It just occurred to me as I looked through these photos of Duchess Kate in Stoke-on-Trent last week that Our Kate hasn’t had a “Marilyn Moment” in months. There have been a couple of touch-and-go moments when a breeze hit one of her dresses at an inopportune time, but no full-on Marilyn Moments or flashes of any kind in several months now. Her hemlines also seem to be longer for this pregnancy, which is a welcome relief.
Anyway, you guys know I love a good royal conspiracy. So I enjoyed this Daily Mail story from the weekend, only I can’t really come up with a good conspiracy for it. Apparently, two of Will and Kate’s trusted employees abruptly quit working for the Cambridges so they could go back to being employed by the Queen. It’s that weirdest thing?
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are hunting for new domestic staff for their country home after their housekeeper and gardener suddenly decided to quit. It remains unclear why Amy Wood and her husband Colin handed in their notice after less than five months at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The couple started working for William and Kate last September when restoration work was being completed on the Georgian mansion. They had previously been trusted employees at Sandringham House two miles away, and it is thought that they will go back to work for the Queen there.
William and pregnant Kate moved into the 18th Century hall with their baby George in October after it was given to them by the Queen. Mrs Wood, 34, looked after the ten-bedroom house while her 37-year-old husband worked in the garden. He had been doing landscaping and planting work at the hall. The couple lived with their five-year-old son in a cottage in the grounds, so they were on hand to help when needed.
Locals were shocked to hear this week that they were quitting their posts and moving from the hall, which is said to be visited by Kate’s mother Carole on a very regular basis. A villager said: ‘Nobody knows why they are going – but I can’t imagine it was a decision they took lightly. It is the talk of the estate that they should be giving up their prestige jobs after such a short time. They appeared happy working there and it seemed that they got on well with William and Kate, who must be disappointed to be losing them. Amy is a brilliant housekeeper, while Colin is a great gardener. They are both discreet and would never talk about their work for the Royals.’
Another villager said: ‘It looks as if William and Kate will have to find another housekeeper and gardener. I guess they’ll want to get staff in place before the new baby arrives.’
Last night a spokesman for Buckingham Palace declined to comment on ‘private staffing matters’.
It’s interesting, right? Is it just me or do Will & Kate have a pretty high turnover in general though? I think some royals keep shuffling staff in and out, but the Queen likes staff loyalty and she likes long-standing employees. And seriously, the Woods were only working for Will and Kate for what? Less than six months, and half the time Kate and George weren’t even at Anmer Hall, they were at Kate’s parents’ house or Kensington Palace. My conspiracy theory: the Cooks worked for Will & Kate over the holidays, when the entire Middleton clan came to stay for a lengthy holiday. And that was it for the Cooks – they didn’t like the whole Middleton vibe.
Also: later this week, William is embarking on a six-day tour of Japan and China – go here to see his itinerary. I think Kate was originally sort-of planned to make this trip with him, months ago. But she’s pregnant and her doctors probably don’t want her to travel and face the stress of a tour. I wonder if Kate will be out and about while William is away?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I think a big part of it is because people might have a mistaken idea of what working for Will and Kate would be like, and when the reality smacks them in the face, they take off. The Queen has been the Queen for so long that a potential employee knows what to expect but with these two, not so much.
They probably thought they were going to see the royal couple more often maybe? While in the end they were just there to work without the entertainment. Or probably Carole was there dishing orders like a real Queen
Or maybe the pay is better at Sandringham. Or maybe the workload is less which is good because maybe they are expecting another baby. Or maybe they felt lonesome at a smaller estate. Who knows why they are leaving. And, really, who cares?
They would have known what the pay was when they accepted the position.
she looks stressed out and tired
Who wants to deal with a Lazy Faker and by all accounts her arrogant, vengeful and snobbish climbing mother Carole?
Funny how people who find out too much or get too close to the truth suddenly get the boot, eh?
I’m sorry but I can’t help it. He’s a gardener and his name is Mr. Wood.
😀
+1
😀
Better if he was a sex therapist.
LOL!!!!!
…specializing in erectile dysfunction.
They are young and have a five-year-old son. Maybe all the strict privacy rules were keeping them from leading a normal life?
If they return to service for the Queen’s household they will have to abide by the same rules.
I would think the Queen has greater secrets. Sure less juicy gossip than sites like this, but much greater value as far as secrets go.
I think that they value their lives. After all look what happened to the nurse in the Lido wing who may have knew too much–
Yeah, the kid looks 5 and probably is.
???
Could be nothing, but my guess would be Carole kept sticking her nose in and acting like the pushy suddenly posh often do, and they just bagged it.
I could never be a maid for rich people. I’d be raging with angst all the time. Especially when the guest comes in and behaves like the one who’s paying my wage.
Yeah, I can imagine people just tossing you their coat and saying “bring me some mineral water.” I couldn’t do it, either. I’d say “what’s the magic word?” And get canned on day one, probably.
LOL……………….
I wouldn’t make it as a maid to Kate or her mother. I’d be fired immediately.
There was one sentence that did not fit in that article, and it was the one talking about Carole visiting regularly. The rest was all William and Kate and staff, except that one phrase at the end of the sentence. Detective bluhare thinks that’s the reason; the couldn’t handle Carole for some reason.
If that’s the case, it’s good they figured it out and left. Like or dislike her, the fact is she will be around a lot and William and Kate need to get staff who can deal with it.
There was an article before Christmas talking about the beeswax candles, the lemon scented linen spray and the fact that Carole needs to be served cold glass of Chablis at six pm every day, does anyone remember that? Oh, and William needs his household to run like clockwork, no muss no fuss. Then the Midds stayed three week.
The idea of keeping Wiiliam and Kate and Carole happy for three weeks sounds like hell on earth.
Bluhare
Caught my attention also. It’s hardly a secret anymore William is often doing his own thing while Kate and her mother are often together.
The timeline makes sense too. For Christmas and the Midds staying there to be the breaking point.
You don’t simply get up and walk out on a job like that. Something happens and you put in for transfer while filing work goes through.
RedSnaapper
It rings a bell. And the Lemon linen spray has frustrated me before. It’s a citresse spray. That energizes the senses. Something calming would make more sense.
What caught my attention is how much the Daily Mail likes to poke at Carole Middleton. Although, in fairness to the DM, without a swipe at Carole this is truly dull gossip.
Kate should respect their need to sell papers and do a few more engagements so they have some actual news to write about. With William MIA, and Kate soon headed for maternity leave, I think we are going to be gossiping about some really tedious tittle-tattle for the foreseeable future.
The Middletons are nouveau riche and sometimes those people act much worse than someone like the Queen who doesn’t feel the need to treat people like sh*t to feel better about herself. I am willing to bet that working in the presence of Carole and Pippa among the other nouveau riche trash in that family is a nightmare. Working for the Queen is probably a lot better.
Wow, classism is aive and well.
Narak, haven’t you heard how staff were fired for saying what Middleton is like behind closed doors? And that William yells at staff to curtsey to Middleton?
Narak – It’s not classicism to criticize the behavior of a*holes. The concept of nouveau riche refers to people who are rich for rich’s sake and thus likely to put on airs to remind everyone of their wealth. People who get rich as a side product of intellectual effort (i.e. doctors, inventors, etc.) aren’t referred to as nouveau riche merely for being rich – unless they too fall guilty of conspicuous displays of wealth. i.e No one uses that term for J.K. Rowling, even though she’s just as middle class in origins and far wealthier than the Middletons.
So building g a successful business means the Midds didn’t get rich as a product of intellectual effort? Huh. My experience in running a business is that it is damn hard and takes an incredible amount of focus, effort and skill.
Meg
Old money and new money do not behave the same. And the PP business is shady. It would take willful ignorance to see year after year their profit margs in the dot com world while nearly every other dot com business was crashing. And they were still charging such high prices plus shipping for the same quality as a dollar store or party city or 1 of the many stores that offered as they did. The numbers have never made sense. If they did the Midds would be seen as much sharper people for keeping afloat a business like they had while all others with the same plan are sinking.
And yes. Businesses can be built without intellect. And they can be very sucessful. You don’t need 1 to get the other. Having 1 does not mean you have the other.
Megan:
Business owners can absolutely be put in the category of those who earned wealth as a side product of intellectual effort. The Middletons are considered nouveous riche because of there abominable behavior not necessarily the source of their wealth. But I love that you always jump in to defend the oppressed rich. Never change. 😉
As a fundraiser, I spend a great deal of time with the über wealthy and when you acquired your wealth has very little to do with how you spend it and how you act towards others. It does, however, have everything to do with how the press covers your lifestyle.
As for your claims against PP, all the same things could be said about the Oriental Trading Company catalog but that biz was valuable enough for Warren Buffet to plunk down $500 million to acquire it. Maybe you just don’t understand how a direct response business works and, because you Dislike the Midds, you assume they have somehow cheated their way to the top.
If you want to look anywhere for an example of how many nouveau riche act, look at the growing number of Asian tourists with bad behavior, particularly from China. Money cannot buy class or an education. A lot of nouveau riche people and their children become rich overnight and that gives them the mentality that they can act like jerks because they have the money to buy whatever they want. That is the difference. Of course people from old money can act like jerks too, but people of wealth who are more educated and refined would not have a chip on their shoulder. I can see someone like Carole demanding to be treated like royalty even more than real royalty like Prince Harry or the Queen. And I am saying this as someone who is a first generation college graduate who has worked for everything in my life without any help from my family.
Kibbles — Please no racial stereotypes.
Megan, we have referred you to this article before and you seem reluctant to read and absorb it. It is highly unlikely that the Middleton’s lifestyle came from the inheritance and PP alone.
Royal Wedding: Middletons’ money – how was it made?
Telegraph, 20 Nov 2010
They are also known to have a sizeable mortage on the new property. Interesting for people that are said to be work over 30 million pounds.
NOTA – When earnings on your investments are outpacing the interest rate on your mortgage, then it makes financial sense to take out a mortgage rather than buy your house outright. That would be financial planning 101.
And the reason they bought the other properties with cash is ….
Their much less expensive properties bought while the stock market was in retreat? Again, financial planning 101.
OK, I’d like to weigh in on the possibility of getting stinking rich off a catalog company–which is what Party Pieces is, not a dot-com. Sure, they’re online retailers now, but they started as a catalog company. This is what used to be known as Direct Mail Marketing, and is now Direct Response Marketing. I used to work at Harry & David a long, long time ago. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re the Fruit of the Month people. That was a family business–started by brothers Harry & David Holmes–and they built that into an international business. When I worked there, it was still a family-owned corporation–the Holmes who owned it at the time drove Lamborghinis to work. As for getting really rich off mundane items–H&D sold (still sells) the best pears on the planet–d’Anjou pears–which you could buy at your local grocery store, sure, but it makes a great gift to people in other states, countries, so you send it. At the risk of making an already too long comment even longer, once you’ve acquired people willing to spend a certain amount of money via mail/online, you then have also created a second source of income–your name list. This is a very long way of saying that I do believe that the little company Carole started in her garden shed could indeed grow to an international business & make the owners stinking rich. Absolutely possible.
Hazel – not at all too long. And, I just have to ask, how are their pears so freaking perfect? Sure, I can get good pears at the grocery store, but H&D’s pears are always at optimal ripeness and flawless.
NOTA – I thought William paid for the Middletons’ newer bigger home when he came into the first tranche of his inheritance from Diana…is that not the case?
CC
This is thought to be the case. After the Midds applied for a loan we got to peak at their personal finances a bit. They’re double mortgaged. Now, I will take out a loan that I know I can pay off in time to have reserves in my account. I won’t get a loan on top of another debt pile. That’s foolish and sounds like behavior done by those in hard situations or living above their funds.
Now, William was rumored to pay for their home. Gary as well. It seems very unlikely the Midds did it on their own, but I haven’t seen proof of who did.
It was reported a few times that William helped them furnish their home with loaned out royal owned furniture that was in storage.
And as we all know the Midds have updated their entire estate via tax payer funds when Kate and George made that their primary residence for 6 months.
Megan,
You assume the Midds have a stock portfolio which may not be true. Finding that out before you declare their home mortgage is a good financial decision is financial planning 101.
Given the Midd parents’ ages plus the myriad unknown variables about their financial situation and that your generic advice fails to consider important unknowns it is clear that you are the one who does not understand financial planning 101.
Yes, Citresse is for early morning, Lavender for evening.
Though, actually I prefer Vanilla lite. Citresse would make a good nick name for a female who likes driving Citroen (if they still exist) I guess.
I saw Citroen vehicles everywhere in UK in 1989. Then I stood in front of Buckingham Palace waiting for the drapes to move. Didn’t happen.
Notasugarhere
Sometimes I wonder re- the Middletons time in middle east and any dodgy beginnings there. Not alone of course, but as a covert, small group of investors.
No doubt about it.
“said to be visited by Kate’s mother Carole on a regular basis” I think that is the reason. I would rather work for a real Queen , than take orders from a wannabe Queen. Because I can imagine Carole would put on airs and just act like she is the real Queen. That would be a nightmare
+1. Gotta think this had something to do with it. I doubt the two had a problem caring for the home and gardens when those two and their extended family was gone.
If they previously worked for the Queen at Sandringham, maybe they were used to, and enjoyed, the highly structured predictable atmosphere. All the warmth, chaos and fun of the Middleton clan might not have been to their liking. After all, warm, chaos and fun can cause a lot of work for the domestic staff.
Why do people insist upon thinking HM has no sense of humor? There are many stories through the years that behind closed doors the BRF is filled with fun, good humor, and their own amusing chaos. I’m leaning towards three weeks of the Middleton’s lording it over HM’s former staff – and possibly acting more high-handed than the Queen – is what caused loyal retainers to flee.
I agree it may have been the unpredictable atmosphere too. Dealing with a couple who are in a stressed/chaotic relationship was too much. You make dinner for everyone, as scheduled. Then you discover the lord of the house stalked off mid-day, and the lady of the house has run off to mummy’s for a few days – without alerting anyone. With these two, the staff probably never knew where they stood and who was coming or going.
IMO, you’re reaching a bit on this one. You lost me with “dealing with a couple who are in a stressed/chaotic relationship was too much”. You cannot have any idea if this is true. And if you do know for a fact that’s true, you’re seriously violating your confidentiality agreement! 🙂
Not reaching, Bluhare. Detective NOTA is extrapolating from the evidence. These two have an odd relationship, one that appears stressful and chaotic to me. If the housekeeper and gardener are used to a well-ordered work environment like HM’s, they’d run screaming from W&K.
Lol Bluhare
I agree their relationship has been stressed and chaotic. My source? They’re married! Married couples bicker and have spats and fight. We all do it.
To add the residence might be occupied at a moments notice with all the Midds or plan to be and then have it cancelled. I bet it’s very chaotic just on the infrequency they’re together and there.
Still, W & K fights pre engagement were well documented. They had a relationship that played out like many in similar situations would. I doubt much has changed now that they’re married unless William has changed. And I don’t see that.
But on a side note here. Couples fight. Married couples fight. To assume Will and Kate do not bicker and have fights ever is to be ignorant to human nature. How bad? Dunno.
I recognize your exemplary detecting skills, nas, but you stated it as fact. I actually disagree with it, believe it or not. Like anyone else I bet they have their moments when they bicker and fight, and pregnancy hormones may not help that. But I think that Kate probably goes out of her way to make William’s life as easy for him as possible. I think it’s what she’s always done.
FLORC, more chaotic than the Queen and DOE? I remember reading something about them when they hadn’t been married that long. A camera crew was following them in Australia on a tour they were on, and apparently they’d just had a good one as the DOE came tearing out of the house, followed by the Queen, who threw a shoe at him. They got it on camera too, but did not air it.
The first few years of a marriage are tough. No matter how long you date, figuring out how you are going to spend the rest of your lives together and raise your children is hard work.
Add the pressures of being second in line to the throne of an archaic tradition that is balanced on the knife edge of manners and protocol, a camera in your face 24/7, and tabloid industry that would like nothing more than to pick your bones clean, and, yeah, I can see where things could get stormy.
Bluhare, I stated my opinion. It is on you how you interpret it. Do I have to put “IMO” after everything I post?
We speculate a lot here, and I seen nothing wrong with it, nas. But you stated something that we have no way of knowing the truth of as gospel. So, yes, I think you’d be well served by using qualifiers.
If this makes me LadySlippers II so be it. At least I haven’t demanded a link.
Nope, bluhare. You’re just going to have to add it yourself in your mind. Everyone on here speculates, you are too. Unless we’re all required to put “IMO” after every single post?
Here’s my opinion on that. If you’re going to speculate, fine. But let’s say there’s a new poster here who doesn’t know much and thinks you must know an awful lot about what you say because you’re so sure about everything. And thinks it’s true and goes around saying it because, you know, someone who knows a lot said it. You’re spreading disinformation disguised as fact. Nope, not cool.
But, you’re right. You don’t have to do jack. I will call you on speculation thrown out as facts, though. Feel free to ignore it.
Ladies (nota/bluhare)
Must I bring out the wet wiglet from retirement? Cause i’ll do it!
Bluhare, I’m not seeing the disconnect here. We are all speculating and giving opinions. Are we going back to the DS version of having to add footnotes for everything we type? What if it comes from years of royal watching and there is no online source? I stated my opinion, you read it as fact. You state things that are your opinion, that others might read as fact too.
Isn’t it also possible that the Queen asked for them back?
Is there such a thing as “reverse snobbery”?
No, snobbery is snobbery.
Katttt – If it’s true the duo left due to being dissatisfied with some aspect of their job, then that is what I also suspect happened. I’ve read that the biggest snobs in royal and aristocratic circles are the help. Some apparently despise serving anyone who is not listed in Burke’s Peerage.
If this husband and wife were snobs, they wouldn’t have taken the job in the first place.
My take on this is if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, then it is a duck. Something happened in this couple’s employment with William and Kate that decided them against continuing in their service, and fairly quickly it seems. If they had any known issues with W&K prior to that, I’m sure they wouldn’t have signed on working for them. My tinfoil hat’s on.
MinnFinn – I think you are thinking of Spratt on Downton Abbey. He’s too snotty to serve Dr. Clarkson because Dr. Clarkson is so very middle class.
Megan, I remember where I read that. It was Fergie’s biography. I also may have heard it on a youtube video about BP servants.
I’m behind on this season of DA. Thanks for the partial spoiler.
I put my money on it having to do with their son — whether the queen is more generous or the Kate and Will show is too much of something — I’m going with that.
I bet William wasn’t too happy about his employees returning to the Queen. He’ll think they were sent to spy on him, and boy I bet they got plenty of direct on the Lamebridges over the last 6 months. How much time does Kate spend at her parents? How much time does William spend with Kate? Is Carole setting up a rival court at Anmer? All sorts of goodies that a NDA won’t keep secret when the Queen’s courtiers ask about them.
The shocking thing is that this couple still have a job – that is, there has to be a “secret”, or they would have merely rode off into the sunset.
I hope Willy boy is miserable: the arrogant, self-righteous and hypocritical bully.
Kate has had work done on her lips/cheek/chin area, right? She just seems to have difficulty putting her face into a smile. Just me?
Oh for heaven’s sake. People decide to change jobs all the time. The only reason this one is big gossip news is because of the people involved.
Let me go get the “Ms Obvious” award for you.
Seriously, wait right here while I go grab it.
Seriously! Spit my drink in my lap:)
Hahaha!
TQ’s household is reputably very generous with benefits and she is known to treat her staff well – which is why there is such a high level of loyalty – she’s a good employer. The fact that they have a turnover indicates that they may not be good people to work for. I’ve changed jobs several times over the years and a few have been down to having horrible bosses and a negative environment to work in.
I agree. A job where you could work with your spouse, and raise your son, in a beautiful domestic setting, sounds like an ideal arrangement to me. I lean more towards being mis-treated for the reason people would leave a job like this. Just my opinion, though. We’ve heard about William’s hissy fits with the staff and scolding them for not curtsying to Kate.
Plus this job was probably seen as quite a promotion. They went from being on staff at Sandringham, to being housekeeper and gardener to heir-to-the-heir and family. That could have been a great position, and one of relative power and status among other staff, for decades. They left such a plum spot after 5 months? They had good reasons.
I can see this as a promotion.
WK are only choosing those with proven track record of discretion. Picking the best of the best in a sense.
And that the Woods would leave a position after such a short time does not seem like common behavior for professionals in their field. To stay, do your job, and do it well without question is why they have their jobs.
I like that Kate has earrings to match the ‘Diana’ ring. This blue outfit looks nice on her.
I don’t like that she is shallow and useless, but hey, that’s just me, I suppose.
I wonder if it’s partly to do with William’s generally snarly temperment? I’ve worked for my share of arrogant shouters and he strikes me as one. Also, I wonder if the Lamebridges fight a lot? Wouldn’t like being around a couple who are constantly at each other’s throats. Then there’s Carole of course….sounds like a pretty toxic work environment to me.
I wonder if Jecca Craig will be on hand to help Will now that Kate isn’t.
I would rather shine the Queen’s shoes than be the most elevated and celebrated assistant in William’s entire household.
+1
I can only guess why they would leave a plum job that could have lasted them at least a decade with their own children growing up friends with the third-future King of England….
I wonder what the turn-around is for the Middleton’s home staff?
There’s these two, plus the original nanny and the head of security that have quit in the last two years.
@notasugarhere – Thanks 🙂
I was wondering what the turnover for staff was at her parents’ home. If they don’t have long-term staff then I was thinking that work environment carried over to W&K’s AH estate.
Ah, THOSE Middletons. I thought you meant Mr. and Mrs. Bill Middleton.
@notasugarhere – LOL! 😀
The original nanny wans’t supposed to be permanent was she?
Since we were told she didn’t exist, and yet she was there from day one? It is hard to tell how long they expected her to stay in place. I can see William thinking this trusted former retainer would stay on however long he demanded it.
CP Victoria hired her former childhood nanny, who now oversees the other two nannies (part or full-time nannies I’m not sure). Maybe that was what William envisioned, that Jessie Webb would head up the crew of other nannies (day nanny, night nurse, etc.)
Jessie Webb was not there from day one. She came on when George was about two months and agreed to stay until Christmas.
Megan, photo evidence to the contrary, and unless you were privy to the contract, you have no idea of what she agreed to do and how long she agreed to stay.
Whilst I was not privy to her contact, apparently The Telegraph was …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-george/10666510/Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-seek-nanny-for-Prince-George.html
Megan
So much false information is fed through the press. It was also claimed they no servants.
In this case I believe the pictures. She has been around a ot longer than admitted to.
if you think the Telegraph is correct in questioning the Midds finances, then how can you question them on the nanny? You and NOTA can’t have it both ways. Either the Telegraph is legit, or it isn’t.
Megan
Publications will run lots of things. Just like the DM. Some stories are fluff and lies. Some stories are credible.
What gives credibility to Nota’s claims are things we can confirm. Not simply print stories. The Midds finances are more visible to us and we’ve seen there welath is much lower than claimed and they have been in extreme debt for some time.
Pictures that are known to happen at specific times are great evidence to confirm those claims.
Though you know this. I think you enjoy playing devil’s advocate here.
Was it ever reported that KW hired full-time staff for Anmer? Who pays the salary for KW’s Anmer help, Charles I suppose? The only thing I ever read was that their staff there was limited to their KP housekeeper who went back and forth between the two homes, which btw I never believed.
Taxpayers pay for their staff so that they will be free to take on royal engagements
MinnFinn
To my knowledge not diirectly. Though there are numerous articles that make not of their household staff at 1 home or another. Not that they have 1 dedicated team that goes where they go.
And that’s really foolish to believe that. It’s just not practical. They would need a days head start at least to prep a house that size for occupancy. They do have full staff for each residence. Occupied or vacant. And it has been noted they travel with Kate on vacation and to her parents home. That’s also a giveaway for Kate’s time there. Or there could be another reason why Kate’s royal staff just hang out and work at the Midds residence like it’s a palace?
And yes. It’s either Charles paying or another. It’s never been William, Kate, or the Midds paying for any of this. In my 30’s (and i’m not there yet!) I would be ashamed to be financially dependent on my inlaws or parents.
I can’t believe anyone would question why staff would want to leave the Cambridges. The butler who narrates “Remains of they Day” talks about how staff align themselves with the fates of their employers, taking pride in their accomplishments. That might not always be true these days, but it probably is for highly regarded royal staff, who probably take pride in serving employers who are involved in high profile activities that benefit Britain (i.e. not so much the Cambridges).
So true bettyrose.
Bettyrose – Remains of the Day is fiction. But I love how you condescend to people you perceive as working class. Never change.
LOL, Megan. Touche! 😉
Yes although he did not write it without research. Quote from his article about his own version of NaNoWriMo.
“I should say that by the time I embarked on the Crash, I’d consumed a substantial amount of “research”: books by and about British servants, about politics and foreign policy between the wars, many pamphlets and essays from the time, including one by Harold Laski on “The Dangers of Being a Gentleman”. I’d raided the second-hand shelves of the local bookshop (Kirkdale Books, still a thriving independent) for guides to the English countryside from the 1930s and 50s.”
Bettyrose – I think the point goes to you, but I look forward to the next round! 😊
Kind of hard for her to have any memorable Marilyn moments when for the most part, she’s been in hiding for the past couple of months….
But when we do see her she’s not exposing herself and appears to have taken steps to prevent that. Her last pregnancy was not this way. There is intention behind this.
and thank god for that!!!!
The photos Kaiser originally posted from the event showed both the blue coat and the dress blowing up 6 inches in the back. The lesson has not been completely learned yet.
Some people here are seriously obsessed with Kate’s lady parts. Am I the only one who finds that weird?
I find it weird that after 4 years on the job, she keeps making this basic mistake.
As I said, some people are really obsessed with her lady parts …
I don’t think it is unusual to focus on the fact that she keeps making the same basic mistake. Over. And Over. And Over. If you flashed your clients four times a year for four years running, would you still have a job? We also discuss the fact that she cannot make a speech in her native tongue with any sense of emotion and spends most of her time shopping. Merely pointing out her frequent mistakes.
If I disembarked from helicopters and private jets when meeting my clients, then, yes, they would understand the occasional Marilyn moment. As it is, my frequent flyer miles are almost entirely on Amtrack, where a skirt lifting wind would be something to talk about.
Megan
Don’t forget tarmac exiting planes. Standing high above others on platforms looking down and the public looking straight up. And squatting down to get eye level with children. All situations where Kate not only wore high hemlines, but also light material.
Not obsessed. Though it’s tough to argue a point about flashing when the simple fact that we noticed it is turned around on us as a negative.
Not about the lady parts per se, but I do admit to the beginnings of a wee obsession around wishing she would wear a damn pair of pants… meaning trousers, slacks…. not skinny jeans, not leggings… the elegant kind Queen Letizia wears. Just once, to see if it can be done.
Clothes and lady parts are all we have to focus on.
This is an amazing little piece of gossip that needs to be waaaaaay juicier. Seriously. I want way more rampant speculation and irresponsible heresay. Those villagers quoted are hiding what they know. If it’s “the talk of the estate” then people are talking about something and like any small town, everyone must know everyone else’s business. There are no secrets. Professional courtesy and NDAs cover the surface but in the everyday course of running a household and interacting with the outside world, people see things…overhear things… and most of all, allude to things with a knowing wink. The dirt, I mean truth, is out there. Can’t we get a mole to belly up to the local bar and find out what’s really going on?
Yes, yes! Ply Mr. Wood with several rounds of ale or liquor of his choice at Ye Olde Anmer Pub and get him to spill!
A “brilliant” housekeeper ? lol….what the heck is that ? Doesn’t take much to be a good housekeeper….
It takes a LOT to be a good housekeeper. People who take pride in their work & do it to the best of their abilities deserve praise, not condescension. That job requires good people skills as well.
It’s really competative too!. I never knew, but the knowledge you need to have is incredible. You can’t simply show up and know how to turn on a vac or remove stains from shirts.
There’s a real art to all of it.
I agree with cynicalceleste – someone knows more and we definitely need to despatch a mole tout de suite! I imagine that Mrs. Wood may have been seriously overworked and exploited. When KW advertised for a housekeeper, the list of duties suggested they were seeking a live-in slave. I wish the Wood family a happier future working for the queen.
Golly, there’s nothing for them to do, considering Kate does all her own housework and cooking and gardening (she grows her own potatoes!). Did my sarcasm show through? I hope so!
Gamely doing it all bravely in the face of the alleged HG…
You forgot the jam making!
And the homemade sausages, too!
Candlelight suppers?
And the frozen pizza!
kiki04, does she answer the white slimline telephone herself, or have the (now former) housekeeper do it?
And grocery shopping! But only when paps are there :O
And make Beef Wellingtons! All snark aside if Kate can make beef wellington by herself I’ll eat my doughwrapped hat. That’s a tricky dish. It’s all in the dough too.
And running the bath for poor William.
I think they have a high turnover rate because Will doesn’t like spies reporting to Granny. That family is full of treachery.
not to mention, it’s also a very dangerous family as well.
Yes and no. If you’re refering to anything regarding Diana’s death that’s a weak and false foundation. And spies? She’s no fool. She doesn’t need spies and gives William everything he wants. That’s just an image built by the media to justify William’s childish behavior and demands into his 30’s.
Regarding Jessie Webb, I agree with Megan that she was always going to be temporary. It was well documented in the British press. I cannot see anyway how she could possibly at her age been able to cope full-time with a young baby on the Australian tour so I would have thought that a permanent replacement was always on the cards once they had got a bit more organised.
I worked with somebody who knew the Queen’s private piper and, yes, she does have a great sense of humour.
I would love to know why there is always talk about Jecca on this site. Do tell!
Caroline, Tanna the photographer says Jecca is Willy’s Camilla!
Why, if you had a local reputation as good people, nice family, hard workers etc., would you want to be forced to hide shenanigans as part of your daily employment. They have to lie on a daily basis about a woman who has a severe eating disorder, possible psychiatric issues, a man who has anger issues and God knows what else. Could any decent person stomach this on a daily basis when your professional life is dedicated to bringing beauty and calm to others.