Ha, The Daily Mail is calling Duchess Kate’s third event in a week’s time her “unusually busy period.” As I said in a previous post today, I suspect the new American press secretary has finally gotten through to Kate and told her that if she wants to go on that sun-soaked extended vacation to Mustique, she should do some work BEFORE the trip. Which, let’s be fair, is a new thing for her. Let’s slow-clap for her, because I think she finally gets it.
Kate stepped out in London today to have coffee (I guess she had decaf?) with volunteers from Family Friends, “a charity that encourages people to befriend local families in need.” The event was in Kensington, also known as pretty much walking distance from Kensington Palace. After the coffee, she went to Kensington Aldridge Academy, where she watched a dance performance before officially launching the school (which was actually launched in September 2014). I guess that counts as two events then? You can read more here.
As for her look today… well, she looks warmer here than she did on Friday. The coat is by Seraphine, a High Street maternity label which Kate has worn in the past. I’m pleased to see that she’s wearing an actual maternity coat and not some regular dress poorly tailored into some half-assed maternity gear. I like the pale blue (it’s cashmere!), but it does feel like Kate has about 20 pale blue coats. I think I would be happier with the “bell” cut of coat if someone had edited out that high-waisted faux-pocket. Also: BUTTONS! The buttons aren’t that garish, surprisingly.
The British papers says she’s six months pregnant now, and we keep hearing that she’s due in April. Prince George came a bit late, if memory serves, which is normal for first babies. I wonder if this one is due in the beginning, middle or end of April?
You can see some of the official photos from Kate’s outings here, at the new Kensington Royal Twitter account.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
One of her best looks yet.
Love her in that color.
Agreed.
Love her in that color, too. But, don’t like the wide cut of the shoulders and shoulder pads. They make her look wide, and she isn’t.
Agreed. The color and cut are flattering. From the front you’d never know she was a woman entering her third trimester. That’s a bummer – I love a well-accentuated bump!!
The Mail has pictures of the dress underneath to-she took the coat off when she was inside. The dress is also quite nice.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2916513/Is-boy-number-two-Kate-Duchess-Cambridge-steps-baby-blue-morning-volunteers-London.html
Thanks for the link.
Omg. Those photos…. she has the weirdest facial expressions. She looks like a nutcase or a ding-a-ling way above her pay grade.
That was decent of her to put more hours in, but oh my word, has she ever fallen out of favour with Daily Mail – The pics they chose of her face!!
YAY it fits!!!
Much better. And no dark tights!!!!
Lovely! Appropriate!! Working!!! WOW.
Totally.
An hour here, an hour there – on a sporadic, occasional basis I might add. Big whoop. Why does she get so much fanfare for doing so little and the hard-working, diligent royals get little or no coverage. I’m talking about you Sophie Wessex, and of course, Princess Anne.
Flaps on coats, flaps on dresses. I just don’t get it.
Actually she will get 3 events for this morning’s few hours of work in the court circular:
1) Coffee with volunteers working for Family Friends,
2) Visiting Kensington Aldridge Academy waving to the crowd of children,
3) Visiting the newly reopened Kensington Leisure Centre
It’s the wording of these articles that makes people believe the PR story.
She’s described as having an *unusually busy period* which reads as though she’s been working all the time and this flurry of engagements is on top of her usual working schedule.
So nobody will flinch when she appears in Mustique in a week or so.
Has it been confirmed from any reputable source that she’s going?
Citresse, it is never confirmed until the paps sell the photos of her at the airport or on Mustique. Every year. The photos appear once she has returned.
notasugarhere, your comment reminded me of the time Diana was photographed in the Bahamas, pregnant in a bikini. What are the odds same thing will happen to Kate in Mustique?
@Citresse it already happened when she was pregnant with PG. She and Willy had one of their multiple “babymoons” a few weeks after she was diagnosed with life-threatening HG. There were photos of them walking on the beach/in the water and she is clearly pregnant.
Yes, that’s when a lot of the cynicism around the validity of the first HG diagnosis appeared. She’s deathly ill, cannot move, bedridden, cannot work. But she was papped out shopping. Then she spent 10 hours on a plane (including 2 hours on a little 6 person prop-plane) to fly to a tropical island with few medical facilities. Doesn’t add up and many people’s eyes were opened.
inthekitchen, yes I remember, however since Kate is further along in her pregnancy, some bikini shots of her now would perhaps cause a greater scandal?
Cit
Depends. Usually Tanna is the only pap who knows the location and times of where Kate will be. If he gets a show of Kate in a bikini it’s because it was approved. Most likely anyways.
Last trip there Tanna was camped out right where the Midds were switching planes to a puddle jumper. When they returned the photos were released.
The photos at the airport were said to be from Max Cisotti, not Tanna. The following weekend, William was papped hunting in Spain with Jecca. PR said he was too busy studying farming to go to Mustique, but he had time to go hunting with Jecca, then to the Maldives with KM in early March.
I cannot find who got the photos of the Spain trip. If it was Tanna, I’d suspect they were retaliation from the Middleton side. While all of these vacations were happening, the countryside was experiencing catastrophic flooding. W&H finally showed up Feb 14th to do something (Windsor sandbagging where they both snapped at photographers).
If Carole Middleton isn’t in Mustique for her 60th birthday with the family in February, I’m pretty sure that’s one of the signs of the apocalypse.
The paps thread has me remembering the description from Mr. Edwards et al ( I think) of their injuries crawling through the jungle to get to just the right spot in 1982 re- Diana.
And later the sadness they felt when she died. Mr. Edwards speculated that towards the end he thought Diana just wanted to “make a difference.” I think he’s right.
Rumours floating From some of the UK journos that a holiday is definately on the calendar soon for Kate.
Thanks Nota.
Am I recalling another time? Or were they also released through ikon?
Wait, Was that during a time when Tanna crossed a line in William’s eyes and he had to back off?
I remember William and Harruy snapping. It was just a random guy and not a pap. William snapped 1st and Harry backed him up as a loyal brother would. Harry had been in similar situations before and never snapped. I think that was all William.
FLORC, the same time as the Windsor flood photos (February 13-15 or so), she was photographed in Kensington Park in yoga pants, working out and pushing the pram. Photos were on PopSugar but I don’t know if it was Tanna who got them. Tanna got his warning this October – after getting and selling the loving photos of PGTips and Nanny Maria.
Sorry, but I just need to call BS on something … London to St. Lucia is about 8 hours flying time. St. Lucia to Mustique is maybe 45 mins and maybe half the time if flying from Barbados. Let’s not make up crap about Kate being in a prop plan for 2 hours. If you’ve ever island hopped in the Caribbean, you know a flight of that length only exists if you are starting in Puerto Rico.
Personally never been to Mustique. Point being at 6 months pregnant she is flying for hours internationally and then in a little bitty plane. While claiming to be too sick to work more than 3 hours a month. And costing $100,000s in added security costs to do so, due to flights and accommodations.
Yes, I believe a clearer line must be drawn regarding public and private time with regard to costs assoc with security and other expenses.
However, a number of years ago the Queen agreed to pay taxes, so in a sense she’s covering the costs.
I do not for one minute think HM is covering their security costs out of the sovereign grant. W&K day-to-day expenses come out of the Duchy, security costs are out of the taxpayers pockets.
Nota
Regarding security. I’ll not forget how George’s extended stay for his first few months of life was to be at the Middletons with his mother. And tax payers ate the cost of the Midds newly aquired estate upgrades. About 1 million pounds worth total. And something like 40k a day with 2 flyover security checks among other things. That Kate couldnt simply live at KP cost the taxpayers greatly.
Yes, LAK, Jason at work. “Unusually busy.” She showed up for 3 hours, that is unusually busy for her.
PR annoys the hell out of me! These people are in an enviable position to write the narrative, because of their “highness”. How often does the media let people get away with the pampered jerkiness of these people! Why??? It seems incredible that they are able to write history for themselves. (or get away with doing wrong) – is it their constitutional right?
The current crop of UK press is basically total kiss-ass syrupy to almost anything William and Kate do. Even if one of the press goes off book for a week and writes something negative, there are dozens more articles written in a positive light which wash over any negative articles.
The crop of royal reporters want to continue to be invited to the Palace. So they play nice with Will and Kate as much as possible.
Remember, around the time of Mustique, hunting, and the Maldives, reporters were “invited” to the Palace to meet PGTips. All were required to keep the event completely secret, and it only got out on twitter because some people were miffed about not being invited. W&K are playing enormous games and the “free press” of Britain is kowtowing.
Best combo of beautiful Baby Blue coat dress and Royal Navy Shoe, very pretty.
Love that coat. Shoes are meh
The DM also has a bit of video coverage of this “work” and unlike the still shots, you can really see how mechanical and forced she seems when interacting with people — the constant nodding of the head and robotic movements similar to a wind up doll. Her mind is already on Mustique I suppose.
The coat is lovely. I’m not sure about the shoes and the clutch though. It’s not bad, but not perfect.
Why would it have to be decaf?
It wouldn’t have to be decaf, pregnant women are allowed 1 small (Starbucks tall size) coffee per day. I used to get a medium sized (Grande) half decaf and half regular when I was pregnant, and then avoid caffeine the rest of the day.
If your healthy, you can actually have a large coffee or about 1000mg of caffeine. A lot of doctors just say go with a small cup or 1/2 caf if you drink a lot of coffee or have extra soda throughout the day. The only time I was ever told no caffeine was the day of my doctors visits because they wanted an accurate pulse reading.
I gave up coffee while pregnant but was given the go ahead by my OB to drink caffeinated tea. I would have just two watered down cups per day until I came down with pre eclampsia. Then I stopped altogether due to high blood pressure. I think it’s fine to have coffee in moderation while pregnant.
That was my reaction too. Unless she spends her days sipping litters of coffee in her palace, why would it be an absolute necessity to take decaf? A cup of real coffee at an event isn’t a crime during a pregnancy!
It’s not a big deal. Maybe she prefers it.Maybe she’s on some meds or supplements where caffeine is already added in small doses. Some ladies like to drink it while others will only do decaf. Reading into her choice for decaf is looking for something where there’s nothing.
I think Kaiser’s remark is based on general opinion and prevailing medical advice that pregnant women should avoid caffeine. She’s not saying this is Kate’s choice. JMO.
In her pregnancy with George is was on staged pap strolls that Kate was getting decaf coffee. She’d take Lupo to the local starbucks. Had that been candid hell would have frozen over before those photos get printed without a fight.
thats the point, prevailing medical advice does not say avoid caffeine.
Just because she met with people for “morning coffee” doesn’t mean that she actually drank coffee decaf or otherwise. I meet people
“for drinks” and I never drink alcohol.
True enough. And I’m not sure kate ever eats or drinks anything at these events. We never see photos of that. I always think, what a waste. I hope the other people there enjoy, particularly since folks made the effort.
When the other so called “hard working” royals attend an event to “work,” what exactly do they do differently from Kate? I nean, when the Queen attends an event, what else is she supposed to do beyond smile, shake hands, make chit chat etc.?
You beat me to it Other Renee, that’s what the royal duties involve. At this point I don’t think she can do anything right.
I think the point is frequency, not necessarily the actual activities. She did, what? 40? 60? “engagements” last year (and note that what she did today – all at the same event – will count for 3 engagements) and other royals did 200, 300, etc.
However, most other royals also do more “serious” type of events – touring factories, visiting hospitals, visiting their military regiments, etc. While W&K do a lot more galas, movie premieres, and sports awards type of events than other royals (when was the last time Anne gave out awards at a sports award show?). Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that their ratio of “serious” to celebrity engagements is much lower than other royals.
She doesn’t work consistently.
Her Royal elders, including those in their 60s, 80s, and 90s, do 100s of events compared to hers which was in the 70s.
She obviously can do the same thing, but the point is she does it hundreds of time less than the rest of the family.
Who decides what events she does? Or for that matter, who decides what events any of the royals do? It would seem to me that organizers of high profile events are going to get more excited about Kate attending than they would be about Anne.
She decides. The Palace has made clear that all the royals set their own schedules.
@OTHER RENEE – the royals choose their own charities and make their own schedules. It’s been said many, many times (by the queen’s office, no less) that Kate sets her own schedule and is happy with the amount of “work” she does.
I wouldn’t be too sure about charities preferring Kate to Anne. There was a recent case where one of Kate’s charities had to cancel a fundraiser because of lack of interest. Kate had apparently re-gifted a generic gift basket and it failed to raise much money. From what I rememer, she didn’t include any personal note or anything to make it stand out more and therefore be more valuable. For…you know…HER charity trying to raise money! I would think charities would want someone who is actually engaged in their interests and one who cares about their success. Not some layabout who turns up when it suits her OWN interests (i.e. just in time to raise end-of-year “work” totals or to justify yet another vacation).
@ OTHER RENEE
It seems she makes up her own schedules and chooses which charities to support.
As for who the charities would rather want, Anne vs Kate, I would think they would want the person who would put in the work/ effort and time as well as be interested enough to raise money for them. Since that doesn’t seem to fit Kate’s work ethics, I’m going to guess the charities would chose someone other than Kate.
The coat is nice. But why does she need a new coat when she has so many of them and does so very little officially in them?
I guess that’s it for the Duchess. She’ll hightail it back to Bucklebury and prepare for Mustique.
TOM
I’m not really sure about that. Normally she’s at Bucklebury as noted by her car service and increased security there.
With this Jason PR man at work maybe she’ll be spending less time at her parents. He’s certainly putting in a good effort so far.
She was at Bucklebury this weekend. She, Pippa & George were papped on M4 heading that way. They were in traffic and Kate waved at another driver. It was on Twitter. William was in another car behind them.
If you think Kate has too many coats, perhaps you have too few.
The taxpayers are paying for them, via the Duchy, so questioning the number of coats is relevant. If she purchased her 70 coats/coatdresses with money she earned herself, no one would quibble.
She has a new coat because she can. I predict she’ll continue with a new coat or dress for every appearance until she starts pre-maternity leave. She is spending most of her 2015 clothing budget now b/c she knows she won’t need very many new clothes for the very few appearances she will do between March 1 and Dec 31 2015.
She’ll start maternity right after they return from Mustique, by mid Feb. Her actual due date (not her published due date) will be 6 or 8 weeks after she goes out on pre-maternity leave.
No appearances and no photos (other than hospital departure day) for 5-6 months i.e. 2 months before giving birth until 3 months after giving birth. After #2 is born we’ll see her at Trooping, one of the Queen’s June garden parties, Nov Remembrance Day and Christmas day plus a few more.
She will have a fully funded clothing budget Jan 1 2016 for new clothes she any appearances in 2016, although I doubt we’ll see her much until close to the end of 2016.
What is it with the fake pocket flaps right under her breasts lately? I don’t get it but it isn’t flattering or fashionable at all.
ITA.
I think she thinks it gives her the image of longer legs and shorter torso because her actual lengths of those body parts is the opposite way around.
I think the look would be better if the shoes and clutch were the same tone of blue as the coat. The light buttons are what throws off the darker shoes and clutch. She looks nice in pale colours.
I still think the prettiest outfit she has ever worn was the pink peplum and full skirt when arriving in Adelaide, AUS last year.
The color is beautiful but I would love to see her in more modern shapes. This in an asymmetric cut would be amazing.
I need more scarves with these coats. They are lovely but “Damn Gina” will you please pull it together with an accessory?
If you constantly have to mess with your hair at a public event where you are in the spotlight, YOU’RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT.
Clearly, this peeves me. She’s not some teenager, she’s a woman in her thirties who’s still trying to act like a girl. Either cut your damn hair or put it up, but stop always, always messing with it! GAH.
Good grief! The woman looks fabulous, rarely makes a gaffe (excepting her bottom showing) despite cameras stalking her relentlessly, but almost everyone here hates her buttons, her eyeliner, her hair touching. A lot of young moms of privilege don’t work at anything outside the home while having a toddler and being pregnant, and her husband probably is an entitled jerk who doesn’t want her to outshine him. She’s not my favorite, but she has a consistent smile, her baby seems very bonded with her, and Prince Harry and she get along great. I think William could have done a lot worse.
Oh please! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. For a lot of people, she does NOT look “fabulous” and she is not gaffe-free (BTW, exposing your bare bottom on multiple occasions…while at work is a major gaffe for many people). For some people (me included), the fact that she can’t even keep her hands out of her hair while working is pathetic and lazy. What other royals do you see with this kind of lazy behavior? Other royals know how to style themselves so they can focus on the “job” they are there to do and not spend the whole time messing with their hair or too-short skirt, etc.
Also, she is not just a young mom of privilege. Her entire “privilege” comes from other people paying her way. In return she is asked to – in reality – do very little…and she can’t even do that! If she worked, say, 200 “engagements” each year, that works out to probably no more than 300 HOURS of work (if that)…for the entire year!! That is the equivalent of 7.5 weeks (of a 40-hour work week) per YEAR! That is nothing. And she can’t even do that. I think that is where people’s anger and disappointment come from.
I wonder why they did not capitalize on her, and help her to be successful, when she had so much of the public opinion going in her direction, after the wedding? It seems to me that a woman will not grow, as long as she is just following others.
The real marriage occurred because of Carole and Will. I’ve seen Kate’s snootiness, but I’ve also seen her almost a beggar with some children. Putting her into Diana’s slots, in her attempts to converse with frightened children, has been a big mistake, IMO. Why has this been so difficult for her?
As a member of the BRF, married to the man who will succeed Prince Charles as King, she is paid by the British, Canadian and Commonwealth tax-payers to promote charities, raise funds for hospitals and schools, promote the arts and industry, and raise awareness of favourite organizations that she ordinarily would work more closely with. Instead, we get someone who, along with her equally uninvolved husband, does the least amount of work possible, dresses completely inappropriately for many occasions, flashes her bare bottom and belly or wears skin-tight jeggings that leave nothing to the imagination, fiddles with her overly long sausage curls at a solemn Remembrance Day ceremony and looks like a deer caught in the headlights most of the time. She knew what she was getting into for a very long time and should have proactively developed a career path for herself within the BRF that didn’t involve shopping, going to the hairdresser and working out, but at 33 she seems to find her responsibilities not to her liking so retires to one of their many residences to play with her baby and family or goes on vacation. All on the public dime. Not a good representation of what being a member of the royal family entails.
Nikki
Only since you opened that door am I writing this.
Her gaffes are not just from her clothes. Her speaking skills and interactions also suffer. She’s said the wrong thing or come off insulting quite a few times and has shown her lack of knowledge with protocol. Examples… Improper questions asked/comments like Mirren looking old to her face. Walking infront of Queen a few times, curtsey/noncurtsey to other royals at incorrect times. All should have been covered in princess training.
Regarding stalking Cameras. Most of these mistakes are happening where cameras are expected like events. Cameras are expected in high numbers. And they have paps on call. Or Tanna has a crystal ball that has gps on Kate’s future locations. Any other camera is dealt with legally and/or by the RPO’s. They don’t mess around and are why there are very few shots of Kate shopping in focus.
Now, I’m sure Kate has bonded with George. They are cute together. George has also bonded with his nannies though. When pics are not edited to remove the nanny from the shot or the rare and not approved photo of only nanny and George together he appears to adore her greatly. I think he’s a very happy baby that has bonded with many.
Also, who wouldn’t get along with Harry?
And this might only be me, but here we go. If Kate married a jerk that doesn’t want to be outshined is that really an excuse to let yourself regress? That you’re going to not better yourself to please your husband that should love you as you are? That is not healthy and not a good enough reason imo.
Lastly, Kate cana nd does find the time to be apart from George. Her daily routine has been said a few times. Few hours every day of gym with private trainer. meeting with her staff for wardrobe items, and often seen shopping with RPO’s. What many take issue with is she can find time to be away from her child for leisure activities, but not for short work events?
I’m not trying to trash her. I’m just trying to balance out your comment.
Wolfpup: she was destined to be this unproductive. Why you ask? The only time she found a job, which came after public shaming largely attributed to the Queen (What does she do all day? Says the Queen. Screamed the headlines), she found a job. Except that she told her future employer that ‘she needed a degree of flexibility to allow for her relationship with a high profile man’. So they settled on 3 days a week, which soon dwindled to 2 days a week, she took several months off when the big break up happened (we shall call it heartbreak leave) and resigned a few weeks after her return citing more time to herself as paramount. A total of 9 months in all or 6 mths if we account for the heartbreak leave.
All the quotes are direct from her employer who was trying to paint a sympathetic picture of Kate.
There are several work colleagues from this period who are quoted saying she was either never at work and or never committed.
The entire thing was spun to blame the paps or the palace for her lack of effort, but the employer said she refused their help and the palace did offer her some protection from the paps.
Her PR before she married repeatedly said that she had to be royal first in order to work. Now she’s a royal and she isn’t working except when pushed out the door. People have asked the palace repeatedly why she doesn’t work and the place has repeatedly given the same response ie she’s in charge of her own schedule and is happy with the way it is.
Perhaps W and K have studied the situation before having PG Tips and determined that the major cause of Royal family dysfunction ie- three of four children of the Queen were divorced etc… were largely due to a high number of engagements ie being away/unavailable to their children.
I would like to believe that William and Kate spend a lot of quality time with PGTips when it appears to the general public they’re not working.
If that were true Citresse, then regular working parents might feel even guiltier than they do for not being able to be home 24/7 with their children. I think lack of emotional support played a huge role with the queen’s children, especially Charles.
The Queen’s children divorced because they chose the wrong partner.
Parentingwise, all four children appear to have done well by their children if not their partners.
And work for royals isn’t the same as a 9-5 job. Even the ones doing 300+ engagements per year.
They have far more flexibility and time off than regular people and none of the worries that regular people have as far as childcare and financial worries are concerned.
Sophie and Edward have been together happily for 20 years. Have two young children. And work hundreds of engagements per year.
Next excuse?
Nikki, most of her photos are heavily, heavily photoshopped so we aren’t seeing the real her. She rarely dresses to royal protocol, and she has had over a dozen wardrobe mishaps while at work.
As for “young mom of privilege” her life of privilege is funded by the taxpayers. She is required to work in return. That is why taxpayers pay the full-time nanny, sub-nanny, personal assistant, and over two dozen office staff. She barely works even though she has all of that taxpayer-funded help.
She had 10 years to prepare for this prior to the wedding and now she’s four years into this job. Most people would have been fired by now for their laziness and poor on-the-job performance.
Thank you Notasugar!! Well put and your comment is supported by facts. Some people have blinders on where she is concerned and where flaws, imperfections and missteps are pointed out, it’s construed as “hate”. Good Lord…
Pretty. Although she consistently seems to choose styles that look really mature for her age. And go April baby! Both myself and my son have April birthdays.
It’s funny, I feel it’s simultaneously too old and girlish – the matronly looks and inordinately heavy makeup are combined with long sausage curls and a-line miniskirts/dresses (like the one she wore last pregnancy with the Peter Pan collar). Add in her Real Housewives type of towering high heels and those awful wedge heels and she is seriously confused, style-wise. (A woman at a party I went to this weekend was wearing either the exact same shoes or a very similar pair and I could not believe how tacky and hoove-ish they were IRL. Gross.)
I like the coat and for once it’s not mid-thigh length. Those shoes though, UGH. Does she buy suede pumps in bulk because they all look to be the same style but in different colours – BORING. And please stop playing with your hair, so unprofessional and juvenile.
Kaiser, I think Clarence House said W&K were expecting in April, no other timeframe given. Timeline:
– August 27 pub photos of her drinking wine
– August 28 photos of her carrying her luggage through the train station
– September 8 announced she was expecting, William says it is has been a rough couple of days.
If “HG” kicked in after she carried her own luggage through the train station, was she 6 weeks pregnant September 6-7-8? Does that help anyone guess a due date?
DM says 20 April.
I don’t know if that’s from a press release?
It’s a nice time of year.
Tanna tweeted April as soon as pregnancy announcement was made.
The other papers suggested a date based on what was assumed to be her 12wk scan.
Speaking of scan, Kate said this morning she and William don’t know the baby’s gender. I find that hard to believe. Do you think she’s telling the truth?
Citresse – Do I think she’s telling the truth? Not on your life. Kate is the type that keeps her cards close and matters that she considers to be private are closely guarded. E.g. neither pregnancy would have been revealed as early as they were if it weren’t for the fact that she was gravely ill (?); every time she steps out on “private” business (i.e. shopping) she is tightly guarded by an entourage who have been instructed not only to protect her but to do whatever it takes to stop any photos being taken.
Kris, yes I agree.
Also, I believe Kate and esp her mother are planners. What I mean by that is they always keep their mind on a certain objective etc…. and information is key, having as much information is demanded by planners. Carole and Party Pieces; yes, a planner for sure.
I certainly believe Kate and her mother know the gender. William may not want to know. I get that feeling.
Seriously, the HG discussion is so dull. Haters gonna use it to hate. WE GET IT. We got it ages ago. Just move on already.
Logical criticism is not hate. Why try to shut down a logical discussion by screaming, “Haters!” ?
It really lowers the level of discussion.
It really does. I see my original comment isn’t here anymore, but I said about the same nota. And if it’s dull just don’t engage.
nota – Her actual due date (as calculated by her doctor) is 8 weeks after she begins her pre-maternity leave. Problem is though, I bet BP won’t announce this time that she’s begun her pre-maternity leave until well after she disappears.
History, a few back-tracking calculations of pregnancy milestones, servant tell-all books plus actual vs. press due dates for Wm and George births tells us BP intentionally releases, leaks and alludes to wrong due dates. With George, they also leaked gossip that Kate was going into labor when she had not. The published due date for Wm was later than the induction date Diana had scheduled. Servant tell-all books confirmed that fact. The planned gap between scheduled induction and published due date was so many days that even the early-bird in the press corps weren’t camped outside hospital when Diana arrived for induction.
George’s published due date was way too early. I’m totally convinced they’re playing the same game with Cambridge baby #2. What their deception tactics are for #2 is anyone’s guess, but I would think it will be a variation on the cat and mouse game they played with George’s due date.
And I am totally convinced Wm master-minded releasing George’s fake early due date as punishment for evil press corps and to hopefully get Kate inside hospital without pap photos. Whilst introducing baby George outside hospital, Wm even said to press (with a very self-satisfied look on his face) he knew local press had camped out in front of hospital several days too early. That was Wm’s plan all along. Release an early due date with plenty of time for press from all over the world to arrive and get worn down with camping outside a few nights. Then KW slip in the back door unnoticed b/c press corps is weary and their vigilance slipped.
That look is a snooze. Would have been better in another color perhaps.
The Daily Mail said the baby is due April 20th. And that she and William didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl.
This coat looks way better than anything she wore last week. This is why wearing maternity clothing is a good idea, the tailoring is better for a pregnant figure. I like cashmere and the color is fine. Not a fan of the flaps and I don’t like seeing the dress hem longer than the coat. I think this would have looked better with some nicer accessories (scarf, different shoes) and a different hairstyle.
I don’t get the flaps either. Overall it’s a good look.
I saw pics on Lainey and those flaps are really unfortunate. I don’t understand them. They are positioned oddly. Not at the hips, but at the boobs. Other than that, the coat is nice. A scarf would have been a nice accessory, as mentioned above.
I don’t get the flap trend either since it is not very flattering but there have been flaps galore on the runways and in collections for a couple of years – even the otherwise impeccable Dior have made beautiful colum dresses with ungainly and purely decorative flaps at the hip area. It just looks odd and I hope the trend with go away soon – pocket flaps with no pockets just don’t make any sense to me.
Even Maxima and Victoria have worn this strange trend.
This is a trend?!
Flaps without pockets are odd. It’s almost ike a peplum, but not.
The color of the coat is lovely on her. She always looks so pretty and genuinely happy. I think she interacts with people very well, especially children.
You must be looking at different photos & video coverage than the ones I’ve seen. Even though her work engagements are seldom more than an hour long, her interactions seem forced and it’s hard to spot any sincerity. By way of comparison, Diana was naturally charismatic and able to effortlessly engage all types of people – children, older folks, etc.. Just today I was reading about a toddler who went running crying for his mummy when Kate approached him. Kids can spot a faker.
It’s unfair to compare the two. I highly doubt we are looking at different photos or video. We simply see her in a different light. I appreciate the way she engages with people and she does it with such grace and class. I refuse to dislike someone I don’t know and has never done a thing to hurt anyone. I save that for the likes of Boko Haram.
@daughterofjean – not picking on you personally, but I never understand this reasoning – you refuse to dislike someone you’ve never met, based on photos…but yet you’ll attribute many good things to her and “like” someone based on photos. I don’t really get that. (Not that you have to explain, I’m just voicing my confusion.)
A member of her family told the press that Kate Middleton doesn’t find other people interesting, and always has to try very hard to be interested in anything around her.
I also do not see natural engagement, with adults or with kids. I see a lot of uncomfortable behavior, slouching, hands in hair, hands on crotch, poor body language. She spends less than an hour most places. I see a lot of over-the-top expressions, which she seems to think indicates, “engaged.” Her small talk is laughable (“Can you test the smell by smelling it” etc.).
“I refuse to dislike someone I don’t know and has never done a thing to hurt anyone.” She is in a position to be able to help many, many people and she refuses to do so. I think people are allowed to dislike her for that fact alone.
While I agree that a lot of time Kate’s interactions look forced, I can’t fault her for a shy toddler!!! Kids that age can be overwhelmed in unfamiliar situations and I bet that was the case here.
inthekitchen: I never said I liked her either. BUT I like what I see of her. She appears genuine to me.
notasugarhere; Kate was bullied at age 13-14. That may be indicative of her early problems with interaction, also quite likely it left some scars. And then you have William and the death of his mother.
I don’t believe laziness is a major part of the problems with W and K.
Nota
That was her cousin. And said in an attempt to defend her. Past superficial conversation she struggles to find others interesting and struggled with friendly exchanges or small talk.
IMO Kate’s main offense has always been apathy. And apathy isn’t just not being aware. It’s choosing to ignore. I always think back to Boondock Saints openng scene when the priest is talking about apathy. It’s right to the point why it’s bad.
And as far as hurting anyone.. maybe not physically.
Daughterofjean
Many here have been following royal gossip when Kate was years away from marrying William. We remember those mean girl stories and the websites that backed it up. Along with pictures you’ll never see again post engagement whitewash.
I’m not speaking for all here that speak negatively of Kate, but some. The image cultivated you like is a far cry from what Kate was to get and keep and win back William. And he was worse irl than Harry was ever portrayed in the press.
You can like her and that’s fine. Just know many don’t because we remember how things were before pr spin.
FLORC – thanks for providing context and accurate background info that supports what many of us cynics (some would say “haters”) say. One thing that I notice about your comments is that they have substance and any negativity is well-warranted and supported by fact and common sense. Much prefer that over fawning, sugary undeserved praise …
“Kate was bullied at age 13-14.” That was debunked by the heads of the school and the other students. It was said that they put feces in her bed, but Middleton never slept there – she lived at home and attended in the daytime only. Why would they send Pippa to the same school two years later if it was such a terrible environment for a wealthy middle class girl? Nope, the bullying was a pity plea proven false.
As FLORC writes, Kate Middleton is the one who was known as a mean girl for the 10 years she campaigned for William. Difficult to find those stories now after the whitewash, but those of us who were around then remember.
Citresse
Only backing up what Nota already said.
Those bullying stories were debunked. Also, the school spoke out directly on this and takes bullying extremely seriously. The names, dates, and all details in the story never added up. Including the reasons and dates to when Kate switched schools. A pure work of fiction.
I hate using these sites as resources, but there are a few blogs that still have those stories and pictures of Kate acting quite awful to others when with William at/entering/exiting bars.
Thanks notasugarhere and FLORC for clarifying re- bullying stories.
Why fictional stories of bullying?When Kate was dropped by William during 2007, I thought he didn’t love her. But when stories of the Middleton fortune surfaced and allegations of dodgy affairs in connection with their fortune, I thought of Uncle Gary.
Perhaps back when William dropped Kate he had been advised of the Middletons being connected to drug dealing money, therefore according to the Windsors, they are a drug crime family.
Right when the news of Uncle Gary’s dealings (and video) was breaking, W&K were papped by Tanna kissing in a pub parking lot. One of their first (and only) public displays of affection. It grabbed all the headlines and buried the Uncle Gary story.
Jury is out on whether the Middleton family staged it or William played along to grab headlines and protect them. Too convenient that it was Tanna on the spot.
Citresse
William famously addressed the whole pub as to his recent break up with Kate. She was clingy and he felt suffocated. That was (i think) the break up where Kate put her foot down about William messing around. It was no secret and Kate hated the cheating, but couldn’t stand that it wasn’t more private. The word was it made her feel “cheap”. Or was that another break up Nota?
The way William has always exploded at the press getting any photo of him that wasn’t approved in advance makes you wonder about any “candid” photo that doesn’t get him up in arms (up at arms?).
Nota
I always gave the side eye to William after that Gary selling drugs video came out. He hid those drugs in his house and let William and Kate have large parties with a crowd that would indulge. Casa de bang bang was it?
Daughterofjean – you are absolutely 100% entitled to any opinion you want to have. I’m sorry you were shouted down for expressing a positive view of the world.
Megan, you’re correct. We are all entitled to our opinion. There is, however, a difference between positive world view and delusion. I think we were all pulling for Kate after the wedding. I know I was. She really could have hit the ground running, so to speak, and tried to make a difference in the lives of the people her husband will one day reign over. That she’s chosen not to try to give back for all the luxury and privilege she and William have been handed by the British taxpayers is indication of her/their sense of entitlement. If you can’t see that, so be it. Most of us do.
I assumed DoJ was a troll trying to instigate. The comment was so sugary sweet.
Still, everyone can express their opinion and we won’t all agree. And doesn’t everyone express their opinion and knowingly leave it open for others to comment on? There’s just such passive aggressive here.
JulieM
I was a Kate supporter too. When I started commenting here I was on par with Megan. Now, my stance has changed. And that is by large based on facts and not tales. Waiting for the work to kick in. Supporting the news saying she would cut back to hang out with George, but is spotted away from him for long stretches and William is nowhere near. At some point you can’t ignore that we’re being fed propaganda.
Very nice way of putting it, FLORC. We wished for her success, and then found the palace was feeding us propaganda! That is insulting in so many ways. They are very clever – and I still do not understand a “free press” in regards to royals!
How long will the royals benefit, because the men and women who write the news, are unwilling to speak against her during most cycles, because heads will be chopped off for not falling in line (dutiful for the crown?). Schemers! What’s is worse, is all the little duckies who believe the newspaper has been frank with them.
Wolfpup
Thanks! I thought I might have been missusing the word propaganda.
And agree. The press has to play nice if they ever want to get any stories or info confirmed. To get cut off completely isn’t great for their future employment.
And I get the true believers here. Their rose tinted glasses must be nice. Where many form an argument that can’t hold up is their approach it like Kate isn’t living off of others. Like she really is a princess in a disney setting. Not someone that had to beat back the competition and lose parts of herself for a ring and title. For financial security for her and her children. It’s much more of war than love.
It is pretty funny when the reporters on twitter start getting fed up with William. Or whenWilliam threatens their freedom of press for doing nothing wrong (Snapping photo of PGTips and nanny in public park/William cries stalker) They make for great reads!
Is anyone else enjoying Million Dollar American Princesses on the Smithsonian Channel? Hosted by Elizabeth McGovern.
No! And I looked for it too. I should go find out as I thought it looked like it might be fun.
I’m glad she actually chose maternity wear… but she’s wearing a few sizes too big. On the Seraphine website you can see how it looks when it fits. Real royalty would have had the coat taken in and the gradually let out again!
I think the Queen needs to tell these two to get with the program or go!
I think she needs a good tailor for all the little adjustments to hems, etc. Attention to little details like these can really lift an outfit and prevent it from looking shoddy.
I’m actually surprised Grandpa Phillip hasn’t told W & C to get it together. The man has always been known for speaking his mind. I wonder why he is holding back with these two?
I think it’s age and ill health. It could be that at 93, Phillip is beyond the point where he cares anymore due to these factors. HM and the DOE are probably doing whatever engagements they’re able to and turning over more of the reins to Charles as far as dealing with the younger royals.
And in the DM article, Kate says that she felt the baby moving around a lot during the visit. Maybe the baby is more eager to do work at public events than its mother.
Perhaps because he doesn’t disapprove.
The idea of the hard-working, nose-to-the-grindstone Phillip who has always been committed to “The Firm” approving of anyone not pulling his/her weight work-wise would really be surprising and uncharacteristic of him. Both he and HM are still keeping up their numbers with public events, more so than this couple, and at their age I’d think they wouldn’t refuse more assistance from the Cambridges.
I wonder if they ever have chats about the royal business, and how long it might exist?
wolfpup
To be a fly on that wall.
Or a minion with a drinking glass pressed furtively at the door listening to Phillip’s salty and uncensored language.
HM has always been in charge of the public face and “work” of the Firm, while Philip is in charge of the family behind-the-scenes. W&K failing to work hard enough is a William and Kate issue first and foremost, followed by an HM and Charles issue, not a Philip one. He is still doggedly doing his job, working more than they do, setting an example. He stated three years ago in an interview that he wanted to slow down and hand off his work to the next generation. He publicly stated that and W&K still failed to step up.
Back to my point from weeks ago, W&K are reaping the benefits of the decades of work from other members of the family company. Those members want to retire, but W&K blithely refuse to grow up. Time for the family firm to cut their losses and disinherit these two.
Notasugarhere;
I never read an interview with Philip where he complains about Will and Kate. Was it recent?
If you can provide a timeline on that, I’d appreciate it and will google.
He doesn’t complain about them directly – he’d never do that. It is along the lines of he’s slowing down, forgetting things, has done his time, wants to offload his commitments, and wants others to pick them up. It was the interviews for his 90th birthday.
Citresse
There’s a lot said that goes unsaid. It’s like a language hidden within a language. Or rather a language of subtleties.
This goes double for the Queen and Philip. If Philip says he’s looking to reduce his work load and that the younger generation will be easing up to take on that he’s saying just that without naming names. I remember Charles said something to the sum of he was ready to delegate more responsibilities to William as a future PoW. Later on we find William has taken another pilot job and certification tailored to him and delays his responsibilities. Meanwhile Harry started to help his father standing in for him here and there. And Harry is a very busy with his military service. He’s a spare, but does not act like it.
Diana called it. Mother knows her children.
@FLORC…………….yes, Harry’s mother called it. So many years back, too.
Perhaps advisers are concerned the Queen will outlive Charles and they’re wanting more of Charles’ duties passed down to William and Harry. The Queen inherited so young and already had Charles and if she’s anything like her mother, Charles may never be King, or may serve as King less than five years. Hard to say since Philip also has longevity genes and he’s Charles’ father of course. I don’t see Charles lasting long though.
Bild magazine has online photos of Kate shopping in Bucklebury.
Kate was seen shopping every other day for a good stretch. And was caught cutting a few charity visits short for another engagement. We would often see that was shopping and salon visits. And this is not a point to hate. It’s criticism. Had she been seen as more involved with her charities than the 1 visit a year there would be less uproar over her shopping habits. What she makes time for is what anyone makes time for. A priority. And her priorities are shopping related at the expense of her charities and job. It’s not a direct attack on her. I think a lot of people get that part very mixed up.
P.S. Had she been a private citizen and not benefit from tax dollars she could never work and shop all day, but that is not the case. Double goes for William.
FLORC, when anyone gives an opinion on something that’s valid, observable and substantiated it’s certainly not hate; constructive criticism gives direction and tips on how you can improve your weak areas. Kate as well as William certainly can benefit from that and I’m really interested to see how much Jason the PR guru can effect an improved change in them.
Yes FLORC, I had such hope for Kate when I viewed her wedding. I didn’t get to view Diana’s wedding- I was away at the time in a rural area- camping. There was no tv of course.
Imagine if the internet ie- these kind of websites were around during the 80s and how much we could discuss Diana’s work.
Looks like a fairly long dry spell now unless Kate decides to work more after her trip. I wonder if she feels nervous, has anxiety? The way she keeps fiddling with her hair could be nerves. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t like appearances?
Love the coat.
Victoria, Daniel, and Estelle are on an official visit to Silicon Valley for the next few days. Not seeing it reported anywhere, outside of press releases.
Nota
1st off… Yay!
2nd Do you think the press have given them space? Will there be any royal related pr visits happening during this vacation or is it only family time?
3rd I know it’s not at all fair to compare the 2, but i’m doing it! Maybe no coverage yet because as 1 royal couple with an adorable child they maintain a healthier relationship with the press and their child’s privacy as oppose to any other royal family with a young, adorable child?