Princess Kate celebrated Mother’s Day with a ‘new’ photo with her kids

Here in America, Mother’s Day is in May, after Easter. In the UK, Mother’s Day fell right after St. Patrick’s Day, on Sunday. Thus, we got some new photos of the Princess of Wales and her children. We’ve been seeing Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte a lot in the past year, to the point where even the Daily Mail columnists are calling the kids “overexposed.”

I wish I understood why Kate is so obsessed with trees and tree-climbing, but whatever, maybe it’s not that deep. Photographer Matt Porteous positioned Kate and her children in a leafy tree. This photo is months old – it’s from a photoshoot last year. I recognize the clothes! Kate and the kids are wearing the same clothes they wore in their “Christmas card photo.” I presume this was taken in Windsor, around the time when William and Kate finally moved into Adelaide Cottage. That’s what I thought last year too, with the Christmas card. I guess Kate didn’t feel like hiring a photographer and doing a new photoshoot. She prefers to just parcel out these random, off-season pics. Oh well.

King Charles and Queen Camilla also posted photos of their late mothers too. Hold on, Charles had ginger-y hair when he was a kid?? And Camilla really takes after her mother.

Photos courtesy of Matt Porteous for Kensington Royal.

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170 Responses to “Princess Kate celebrated Mother’s Day with a ‘new’ photo with her kids”

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  1. Shawna says:

    Chuckles had red hair as a baby but rejected Harry for it? Wow.

    • Brassy Rebel says:

      The red hair gene is recessive which means both parents have to contribute to result in a child with red hair. Sorry, Charles, but Harry’s red hair didn’t just come from Diana. 🤭 But we all wish it did.
      Philip had reddish blond hair as a young man.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Red hair also comes from Queen Mary of Teck, who is another relative Harry looks like.

      • Selene says:

        I thought Philip had white blond hair as a child, very much like Princess Anne.

      • notasugarhere says:

        See the famous photo of bearded Philip that Princess Elizabeth kept at her bedside before they were engaged.

      • BQM says:

        Queen Mary didn’t have reddish hair nor did either of her parents. Her hair was always described as a light golden brown.

    • JM says:

      Honestly, I think it’s the recoloring of an old photo making it look slightly red. I wouldn’t trust that process to give accurate results

  2. Rapunzel says:

    She really looks like Carole in the tree sitting pic.

    Interesting that the second pic only has Louis. Trying to overcompensate for the hand over mouth pics from the Jubbly?

    • First comment says:

      I’ve written the same thing before I read your comment @Rapunzel !!! They are so predictable.

      • Sam says:

        Two things: these old pictures are chosen because they are grossly posed and photoshopped. You would never be able to take a normal picture of kate. Also, I can imagine that there aren’t really family pictures. Certainly many of the children, but not with the parents.
        In the picture with Louis, it looks like Kate isn’t wearing a wig. And the hair looks very thin and little. Now we probably know what her real hair looks like

      • windyriver says:

        From a technical standpoint, the tree picture in particular is lousy, for multiple reasons (e.g., the whole group blends into a very distracting background) even before what might have been altered in post. Surprised it wasn’t considered a reject. What’s nice though is to see the children looking happy and relaxed.

      • Dee says:

        Kate’s real hair, her “nightmare hair” as William has called it, is very curly. She had a blow out for these photos and some extensions are in to give her hair length.

    • Nick G says:

      @ Rapunzel I was thinking its the first time I’ve seen Charlotte resemble Carol too!

      • Mary Pester says:

        Offs, another day another photo op from last year, can’t she even be “original” for one day. What’s Kate going to release for the clowning picture, have all the children in Halloween costumes? Because that would be fitting

    • Mary Pester says:

      @RAPUNZEL, strange question maybe, but WHY has she always got hold of one of Louis wrists? Is she thinking that he’s going to lash out again?

      • Nic919 says:

        She’s displaying big blue by holding his wrist that way. I agree it’s not a normal way to hold your child, especially in that context.

      • TheVolvesSeidr says:

        My first thought was she is trying to keep him from putting his hand over her mouth again.

      • B says:

        Maybe he has ADHD and she’s worried he’s a flight risk & too young to understand what he impulsively wants to do?
        When mine was 2-3 years old, he loved to suddenly take off running, and once he broke away and ran towards the road. That kid was -fast-. Had zero appreciation for the danger.
        It scared the living daylights out of me and I couldn’t bear the thought that he could have made it. After I caught up with him, it took me two seconds to order the wrist leash off Amazon for next day and I took the mom stank eye without a blush. I dressed him in only in fluorescent clothes for a long time after that because I figured a driver would have a better chance of seeing him coming if that garbage ever happened again. Even with the wrist leash, I had a firm grip on that kid’s wrist every time we were out, because… my god.
        About a year after that phase, I saw a mom crossing a downtown intersection with her three-ish year old and she didn’t even lightly have the kid’s hand, and my mouth dropped. But it was a very different kid.
        All to say, sometimes kids do things that legitimately stay with you for years, but people don’t see the story behind it, they just see the mitigation measure without the context.

      • Nic919 says:

        She’s not really holding his wrist in any way that could stop him from taking off. She’s displaying the ring. It’s that simple.

    • BothSidesNow says:

      @ Rapunzel, interesting that no one spotted that George is elevated from his siblings again. Another bit of proof that George is the golden child…..

  3. girl_ninja says:

    Kiddos are cute and they ARE overexposed but Willy and Katy are trying to sell a certain narrative. Her eyebrow is so damn distracting.

    • The narrative is we copy. You take a picture under the tree we will one up you and take one in the tree.

      • Jais says:

        Yep. And the jeans. Now we wear jeans in our Christmas cards too.

      • manda says:

        @ Jais. LOL!!! I still wear skinnies but I have always hated hers, they are just a teensy bit too tight IMO. Also, a tucked-in top with no belt? Not even a french tuck (h/t to tan france)? I just don’t get her style at all. Does she not look at fashion stuff at all? If she’s not working and not reading fashion mags or watching queer eye, what does so DO all day?

        question: does tan call that a french tuck bc he is tan france and recommending it? I always thought it was a reference to france the country!

      • Jais says:

        I think the saying French tuck was before Tan France but I’m not sure. Maybe he gravitated towards it due to his name?

      • Andie says:

        As a fellow possessor of a thin box body, a shirt tucked into tight jeggings is one of the least flattering silhouettes possible for our frame. I can’t understand why she doesn’t go for pleats, pockets, or even a lower rise pant. Creating volume in the hip area would really balance her silhouette and add visual interest.

        I’m all for each wearing their own, so maybe this is just how she likes to look. But girl. Lol. My opinion only… She could look so much better.

  4. AmelieOriginal says:

    I don’t like Kate but it’s a cute photo of her and the kids. I loved climbing trees as a kid so the photo makes me nostalgic for childhood.

  5. ThatsNotOkay says:

    Weren’t all the Windsors towheads as kids? And Anne blond/reddish well into her teens?

  6. Seraphina says:

    For me, this is just another half ass attempt on Kate’s part for Mother’s Day and she made it all about herself. As I read the article I thought – why not have pics of your mom and a sweet tribute to Ma Middleton and Diana? Why these old pics of you as a mom. A lazy and self centered Mother’s Day sentiment. At least they are consistent.

    • Sue E Generis says:

      Again, as Kate’s cousin once said. in an article about her, she finds it difficult to be interested in anyone but herself.

      • notasugarhere says:

        What was so sad and telling in those remarks from the professor cousin? She was *trying* to say something nice about Kate.

        She said the family was proud of Kate for trying, because Kate has never had any interest in the world around her. No interest in anyone other than herself. Struggles to be interested in anything other than herself and her immediate personal concerns. The whole family knows that about Kate, sadly.

        It would be one thing if she was some awful hanger-on relative trying to make a money off the story. But this was a close family member who was trying hard to find something nice to say. It ended up backfiring miserably because it revealed how hard and cold-hearted Kate is.

      • Sue E Generis says:

        @notasugarhere It just struck me that we are describing Camilla! They are soulmates.

      • Ameerah M says:

        @notasugarhere – Wow I had not read that interview. A woman with narcissistic tendencies marries a man with narcissistic tendencies and a rage issue. What could go wrong?

      • Lily Rose says:

        I remember that comment about Kate finding it hard to be interested in other people on outings.

        I wonder what Kate and William actually are like behind closed doors. I heard an aristocrat in one article anonymously say the best thing to do was to avoid Kate and the Middletons.

      • Mtl.Ex.Pat says:

        @ nota – do you remember who said that? I remember it from back in the day but would like to go back and read it again knowing what we know now!

    • molly says:

      James posted a photo of their mom from his wedding (I assume), and it’s fantastic. Joyful, natural, spontaneous, and FUN.

      Maybe Kate is also this genuinely loving and affectionate with the ones she loves behind closed doors, but it’s a shame she has to be/chooses to be so outwardly cold with the “hand placed softly on thighs” most of the time. Even Will and Charles got to be sweet in their rain gear in that Father’s day picture, and those two barely tolerate each other!

    • Seraphina says:

      I too am unaware of this interview. Is it difficult to find.

      • SAS says:

        If it’s the Vanity Fair “Kate the Great” profile, yes it is hard to find the original. They famously edited the profile to remove some unflattering quotes after the Middletons complained/ threatened. Maybe try the archives on this site?

      • Nic919 says:

        This interview came out around the time of the engagement and so it’s likely been whitewashed because it paints a too accurate picture of kate and how little she cares about anything but herself.

  7. First comment says:

    Well, the children are beautiful..however, it seems staged…of course, they chose Louis for a special photo with Kate after her fiasco with him during jubilee… they are so obvious…and you know why she is obsessed with trees..to highlight the importance of outdoors activities!!! Arly years, you know…

    • Harper says:

      I just imagine Louis kicking Kate in the side of the face a moment later. He does not look like he would tolerate being restrained while Kate takes a last shot at holding him like a baby. The Arly Years are winding down.

      • AmelieOriginal says:

        I thought the picture of her holding Louis was interesting. Parents can still hold their kids at 5, but it’s kind of the cut off age as they get too heavy to be held for long. She really enjoys having babies in the house and I think she is probably babying Louis for as long as possible because he’s her last kid.

      • Nic919 says:

        It’s not so much that she was holding him, but that she was carrying a 4 year old as one would a young baby. She really wanted that Madonna and child image and didn’t care that Louis was a little too big for that kind of image.

    • notasugarhere says:

      The pristine, unused bright white trainers are quite amusing, speaking to the narrative of just how staged these pics are.

  8. Rana says:

    She never celebrated or posted anything on social media about Mother’s Day before 2019.

    • Ginger says:

      That’s really pathetic she never posted about Mothers Day until Meghan had Archie. What a creep.

    • Jais says:

      I never realized that. Whew the competition really lit a spark. William was actually pretty protective of the kids at the beginning. Tangling with rose bushes pretty much ended that.

  9. equality says:

    The picture is off-balance to me with Charlotte on the opposite side from everyone else.

    • Tessa says:

      The boys sit with her with the girl on the other side. Why not have them all sit close to their mother.

      • Brassy Rebel says:

        It looks like Charlotte is being shunned in some way, but they are sitting in a tree! There’s no more room on the branch with Kate and the boys so Charlotte has her own branch. Maybe they’re preparing her for life as the “spare”. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

    • Nic919 says:

      She is also holding Louis’ arm in such a way to display the ring. His arm is being held like a tissue.

      • SueBarbri33 says:

        I noticed this too! Everything about these photos is strangely aggressive to me.

      • Lorelei says:

        She is incapable of taking a photo in which she’s not prominently flashing Big Blue, no matter how awkward

      • Mary Pester says:

        Thanks for that take on the picture nc, you answered me on my post and I never picked up on it, I just thought she was worried he was going to slap her upside the head! But yep “hey look everyone, I’ve got Diana’s ring” is the right one

    • Mrs.Krabapple says:

      I like the one where William has them standing next to him in order of importance. That’s the most “real” of all the photos.

  10. Laura-Lee MacDonald says:

    I don’t go that into body language because of context, etc. But Liz is leaning away from her baby and holding onto him with one finger and thumb. Girl, I’m sorry you were possibly not at your best in this role, and if that photo was chosen for being a good representative of a loving display? Oof. Explains everything about Chuck right there.

    • DaniM says:

      It’s widely known (in the UK, anyway) that Liz was NOT a hands-on mother at all. Part of it was probably due to her having to take on the role as monarch pretty young, but yeah. Not very involved with their upbringing.

    • notasugarhere says:

      And why he married a woman who looks exactly like his nanny.

  11. Kittenmom says:

    100% this. They really wouldn’t stand out a bit if they weren’t “royal.”

  12. Nanea says:

    The message is strangely worded — from our family to yours.

    To my European ears it sounds American, and… yes, Sussex Royal used that for their Halloween message, when Archie was a few months old.

    Keen KopyKate strikes again.

  13. Becks1 says:

    they’re fine pictures and I feel like this is their standard MO – just keep releasing pics from one big photoshoot for holidays etc. I also feel like she’s saving up the “new” pictures for Louis’ and Charlotte’s bdays coming up.

  14. Tessa says:

    Why not a photo of Camilla as a toddler with her mother.

  15. Aidevee says:

    It’s a shame Wills couldn’t be passed to take a photo himself and release it. Her just got his photographer to bung one out from last year.

    Missed a trick here too-it would have been a lovely opportunity to promote charities for multi generational women and children all over the commonwealth.

  16. Tessa says:

    Harry has a lovely photo of himself with his mother which he used in spare. Maybe he can release that when mother’s day arrives in the US in may.

  17. Tessa says:

    She could have saved that special photo with Louis for his birthday. Or the other children could have had special one on one photos with their mother.

  18. The Duchess says:

    I find it bizarre how the Keen’s don’t have a single candid photo of them with their kids. Everything has to be a professional photoshoot with them, especially when they’ve used a few new photos from last summer to compensate for a Mothering Sunday that’s happening in March. (And they have the nerve to call the Sussexes ‘Hollywood’).

    Maybe they do have candid pictures, but I find it hard to believe none of them have seen the light of day, considering how fame-hungry and self-absorbing these lot are.

    Also LOL at that solo picture she did with Louis. Overcompensating for getting your butt handed to you at the Jubbly by him, Keen?

    • Kokiri says:

      I thought that too, why are there never just photos?
      I thought they were some new modern royal family? Isn’t that what they said they’d be? Yet never anything but sanitized versions of their life. It’s weird.
      & you know it’s weird because her lace blouse is absolutely pristine & no way would be it, with 3 kids and climbing trees. What a weird picture.

      • First comment says:

        We have to keep in mind that those photos are part of the “product”they are selling : a “perfect” happy family… therefore, they choose professional photoshoots to advertise..no photos with possible imperfections…

    • Nic919 says:

      Considering we are constantly being told that kate is such an expert photographer it makes no sense that she doesn’t have candids of the kids available for occasions like this.

    • BQM says:

      There are. We just don’t see them. But they released one after Philip died of them, the kids and Phil and Liz. It hadn’t been seen prior.

  19. ML says:

    Kate in trees with royal children: social climber.
    Kate with Louis: she’s very slender in that photo, which she probably very much likes to see.

  20. Kokiri says:

    I don’t know why either. I don’t really think any of the royal kids are cute, tbh, not even the Sussex kids. They’re just plain little kids.

    I also didn’t really see how thin Kate is until that picture with Louis, in her jeans but a sideways angle. She’s evaporating before our eyes.

    • MaryContrary says:

      I agree. They are all perfectly fine looking little kids. They’re not meant to be models.

  21. Red Weather Tiger says:

    Not that it matters, but if we compare the Wails’ kids hair colors here and in the pics from the Jubbly of the 3 kids in the carriage (in the Roles in the Chubbly thread), we see that here in the tree and with Kate, they are re-colored to be blonde. Even Lou, clearly the kid with the darkest brown hair, somehow seems to have a light blonde thatch on top. And before you say “they are in the sun!”—in the pic in the carriage at the Jubbly, they are all in the sun, and they are all still very much not blonde children. Again, not that it matters. It’s just an odd thing I noticed.

    • Nic919 says:

      Even comparing the tree photo to the kate and Louis photo it’s clear someone played with the colours to make it look more blonde. Kate’s hair in the tree photo is being hit with sun and doesn’t look as blonde as in the second photo.

      Louis and Charlotte have light brown hair which isn’t the same as blonde. George was the only one with blonde hair as a baby and as he gets older it changes to being more light brown, as what happened with William. But the need to make the kids look like they have blonde hair is just another aspect of the image they try to project to make it obvious they are Diana’s grandchildren.

  22. art maven says:

    That’s really a lovely pic.

    • sparrow says:

      I really like the main group photo, too. I love the idea of the tree; put a tree in a photo and I’m pleased as punch!

  23. RoyalBlue says:

    Hmm, how come Baldy didn’t release a picture of him with Diana? I wonder if he ever felt close or distant to her. He never speaks to that.

    • TheWigletOfWails says:

      Seeing as he called her “paranoid”, he’s better off sitting this one out coz he’d get cooked for it.

    • Jaded says:

      You’d think he’d have posted a “thank you for being such a wonderful mother” message but no…he’d probably prefer having a tooth pulled.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        indeed. and he is afraid of offending Pa and his consort. You do not want to cross those two.

  24. TheWigletOfWails says:

    At least they made this Mother’s Day about her. Remember the “dear granny Diana” letters after Prince Archie was born? That was extremely weird.

  25. AA says:

    It’s a nice picture but why release something that is months old? They couldn’t take a candid snap on the way to church or something and post that? And that lace blouse when you’re hanging with your kids is weird.

    • notasugarhere says:

      They don’t go to church. William has never been a church goer. The Midds never showed up at church until after the engagement was announced. Then they did a big pap stroll of ‘Kate’s last Christmas with the family’ when in fact, the Midds never go to church as part of their celebrations. Never at Easter either, that was always a foreign ski trip.

      Because they don’t live together? Because this is the last time they had all of them together, W&K able to control their dislike of each other long enough to get a set of posed family photos?

    • Southern Fried says:

      My petty point is the blouse with those pants, not horrible but not good. As always my heart goes out to their children. The best we can hope for is they emulate their Uncle Harry by removing themselves from the royal sewer.

  26. MsIam says:

    Not to be mean but Charles and Baby Charles have the exact same face. Like he was born looking like a little old man.

  27. notasugarhere says:

    But but, Kate stans insist these are the most beautiful children on the planet ever.

    If I *had* to pick a royal child I thought might end up as a stunner? Madeleine’s daughter Adrienne. Could just be because I like her Helena Bonham-Carter curls.

    • JT says:

      I think Archie look very striking with his beautiful red curls. Lilibet and Archie would stand out in a photo with W&K’s kids.

  28. blue says:

    These pics are so old. The trees & the pathway stroll were taken the same day, months ago but presented as timely. I guess they have an annual photoshoot & release them regardless of seasonal (in)appropriateness.

    • sparrow says:

      I’m oddly pleased they’ve done a re-release. It reminds me of last year’s lovely weather. The weather here is so depressing at the moment, lots of typical rain going on for days and days.

  29. Beverley says:

    Even in this seemingly carefree and joyful photo, George has clenched fists. So sad.

    • Blithe says:

      I do like the picture with the five of them walking along the path. In contrast to the tree pic, George’s smile seems more genuine, and he looks more relaxed. Overall, I like the pics.

      Funny that at least two of them are wearing Polo — designed by an upstart American for preppies to mimic classic British clothes. I’m surprised that they didn’t make an effort to rep more actual British companies for photos that they knew they would be distributing for publication.

  30. AnneL says:

    Cute pictures. They are cute kids. Not gorgeous or anything, but cute.

    Charles on the other hand? Wow, he wasn’t even cute as a baby! He was always funny-looking, lol. Funny-looking babies and children are cute too, but there’s no denying Charles is an odd looking fellow.

    My mother is about a decade younger than QE II was and always admired her. They have the same first name, too. She grew up with Elizabeth getting married, becoming Queen, etc. But she always says Elizabeth was very pretty and I never agreed with that. She was attractive, slim, and very put together. But she wasn’t particularly pretty.

    • blue says:

      Agreed. Margaret got whatever looks that gene pool produced. Liz, well-lighted & posed for photos, could look attractive but pretty? Never.

      • kelleybelle says:

        So did Charles. Looking at pics of Queen Victoria and her family, I’m surprised how much they look like Liz and Charles. Diana even joked herself that Charles didn’t want to marry but rather was just under pressure to find the best-looking titled virgin. As for William and Harry, William’s looks deteriorated (he is really starting to resemble his hideous father) but Harry’s have not.

    • kelleybelle says:

      Margaret was prettier and I think it irked the queen mother to no end.

  31. sparrow says:

    It’s a sweet photo.

    I don’t like commenting on celeb kids. But I’m not particularly fond that there is one released with just Louis. It smacks of baby child favouritism to me, perhaps because I grew up with a similar dynamic. I wonder whether it’s there to readjust the narrative of Louis being out of her control at the Jub. Almost, “look at the lovable little rogue, he is such an exuberant child, that’s why he got petulant”.

    I’ll say this – We know that she looks haggard and “done in” in real life, with lank hair etc, so this is heavy photoshopping. Once again it’s a matter of Kate being able to look back in later life and kid herself she looked like this. A more serious issue is that it promotes the idea that you can be as unnaturally thin as she is, as we see in unedited photos, and look like this. To me it’s dangerous. It places a huge burden on her, as well – having to meet people in real life and knowing she looks nothing like this.

  32. kelleybelle says:

    Make sure the photog gets a good view of Big Blue, that’s right Kate. Make sure.

  33. Over it says:

    They look like a bad commercial for cheap denim

  34. QuiteContrary says:

    Hey, Charles and Camilla, do you know who is probably missing his mum?

    Harry.

    • Zengirl says:

      This!

      They should acknowledge Diana, but they can’t because…Camilla. But she is always there and they cannot get rid of her memory no matter how hard they try.

  35. tamsin says:

    I think it’s a charming photo, not matter what technical “errors” one might find with the setting or the composition. I Charlotte by herself balances the photo. And I don’t see anything wrong with doing a large photo shoot and releasing different pictures for various occasions. I don’t think everything needs to be current and taken “for” the occasion.

    • sparrow says:

      I agree. The weather was so fresh and beautiful at that point; lovely nostalgia for us Brits. Also, I suppose it makes economic sense, which we shouldn’t fight them for, given they spend so much of our money at other times.

    • CallyForbes says:

      I’d be happy to go and sit in a tree. Looking forward to Spring getting going.

  36. Amee says:

    A 40+ year old woman up in a tree. Idiot.

    • Betsy says:

      She does lots of stupid and mean stuff but interacting with her children includes acting a little like a child. This isn’t the thing to mock her for.

    • MaryContrary says:

      I think she’s work shy and a mean girl-but I am truly not seeing what is wrong with her posing in a tree with her little kids. What a weird thing to criticize her for.

    • Jaded says:

      There’s nothing wrong with posing with her kids in a tree and she’s not acting like an idiot, she’s joining in her kids having fun. In fact lots of good moms would do the same. I’m sure she’ll look back at this photo once her kids are grown up with a lot of fondness. Lighten up.

  37. Is That So? says:

    Did Willy post his Mom? I didn’t read that anywhere.

  38. Betsy says:

    Charlotte is like Elizabeth 2.0 if she lived in modern (well, as modern as this family will ever act) times. She looks so much like her.

    • Tessa says:

      I never saw any resemblance to the queen. Charlotte like her brothers have middleton features. Charlotte also looks like Diana. I can also see Charlotte turning out to look like aunt p i p p a. I don’t see her looking like the queen who is only one of her ancestors.

    • Tessa says:

      Charlotte is her own person not elizabeth 2.0. I see more of a resemblance of the queen to lady Louise and even then Louise is not a clone . The queen was one of a kind and so is charlotte.

    • notasugarhere says:

      I see no QEII in her, it is Lady Louise who is QEII’s twin. All I see in CC is half Carol(E) and half Pippa.

  39. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    Is there video of them getting situated in the tree? I wanna see THAT.

  40. WhatKateHerselfSaidOnPageSix says:

    Why do all the old photos released at a later date never look like her, do they need time to photoshop her? The only one that looks like her is the walking one and that was released the same day.

  41. K.Tate says:

    I see where Camilla gets her face :-/

  42. A says:

    I don’t get the vibe that Kate released a photo of herself and Louis to smooth over the Jubbly shenanigans. Between the Jubbly shenanigans and this, my hunch personally is that Louis is her favourite of the bunch, and she’d let him get away with murder if she could. There’s no other reason why she would have let him behave as he did during the Jubbly, in front of the whole world, but she had no issues with reprimanding either George or Charlotte. Remember those pics of her scolding George at Pippa’s wedding? But Louis doesn’t get so much as a cross look from her for behaving like he did? Double standard much?

    I think Louis, being the youngest, being the baby in the family, and Kate loving babies and feeling broody and Baldy making constant jokes about her about that–I wouldn’t be surprised if she cries about Louis growing up and tries to keep him as her baby, hence this particular shot.

    I wonder what the early years research says on parents overtly choosing favourites between their children? What about parents having unequal expectations towards their children in terms of being well-behaved? Or about parents who infantilize their children long after they’ve grown out of their infant stage? Seems rather amiss for Miss Early Years Expert Middleton.

    • sparrow says:

      I really like the group photo. I think Kate has been photoshopped to hell and back, but I like the setting and the idea.

      The photo with Louis shouldn’t have been released IMO. Like you, I wonder why? It gives off so many vibes. A baby favourite? I grew up with my little sister being a favourite and the ramifications are still with my family today; for all of her siblings and our relationship with her and our mother, and in fact her co dependent relationship with her spouse (which I understand can be a common fall out from a child having an overly intense relationship with just one parent). Should a mum release a photo without balancing it out with all three having an individual photo? It doesn’t really resonate with the message of mother’s day. Or an early years expert. I think it’s been done to counter the impression that she and Louis have possibly a strained relationship, as witnessed at the jub. (This was a constant theme of people’s reactions to that event. Not mine. I didn’t comment.) I think W&K were sensitive to what was said in some quarters, and they’ve done this to make out he’s just a little rascal but within her control. It’s sad that they’ve felt the need to do this. If they’ve released this photo without that intention, I am flabbergasted at her ignorance of favourites.

      • Rana says:

        They released that picture trying to convince the world, especially Harry, that it’s not just the heir who gets special treatment!! Remember, Louis is an unwanted child (William only wanted two children) and he is not only a spare but also a spare to the spare lol.

      • The Old Chick says:

        Vanessa and your sock bqm, you’re not being jumped over. If you call out people for reasonable responses you also get to be called out. Looking forward to seeing you and your sock all over twitter calling out the thousands of abusive tweets the Sussexes get! Please share! What a thin skin you have.

    • Tessa says:

      I think it not a matter of favoring Louis that she allowed him to behave badly on public. She could not handle the situation. She had an overtired child and if she wanted to indulge him she would have kept him home to take a nap instead of having the overtired child act out.

      • Vanessa says:

        Allowed him to behave badly in public??? Your children must be perfectly behaved at all times. Tessa – your comment isn’t very empathetic or kind.

      • A says:

        I disagree. I think it’s absolutely a matter of her favouring Louis. I think her favouring Louis is what renders her unable to handle the situation. I also don’t think taking an overtired child for a nap is an indulgence–it would be the appropriate way to deal with the situation at hand.

        From what we’ve seen of Kate’s parenting, in the few glimpses we’ve seen, her way of “handling” misbehaving children is to scold them with a pointed finger, like she’s a Victorian governess. We all saw the pictures of her “handling” George in particular, at Pippa’s wedding and at the polo match soon after Louis was born. Granted, those are just a few glimpses, and we can’t get a full grasp of how she parents from that alone, but compare how she coped with George being mildly rambunctious at either of those two instances with how she dealt with Louis.

        Impatience is what is often saved for the children that a grown up CAN’T handle. Indulgence is what’s afforded to the children that a grown up goes out of their way to coddle, against all good advice. Consider how Aunt Petunia dealt with Dudley vs. Harry, even though Dudley was by far worse behaved than Harry ever was. I’ve seen it a lot where parents indulge misbehaving children (and my tolerance for misbehaviour is higher than most others’ fwiw), and it emboldens them to continue to misbehave, bc they know they’ll get away with it, bc their parents will say and do nothing.

        I don’t want to compare, bc I don’t want to presume where these children’s lives are headed, but I feel has a lot of shades that are similar to how Charles vs. Andrew were treated by the Queen. Charles had a much shorter leash than Andrew, who could seemingly do no wrong bc he was the favourite. Even though his behaviour would have greatly benefited from a lot of boundary setting by a parent during his early years.

      • Tessa says:

        It was not a harsh comment. Kate like other mother’s have done could have quietly left with the child throwing the tantrum and brought him backstage until he calmed down and maybe given him a toy to play with. It is being sensible to do this not cruel. Overall he should have not been brought to an event when he was too tired.

      • Vanessa says:

        Disagree with what? You said you don’t want to compare but spent 4 paragraphs comparing two sets of siblings. I think maybe you don’t like Kate and are projecting a relationship on her and her children that may not exist. Kate is a public figure and so I guess she is up for criticism, but have you ever thought that her children might read these comments? Maybe show some kindness and empathy. I only wish my kids were perfectly behaved all the time in every situation, sheesh, how old is Louis? He’s still so small.

      • Tessa says:

        Vanessa i think you misunderstood my comment by not allowed I meant she could have kept him home. He was 4 and overtired. Or she could have quietly left with him and gone backstage. He was 4 and overtired. She tried to reason with him but he is still 4. You misunderstood. Why not ask before you judge my post.

      • Tessa says:

        Vanessa i don’t like Kate. I think the children should be children and not be seen as working r o y a l family members. I am glad harry and Meghan s children will not be expected to be out and about having to work

      • Vanessa says:

        I judged the words that you wrote. If you don’t want to be misunderstood, maybe choose your words more carefully, or even better, refrain from discussing their children or judging their parenting choices when you don’t really know what’s going on. You don’t like Kate, fine most commenters here don’t but it’s disturbing to see the nastiness directed towards the children and their relationship with their mother. It’s not cool, it’s petty and makes you look foolish.

      • The Old Chick says:

        Vanessa no one looks foolish except for the Kate stans who ride in on their white horses to defend her honour. Aside from her own appalling behaviour in public, her inability to control herself, her and bully’s violent (throwing things according to her friendly press) arguments, she put herself out there as an early years ‘expert’ 🤣 she gets to be critiqued all right. If she doesn’t want her children to read comments in the future (and come on, as if they’ll see these) maybe she should learn how to behave. You know, like a grown up. And maybe she should protect her children rather than sell them for pr. But sure, blame people here. Meanwhile your friends are saying that Archie and Lili aren’t Meghan’s bio children, they’re dolls, they don’t exist, and a dozen other things but I bet you don’t ride in on the white horse to those comments? Nah, of course you don’t. You belong on YouTube and the Fail.

      • Vanessa says:

        Nah, I’m just not into criticizing children and would never begin to tell anyone how to parent their own kids. Would do the same for Meghan but haven’t seen the same mean comments on here with regards to her children. I’ll be sure to jump in if I ever do. If you’re into that sort of criticism, that’s on you.

      • Saucy&Sassy says:

        Vanessa, I notice that you said that if comments were made here about Meghan like there are being about Kate, you would make a comment. It’s interesting that you qualified your answer to any posts on this site. We are to assume one of two things: 1) you don’t read anything that is written negatively about Meghan and her childrens, EVER; or 2) you meant what you said about only on this site would you comment. I believe it’s the second since you were clear about how someone else phrased their post. You, of course, chose your words carefully.

      • The Old Chick says:

        Vanessa that’s disenguous. Obviously those comments don’t get posted here. But as long as you call your friends out on twitter, the Fail etc. Kate stans post this stuff daily. It’s appalling. We know you’re a Kate Stan to go this hard on such mild comments. I’m so glad the Sussexes don’t sell their children for positive pr unlike these two very awful people. Which they are. Evidenciary support is limitless.

      • BQM says:

        @vanessa sorry you’re getting jumped all over for some very mild comments.

      • Anna says:

        She didn’t know what to do because she never does it. A typical mum of 3 would sense a meltdown coming, and it was a no brainer to expect that. Kate just never deals with this kind of behavior, every time it happens nanny Maria probably swoops in and takes the kid.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Louis acting out in public is a reaction to Kate’s controlling behavior. We’ve seen all three kids act out against her in public. Mostly it is a sign of how little time she spends with them, and how much of the parenting falls to the army of nannies.

      • Nic919 says:

        He was four when this happened and most parents are familiar with their own kid’s temperament in stressful situations by that age. Especially by child number three. Most parents also wouldn’t be ok with a hand on the month from a four year old.

        Kate did not seem to be able to handle the situation and instead of doing a time out and bringing him aside, she made him stay there because image is more important than anything. He also didn’t seem to have any books or things to distract him during a long day. Again most parents know this for their third child who is four years old.

        Most parents also don’t pretend to be an expert in early childhood either.

        She can’t have it both ways. If she is an expert and she still doesn’t understand how her third child reacts to situations like this, then maybe someone is exaggerating the work they actually do with all the medical journals alleged to have been read.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She wasn’t able to handle a public CC meltdown on a tour. She couldn’t handle her own two children at Pip’s wedding, instead poking her fingers in their faces and giving them a wicked witch face while dressing them down. After that she handed them off to the nanny who had snuck in the side of the church.

  43. AC says:

    I 100% agree with one of the commenters above . I know these photos are rehashed from their Christmas photos- I just noticed(esp the one used for Mother’s Day) that they were also wearing American brands from Ralph Lauren Polo to even Nike shoes , is that Vans that Charlotte is wearing . Very interesting since the British upper class usually condescends anything American. I remembered when Meghan wasn’t wearing a British fashion brand during an event, my goodness the British tabloids tore her apart for it. While WK and their family looks somewhat of what an American family would wear for a family outing – something just very casual and relaxed .. just an interesting observation..
    also on another subject it seems almost 30% of millennials has never heard of Kate Middleton. I’m pretty sure that’s even a higher % with Gen Zers. Are they trying to make an effort to appeal to the younger generation as they know the typical subscriber/reader of the Daily Mail (their support team) is almost 60 years old… lol…

  44. Cottage Cat says:

    The Middletons are trying to flog the pinky-ring-wearing “little brother” . I genuinely can’t understand how people are getting behind the hard as nails, “I want to be Queen and I’ll stop at nothing to get there’ Middleton.

  45. JaneBee says:

    Louis is somehow denying the fundamentals of genetics and does not appear to have even a sliver of Windsor or Spencer DNA… Do wonder if that is why Kate clearly favours him.

  46. Nicegirl says:

    Tree photo copykeening of course, but it also got me thinking about The Royal Family Tree.

  47. jgerber says:

    The Old Chick, Yes to everything you said. Damn straight.

  48. jgerber says:

    Somehow the tree photo looks odd to me. I don’t know, these are 4 people who live in 5 castles and yet they’re all crowded together up a tree? The twenty seconds Kate spent in the tree with her three kids probably counted as family time for the month.

    • The Old Chick says:

      It’s ridiculous. Kate climbing trees in white lace and the children perfectly presented? Why bother with the tree? They clearly did not climb the tree, they were lifted up and it’s not very high. It’s stupid. The fans love it tho 🙄🤷

  49. Scout says:

    1. Kate is supposed to be the photographer in the family so I can see why she would be sensitive about letting other photographers take pix of her family.

    2. William may not have been present that weekend so she needed to fall back on old photos.

    3. I will never forget when the queen released an image of her home/work space and a stunning photo of Prince Philip with a swirl of butterflies was framed. And SOPHIE had taken that gorgeous photo. Poor Kate.