so in his 90th birthday interview, but it took him actually retiring for even more pressure to be put on them. And still they refuse to step up.
The royals choose their own schedules, all royals and courtiers have said this through the years. They are choosing to be this selfish and lazy, but you think it is something to praise?
She chose to marry into the family, she chose to spend 1 million on clothes in 7 years for less than a few months of work, so she is part and parcel of it. Really when you add it up, she’s barely worked a few months of 40 hour work weeks. If Meghan ends up as lazy as Kate, I’ll be here for the criticism.
I think she’s thrilled to have the summer off with her kids, presumably in peace while the media is distracted by Meghan.
I do think she loves being a mum too. The christening photos are charming.
I do think she has gained confidence and we saw something shift in her over the past year. I don’t think its just that she has “blossomed into motherhood” or whatever. If I want to be really fan-fiction-y, I would almost think something was wrong between her and William that has been fixed (maybe just a fight over a third child? IDK) or maybe if she does have anxiety like some of us have speculated it has been under control, etc. Maybe she has just gotten older and matured.
She does seem different over the past year though, in a positive way.
I agree there has been a change and I am not convinced it has anything to do with Meghan or having a third child. I wonder if she has some mental health issues that have gotten treated effectively.
I don’t think their marriage is fixed. Ok since I am stuck resting I can indulge my imagination but I think she no longer expects anything from him. I think she is able to do what Diana couldn’t and that is building her own separate life without rancor. They aren’t a loving couple. We can see that. William won’t even pretend. He didn’t suddenly get married and stop cheating. That is making him into someone he clearly has never shown himself to be. So my guess is that she is ok with what they have now and doesn’t want or expect more. I don’t believe they will have any more children and I think we will see the distance grow. Not unfriendly but just separate lives type of thing.
For her, this would be good. She can grow and find purpose in other places. Her whole adult life has been about him now maybe it can be about her. We will see.
Something about turning 30. I don’t miss my 20s and maybe she doesn’t either.
I don’t know about the marriage but I do think she has reached a level of contentedness in that she has enough of what she wants and that balances out what she doesn’t care to for or to have.
Had Ingrid said along the lines of Kate being content and therefore settled I would have readily agreed. As I mentioned earlier, I just don’t know if that has translated to her public role. But I’m willing to defer to others who say that it has or they she where she has changed from earlier years.
I think she looks sedated
She looks great and certainly seems to be presenting herself as far more confident, relaxed and happy. It makes photos of her far more appealing as a consumer. She seems happiest when she’s with her family and doing high impact photo ops. She’s far less confident and relaxed with the day-to-day Royal work load. Kate seems like she’d love to be be there for ceremonial events but isn’t terribly interested in the actual work. She seems thrilled Meghan is there to carry the load. Everyone is enjoying the honeymoon period. Wonder how long it’ll last.
Of course she is relaxed- she is on maternity leave and spending time with her family. She still looks nervous at events and has problems speaking in front of groups. And she seems disconnected-never seems engaged.
I’ve noticed the opposite. DoC looks so much more confident in her role these days. Her place in the family is secure and Meghan coming along has hugely shifted the media focus from her – everything in regards to Kate is written in a positive tone.
I do think 3 kids helps in general and in particular to secure the Middleton succession.
She and William seem to have had some growth after their kids were born. William nowadays have a stately presence about him, he’s more serious about his role, he’s more engaged and interactive and not as surly as he used to be. Having kids probably made them less selfish and self-absorbed, in that their world doesn’t revolve around just the two of them anymore. Now they have three young kids depending on them, and that can bring about a lot of changes and a shift in perspective.
Kate has become more relaxed, too. She doesn’t look as bored. No more pursed lips at events, not many blank looks anymore. She seems more comfortable communicating and interacting with others at events.
Her kids make her happy and I think her world now revolves around them and less about William. She has ditched the girly outfits, the lace dresses, and the big blown out hair in favour of updos and boring coat dresses that have become her signature, her own look. At Trooping the Colour she was all about Charlotte, not drawing attention to herself. No flashing the ring, no maniacal grins, no attention-seeking behaviour.
I agree about her relationship with William. I don’t think he is her everything anymore.
She was so high strung back in 2012 and there were some instances where William looked annoyed with her or was telling her what to do. Now she’s more confident, doesn’t look to him for guidance in public, doesn’t comment that William “takes care of her”. She’s grown out of her shell and from William, and having her kids had helped with that.
Maybe @Rainbow. I agree Kate has changed since 2012 (as we all have no doubt!) But when asked about what it’s like being a princess in January 2017 Kate gave the answer about being taken care of. That really wasn’t so long ago. By October 2017 when asked the same question again (by children as before), she gave the answer tons of folks on blogs/social media thought she should have given the first time around—that being a princess allowed her to meet people like them. While her “do-over” response was much better, I’m just not sure there has been a change of the sort you describe. Seeing Will and Kate together at future events (when she’s not pregnant and when the kids aren’t present) will tell the tale for me.
I’m with magnoliarose. She and Carole are content with the crumbs they get, and for now that’s enough. We’ll see what happens in future years, especially as the obvious love and respect of Harry and Meghan relationship continues to be contrasted publicly with what W&K put out there.
I don’t think it’s simple confidence blossoming after more than 7 yrs of marriage and many yrs of involvement with Will before that. I think it may have been a battle to get Will to agree to a 3rd child. And reports said for yrs because she was from a family of 3 she always wanted 3 children. I also think it’s possible she’s experiencing fewer postpartum effects than perhaps she had with her first 2 children.
All that said, in public her body language has been quite different with Louis. Outside the hospital she gazed at him in a way she hadn’t her first 2. But that may be because she appeared in public with Louis closer to the time of his birth than with George or Charlotte. But the downward loving gazes even when walking and constant smiles before/after Louis’s christening also differed from what we saw at PG and PC’s christenings. Maybe it’s “child #3 effects.” But the cynic in me wonders because we have seen exaggerated facial expressions from Kate before. (That’s not to say she doesn’t love all of her children. Of course she does.) I saw a body language article saying her open-mouthed smiles at the christening indicated delight and relaxation. Maybe so but the prominent tendons/banding in her neck suggest to me those smiles MAY have been somewhat exaggerated and not so relaxed.
KP tried to brand Kate as “the children’s princess” in the past. Didn’t work because she was obviously very stiff when interacting with children. Now that she has children of her own she seems more comfortable with other people’s children so Kate as “Earth Mother” may work. We’ll see if there’s any meaningful change in her public work/public appearance in the fall. I sort of doubt there will be (although we may hear then how important she spend her time with PL while PG and PC are in school.)
Honestly? I think she’s relieved the spotlight isn’t on her that much anymore. Meghan’s clearly born to be in the limelight and she knows how to work with a public persona. Kate, on the other hand, has received so much scrutiny over the years because of her “simpleton” background and for the simple fact that she was the first wife of the Diana/Charles offspring. I think the pressure is off her and it shows. Good for her! I can’t imagine being in love with a man and then making the sacrifice to be in the kind of world she’s in (perks and all).
kate loves attention you’d think she’d be frustrated once meg arrived on the scene but you think she seemed less anxious and more stress free? i’d think that would be less focus on her and she can relax a bit more-but truly I think she’s jealous of meg’s attention so why would that make her more relaxed? she can’t feel superior to meg at being in the family longer and after providing 3 kids to the family and at the same time jealous of meg?
She’s on medication you can tell by looking at her eyes . And good for her if she needed them . That’s why she’s more relaxed
I think she’s happy to have a PR punching bag, just as Diana was, and the boot-licking press like Ingrid Seward are playing along. Kate is lazy and inept as ever, but as long as the press keeps pretending Meghan isn’t taking to this role like a duck to water? Kate is propped up and praised for doing nothing.
I’m putting this here because it sort of relates to the topic. When I was watching coverage of the wedding, I think CNN? They had a royal reporter on. He said that Will said to Kate we will get engaged when you are ready. That Will was just waiting for the go-ahead to propose. Could this be true? If it isn’t why would they put that out there? I got the sense the reporter did have a relationship with the palace and I’m not a fake news believer. This was the story they wanted or there. Was it to counteract the waity narrative?
LOL. She was ready to marry him on day one. William was the one who didn’t want to get married, cheated on her and dumped her constantly, chased other women even while dating her. When push came to shove, he stood to lose Carole if he dumped Kate, so he finally married her.
What Kate’s fans don’t realize? If there was some secret pact dating back to mid 2000s? Why the hell did she do nothing for that time. Nothing but fall drunk out of clubs, vacation, work out, groom, and wait for William to call for a quickie. Didn’t better herself, didn’t learn a new language, didn’t run a charity. We were fed the line in the engagement interview that she was going to hit the ground running, most prepared royal bride ever. Is there anyone who still believes those lies?
Ohhh so Meghan is so strong in public but not Kate no wouldn’t want to make the Queen smile in public! Lol why am I sending some sort of dog whistle something or other here? And Trumpian orojecting to boot clearly Meghan is building familial bonds like no one befire. lean into that earthy mother thing Kate cuz meghans successes are not your own
I was going to say that Will’s tailored slim-fit suit is quite spiffy and then when I zoomed in, I got an eyeful of his royal package! How has no one else noticed!? Unless I drank too much rosé and broke my glasses tonight, it looks reminiscent of the Jorts Justin Jogging photos… I mean, i can’t unsee it! It’s quite…. something!