Kaiser usually covers the stories about the royals, but I had to step in on this one as it involves one of my favorite stores. Kate Middleton is just like us! She supposedly loves TK Maxx, the European version of TJ Maxx, and even bought a ready made pizza from the supermarket – OMG I do that too!
“Believe it or not, Kate’s favorite shop in the U.K. is TK-Max [the UK version of TJ Maxx],” the source tells Us. “She loves to shop for bargains, mixing and matching high street clothes and designer. She has a great eye for that.”
The soon-to-be princess, who will walk down the aisle April 29 at Westminster Abbey, was even spotted picking up dinner at the Waitrose supermarket on the Isle of Anglesey Tuesday.
On the menu? A ready-made margherita pizza from Pizza Express, which cost a mere £3.99 ($6.28 in American money)!
“She was happy and going about her business. No one was bothering her,” an onlooker tells Us. “Her hair was down — she looked very pretty. And, yes, she was wearing the ring. It’s big!”
“She paid in cash from her purse at the checkout and politely said ‘thank you’ to the assistant,” the onlooker adds.
Though Middleton, 29, still roams about the streets as a commoner, she certainly isn’t treated like one: the future royal was widely criticized over the weekend for donning a “racy” sheer panel dress at a friend’s wedding.
“Kate doesn’t have a stylist, so she is making her own fashion decisions at the moment,” royal watcher Katie Nicoll explained to Us.
[From US Weekly]
We have TK Maxx here in Germany finally, and it’s just like the US TJ Maxx and is clearly run by the same company. I really love how they have the same checkout format as in the US, in that you have to wait in a clearly formed line. (Which are usually sorely lacking in Germany, the nation of budgers. Don’t flame me, Germans, and maybe it’s local to Berlin but I have never seen so many unapologetic line cutters in my entire life. England does not have this problem.) The housewares section is just the same as in America in that you get nice cookware, dishes and towels along with some books that are even in English. The clothes aren’t as good as in the US, though, and that’s probably because they’re picked over and all the good stuff is taken by the time I get there. It’s hard to find discount clothing in Germany that isn’t cheaply made and I end up buying the bulk of my clothing in the US and bringing it back with me.
Anyway I also love TJ/TK Maxx and I thought this story was cute. It endears me to Kate a little, but I doubt this little outing to buy a store pizza was just an average day out for the future princess. Everything she does is orchestrated now that she’s betrothed to Wills, and they’ve taken pains to paint themselves as average people who aren’t even going to use servants. This story plays nicely into the image they’re trying to cultivate.
Also, how is this whippet thin woman eating pizza? She probably shared it with Will anyway. Be warned – your metabolism changes in your mid thirties even with exercise. I doubt that Kate will ever balloon up, though, she’ll do what it takes to stay tiny while keeping up the facade that she’s anything but privileged. That must suck, though. If you have to take the pitfalls that go along with being in the spotlight, you may as well get the perks too. (Cooks, maids, people to yell at, people to make your gourmet pizzas at home in your own stone oven.)
Photo credit: BARM/Fame Pictures
I would kill for a TJ Max here in Madrid!!
(Off topic, I know)
When I read that in US Weekly, I loved Kate (Catherine) even more! She seems like a really down-to-earth girl and I hope the royals don’t ruin that about her. Keep going to TJ Maxx, Kate!
I’m an American living in Munich and the line budger thing absolutely infuriates me! You would think that with all of the rules and order they have in Germany, a German would be able to stand in a line. Alas, no. Now, I just need to find a TK Maxx here… Thanks, that really made my day 🙂
Pleeeze, don’t let them market her as just one of us.
A little TJ Maxx is fine—-and I love that store, too—but the monarchy needs to project virtue, glamour, mystery, and, distance from us if it is to remain a viable institution going forward.
She’s got an old face.
I love TJ MAXX. We have a super TJ MAXX where I am. And a Home Goods (awesome!!)
I dont want my metabolism to slow down in my 30’s 🙁
CB: You mention that one’s metabolism changes in their mid-thirties even if you exercise. Does this happen even if you don’t have babies? Confused.
No, Katie is not just like us; at least those of us who have ever held an actual job. You would think that with all the time she has had on her hands over the last 6 years, she would have learned to cook something other than frozen pizza. Sorry, just not buying the just like us line.
Can agree, though, with the whole metabolism thing. It is true, sorry about that too!
@Kiki I don’t know, and I had more in there about how I barely eat pizza anymore but then I thought it was too personal. I know for me, I have to eat less to lose weight/keep it off and I can’t just eat as usual and exercise like I used to do in my late 20s. (I will be honest I’m 37, I feel old!) I’ve also heard other women say this, and Kathy Lee and Hoda were just talking about it on the Today Show. It probably is a hormonal thing and may not have to do with having kids at all.
@Cheryl – I know! It’s really outrageous how people just budge and I hate to do it back and rarely do. I’ve challenged people on it, and some stand their ground and tell me it’s another kasse, even though they were clearly after me in line. People are surprised when I tell them they were first in line and can go ahead.
When’s someone going to spot her buying shampoo? I HAVE to know what brand she uses!!
CB: Thank-you for the helpful warning. My mom didn’t tell me about this 🙁
My body is a little different. I’m 32 and I can’t keep muscle tone. Like, I can work out but i am flabby within two weeks if I stop. I stay thin but my muscles just … disappear. So strange.
And I am now going to hit up TJ Maxx this weekend, love that place. haha
i LOVE TJ Maxx.. I spend so much of my paycheck at stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshall’s. Do you guys have Ross and Marshall’s where you’re at Celebitchy? [i thought you were in the US also]
CB, I hate to say this, but just wait till you turn 40! Then 45, then 50! The metabolism gradually slows down as one ages. It happens to everybody; it’s one reason why older people tend to be heavier than young people. People who don’t changes their habits and continue to eat like they’re 18 years old will gain weight over time. The best way to deal with it is either to eat less or exercise more, and hopefully a combination of both.
I think Kate will stay skinny, too. Her mother is quite thin and apparently watches her weight pretty closely. Carole Middleton is rumored to be on a diet for the wedding, though I can’t see why she would want to get any thinner.
yeah.. I’m 47 and it gets worse with every five years… just a warning..
Kate is beautiful and I really do think she is down to earth.. but she won’t be shopping at discount stores after they get married.. I highly doubt it. But, I like that she knows a bargain when she sees one!!
umm, I always thought Germans are great in waiting in line – I had only few other experiences. Never visit the Balkans, lines do not exist for these people.
Dude what is tHis 1995? TJ maxx is très lamè
kate has a bodyguard & security around her always…right? or no? idk…but if she does that must be awkward, comforting & annoying all @ the same time.
& if she does then they would be right there with her @ tj maxx & the grocery! can you even imagine! ha.
so all that to say…yeah…time to drop this line of pr bs & embrace that royalty thing you waited all these years for.
Yeah at 34 I have to work out ALOT to be at my “fighting weight”. It’s just aging.
Kiki,
Yes, it’s true even if you don’t have babies. I was 105 in my 20’s and had to work my butt off to stay under 120 in my 30’s. I am way older now and have given up. Too much work.
CB: Maybe it was a thin-crust margherita pizza? The calories on those aren’t too bad and I could see her eating a 1/2 slice or so of that, lol.
Haha, take it from a German who’s lived both in the UK and the Balkans. There is no place worse than Germany when it comes to cutting in front of people or pushing, shoving, stepping on people’s feet.
I hate it. It’s like we need an outlet with all these rules and regulations. Also, never ever apologize if someone pushes you (as the Brits do), because you’ll never get a “Sorry” or “Excuse me” back. “No problem” is more like it.
Let her enjoy the pizza while she can. I’m pretty sure those days will be over soon. I would hope she has a bodyguard lurking somewhere … with that rock on her finger?
@tapioca
Using her shampoo is not going to make your hair look like that. She has great hair.
I’m shocked that Germans are rude in line, for some reason.
I have to say, I HATE TJ Maxx (and Marshall’s). I swear some of the stuff is counterfeit, and the stores are always a mess.
Personally I don’t care about royalty and this wedding/engagement thing is becoming so annoying lately. I have to admitt I had never taken a good look at Kate’s face. She’s not aging well. She’s turning 30 soon and she looks a bit older than that. And Williams is not goodlooking at all. Btw, anyone can explain me why all this fuss. They will do absolutely nothing. English people will pay for all their luxury. The only good thing about them are scandals. Sorry, my english fellows, but royalty is so demode.
i’ve been living in germany (munich) for a while and never saw any line cutting ever! on the contrary, people form orderly lines, noone pushes you coming in or out of the trains, and if someone accidentally steps on you, they smile and say “entschuldigung!” immediately. i’m quite surprised to hear these comments!
yeah, I think CB lives in Berlin and Berlin people are know for their “charming” behavior *lol* Berlin is not Germany, though.
Leave Kate alone!
Only a little off topic, as this thread has since been hijacked by people living in Germany.
I’m in Hamburg right now, and while they are not nearly as rude as people in Berlin, most of them do seem to have an advanced degree in line-cutting, with a minor in pushing and shoving. Don’t ever go near a bus stop or S-/U-Bahn station at rush hour.
As to TK Maxxes, there are five in the Greater Hamburg area, but I’ve never felt like going, as I enjoy shopping in the area where I live and work.
Is it not weird to anyone else that there is a story about this girl buying a pizza? I was pretty young when Princess Di was victim of a fatal paparazzi attack (which was also the first time I heard the term paparazzi), but the extreme privacy invasion from the press in the lives of the British royals makes watching Brit Brit’s Starbucks log look tame.
On another note, I am mid/late 20’s and already have realized that the metabolism isn’t what it used to be. Not to mention, I have no kids.
And another note: TJ Maxx is awesome.
Kiki,
Yes, it happens even if you don’t have babies. You have to spend more time building lean muscle and can’t eat like you did in you 20s. Sigh
@horizonte I never realized just how rude many Germans are until I moved to the UK. Of course people are different all over Germany but in cities like Cologne, Berlin or Frankfurt there seems to be a fair amount of rude ones. Or maybe that’s the reaction I elicit. LOL
Have to say, Kate’s face up close? Eh. Her make-up is not really great either. …. I can’t pretend I don’t love the royal gossip.
Bet she goes to the bathroom too! Eating pizza? Big deal. That being said, I think she’s really cute.
Low carb diets really work. I’m in my early 40s and I live on a low carb diet in order to maintain my weight. I do miss carbs but I take the amino acid 5-htp which helps curb the carb cravings. It bums me out thinking that I may never eat sugar again, but it cheers me up being able to wear small sizes. I will probably give up when I get older, but I’m still hanging in there for now.
the summer before I turned 30, I gained 10 pounds! cream cheese and crackers…mmmm…. but yes, the metabolism thing sucks!
I have a hyper metabolism. I eat pizza all the time, but I’m also vegetarian. One of these days my metabolism is going to go tits up on me, but until then – gimme my pizza and I’ll just run an extra mile.
I’m 22, had one kid and my metabolism has changed. My weight goes up and down. Everyday it’s a new number. But, I don’t exercise or watch what I eat. In my teens I pretty much stayed at 112. Now I about five lbs heavier. Also, I have a difficult time maintaining muscle tone. Before I got pregnant at 19 I still had muscle tone from being a cheerleader in the 8th grade. After I had my baby I worked out and gained some back but it disappeared quickly and she’s only two.
As for the line cutting, oh my goodness. I couldn’t take it. It makes me angry.
I’m from the South so good manners run deep! But at the same time you don’t push me around.
I love TJ Maxx and Ross! It all depends on what kind of shopper you are. My sister just wants to go into a store, see something and buy it! I am a “digger.” I love to hunt for great deals. I don’t have the money to just buy whatever!
So the takeaway from this thread so far is: yes our metabolism slows as we get older and that sucks! Gah! Also, people in major cities in Germany are rude by our standards, with Munich as an exception. (I’ve never been there, but I will go now!) I’ve noticed that people are much nicer in the country here, as is true all over the world. Also, I like to shop at Netto (discount smaller supermarket) as they train them to be “friendly,” which means they’re not openly hostile.
I’m not from the south, but my parents live there now and it warms my heart when I’m there just dealing with people day to day. I’m so touched when someone holds open the door and waits for me, and it happens all the time! They are so courteous there.
@CB Heh, that’s funny. I’ve lived in Hamburg for 3 years and I get really annoyed with how rude people are and don’t even get me started on their driving.
Also, the USA has the best clothes. My sweet mother ships me stuff I’ve bought every couple of months. I don’t know why Americans think Europeans are so fashionable.
Haha CB you remind me of a family I waited on from California. Everytime I would come to their table they would listen closely and stare at me with their mouths open. I was thinking that I had something on my face or in my teeth when someone finally explained that they were just amazed at how polite I was. Saying “yes mam, no sir” etc.
I’ve only left the South once and it just never occurred to me that people aren’t like that everywhere. I open doors for others. I work in a store and when a customer has many packages I always offer to help them to their car. When I see someone drop something I return it to them. I’ve even helped old ladies cross the street. 😀
It’s the “pay it forward” approach. I have been helped out so much by stangers or people that know who a family member is. I don’t think I can ever put more good into the world than I have been given!
What?? I live in Berlin and I haven’t experienced line cutters. Maybe someone has a bad day and doesn’t look too friendly but never-ever have I seen someone cutting the line!
I agree that Germans and especially people from Berlin could be more friendly. But line cutting? Now I’m upset. A little. 🙂
By the way, the politest people on earth are the Japanese. I wish I could live there.
And what is the big deal about this? She was born and raised like a normal people. For 20 years she has done normal thinks! Good for her that she is still doing the same!!!
Kate is only 29? She looks about 35 if you ask me. I wonder if she uses tanning beds?
I don’t see what’s so great about her, other than she has a great sense of style. She has a lot to live up to and maybe she’ll surprise us but she does strike me as being a bit of a ‘flake.’
Just MHO.