Duchess Kate hasn’t made any appearances because she’s knee-deep in decorating

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It’s been about four weeks since Duchess Kate and Prince William’s grueling Australian and New Zealand tour was completed back in April. And since then, Kate hasn’t done any public events. William has – he’s made a handful of public outings, and he headlined a star-studded fundraiser last week for the Royal Marsden Hospital. There was some hope that Kate would come to that event, but she didn’t. The going theory is that William wants to be the center of attention, so he does (and will continue to do) more solo events. Apparently, that’s fine with Kate. She never wants to rock the boat. She’s just happy shopping and decorating:

So many beds to make. Renovations at Anmer Hall, in Norfolk – Prince William and Kate’s 10-bedroom country home – are nearing completion with the recent addition of a critical extension, as well as a new roof. The home, 120 miles north of London, is a gift from William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth, with the costly renovations borne by the royal family.

Kate, meanwhile, has thrown herself into overseeing the last of the preparations since her recent return from New Zealand and Australia. Vital work has been done on the so-called “garden room,” 16’x16′ glass-fronted room, with windows raised within the roof. On its parkland side, the couple will eventually erect a pergola, to allow enable the growth of vines or something similar to provide shade and privacy.

The new room spans a gap between the main house and some old wood stores, which are to be converted into rooms, including kitchen and lounge and bedroom. It has been suggested that this will be for nanny Maria Borrallo.

Already, the vast Georgian mansion has an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court, and is surrounded by acres of parkland of the Queen’s Sandringham estate – just perfect for raising children away from the hubbub of William and Kate’s Apartment 1a at Kensington Palace.

“It’s like a fancy farmhouse,” someone familiar with the house tells PEOPLE. “It isn’t grandiose. But it’s a great, friendly family environment.”

The new room is designed by one of Prince Charles’s favorite architects, Charles Morris, and Kate is also said to have enlisted high-end designer Ben Pentreath.

[From People]

I mean… I could make fun. But I understand that she enjoys this kind of thing – she loves to shop and she loves to decorate, and she wants a say in her royal abodes. I think she’s probably like her mom in that way – I would imagine Carole likes to decorate and keep a well-run household as well. And hey, if William is all, “No, baby, I don’t want people to look at you when I’m trying to do something important,” why not? Ugh.

Other UK sources say that Kate and William are going to be throwing a big housewarming party at Anmer Hall once everything is done, which should be soon. That too is very Middleton – Carole loves to throw a party. Do you think William will let Kate attend this party?! Meanwhile, royal aides confirm that William and Kate will be making a joint appearance together in Scotland next week – May 29th to be exact. It’s just a day trip, but they are jamming in a bunch of activities.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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149 Responses to “Duchess Kate hasn’t made any appearances because she’s knee-deep in decorating”

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  1. Kali says:

    “Vital work….”

    *Sigh*

    • Chameleon says:

      William and Kate could enhance each other’s charitable impact by “supporting each other” during an engagement but apparently their timing and their strategy aren’t good enough to pull this of.
      Many famous actors/actresses support their less famous actress/actor spouse by walking the red carpet WITH them. When it is an event for the less famous spouse then the more famous spouse walks with them to ensure the pictures end up in the magazines. For example: Sting supported his wife Trudy Styler for her movie “Filth” (she is producer/director whatever) although he doesn’t have anything artsy to do with it (as far as I know). That’s a marriage that works.
      It is about NOT outshining your spouse. It is about bringing out the best of your spouse and his or her work. It is about showing respect and appreciation and admiration for one’s spouse for everyone to see. This seems to be something that the Cambridges don’t / can’t do for each other. It is rather sad.

  2. Suze says:

    That photo of WillKate laughing is the oddest photo of Kate I’ve ever seen.

    My take is that until Kate becomes Princess of Wales, she’ll continue with this very light workload. When she has her second kid, she’ll probably cut back even more. So I don’t expect much – decorate away, Duchess Kate!

    • BangersandMash says:

      Yeah, let the woman have a rest.

      I mean this woman really enjoys the simple things in life.

      • A:) old prude says:

        You are being sarcastic right? You don’t really think making 2 hours visit in a week or so while taking millions from tax payers is hard labor, do you? Who is asking her to break her back working?!

    • A:) old prude says:

      And lucky for you, you don’t have to pay for them as well unlike me!!!!

    • Mitch Buchanan Rocks! says:

      Wills: I just let off a beer & egg fart and they think it’s you…
      Kate: I hid the stash so You’ll have to dine with Camilla Straight Ha!

  3. not ok says:

    The press doesn’t know anything so they are fabricating stories……………..

    • BeckyR says:

      You are right! It irks that some people forget that Kate is not the heir, her husband is, and should be the focus, not her. If she is busy being a wife and Mother, so what? So was I at one time, new baby, a house to build and a businessman husband to look after. Get over it.

      • HH says:

        “….and a businessman husband to look after.”

        I could not possibly look after a grown man. I know everyone says “to each their own,” but I don’t want to say it unless I mean it. I just don’t see how that works for anyone.

      • FLORC says:

        BeckyR
        William isn’t often even around. What is she looking after?

        And don’t go telling people to get over things. This is a gossip site. Opinions will be had. If that isn’t something you can handle the correct response isn’t to tell people to get over it.

        Let’s keep it civil.

      • Suze says:

        Oh heavens, Kate is doing even more than that! She is renovating two big huge honking houses! I’m sure she could pencil in a royal engagement or two – you know between nailing in two by fours and hanging curtains.

    • hannah says:

      And they want her to be a “Diana” in the sense that they want her to sell papers . Kate’s refusing to be that person and play that game and it’s annoying them .

      • FLORC says:

        How do you mean?
        Withdrawing from duties or keeping a very light schedule to spend money seems like that still will draw headlines. Not the wife takes spotlight from prince, but still headlines.
        And not every headline with Diana was true. Many things were made up on slow news weeks.

      • HH says:

        Oh Kate will absolutely play the “Diana media game” when need be. Take for example the famous 2007 breakup. She made sure to be photographed more than normal and looking better than normal in order to win William back. Instead of playing the game to chase away her prince, she used it to lure him back. It was very well played.

    • JennySerenity says:

      @not ok^^….most accurate statement ever. I agree that she should eventually up her charity support and public appearances, but FCS, let the woman nest and be a mom for awhile.

  4. Audrey says:

    She should join pintrest

  5. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I just read the Diana Chronicles, but was on vacation for the CB book club, so this may be repetitious, but what a contrast to Diana’s schedule! Of course, Kate is not married to the first in line, but Diana had William almost immediately, decorated Highgrove and KP apartments and still managed a full schedule. I’m interested in opinions from the women on here as to whether this is laziness, lessons learned from Diana’s difficulties, or William’s wishes. Again, I’m sorry if you went over this already on Sunday.

    • Suze says:

      My take? Complete spec, of course.

      I think Kate is highly motivated toward her marriage/kid but not highly motivated to work. She barely knows what it means. But I don’t think that’s bad in the context of her situation because I think that William is completely, entirely onboard with her light schedule. I don’t think he wants her working too hard and upstaging him, in fact, I bet he’s the brain trust behind her sporadic work commitment.

      I would go so far as to say that’s why he married her – she would never try to become a full-on Diana.

      And it works for them, when they do make joint appearances or do tours people fall all over themselves with joy to actually see the pair of them.

      • in_theory says:

        I feel like concentrating on your kid and possibly wanting it to recognise you as their mother and not the nanny is not something to be condemned (not saying that you personally condemn her or anything). In my eyes that is worthier work than showing up at fundraisers or lending your face to various causes. Why some cause is suddenly more important than another just because some member of the British royalty chooses to support it is beyond me anyway. Just my two cents, though.

      • Suze says:

        Yes, motherhood is noble and often unheralded work.

        Full time motherhood is not what Kate signed up for when she got this job contract, though.

      • Eleonor says:

        There are women who love to be a housewives, other can’t even stand the idea, example : Victoria Beckham, she was famous; got married with a rich man but at a certain point she wanted her “own thing”. I bet Diana was like that she wanted to do something.
        Being a housewife is a tough job (my mum is one), but to me she doesn’t seem a tough worker, she seems more committed on going on vacation and shopping.

      • A:) old prude says:

        She takes tax payers money so she can’t be just a mother. If she moves out of her palaces, stop taking tax payers funded security and all the indirect expenses, then she can devote herself to her child only but not before that. What is so absurd is that even though she won’t have a full time royal work schedule, she still got a full time nanny.So she is neither a full time job or being a full time mummy.

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        @ in_theory: Well, that is all well and good but a) it’s what royal work is. Supporting charitable organizations, being the face of various causes etc. Of course it doesn’t mean one cause is worthier than the other, that is never what “being the face of xy” is about. You want to support one, you pick one, you help its PR. You’re not saying “I think this is better than the Red Cross.” It creates exposure and therefore helps the charities. It’s what the royals do. b) Focusing on your kid is great but she doesn’t need to be there 24 hours a day when it’s her JOB to do other things as well. When she’s being paid to do other things. No working mother gets paid if she doesn’t actually show up at work. I don’t think this is any different.

      • HH says:

        @in_theory – I think that’s the excuse that royal PR would like people to assume. While I believe Kate is focused on being a mother, there’s no denying being a Royal is nowhere near a standard 9-5. When people ask Kate to show up to things, it’s 3 hrs max. If she did that once a week, her time with her son wouldn’t be substantially diminished (if at all). I mean if we really think about it, an appearance could be scheduled around George’s nap time.

      • @HH
        At this point in Prince George’s life, she could stick with work that had to be done early in the morning–at like seven or eight, so she could do her work, and be back by noon to spend the rest of her day with her baby. If that’s what she wanted.

        I don’t think it’s wrong for her to want to be focused on her family–it’s her choice. But she married the wrong man for that. You can’t be 100% focused on your family, and marry into a royal family. And I doubt that she takes care of that baby the entire day.

      • FLORC says:

        I would love to be a housewife. I really would. Unfortunately, I need to work because I love shopping and have a house.
        Still, If I was a housewife I would absolutely have outside interests. To have a world that is only decorating, parties, and shopping while you wait for you husband to come around would break my heart.

        IMO regarding Diana to Kate.
        Diana and Kate both hitched their wagons to stars that meant they wouldn’t have to work. At least not work that required using an education. I hold firm Kate went to St. Andrews for her MRS because wasn’t she accepted to a better Unversity? Just that William wasn’t going there.

        Diana seemed to realize she wanted more than Charles could give. He wasn’t there emotionally when she needed/wanted him.
        This is where they differ. Kate knows the drill. William will come and go as he pleases. Kate will enjoy her and her child(ren) having the best of the best in life and she only needs to keep up appearances and let him do as he pleases.

    • Sixer says:

      Laziness. Pure and simple. And I don’t think William is worried about her being more popular than him – I think he’s just lazy, too. What they both need is a good sharp dose of the unpopularity Charles had (long before he married Diana) for being out of touch and entitled. Then they might be forced into the reasonable quid pro quo for my tax quids.

      I think they thought he could leave the services when the air sea rescue job fell to austerity cuts – you know, the one where he spent most of his time in the pub and almost lost his wings – and just carry on getting away with doing bugger all. He should have stayed in the forces and got a London desk job where he *could* have carried on pretending he was too busy with public service to actually *do* any.

      • Suze says:

        You’re right, they could both make a better show of busy-ness.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Agreed.

      • Sixer says:

        Suze, I think it’s the implied contempt (for me and my fellow tax-paying funders) in that which really gets my goat. It would have been be so easy to have taken some kind of military desk job to cover for the general laziness and they would have gotten a pass from almost everyone. But they couldn’t even be bothered to do that.

      • Suze says:

        Sixer – exactly. You are providing these two with nice homes and a platform for their fame. They should at least pretend to be working!

      • whipmyhair says:

        Sixer- the more I learn about these two the more I think that they are perfect for each other.

        He seems to want a wife that reminds everyone of Diana, but with a much smaller schedule so not to steal the limelight.

        She wants to play princess, shop and decorate. With as few public appearances as possible.

        I’m sure that there is affection in their relationship; but that doesn’t seem like the main reason they married.

      • Aeryn39 says:

        I agree – laziness. And if the above doesn’t shine a light on just how lazy they really are, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a Canadian tour right now – 41 engagements and 3 provinces between the two of them – in three and a half days. No joke. Will and Kate did how many engagements and needed two mini-holidays just to complete them?

        There are some really fantastic pics of Prince Charles and Camilla in the Daily Mail and the Globe & Mail. The links are below.

        They also had a bit yesterday about how the Duke of Edinburgh has 25 engagements planned between now and his 93rd birthday. He’s 93 and and manages 25 engagements in under a month while his 30-something grandson takes a gap year. SMH.

        I also read somewhere (Mail maybe?) that Kate seems to be turning Amner Hall into a “WAG” style home. I’m American, so I’m not quite sure what that means, I just got the impression that it’s going to look something akin to the houses on Footballers Wives. I saw it on DVD. I loved that show…

        http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2633359/EPHRAIM-HARDCASTLE-Full-steam-ahead-Duke-Edinburgh-years-health-scares.html

        http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-whirlwind-tour-prince-charles-and-camilla-to-visit-three-provinces-in-four-days/article18737030/

        http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2632818/Charles-Camilla-officially-kick-whistlestop-tour-Canada.html

        http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2633743/You-moos-taken-George-Prince-Charles-presented-toy-moose-Mounties-Camilla-charm-crowds-Canadian-tour.html

        http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2632182/Charles-Camilla-arrive-Canada-whistlestop-tour-three-provinces-six-towns-41-stops-just-three-days.html

      • Liberty says:

        well said, Sixer.

      • bluhare says:

        Agree, Sixer.

        Aeryn, WAG style would be like real housewife style. New money. That article was the Daily Mail’s way of calling it “common”.

      • Sixer says:

        I truly think the big problem is that William left the services. That’s the route for the royals: be in the military until you’re ready to be a full-time royal and take up your duties. It’s why Edward got quite a bit of bad press years back: he couldn’t make it with the marines and once he ducked out of the military, people wanted to know exactly what he was doing. While they’re in the military, nobody looks too closely. If William was still serving, even in some 2 hours a week desk job, the Cambridge couple wouldn’t be going under the workshy microscope.

        See, for example, today’s post on Harry. The odd showing in uniform, and all is well.

      • Meerkat says:

        Exactly, Sixer! And Mr Meerkat thinks the reason she stays away from “star studded” events is because she won’t be the centre of attention. Too much competition!

      • AM says:

        Sixer,
        And I’m quite certain Harry doesn’t work 40 hours, 9-5 at his desk job! But I do think he works, and you can actually see the product of his work on the Invictus Games.

        I think some would see through William’s London desk job (because there would be absolutely no work product), but many wouldn’t and it would give a pass to “housewife” Kate. I do wonder if he’ll take this Foreign Service job in the fall.

      • HH says:

        RE: William’s concern with popularity – I also don’t see William being concerned about this. If anything, I see him being somewhat relieved as he doesn’t like too much attention.

        SIDE NOTE I’D LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH OTHERS: What’s the deal with Kate and her status/acceptance with William’s friends? I ask because her lack of appearance at numerous weddings (while attending others) and multiple trips William has taken without her. It’s all just a little….OFF. She NEVER takes trips without William, not even family trips (at most, William joins later), but he goes off without her all the time. I just can’t buy the doting mom story *fully*. I do believe Kate enjoys being a mother and it’s given her purpose, but there’s just more to the story. All I’m saying is that if this keeps up, William should beware of using elevators with Kate and Pippa. #WheresJulius 😛

      • MinnFinn says:

        Sixer, You’re good at strategizing for the Cambridges. A lot of their PR problems would go away if William took a FT military desk job.

        Self-absorbed is what pops into my head when I read these posts. Those two are Incredibly self-absorbed. I agree they are lazy in that they refuse FT work but my mind goes right to their self-centeredness.

        Implied-contempt describes their effect brilliantly and that’s the real kicker isn’t it.

        I wonder if one day William will look back and regret that he took the low road and not the high one. That’s what he does every day he refuses to embrace the power he has for making people’s lives better. He needs a wholesale paradigm shift. Being born into his role is not a burden it’s a gift.

      • FLORC says:

        Laziness and an entitled nature. Sixer I never put the 2 in the same thought, but you’re very right.

        Minnfinn
        Have you ever seen the movie Twins with Danny DiVito and Arnold S.? William and Harry are like those brothers. 1 got all the best qualities and the other got what was left over. Harry got all the best qualities for his position. He’s knows how to be responsible and that his life of priviledge comes at a cost.
        William/Danny D. feels his lot in life sucks because the grass is always greener. And he will always seek the easy route.

        Soon enough William will be caught off guard. He will be POW and much more will be expected of him. And there will be even less for him to hide behind when refusing duties.
        Only a massive jolt of unpopularity that trotting out the happy family act can’t cure might be what it takes to get through to him.

      • Chameleon says:

        She has at least one nanny and other support stuff. She never was and never will be a fulltime mother.
        She receives money from the taxpayer so she should do some work.

      • FLORC says:

        HH
        Just saw you post.

        Kate has taken trips without William although my examples aren’t that great.
        She became godmother and went without William for that time. And her most recent know trip to Mustique was with the whole Midd clan and without William. Remember we were told he’s too busy to go because of his bespoke course, but he was boar hunting with Haryy, Jecca and others?

        That small bit aside I think you’re on to something. There are too many other instances where Kate isn’t around for many of William’s vacations with friends. And during some vacations they’re found to spend time apart. It seems odd since they only really see eachother for vacations, but appears to work for them.
        And imo Pippa knows the drill. William was not kind to Kate while dating and her family still encouraged her to change herself to win him back. Seems like such an odd family dynamic to me.

    • blue marie says:

      My vote is laziness, always

    • LadySlippers says:

      I am also starting to suspect that no one is pushing Kate (and by that I mean gentle suggestions by The Grey Men) to work more because she’s not that good at it. I have rewatched a few of her speeches and her attempts to ‘engage’ intelligently in conversations and William, quite frequently, jumps in and makes the more intelligent comment. As pre-teens, my
      kids were better at this than she is (although, to be fair, I have always engaged my children and they both were making speeches by 4th grade). It’s kinda sad.

      • Suze says:

        There are people all over the internet who gush about what a natural she is, but I’ve never seen it. To me, she never looks particularly comfortable. Even her much ballyhooed visits with children come off as slightly awkward.

        The exception is at sporting events where she can participate. Give the woman a racket or a field hockey stick and she seems to become more herself.

        Which is why I think she should be the patron of more sports-oriented organizations. But no one listens to me – and I can’t figure out why. After all, I spend good time commenting over and over again on these royal threads ; ).

      • LadySlippers says:

        •Suze•

        Agreed! She’s getting better with the kids post George but her conversations/speeches with most people are cringeworthy. I rewatched her and William in Denmark and I’m stumped. How could she not be able to make up a simple BS answer?

        She absolutely should concentrate on sports. Sports can be therapeutic and it fits with the philosophy of the joint charity too. There’s a whole lotta people she could be helping if she appealed to her strengths and not just W&H’s.

      • bluhare says:

        Suze, I listen to you!! Problem is, no one listens to me!

      • AM says:

        I think part of the situation with the Grey Men is they are determined to not have another Diana on their hands. If things go south with William and Kate, they will not be blamed for putting too much pressure on her.

      • FLORC says:

        Suze
        Completely agree. That she’s not taken on a sporting charity just backs for me that she has no real interest in work.

        AM
        I could be wrong here, but I disagree. Kate isn’t smart enough to be another Diana.
        Not in the clever way Diana was.
        On top of that hasn’t William been said to despise the “grey men” because of his mother? So, he had them back off and keep distance from Kate.
        Also, at this point Kate has had it so easy they could easily spin her into being lazy of her own doing. And I’m betting their is a whole room full of dirt on the Middletons finances.
        It would not be hard at this point to start in on pity William he had to put up with terrible Kate and her family.

      • AM says:

        FLORC,
        This is what I mean. I don’t think the Grey Men told her not to work, I think she’s been left to her on devices on that matter. I think it benefits them in that she won’t later be able to say she was overwhelmed.

        Not that it matters, I agree with you that she’s not like Diana and I don’t think she’ll ever try to leave.

      • Chameleon says:

        I think people would forgive Kate for her lack of rhetoric skill as long as Kate would make a real effort. What would it matter if Kate’s speech wasn’t perfect as long as she turned up and got pictured delivering one? But she doesn’t turn up and she hardly ever says anything let alone anything worth listening to.

      • FLORC says:

        AM
        That has been the popular thery since Kate was not showing she was ready to “hit the ground running”. Lots assumed she was being coddled so no one could say the grey men broke her like they did Diana, etc..

        I agree with you on bothparts completely.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        I read somewhere that William in an interview said that he he doesn’t really want to listen seriously to the courtiers’ advice. He said that he would do the opposite of whatever they adviced.

    • in_theory says:

      I have read a lot of comments here and there on different threads about Kate, and somehow I get the impression that it doesn’t really matter what the woman does or doesn’t do. She’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. Personally I find the monarchy superfluous and an idiotic concept in modern times (I’m not British, which is not to say that all Brits support the monarchy, because I know that’s far from the truth), and these royals have nothing really useful to do anyway. But I think this is a completely different problem from Kate or what she does with her time. In my opinion there’s nothing she could do that would justify the positions that she and for that matter all the rest of the royals have.

      • hannah says:

        It’s not only Kate , it’s William too . Now he’s supposed to take a desk job to avoid looking lazy . When he was actually in the army flying rescue helicopters he was also criticized for being lazy and lacking a real job . Were he to take a 9-5 job it would not be a real job either but PR move … He can’t win either .

      • FLORC says:

        Hannah/in_theory

        Please keep an open mind with my comment here.
        William was in the RAF, but he was given beyond special treatment while there.

        He barely and often had enough hours of flying to keep his wings. During this time he was often caught in pubs on cell phone cams when he was suppose to be training with his team.

        RAF teams as I understand them are a well oiled team. They train and work together. So, when 1 person doesn’t show up and gives a few days notice he’s taking a vacation the team as a whole suffers.
        Even worse someone that has given notice must replace William’s absence and for 1 man he could no longer be his best friends best man.

        And the RAF higher ups were said to be annoyed with dealing with William. Especially taking the helicopter to Kate’s backyard wasting thousands and thousands of dollars. They later called it a training exerise.

        William and Kate do not have to take a 9-5. No one here is saying they should. Would it hurt them to put in just half the hours that lesser and higher royals do? No. They just don’t want to it seems.

        And in_theory
        They are not damned either way. That phrase is never used correctly here. Both are often praised at length. Look back to the tour threads. Loads of praise.
        Maybe people are just noticing a bar has been lowered to praising a grown woman for showing up to work.

        Please keep an open mind. This isn’t a hateful thread for the most part. And many posters here DO pay for their lifestyle and should have a say as to what they get for their money.

      • in_theory says:

        @ FLORC
        Did you miss what I wrote about the monarchy as a whole? There doesn’t seem to be much of a point in criticising a person for being a useless member of a (in my opinion) useless and obsolete institution. And as I said before, I don’t think there’s anything she could do to justify the money she gets. Same goes for the rest of the royals. There’s no real comparison to normal people earning their keep.
        Perhaps we’re talking at cross purposes here. In that case, never mind.

      • FLORC says:

        in_theory
        I’m only covering the damned either way and how that’s an overused and incorrectly used statement here.
        Nothing else really as much as that.

    • A:) old prude says:

      IMHO Kate wanted the title, the prince, the status and the prestige that comes from it. She was raised by her mother to value herself by the social set she hangs out with. She considers William above her and is completely in love with idea of Prince William. I think her entire life ambition was to marry into British upper class, even if it weren’t William it would have been another duke or lord. But when she saw the top prize that became her entire goal all the way encouraged and funded by her mum. So IMO this is the Kate all along, someone who always wanted to marry well, and be a lady who lunches, that’s her goal. I don’t think even for a second that if it weren’t for William she would’ve a career or work ethics etc. She would still be what she is now a posh, titled WAG.

      William loves her because she brought some normalcy in his life even though Kate never lived a life of a ‘normal’ girl. He got someone who will always put him above everything else in her life, who doesn’t mind being dominated or told to do what he wants her to do. She will do as told, be always loyal to him, never rock the boat, have no ambition or aspirations other then being a princess wife, have babies. She exist to please him and do whatever he wants her to do.

      I think her inactivity is because of William. If he wants her out there doing stuff, she will. She’ll do whatever he expects her to do. That’s why he married her and that’s why their relationship works. He is the master and she is he servant who is their to please him and serve him as long as she gets to be with her family. That’s why she got the ring. So to answer of your question, I think it’s because of William’s laziness and Kate being a Geshia who only does what her master /husband wants her to do, nothing more nothing less. He wanted a royal WAG and she doesn’t want to be anything more then a royal wag. In so many ways, i’s a match made in heaven.

      And before I get asked to provide proof of my analysis, I’ll like to declare this is my opinion based on my observation over more then a decade.

      • bluhare says:

        I agree, old prude.

      • maichan says:

        Although I totally agree with your comment and I think it is well put, may I say that (and I’ve noticed that this comparison has been made several times before) I have a problem with comparing Kate M to a Geisha? It just seems like an insult to Geishas, who are really strong and very accomplished women in music, arts, literature, politics etc something that Kate clearly isn’t, and whose goals in life goes beyond being a WAG and do as they are told. Geishas can converse with everyone from government officials to children because they are trained to do so. They know how to entertain well, because they studied it as an art for a long time, and took pride in their accomplishments. And, (I realise this is a low blow but it is still considered important where I come from) Geishas know how to take care of their skins properly and not let it age faster than they are (no smoking, for one thing, and for goodness sakes, no botox), and they have too much self respect than to slouch or twirl their hair like what Kate has been known to do. Their “meekness” which I assume was the reason for this comparison comes more from their traditional culture, not some weird complicated relationship with 30 something momma’s boy who can’t find his big boy trousers.
        ………. Anyway, that’s just my opinion. I promise this is not out of anger, it’s just that I dont feel comparing Geishas to Kate is fair on the Geishas. Perhaps we can compare Kate to someone more suitable? A footballer’s wife maybe? Or someone from the real housewives of wherever?

      • Juliette says:

        I co-sign old prude, Kate is a WAG. That’s it. Long ago, Kate had a goal: William. She wanted him, she pursued him, she got him. For many years she had to adjust her life to the end goal of being his one and only official girlfriend, and then his wife. The formative years of a person’s life matter.

        I’m not sure there was ever room for any other interests. Ones twenties tend to dictate the person one will be in their thirties and forties and on…

        William dithered around St. Andrews, contemplated dropping out, changed to an easier course load. Took a few gap years, dithered some more, entered the military, found a path that was costly to the taxpayer and that he was ill-suited for (pilots are supposed to have perfect vision) and ended his twenties with a big public spectacle, the royal wedding to Kate, to whitewash his meager accomplishments. In his thirties, William has remained the way he was in his twenties. He’s not goal oriented, but reactive, and he’s still dithering about. Whenever public opinion becomes a bit too negative, he pulls out the spectacle with Kate & now George.

      • AM says:

        In my opinion, all the 10 years of waiting did was prepare Kate to be a WAG (hair, clothes, weight, shopping, decorating). It’s clear from her public performance that she didn’t spend that time preparing to be a royal consort (developing charitable interests, working on public speaking skills, etc).

      • Diana says:

        I agree with your assessment completely. But man… This makes me so depressed and disappointed in her. Really.. It’s 2014 and all she sees herself is some kind of royal step ford. I know she is royalty and by marriage and all but what a terrible self image. Her only lot is to serve and please and all she gets in return are designer clothes and jewelry? How shallow and sad 🙁

      • Miss Bennett says:

        @Odd Prude
        Amen!
        I want to add that I don’t think she’s as passive and malleable as she appears. In my opinion, she has more control and power in the marriage. Her disapproval and freeze out of people she doesn’t like is well known, no doubt it’s quite effective on her husband. I bet she can withhold and say no till the stars go out.
        All Kate Middleton ever wanted was to be at the top of the heap, live in luxury without paying for it and get rich. She’s succeeded. Now she has only to swan about, smiling and waving.
        I bet you a million pounds she spends her days fussing over even the smallest decision, trying to get something for nothing (without the public being the wiser), feathering her own nest with money and valuables, and buttering up the right people.
        Unless she proves to have some untapped well of spirituality or wisdom within her, this is all the British people will ever get out of her.

      • FLORC says:

        Miss Bennett

        Who was Kate able to freeze out from William’s life? She may have a fair level of control, but William will have his way and know he’s tested Kate enough to make sure she will still stick around no matter what he does.
        Citing all their break ups and her making his friends her friends, but keeping almost none of her own, quitting her job because she needed more time for him.. Nothing could get in the way of waiting on William. Her friends either knew this and understood or left.

      • Reece says:

        *pokes head in* What maichan said.^^That Exactly^^
        Although everything else I agree with.

      • bettyrose says:

        Maichan – I commented on that awhile ago (several years, even, I think) and noticed the comparison went away for awhile. Geishas were working women, the furthest thing from pampered housewives, so it’s not a fair comparison. I think the misunderstanding comes from the image that Geishas put forth of being demure/deferential, which is of course an act to create a fantasy for the stressed out businessmen who pay them for this service.

        Some comparison can be made, though, in the sense that Kate did train to act the role of a well bred girl. She studied that part from a very young age. But in general her life is far cushier and more secure than that of a geisha.

      • Christina says:

        FLORC – Kate might not have effectively frozen out several key people but she was widely reported to be responsible for the estrangement between William and his cousins Beatrice and Eugenie. He was once like an older brother to them but Kate was able to alienate them and ridicule them – the Day Glo fundraiser of 2008 she apparently didn’t tell Beatrice that it was even going on and once Bea showed up late and distressed because no one had told her it was 80’s themed, Kate ignored her and left without saying goodbye after she drank vodka shots at the bar with Guy Pelly.

    • Mom says:

      I have always thought that Diana loved showing Prince Charles up with the love of the community, cheering. I get it. She was mad at him. England loves their monarchy! Kate may as well enjoy herself, raise her family. They won’t be stepping up anytime soon. I don’t feel Diana excelled at her charities, public speaking immediately. She had to learn. One of the theories with Diana was that she had turned her energy on the country of Pakistan and they didn’t want the change she was looking to bring. If so, she died trying to show her Prince up. Who knows? I don’t think it’s Kate’s role to follow in Diana’s footsteps.

    • bettyrose says:

      FLORC – When you say that you would love to be a housewife, do you mean that you would enjoy having the financial security to give up the office job and focus on your family/home life and personal interests & causes? I agree that sounds nice.

      OR do you mean that you would enjoy surrendering your economic power to another adult, let your employable skills go soft, and build your self image around small humans whose emotional bond with you will weaken as they age and prioritize relationships in their own peer group? This is a riskier proposition.

      • FLORC says:

        Bettyrose

        I mean I enjoy baking, cleaning, gardening, and other things to do around the house to improve it. A part of me is that kind of woman that wants to make a full meal for my husband, rub his feet, and enjoy his company when he comes home.
        And I do this as much as possible. I enjoy this, but can say with full confidence I wear the majority of pants in the relationship.
        Fortunately for me my parents raised me to be self reliant. If he loses his job or I lose him somehow that would put a huge hole in my plan! So, yes the 1st option.

        Option #2 you’re stated is why Kate is a bad role model. This is how she appears to many. Have a man take care of you. If William wasn’t a prince… 1. I think she wouldn’t be married to him at all. And 2. She wouldn’t be as financially secure should a death or divorce occur.

  6. PHD Gossip says:

    Maybe she is knocked up again and resting.

    • bettyrose says:

      If she were far enough along to need rest, it would have been announced by now. I have no children, myself, but I see women at work regularly go into labor at the office, which is the only way to ensure they get their maximum maternity leave (i.e. using no time off before they give birth). Pregnancy isn’t an illness.

  7. Miss Jupitero says:

    Is she already using Botox? Her face looks really changed.

  8. Talie says:

    I totally believe that William controls her schedule and she just doesn’t care either way. The Ralph Lauren episode was a mistake, but I doubt he or his advisors learn.

    • alycia says:

      Yeah, I’d believe it — It goes something like this: 8 a.m. rise and shine, Kate, time for Yoga.
      9:30 – time for breakfast (black coffee, dry toast); 10 a.m. Shopping, 12 p.m. time for lunch (coffee please); 2 pm More shopping; 4 p.m. Bootcamp

    • A:) old prude says:

      I agree with yo too. She doesn’t mind being controlled by him as long as she is his official wife. Kate is Wills Camilla. That’s why he married her, had she shown any backbone or character he would’ve dumped her years ago.

      • Talie says:

        I also think in Kate’s mind she did what she was supposed to do. She rose up from being a “commoner” and she’s also mother to the future King. As far as she and her family are concerned… It’s a wrap! Everything else for her is cake and she’s doesn’t plan on rocking the boat.

      • FLORC says:

        Prude
        But remember when she did show a backbone and William dumped her. She learned from that.

  9. Hazel says:

    Her skin really looks rough in the first two photos. She’s only in her 30s! I have seen a lot more women in their 40s who have better skin with a lot less money than her and with more stressful lifestyle (a life juggling kids, career and budgeting resources).

    • HoustonGrl says:

      I think this is because she spent every day of her 20s tanning.

      • FLORC says:

        And smoking. Smoking, dehydration, poor diet, and genetics. I think that sums up why her skin is so awful. Thank goodness for photoshop.

  10. lucy says:

    Let’s hope the decorating is not the same style as her makeup application (which is awful).

    By the way, hadn’t noticed a lack of her at all, she seems to be featured here daily (yaaawwwn).

    • bluhare says:

      She was during their tour, but not nearly as much now.

    • alycia says:

      Unless I have photographic evidence, I tend to doubt some of the so-called sources. In the past, you’d see the odd photo of her during her downtime on someone’s twitter page or another blog, but these days, there’s just a lot of speculation. It’s so easy to make stuff up..if you saw Kate doing a, b, or c, it’s pretty easy and takes 2 seconds to take a photo on your phone.

      • AM says:

        She might be in Berkshire or up at Anmer? But I don’t think she’s in London, because it’s been awfully quiet.

  11. Ninja says:

    When someone says “she is decorating”, I imagine her in tatty clothes on a ladder scraping wallpaper, hair covered in bits. Ehm, the more likely scenario is checking up on progress once or twice a week and deciding between two curtain designs presented by the interior decorator. Many people have to do a full time job, parent AND do all the dirty hard decorating jobs too…

    • sam says:

      EXACTLY!!!!!! Although one article I read would have you think otherwise as it talks about how “hands on” and “involved” she is. Not drinking that kool-aid, LOL!!

  12. The Original Mia says:

    Ridiculous excuses. I’d side-eye them less if they just came out and said she has no intention of working outside of tours. If they said that, people wouldn’t expect a grown woman with tons of money and help to do what is expected of other royal wives: raise their kids and give back to their country.

    • sam says:

      If she even did a fraction of what Sophie, Anne & Charles & Camilla do, her fans would nominate her for sainthood!! Those royals seem genuine and (consistently) hard-working and their clothes and accessories are incidental. What I find particularly offensive is how much she was praised for doing so little — i.e. showing up, going through the motions and feigning interest in things.

      • Aeryn39 says:

        +1000 Sam!

        I completely agree with you, especially about Sophie and Princess Anne! At least Charles and Camilla get some press for their good works, but I’ve got to check royalcorrespondent.com and the Court Circular archives on the official monarchy web page to keep up the Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal – genuine hard-working ladies indeed!!

    • wolfpup says:

      I wonder if Will is “protecting” her from the fate of his mother. I bet he does this with Georgie too, if that is so. I believe that Will is a lazy-ass, but can’t help but wondering if his attitude comes from his mother’s suffering, and who/what he holds accountable for that. The monarchy?

      It is sad, it looks like contempt, and it’s a shame considering the good he could do for others. Is there a bitterness that could be causing this disconnect with his so-called “subjects”? Normal people would jump at the chance to serve others in this way. I really do not understand why this is termed “work”. Having a driver bring you in a luxury car, to where people dribble to see you, with something cool for refreshment, and a soft ride back to your palace, for a home-cooked meal, courtesy of superb chef, and pass the kid off to the nanny, because one’s too tied. I wouldn’t call this a job, but a good day.

      Why is the situation so nebulous? Are they hiding something (besides the duchess)? Why is William so cavalier toward her?

      • Chameleon says:

        I thought William attended a boys-only school in his formative years (Eton). No significant experience with any girls except Kate. All his other romances sort of failed to develop into anything substantial.

  13. Justaposter says:

    Isn’t Prince Charles and his office in charge of the family press now?

    Look, I get it, it is the popular thing to bash on Kate here, but hear me out before lamblasting me.

    Chuck has been gunning for that crown for decades. And has been haunted by Di’s ‘My Son will be King’ comment.

    So if Prince Charles is in charge of the press, isn’t it only natural to think that he ok’s schedules? And do you really think Prince Charles wants to be upstaged by a cute baby with the pretty parents? Even if the pretty parents happens to be your very own son?

    Just something to think about.

    • The Original Mia says:

      Except it’s been said on more than one occasion that Will & Kate are in charge of their schedules. They aren’t working because they don’t want to work. Charles will be king regardless of his sons’ popularity or their choice of wives. He’s waited this long. He isn’t going to step aside because he may not be as popular.

    • Deedee says:

      I hear you, but wouldn’t having two hard-working sons and a busy working daughter-in-law help strengthen his hold on the crown, showing that the royals are worth keeping around? Charles gets it after HM passes and there is no doubt, no William leapfrogging him, even though the gossip rags are full of that. Hasn’t the palace also made a statement that Kate sets her schedule and she’s fine with it as it is?

    • mena says:

      @Justaposter, For me, that possibility would be a lot more believable if Harry’s work schedule was as similarly light & frivolous as W&Ks.

      I don’t doubt that Charles can be jealous & petty but if it got so bad that he was purposely holding back W&K then I think he would also be holding back Harry.

      That Harry is doing so much more serious work indicates to me that someone in the Palace is setting the stage for the younger generation to step up and it’s the prince who is willing & able who is doing so. I think it’s on W&K that they are neither.

  14. Livan says:

    George is not even a year old! Staying at home with your baby and not working is normal att that age (In Sweden at least!). I have a baby who is 15 months and i surely would not work i i did not have to (I have to work because his father wants to be at home with him too). I would like to see William take some paternity leave though.

    • Suze says:

      You aren’t royal though. There are different expectations.

      And your crown princess in Sweden worked through her pregnancy and started up again a couple months after her daughter was born.

      • Livan says:

        My expectations of royals are much lower than that of ordinary people actually. Monarchy is obsolete system and we just don’t need them anymore! Victoria seems to be a nice person but I would prefer to live in a republic. Btw Victoria is heir to the throne an William is not, Victoria’s siblings are not exactly as hard working.

      • Suze says:

        William is also an heir to the throne, although second in line after the heir apparent. Thus I expect a bit more of him than I do of Madeleine or CP! It would be more accurate to compare Harry to either of those two.

        Little Estelle, also second in line, is more visible than Wills is at this point. And there are far more engagements to cover in Britain than in Sweden, so royals have to step up all the way up and down the line. Prince Phillip has 23 engagements in the next two months.

        But to stick to the point, royals don’t typically take a year off for maternity leave, be they heirs or second or third in line. Or the wives thereof. They owe the public something.

      • AM says:

        Pretty sure Victoria made an appearance a couple of WEEKS after giving birth (actually might have been for an official visit with Charles and Camilla). She works very hard, and yet you can see that she is very involved in her child’s life.

        And yes, Estelle does work harder than William.

      • bluhare says:

        Estelle was actually at an engagement over the weekend. She took some flowers from another little girl. I love her; she’s such a cute little girl.

    • mena says:

      @Livan, I don’t think people are criticizing maternity leave, I think they’re criticizing Kate. According to the news blurbs about what Kate IS doing it doesn’t sound like she is on maternity leave.

      The overall picture of how Kate spends her days sounds like it’s just shopping & going to hair appointments. Kate has a full domestic staff & very little has been written about her time with the baby.

      The latest news blurbs have written about Kate like she’s an Architect, Designer & Craftsman all rolled into one Super Manager micromanaging the massive renovation of a huge KP apartment & Amner Hall.

      So, it’s very odd that Kate can be so hands-on restoring, renovating & redecorating the interiors, exteriors & grounds of two massive homes yet she can’t pick up an occasional royal engagement… because she’s on maternity leave.

      It looks likes when insurance fraudsters go on holiday with disability checks even though they are perfectly able to work. I think that’s why British taxpayers are suspicious & critical of Kate using maternity leave as an excuse to get out of her royal duties.

  15. wow says:

    Well, somebody has to do it, eh? I wouldn’g want anyone else making decorating decisions on a home that I will live in. She doing what most housewives do as leisure “busy work”. Only difference is square footage and not having to save money in order to afford the updates. It’s the type of lifestyle she has.

    Articles about her use to bother me, but I see her differently now. She is exactly the type of person Willy boy needed as a wife. I “get it” now and no longer expect to see anything different from her. She fits that role well. I see it now.

  16. Snowangel says:

    Just wondering has anyone thought that the reason she is staying at home so much is that she might be preggers , and “driving the porcelain bus” again.

    • LAK says:

      What does ‘driving the porcelain bus’ mean?

      EDIT: googled it. LOL

    • Suze says:

      It be early days if she is pregnant, as she definitely wasn’t during the tour.

      Plus, she had nothing scheduled so this is a planned break.

      But what the heck – she might as well get working on the spare. What else does she have going on?

    • PHD gossip says:

      i would assume it means throwing up. Hubby always says “praying to the porcelain god” to describe a bad hangover.

    • katie says:

      By the looks of her increasingly emaciated frame, pregnant or not, she’s been praying to the porcelain god ever since her engagement!!

      • FLORC says:

        Ouch.
        On a serious note I doubt it’s that. Calorie counting/diets and extreme exercising seems to be her methods.
        Only say this because she still has muscle mass albeit very little, and her work out and diets are always commented on and known.

      • candice says:

        Hmmm, maybe that’s why she got the veneers — her own teeth were rotted from the barfing? Nah, I think she has more of the anorectic traits and tendencies — one thing I’ve noticed is the telltale “lanugo” on her arms and depending on the photo (i.e. airbrushed or not) her face.

      • FLORC says:

        Candice
        I’ve always heard it called down. Like the light feathers on baby birds or what stuffs a comforter.

  17. ann valor says:

    Not that she needs an excuse to decorate her own home, but they ARE also registered historical landmarks, so this is pretty standard.

  18. Deedee says:

    This tweet tells me all I need to know.
    Niraj Tanna ‏@IkonPictures May 18
    Although @CamillaTominey you’ll probably find that it’s Princey William who doesn’t let Kate spread her wings. They were clipped 3 yrs ago.

    • FLORC says:

      He’s bff’s with Carol. Tanna knows not to bite the hand that feeds although when he’s gone a while without being tossed scraps he gets nippy. Also, there are a few times within the last year Kate has stepped out of line from William.

    • LAK says:

      me too.

  19. Elaine2 says:

    William wants her out of the limelight and is controlling her schedule. We won’t be seeing her again until he wants us to.

  20. Heather says:

    I think they are both EXTREMELY selfish. They don’t give a damn about anybody but themselves. They will never take the throne. They are just like a Gorilla married to Bigfoot. They don’t need so many houses, there’s a full time nanny, so they should always be out helping the less fortunate. What a sad situation for all the people in the United Kingdom.

  21. Caroline says:

    This all seems a bit of a shame about Kate. I don’t think that William wants centre stage and is limiting her appearances but he maybe feels the country/media owe him one because he blames them for what happened to this mother. I think Kate is interested in being a wife/mother more than anything but she is wife to the second in line to the throne and she does need to be making more public appearances now. Even in the days when women traditionally did not work outside the home the royal women still had their public engagements.

    I think in the beginning of the marriage when William was with the RAF it was different and I didn’t grudge them a year or two out but when he gave up the RAF and they moved into a royal palace they really did need to start giving something back. Even if Kate only worked a day or two a week or even every week out of four it would be something but she cannot continue doing virtually nothing. As a footnote, there is far too much pressure on women everywhere to look spectacular as opposed to being “neat and presentable”. By going on about supposed negative aspects of Kate’s appearance I don’t think we are helping any woman.