I kind of love that at this point, we all assume that Duchess Kate is only doing some events this month because she’s going to be taking a nice long vacation to Mustique. Honestly though, this is an improvement. She used to go on vacation first, then do some royal “work” after she was criticized for her long holidays. I guess the new press secretary has finally told William and Kate that they should flip the order, that work should come ahead of their vacations. The Daily Mail had a somewhat interesting story about how Kate’s styling has changed during this pregnancy (different hair dye, no spray tans) and then a “source” dropped in a detail about how Kate “hoped” to go on vacation to Mustique next month. Classic.
It is said the reason for her less glamorous look is that the pregnant Duchess has pared down her beauty regime for health reasons. Her spray tans and glossy, semi-permanent highlights have been ditched because of the chemicals they contain.
Ahead of last week’s visit to London’s Barlby primary school, where the Duchess and artist Grayson Perry opened a new centre for her charity, The Art Room, she booked an appointment to have a vegetable dye rinsed through her hair before having it blow-dried and styled. As she stepped on to the pavement at the Ladbroke Grove school, it was clear all traces of grey had gone, although Kate’s locks had a stronger chestnut glow than her usual colour.
Flashing her trademark smile, Kate, who is expecting her second baby in April, looked the picture of health. She also looked radiant on Friday when she attended a reception for the Fostering Network in Islington, North London. The Duchess has spent the past few weeks on extended holiday at the new home she and William share at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
William is studying hard to qualify in his new job as an air ambulance pilot based at Cambridge Airport.
According to one source, it might not be too long before Kate’s next holiday. Next month she is hoping to join her family on the private Caribbean island of Mustique for her mother Carole’s 60th birthday. The Middletons are understood to have booked a villa there.
Says a source: ‘Kate is pencilled in for a trip to Mustique with Prince George. William is not going as he has his head down, revising for exams. It is a big birthday for Carole and Kate won’t want to miss it. She has been saying she really is missing some winter sun.’
Kate has been given the all-clear to travel – and looks as though she deserves a break in the sun.
My guess is that Kate “pencilled in” the vacation first, then worked with her press secretary to schedule a handful of events that wouldn’t interfere with the vacation. And the last time Kate went to Mustique with the Middletons (and Price George), William didn’t go. That was last year, when he was in the midst of his Cambridge studies, except we found out later that William had gone on holiday… to Spain, with Jecca Craig. They went boar hunting. Because of course they did. I wonder if William will do a separate holiday with an ex-girlfriend this year? And I wonder if Kate is going to organize another stepping-off-the-plane photoshoot with Prince George? It feels like we haven’t had any candid photos of George in a while.
Oh, and just FYI: William and Kate now have even more security surrounding them, and their guards carry tasers now. Just FYI, in case you were thinking about running up to Kate during one of her shopping excursions to give her a hug, you’re going to get tased.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Well of course she’s going on vacation, she’s been working so hard these past few weeks! Girlfriend needs a rest. 😛
That said, it would be fun to see more candid pics of George. The last ones I remember seeing were the ones released at Christmas, and they weren’t really “candid”. Maybe he’ll smack someone on the way down the plane’s stairs?
Agree. This chic is so predictable but pics of PG playing on the beach or doing a celebrity wave from the gangway would be a treat!
PGTips building a sand castle. 😉
@Citresse, and then knocking it down in typically George fashion 🙂
You mean their security did not carry weapons before??? And now they only carry tasers, how about the Queen,she must have armed security. This is bizarre and especially if it’s public knowledge.
As reported in the wake of what happened in Paris, security around the world is increasing. As an example, it was said that Kate’s RPOs now carry tasers. She’s been out & about lately, so I’m guessing that’s why she was chosen. I think they also mentioned additional security measures for the President & various diplomatic facilities around the world.
Weapons aren’t done in much in the UK… police don’t usually carry guns either.
They’ve always been armed, the difference is that they’ve added tasers to their arsenal.
In random pics of various royals, you can see the concealed gun where the RPO is adjusting their jacket or belt or trousers.
There were statistics in the Guardian, I believe.
Since 2003 people have died from:
5 people died from beesting
5 people died from terrorist attacks
20 people died drowning in their bathtubs
thousands of people died in traffic accidents or by medical malpractice
But instead of making traffic safer or by improving medical care they arm up the police to try to prevent another 5 or 10 people dying in the next terrorist attack.
It has been blown out of proportion. These terrorist attacks – as barbarian as they are – are abused to install an Orwellian surveillance state and to reduce civil rights and liberties.
And on another note–I think I detect about an inch of dark roots here, so I think the DMs story is a lot of hooey. She was prepared to be photographed here, not on her shopping trip (although that was a lot of makeup for shopping).
Please forgive me if I go just slightly off topic, but every time I read a William and Kate I feel like I’ve been in a coma for the last 5 years. I thought these two were genuinely, happily married. Can one of our Anglophile posters bring me up to speed on a few things? I’ve been under the (obviously mistaken) impression that Will and Kate married for love, and that while Will needed a bit of “encouragement” to walk down the aisle, Kate was his only real choice when he decided to take the plunge. However, after reading the many posts on CB, I find out there’s a woman named Jecca lurking in the shadows, and the Cambridges seem to be in a marriage of convenience, and live the stereotypical, aristocratic marriage, where they produce a couple of heirs, then do what they want, with whom they want, separate lives, lovers, etc…
Sorry for the long post, but can someone give me a synopsis on the true nature of this relationship?
It was not for a lack of trying on Will ‘ s part to find someone else to marry. Kate was the only one to stick. He treated her like crap and did so on a public forum. Her response was to become even more of a party girl and continue to be at his beck and call sexually. Whatever you want to call their marriage it is not a great love story.
Epiphany, there are many people on here who will tell you otherwise, but I do think they love each other. I think William wanted to be sure because they were so young, but I don’t see any reason why he would have married her if he didn’t love her. I don’t think he wants to repeat his parents’ marriage. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but I do think there is love. You don’t have to be glued to each other to have a good marriage. Winston and Clementine Churchill spent much of their marriage apart, including vacations, and they had a great love.
Agreed.
People marry for all sorts of reasons, but in this case, the PR went into overdrive to sell a great love story.
Personally I think they are friends who married for pragmatic reasons. That sort of relationship is bound to last longer because no one is entering the marriage with silly romantic notions and everyone is clear what the marriage is about.
The general public outside the UK (and some in the UK) barely paid any attention to their long courtship, so it was easy to whitewash what happened or was perceived to have happened before the engagement in order to sell the great love story.
For the restoration and longevity of the monarchy after the crazy 80s/90s years, it’s imperative that this marriage be perceived a great love story and that no divorces rock it.
In a way, William’s mania for privacy helps perpetuate it, but unfortunately for them, we live in the era of internet and social media. It’s a lot harder to fool the masses.
I think Kate is totally besotted with William and has become a doormat. She hung in through years of break-ups, skirt chasing and bad behaviour on his part. He’s strikes me as a tempermental, arrogant twat who must have his own way all the time. Being married to him is probably no walk in the park, but she was willing to forego true love and romance from him for obvious reasons.
This! Which is sad because I truly thought he embodied Diana because he had her looks, but he really grew into a petulant, spoiled twit. I don’t feel too sorry for Kate because she knew full well the type of guy he was. This is the man who allowed his friends and brother to call her names, who regularly cheated on her, was happily screaming he was free at a bar after dumping her, and she still went back to him. At some point, she should have loved herself more than she “loved” him. That said…an aristocratic marriage of separate homes and lives is probably the best for them. No point in being together and miserable if being apart and happy works before them.
Doesn’t she go there every February? Why is this news?
I don’t think I want to hug Kate even if they didn’t taser me, she doesn’t strike me as a kind, huggable and friendly person.
They’re probably more concerned about people taking her photo without her authorization and (gasp!) posting it on twitter.
Are they leading separate lives?
It would be a real shame to lead separate lives not even five years into your marriage.
……but this isn’t a young relationship. they dated for 8+ years before they married. They lived together on and off for most of those 8yrs.
By the time they married, the bloom was off the bloom so to speak and separate lives was the only way to make their relationship work.
It’s been this way since before the wedding.
Poor Kate, in a gilded cage… I believe that she thought that she would be happily married and doted upon (like fairy-tales). She probably does not do many engagements, because she is throwing too many parties for William’s friends. Her mother seemed supportive in many ways – but with her own motives. When does William treat her with deference, or as a real gentlemen? (apparently his father and uncle have helped him with examples from history; by their examples, and cheering him on with instructions concerning the glory and full entitlement, of a prince). This family has a lot of power to hide and manipulate the press. It’s like they really are in a governing position. When the Queen defends Andrew – what can you do?
The boundaries relating to Jecca – is perhaps also why Kate’s mother worked so hard on getting her to NYC; presumably so William didn’t hook up with the Jecca girl. I hope that Kate will find the courage to be happy with herself. That seems to be the strong man to take on, in her development. One cannot be happy by being ordered about, and as obliging as a nun, because all she cares for, is William (who seems almost devoid of the capacity to respect her). I would love to see her happy. What is truly fair? Whatever the royals please…
I don’t know – they’ve been together for what? Almost 15 years? I can see it being a pragmatic relationship – they’re fond of each other but the great love has died down if it ever was.
Seem to be. There was a picture posted last weekend, on the highway, reportedly with kate at the wheel, Pippa in the front seat, & nanny & baby in the back on the way to bucklebury. No william in sight.
She doesn’t seem to have many fans on royaldish – anyone familiar with it? Here is one of the tamer quotes from a poster there:
That article is really clever. Confirm Mustique, but accompanying pics and article show exhausted Kate who nonetheless valiantly went to work in the same week. She might not get as much haterade because the poor dear soldiered through despite being exhausted. Nevermind that article also says she’s been on holiday at Anmer Hall since before christmas, the visual narrative speaks louder than words.
Many of the royal forums and blogs aren’t big Cambridge fans, including RD. Anything you read on them should be verified with reputable sources.
I go on RD periodically myself and it’s mostly opinions, isn’t it? People think she’s lazy, has no work ethic, etc., etc. What’s there to verify?
So why is William not criticized – royal favor?
Yeah, RoyalDish is an opinion board, not a journalists back-up-everything-you-say-with-verifiable-facts board. I post there myself. I like it because it’s not an OTT fan board (however, fans do post there too!).
I used to post on The Royal Forums but I got torn to shreds by other posters when I commented that I thought it was sad that Kate was losing so much weight before her wedding…so I left. RD is nicer because both opinions are welcome.
@wolfpup, William (and other royals, not just Kate) are criticized on RD. There are forums for all royal families.
Personally I only visit RD or gossip sites for a good laugh, or as some may say “brain candy”. I don’t care if people’s comments are gospel or verifiable facts.
The main thing about getting along on Royal Dish is to avoid saying anything nice about Princess Mary of Denmark – they really do despise her!
As long as the taxpayers aren’t paying for it, I really can’t begrudge her family holidays.
Who do you think pays for all that security that has to accompany both Kate & George? Who do you think enforces the no picture rule or keeps people at bay from their villa? The taxpayers are most definitely paying for Kate & George’s vacation to Mustique.
Yes, 9 RPOs just for her to go to a wedding. Who knows how many they take to Mustique. The taxpayers will pay for the accommodations, food, and overtime for those RPOs along with their salaries. The Duchy (which funds W&K daily expenses) doesn’t belong to Charles, it belongs to the people. They are funded by the taxpayers in many ways.
Prince Charles, his children and Kate get funds from the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy belongs to the British people. So yes, the British people / British taxpayer pay for Kate’s shenanigans and extravagances and holidays. And they don’t get much in return from Kate.
Is it just me or is that blurb about William “studying hard” to be an air ambulance pilot a really random thing in the middle of the story?
Jason the new PR guy at work. Last time around, she went to Mustique without William. A few weeks later they went on a beach vacation without the baby – to a country where they flog rape victims. Supporting that type of government action through their choice of private vacation spot, just as she crossed picket lines to attend the family wedding. Maybe W&K will take another beach vacation together in February, after she returns from Mustique.
This isn’t news. We’ve all known she was going to Mustique, especially with it being Carol’s 60th bday. No way was she going to miss that. Also, there was no way William was going. He’s studying, ya’ll. *sarcasm*
I thought William was an rescue pilot before? How much do you have to study in order to become an air ambulance pilot when you are a rescue pilot already? Can’t be that much of a difference, can it be? Or did he loose his wings due to too few flying hours and has to get them back?
Wait!!!! I had no idea that Wills went on a vacation last year with an ex-girlfriend. Do they have an open marriage??
Cupcake – go see this article Celebitchy did on it last February:
http://www.celebitchy.com/349640/prince_william_went_boar_hunting_in_spain_with_his_ex-girlfriend_jecca_craig/
It has a link to Page Six, which has pictures of them on the tarmac at the airport. The article is named “Prince William hangs out with ex-flame Jecca Craig” dated 02/11/14
“Extended Holiday” and “deserves a break in the sun”. Please – for 3 hours of “work”. I think I could tolerate them better if it weren’t for the PR. She is not a modern woman I want my daughter to admire or emulate.
It must be some kind of special hell to have updates on your hair’s condition whenever you leave the house.
LOL! No kidding.
Well , if there was anything else about her to talk about other than her clothes or hair maybe it wouldn’t happen.
She pays people to do her hair!
William not going to Mustique is no big deal. She lives with her parents any way, not with him.
I live with my husband but I don’t think it would be a big deal if I went on vacation with my family without my husband. The fact she lives with her family is pretty weird. I have a friend who’s husband is a fireman and when he is on duty she stays at her parents house. Now that I type it I see that it is weird.
These people tend to be “clingy” people who never broke away from their family, never had any independence whatsoever and would simply die without being around their family a lot. IMO, a lot of these people are immature and never fully grow up. Maybe this is the American in me who finds someone in their 30’s/40’s living with their family odd unless it is under dire financial need OR need to take care of a sick relative. I know a lot people live with their family’s more in Europe and Canada (where I am now) and I still find it a touch odd. But maybe it is because I left home at 18 and although I talk to my parents on a daily basis, I feel a deep need to live away from them and to forge my own life.
@ Andrea
In Europe “living with your family” can be due to lack of money or out of practical considerations. Additionally many houses here have an additional independent small appartment integrated with its own front door etc. Many houses are built in such a way that you could create an “in-house” appartment by separating off two rooms and a bathroom – this is done purposefully in order to house two generations under one roof and to reduce the stress from such an arangement. Often when the parents get old they move into the smaller in-house apartment and one child with his family will take over the main house.
In the older days there were smaller houses on the farm which would house the grandparents. In Germany they were literally called Altenteil, it translates as: “old-part”, “the part for the oldies” 😉
For someone who is only “33”, she really is quite jowly.
When she is pregnant, she gets very full in the face. That leads to jowls.
After a very stressful week and a very long day, I got the biggest chuckle out of the last sentence in this article. THANK YOU!!!!
I think Will has an apartment in the city for studying*cough****
She mostly lives in the Berk’s with her family because even when Will is not studying he stays at his bachelor pad **college apartment that is totally necessary***
Interesting to see where will and jecca vacation to this year and funny how it’s always around valentines day too..
Heavy is the crown is a good site too..
I very much doubt that Kate will go to Mustique so near the birth of the baby. Royal doctors would have to go with her and I doubt they would be able to take that much time off. “By coincidence” though when Samantha Cameron’s last baby was born by caesarean when they were on holiday in Cornwall, her gynaecologist “just happened” to be holidaying nearby. I actually think the Cameron birth was planned so they would not have to face the NHS/private hospital debate in London.