Pippa Middleton often tells friends: ‘I don’t want to end up like Fergie’

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Do you feel sorry for Pippa Middleton? I think I might have circa late 2011-early 2012. But I also feel like Pippa has ruined whatever goodwill or sympathy she might have had. At the end of the day, she tried to trade in on her sister’s marriage, but Pippa couldn’t even deliver on the most meager of expectations. Following Pippa’s split with Nico Jackson, there’s a new round of “Pity Poor Pippa” stories percolating through the media outlets. The Daily Mail had an interesting one on Sunday – go here to read my coverage. And now the Daily Beast has a somewhat harsher assessment of Pippa in a piece called “Could Moving To America Be Pippa Middleton’s Best Move?” Some highlights:

No one wants to date Pippa. One friend-of-Pippa told the Daily Beast, “It’s just completely impossible to date that poor girl. Nobody wants to go out with her because you will just end up getting pursued by the press. It’s a complete nightmare for her. She has all the disadvantages of being a royal, but none of the protection that her sister gets. None of her crowd are prepared to take that pressure on.”

Nico was embarrassed. Like, he never wanted to be photographed (really?) and he found that being with Pippa was “bad for his credibility” as a true professional. Which is why he moved to Switzerland – so he could “escape” the press, Pippa and the bad reputation that came with all of that.

Pippa is using the breakup to shill a new book. Even though her first book “failed to inspire,” Pippa is now set on writing a book “focused around healthy living, diet, sport, and exercise…However, it is very clear from her poor newspaper and magazine journalism that Pippa is not actually a very good writer—but frustratingly for publishers she also won’t accept the services of a ghost. Ultimately, this is the reason why no new deal has yet been signed.”

No one wants to give her any money: Publishers aren’t interested in #PippaTips for diet and exercise. One British literary agent told the DB: “It’s a very crowded field and it’s very hard to sell a book like that without a clear sense of who the author is, and we just don’t have that clear sense of who Pippa is. Everyone in the industry knows that Clarence House were a nightmare to deal with the last time round, and there’s limited enthusiasm to have another go.”

What happens if she doesn’t get a book deal: She will be “forced” to go back to something she was actually sort of good at, which was “party planning.”

How Pippa sees herself. One friend says Pippa “often says, ‘I don’t want to end up like Fergie.’”

A move to America? Pippa was reluctant to move to America before because of Nico, even though she did audition for NBC (and word is, the audition went horribly and that’s why NBC didn’t offer her a job). So, post-breakup, maybe she’ll rethink a move? The Daily Beast believes a move to America would give Pippa the “fresh start” she needs.

[From The Daily Beast]

Pippa as a new generation’s Fergie? Er… that’s not really an apt comparison whatsoever. I think Fergie is shady as hell, of course, but Fergie still managed to snag a prince and have two babies. Fergie actually had a title to lose! Pippa is just an orange social climber.

I would love to know what really went down behind-the-scenes at NBC with Pippa’s Today Show audition. The whole “she doesn’t really want to move to America” thing was an excuse, I always felt, because NBC really didn’t care for her audition, which is when she sent her out to Wyoming with a film crew. Also: if Pippa thinks it’s difficult to find a nice guy, husband-material-type, in England, just wait until she moves to LA or NYC. Oh, and I really do think she’s trying to milk the news of her breakup to try to get a second book deal. #PippaTipsForever

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Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.

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140 Responses to “Pippa Middleton often tells friends: ‘I don’t want to end up like Fergie’”

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  1. OrigialTessa says:

    She looks 45. I know it’s mean, but sunscreen, seriously

    • OverFirstAve says:

      I think Kate is looking much older now, than Pippa.

      Did Pippa really think Harry was going to marry her and she’d be Fergie. ROTFL

    • Rachel says:

      I was thinking the exact same thing. As soon as I saw the first pic, I thought good lord, these girls need to invest in some good sunscreen. Unfortunately for them, the damage is already done. I always want to lecture kids about the importance of being kind to your body – you only get one. And that includes wearing sunscreen!

    • Mia V. says:

      Fergie is the one who doens’t want to look like that, seriously, girl, you look 45.

    • JenniferJustice says:

      I have to beleive she wants to be that tan and it’s not from vacationing in the sun, but rather a fake baker, so sunscreen would defeat the purpose. I do love Kaiser saying she’s just “an orange social climber.” That’s gold!

      Enough about the tan, what the heck is it with rich people or wanna be rich people that won’t frickin’ work – I mean work a real actual normal job. I think her reference to Fergie is her being self-depracating that she’s not going to amount to much because she hasn’t done anything with her life and will be dependent on whomever rich dude she can snag. I guess it doesn’t occur to her to do something about it now so she can be independent and proud of herself. Writing a book or party planning do not count. Geesh.

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        I am divided on the issue.
        Pippa thought that some silly writing promoting tv show something would pay for her for life but it doesn’t. She isn’t a good host and can’t talk adult in front of a camera.
        She can’t go back into “normal” jobs: she didn’t work seriously for like a decade so nobody would employ her as she has no track record. The Table Talk job didn’t really seem very demanding cognitively. And with her being hunted by the press like that … which employer is going to employ her?
        English Literature isn’t exactly neither usefully-specialised nor a “broad-overview” degree and it’s been ages since she got it. Explanation: “English Literature” doesn’t include English linguistics which make an English degree interesting for employers as it could provide a basis for all sorts of presenting and public relations jobs.
        (English Literature = no linguistics,
        English or English Philology = literatur + linguistics)
        All my congrats to those who hold an English Literature degree but the job profile isn’t really clear cut.

        So what to do?
        She should have planned better.
        I think one of her best options would be to get some additional degree. It would remove her from public focus and vamp up her profile and her cv.

      • Bridget says:

        Re: The tan. For events she’s clearly got a layer of spray tan on, to even everything out (and possibly to just jazz herself up). I’m also going with “she likes being tan”. Different strokes for different folks.

        The woman clearly has *some* drive. She seems happy to push herself physically, but unsure what to do professionally. I’m guessing she was given a lot of opportunities but wasn’t very strategic about her choices, and now she’s just kind of hanging in the wind. Girl needs to come up with some goals and a real plan for herself, with an end goal being more than just being a personality.

    • manda says:

      I know! The first thing I thought was, “Woo! girlfriend’s got some sun damage!”

    • seesittellsit says:

      Oh it’s more than sun – as our friends across the Pond would say: “too much backstory”.

      That said, I don’t think Kate’s skin looked great, either, in recent photos. Tired, washed out, and she looks bored all the time.

      Carole M. did her best to fob them off as two English roses, but neither of them looks anything of the sort.

      If Pippa doesn’t want to end up like Fergie, she should find a really quality, nice man, have a nice wedding, settle down quietly, raise some nice kids, and stop trying to be a second-rate celebrity.

    • Loo says:

      My thoughts to the letter. Her skin is worse than mine and I’m, shhh, 50.

  2. sassy says:

    who is she again? the sister to Williams wife? Why would she be pursued by paps? Is anyone interested in her- she seems very bland ……..

  3. Betti says:

    Lord, in that top photo the sun damage to her skin is so obvious.

    I think she might turn up in Made in Chelsea – its prob the only job she’ll get.

    I do feel for her – her family and their climbing has really negatively affected her and James. She should follow in her footsteps and hook up with a Z list celeb.

    • Pondering Thoughts says:

      Well, somebody has to take over the Party Pieces empire. James doesn’t seem particularly talented at business so perhaps Pippa … she once did get a six-figure paycheck, didn’t she?

      • FLORC says:

        PT
        I think that money was an advance for her party book and it was immediately regretted as money lost by the publisher.

        And she was an OK writer IMO. Had she worked on her skill she’d be better off, but instead took as she could. Not improving and banking off her sister. Then complaining about being known for her sister and not her own worth.

        She lost me with suing or threatened to sue #pippatips with royal lawyers.
        Her position is of her own making.

  4. Luca76 says:

    Fergie as misguided, despotic, and pathetic as she is today was actually quite popular once. She was charming, and even after her divorce people still cared about her. I don’t think anyone really cares about Pippa unless she’s willing to spill the beans on her sister.

    • JenniferJustice says:

      Yes. Fergie was a character and polar to the royals. No matter how they tried to subdue her or make her behave as a royal, she couldn’t stop being a feisty little fire cracker. She gave them personality and made them interesting.

  5. Sarah (another one) says:

    Health tips from someone whose skin looks like leather? No thank you.

    • WinnieCoopersMom says:

      Agree. Drinker, smoker and future skin cancer patient. (I mean I hope not, but with that skin at such a young age…)..yeah, not exactly the picture of health.

      • Bridget says:

        Sunscreen: yes. But I think she gave up the smoking, since she’s been pretty into endurance athletic events this past year. She’s been completing stuff you can’t fake, it’s pretty clear she’s legit been training.

      • hazel says:

        Bridget–endurance athletes can also be smokers. I remember going to the hotel parking lot on my way to the start line at a marathon & there was another runner there, stretching against the bumper of his car, with a cigarette in his mouth. That’s how he prepared for his marathon!

  6. Lala says:

    Girl please start taking skin cancer seriously!

  7. aims says:

    Fergie was married into the family, Pippa isn’t. Sure her sister is going to be the Queen of England, but that’s about it.

    • OverFirstAve says:

      Pippa really must think she’s Royal. Lol
      I hear she does. Someone said people have curtseyed to her at social events and she extends her hand to be kissed…not sure if that’s normal in society gatherings? Is it? Anyone know?

      • Frang says:

        Hand-kissing is definitely not the norm and is certainly not something any woman should insist on. It’s a sign of admiration though. I remember there was some chattering when men began kissing Princess Di’s hand because it was so contrary to protocol. People became used to it though and there are even some pictures of Prince Charles kissing his wife’s hand.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Charles is a big hand kisser. You’ll find lots of photos out there of him greeting royal women with this old-school gesture.

      • LAK says:

        There is a difference between a man kissing his wife’s hand or indeed anyone kissing their paramour’s hand as a romantic gesture and random strangers doing it as a sign of servitude.

        I think the latter scenerio is @overfirstave is referring to. Pippa extending her hand to people to kiss as a gesture of accepting her as their liege lord.

        A ridiculous thing to do in any circumstances that are post 19th century, so I refuse to believe Pippa is that foolish.

        That said, this pity party story says a lot about how grand Pippa has become if she can go as far as comparing herself to Fergie who remains close to HM and is the duchess of York, something Pippa can’t pull off no matter how often she hangs with Kate or William.

      • HH says:

        The Middletons always had the chance to lay low but they didn’t want that. So here we are. A media circus of their own doing. It’s just hard to feel bad.

        And LAK I didn’t know Fergie was still close to her majesty..? I thought was pretty much forsaken by everyone except andrew and the her girls

      • LAK says:

        HH: Fergie’s continuing relationship with HM isn’t trumpeted in the media. Occasionally she’s caught out when she goes to visit HM eg when she’s papped going to Balmoral, but generally, it’s kept very low key.

        Philip on the other hand, can’t stand her and his word goes as far as the wider family, so she stays out of his way.

        Her media narrative has gone with Philip’s view of things when it’s a grey area.

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        Really? Pips got her hand kissed? JEEEEEESUS.

  8. Snarky says:

    Holy sun damage, Batman.

  9. Cricket says:

    options for #pippa
    1. move to America, join CO$ and audition for next Tom Cruise wife
    2. find a footballer (yeah, I know but still love the idea so let’s go with it!) who equally loves paps
    3. reach out to E! to see if they are interested in a new reality show Ladies of London meets Made in Chelsea
    4. move to the highlands and look for a house rich, money poor Laird and relish in the hills stalking birds and stags

    • Piapia says:

      6) Move to NYC and look up one Nate Naylor

    • kcarp says:

      7. Gain some weight and be the new face of Weight Watchers.

      (if Oprah says its ok, of course. )

      • gayle2 says:

        ?? She’s not the one who needs to gain weight. Kate desperately needs to put on a few.

      • kcarp says:

        @gayle….Fergie was the spoke person for Weightwatchers a long time ago. I am not knocking her weight. I was sarcastically giving options.

    • WinnieCoopersMom says:

      I could see her resorting to something cheesy, like an ABC special/60 minutes /20 20 type thing, that features her “running across America” for charity and that somehow catapults her into being featured in People articles, talk show interviews and Bam! Reality show on E! where she lives in NYC, starts a line of workout apparel and tries to be a socialite.

  10. OverFirstAve says:

    Wouldn’t she have to have married a Prince first? Maybe Kate could end up like Fergie, Diana, the Duchess of Alexandra of Denmark or whomever else has divorced a titled- man in a divorce, but how could Pippa,she never married a Prince?

    Does she mean selling her goods and name in America?
    No one is buying much from her, so far.

    • COSquared says:

      It’s Countess Alexandra of Fredriksborg. And clearly these Buckets see themselves as a Kent-type branch of the BRF. At least Fergie actually married a royal. It’s no one’s fault she has 0 literary and presenting talent. Gurrrrl have several seats.

      • littlestar says:

        They really are a Bucket family, aren’t they? Lol.

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        Fergie had enough guts to get a talk show. Not for very long but she got one, “Surviving life” or something it was called.
        Fergie made some decent money out of Weight Watchers and stuff (for a while).

        Fergie can talk adult to the camera and she is charming. Not exactly an academic genius but generally warm.

  11. ali.hanlon says:

    This chick wishes she was Fergie.

    Waste of space.

  12. Birdix says:

    She wrote a terrible book and hasn’t gotten married in her 20s. Don’t feel sorry for her, she’s hardly a failure. She’s got time.

  13. OSTONE says:

    She needs to move to Texas, marry a middle age man oil-tycoon who is desperate for attention and who would pay for her to be a lady who lunches just to be normal bill’s bro in law. You’re welcome, Pippa.

    • OverFirstAve says:

      There u go. 🙂
      Exactly. She should drop the title chase, go for the gold. Lol

      • MinnFinn says:

        Ok, if we are looking for an American for her (see my post below) then given the chance, Matt Lauer would take up with her in a New York minute. There was also the wealthy New Yorker who financed some of her sightseeing in NYC. He is on record for saying he had a thing for her. You know what, she SHOULD marry an older rich New Yorker as a starter marriage! Then in about 8 years she can try again for a proper English aristo when they are on their first round of divorces.

        Violet Crawley would be so proud of us developing a strategy for Pippa to get settled.

      • WinnieCoopersMom says:

        LOL @ Violet Crawley reference. So true! And love it!

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        You mean marry well and divorce rich over several rounds?

        Hello Wallis Simpson!

        Violet Crawley?

    • Christin says:

      Whatever happened to Fergie’s Texas guy (the one in the toe photos of long ago)? Maybe he could help a girl out.

      • anne_000 says:

        LOL! 😀

      • Aussie Reader says:

        He turned up on an episode of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles not that long ago … I can’t remember if he was looking for a property ‘on behalf of’, or for himself … but it wasn’t cheap. Josh Altman was showing him the digs.

      • Christin says:

        Maybe they could pitch a TV show as a duo with admittedly loose royal connections.

        Maybe call it ‘Tush and Toes’?
        (I assume she would want top billing.)

    • Tough Cookie says:

      hey hey hey….what have you got against us Texans????? Please….no

    • MinnFinn says:

      She seems pretty entrenched in the UK so I doubt she’d move away for very long. She needs a starter marriage. Then when the aristos in her age range have their first round of divorces around age 40, Pippa can try for an aristo then.

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      I live in Houston. She could lock down a social climbing, publicity hungry oil ‘n’ gas guy with a minimum expenditure of time and energy. Many aristocratic Europeans – including quite a few Brits – have trod this path before. Gotta keep up the brown sign houses, and in the end, the only colour that really matters is green!

      People here would fall all over themselves to befriend her and protect her from negative press. At a minimum, she would be well treated because of her ties to the Royal Family. Exhibit A: a well-known socialite here named Becca Cason Thrash hung out with the Queen at Balmoral once or twice. No one messes with Becca. NO ONE.

  14. Bethy says:

    All that’s left for her is the Bachelorette!

  15. OTHER RENEE says:

    I will never understand why her Pippa Trips (no typo) book sent to press unedited. Surely the publisher must have seen how awful it was and could have done something to salvage its awfulness.

    She could design bum wear.

    • littlestar says:

      Honestly, did she even write the book to begin with? I think she didn’t :S.

      • K2 says:

        She wrote it, or she has a ghost writer/editor who genuinely hate her (and to sabotage their own career that way seems most unlikely, so it’s reaching rather far). I can’t see a third explanation.

      • MinnFinn says:

        Littlestar, I absolutely believe she did write it herself because it’s exactly like the things she has written for her parents’ Party Pieces website – trite.

      • BearcatLawyer says:

        I read her columns in US Vanity Fair, and even with their team of editors they are average. Just bland and meh and lacking in authenticity. Perhaps she is still developing her voice as a writer (good luck, sweetie!), but considering she earned a university degree in ENGLISH LITERATURE I honestly expect more from her.

    • antipodean says:

      ?Bum wear? Ha ha, you mean pants with padding included?

  16. Sayrah says:

    Why is she so orange?

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      The Oompa Loompa genes are very dominant. I think my ninth grade biology textbook said that, but admittedly high school was a long time ago…

    • Bridget says:

      My guess: she’s outside a lot and is already tan from that, and then uses a spray tan to even all the funky tan lines out.

  17. littlestar says:

    Why doesn’t she start her own party planning business??? It’s a really lucrative career. Even in the small city I live in, a great party planner is in demand and can make substantial money. Is it because it involves work? The Middleton kids really do seem to try and take the easy way out. No work ethic at all. If she’s successful at it, there will be a point where she can hire others to do the work for her and she can keep the name recognition without having to do much.

    And she needs to lay off the tanning and go for a good laser facial to erase some of that sun damage.

    • notasugarhere says:

      That would make her the hired help. She wants to remain part of that circle, not be hired by it to plan the lavish parties she wants to attend.

      • anne_000 says:

        Good point.

      • Natalie says:

        She could be a charity gala planner -hook up with a charity, throw a few parties for them and get William to lean on people to donate. Maybe that’s partly what she’s trying to build up with her charity athletics. It would keep her name in the public eye but for a good cause, and it’s something socialites do. I think her nutritionist path is another misstep.

      • BearcatLawyer says:

        I agree with Natalie. She could earn a lot of good will for herself and for worthwhile causes if she became a professional fundraiser and event sponsor. But as notasugarhere correctly notes, in her desired circle a job like that would make her hired help, no matter how much spin her PR people applied.

      • bluhare says:

        I dunno . . . hasn’t one of the Queen’s cousins made big money as an event planner?

    • Christin says:

      If she doesn’t want to run her parents’ business, then why not establish an offshoot such as party planning? Or would being an executive of either business hurt her aristo hunting efforts?

      The M children have had so many opportunities to do so much more…

    • OverFirstAve says:

      The Queens cousin is a party planner. She did Charles and Diana’s party for the wedding I think, it may have been the party before the wedding,. I still believe Carole stole the name for Party Pieces from the Queens cousin’s event planning business , that’s how obsessed I believe Carole was with all things Royal.

      Interesting comment from the Queen’s cousin.
      “The Queen’s cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson says her party planning business has never made her a penny
      Lady Elizabeth Anson, the cousin of the Queen, says organising parties for high profile clients, including members of the Royal family, has not made her rich.”
      The TELEGRAPH

    • Aurelia says:

      Cause actually having a career is too much work duckies. She is going easy street or bust!

  18. Christin says:

    I don’t envision her as some frail flower. Maybe I have her pegged wrong, but I don’t think she or her mother are very likeable, relatable people to the masses.

    As for paps pursuing her, I remember when she and her rich friends had that little incident years ago. I lost any goodwill for her then, because she was clearly enjoying that stunt.

    • perplexed says:

      I don’t really picture her wilting either. She seems like the type to bounce back and deal with disappointment. Not sure about Kate though. But Pippa doesn’t seem like she’s been quite as sheltered.

  19. Nrrvus says:

    To much sun and booze, she’s very attractive, but weathered and yes looks 45.

  20. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I do feel somewhat sorry for her, if only because I don’t think she will ever get what she wants, which is to be someone who gets as much attention as her sister. Her beauty, such as it was, is fading, she has very few skills, judging from her book, she isn’t very smart, and her hopes of marrying well have been damaged rather than helped by her sister’s marriage. I don’t think she will become a big splash on her own, and now she can’t even be wife to a big splash. Her fifteen minutes are up, I think. It’s sad, because if she had any work ethic or talent, she could get satisfaction from being an events planner or similar, but I don’t think that would mean much to her now.

    • COSquared says:

      I’d actually feel sorry for her if the writing was somewhat good. The only thing going for her are marathons that get 1 DM & Hello! schmoozy article. She should try and cultivate that.

    • Tough Cookie says:

      Didn’t I read once that she is actually much smarter than Kate?

      (Wow, I just read that sentence and cringed.)

      But at least as far as test grades in school, wasn’t Pippa the better student? (ok, that’s better…)

    • anne_000 says:

      Imo, her sister’s marriage didn’t hurt Pippa’s chances of marrying well, as I don’t think Pippa had much of chance anyways. I think she’s the type of person who goes to a party with one guy but is always eyeing other guys to see if someone better would be interested in her. If she was dating an acceptable guy, she’d always be wondering if a richer or higher titled man was interested in her. At least that’s what I think is up with her. She doesn’t seem to be the type to settle and be OK with not having the best and richest guy in the room. I think she’s flaky and too picky.

      • Bridget says:

        I don’t disagree.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Interesting. I can sort of see that, too.

      • antipodean says:

        You are so right Anne_000, hence the moniker “Uptradey”. I loath that feeling at a party or social gathering when you just know that someone you are talking to is eyeing the rest of the room over your shoulder to see if there is someone more important that they should be schmoozing. The height of rudeness, and ill breeding in my view.

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        @ anne_000

        Perhaps rich men see that, too, and they don’t like to made to feel 2nd best.

        She should take a leaf out of Wallis Simpsons book.
        1st marriage: from working class to middle class
        2nd marriage: to riches with access to aristo circles
        3rd marriage high aristocracy

  21. good buddy says:

    She isn’t like Fergie at all! Good luck finding a husband in the big city. I don’t feel sorry for her though. She has so many privileges.

  22. perplexed says:

    I didn’t really get the Fergie comparison either, since Fergie married into the family, but Fergie did turn into a major laughing-stock in the British press, and I thought maybe she was alluding to THAT. I really wouldn’t want to turn out like Fergie either in terms of media coverage, especially after that toe-sucking incident.

  23. AmandaPanda says:

    Surely, SURELY Kate will take pity on her at some point and give her the long-talked-about lady-in-waiting gig? What are family for??!

    • Aussie Reader says:

      Kate doesn’t really seem to have a Lady in Waiting though … the only constantly-photographed person with her is that awful Rebecca Deacon woman (she of the extremely short hemlines and sour face). And she’s her “Assistant”.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Yes, instead of the traditional unpaid lady-in-waiting position, the taxpayers pay for KM to have a personal assistant.

    • Daisy says:

      That’s not an awful idea, actually, except that Kate currently has Rebecca Deacon filling that role, and Rebecca does an amazing job from all accounts (except maybe when Rebecca shows up Kate by dressing more appropriately than her employer!) Kate could leave Rebecca at home doing the private secretary work and use Pippa for the lady-in-waiting bits, but then we’d have wardrobe malfunctions from Pippa as well as Kate. Seriously, I don’t think Pippa is cut out for or would enjoy that role.

      How about a non-profit job for Pippa? She could get an event manager/publicity job for a big charity. They could benefit from her name and she’d be busy and useful.

    • WinnieCoopersMom says:

      Please. Do you think Pippa is some humble, meek little sister to Kate, willing to officially live in her shadow? In her mind, she is just as entitled. She would never work by Kate’s side, even though it could actually expose her to more elite people than she currently is (if I had to guess).

  24. Zombie Shortcake says:

    So much potential.

  25. Jade says:

    Normally, those who want their 15 mins extended these days would shop for a reality show. Unfortunately, William and / or HM would probably object to any filming of Kate, the HM in laws, the kids and the royal family members. Then, there would be no point in having a reality show because she has nothing else to offer unless she is really good at shilling the party organiser role on her own. That still comes with the risk that the HM may not take too kindly to the future Queen’s sibling being a party riot. So erh….just marry some Texan tycoon! Or be your own woman and work with / leverage on your mum’s talent and experience to set up a viable biz.

  26. BooBooLaRue says:

    A failure? Yes, a failure to use sunscreen, stop smoking and drinking. Damn she looks rough and she is so young. The bloom is off the rose.

  27. Pumpkin Pie says:

    I don’t get her at all. It seems that her only goal in life is to marry with status/rich. She has all sorts of privileges, name (because of the sister), money (from her family), time, family support, education. She didn’t have to EARN anything in her whole life. There are people with much less, if zero privileges, who are successful, because they WORK HARD.

    • Montrealise says:

      It’s really ironic that Carole – who worked hard her whole life and pulled herself up from coal miner’s daughter to MIL of the future king, has raised such lazy children. Not one of the three seems to have any work ethic at al..

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        @ Montrealise

        They made the classic social climbers’ mistake: don’t make the kids work for anything but just enable them to socialise with the aspired class of people.

        There is a theory in sociology that social climbers can’t really fully use the advantages they have: for example the nouveau riche type doesn’t really know how to spend and usually spends too lavishly. The working class pauper who wins the lottery doesn’t really know how to get his children to university. And the Middletons forgot to make it clear to their kids that money has to be earned. It has worked for Kate though I wonder for how long that will work out.

  28. BlancheDB says:

    Celebrate is one of my favorite books! As an anglophile who has only spent a week in London many years ago I have an insatiable curiosity about English culture and custom. A tremendous amount of work went into the making of that book. Not only the selection of recipes, but the testing of them and the preparation that went into making them photo-ready. The pictures were not casually snapped on her smart phone. The setting has to be arranged and lit. In my experience as an interior decorator I’ve had photo shoots of simply inanimate objects that have taken all day to set up. I can’t imagine the amount of effort involved when perishable food and people, especially children are involved. I am a fairly accomplished cook and I can tell you that what may turn out as a successful dish isn’t always as pretty as a picture.

    As far as her athletic competitions, I am in awe of her ability and stamina. The Palace has placed ridiculous limitations on what she can and cannot do. In some way, the fact that they have their foot on her neck is for their protection as well as her own. She couldn’t be a Fergie if she tried. Her mother didn’t bolt to South America with a polo player leaving her to fend for herself while her father was beholden to the Queen. She is immensely talented and doesn’t need to be exploited by NBC or any US network who would like to turn her into a Bridget Jones by forcing her to cover trivial or embarrassing assignments. I think she is fantastic just as she is. Everything else is just tabloid speculation. It just so happens that I have a single 33 year old son who is an avid skier and mountain biker.

    • notasugarhere says:

      The Palace does not limit Pippa’s options, just like they never stopped her sister from working during the decade of dating. She is not allowed to use her royal connections to make money.

      She can write as many books as she wants, but she doesn’t get to include insider tidbits about how HM takes her tea at the christening party. She can have as many book signings as she wants, but she doesn’t get to use the Royal Protection Officers for her security sweep as she was caught doing. If she had the training and talent to be an NBC correspondent, she is free to do so but she doesn’t get to say, “Oh and my sister Kate loves this too!” in every segment.

      The Palace didn’t stop James from making pornographic cakes and marshmallows. They’re not hindering Pippa’s career.

      • Pondering Thoughts says:

        Pippa did use Royal Protection Officers for her security sweep? She got through some security gates quicker in their company? Sorry, my native language isn’t English.

        Actually you inspired me but this is just some “fantasy” on my part: the publishers paid Pippa a six-figured sum. So why did they do that for a mediocre cooking book? Surely Pippa had to hand in some excerpts? Perhaps Pippa did include details about how the Queen drinks her tea and stuff and that was why the publishers thought it would sell and so they paid Pippa well. When the Royal Family found out that Pippa was using them to sell a book they called in the lawyers and Pippa had to erase every mention of the Royal Family. She got the money, however.
        And then the book didn’t sell well.

        I mean which publisher pays a six-figure sum for such a mediocre cooking book?

        As I wrote above: I don’t know what happened and that is just speculation on my part.

    • COSquared says:

      OH. MY. GAWD.:-O

    • yellow says:

      All of those recipes, photos, and layout were done by others. All she would have contributed was the writing, if that.

      • FLORC says:

        You mean someone actually thought the book needed an ice cube recipe? That gives me the giggles!

        Still, too much of that book echos the general basic theme in her writings.

    • WinnieCoopersMom says:

      Aw. Bless your heart!

    • Troof! says:

      Nice try, Carole 😛

    • Pondering Thoughts says:

      @ Blanche DB

      Well, as an interior designer you surely know this little programm called photoshop.
      Well, as an interior designer accustomed to work with photographers you surely know that certain photographers specialise in something: for example photographing food.
      Recipes can be googled and looked up in other cooking books.

    • Jaded says:

      BlancheDB – Pippa is, at best, mediocre. Her attempts at books, journalism, etc. were aided and abetted by an army of advisors, photographers, consultants and PR people. Anyone can be athletic. Millions of people run marathons. She is nothing special.

      I’m an anglophile myself but it took more than one week in London to do it for me. I spent years travelling around the UK with a British boyfriend who took me into many out-of-the-way places and historic spots not frequented by tourists.

      Furthermore the Palace does not place “restrictions” on what she does unless it’s directly involved with her sister and brother-in-law. She is and will remain a private citizen so no amount of royal interference, if it were to happen, would matter.

    • Nymeria says:

      Either that’s some disturbing honesty, or Pippa or Carole knows how to work a keyboard!

      The Middletons are all back-stabbing social climbers drenched in hubris. All appearances and no substance, and people like that tend to be very unhappy in private. Which serves them right. They’re nasty. And stupid. They would be a lot more entertaining if they were smart as well as conniving and shallow, but they’re not. I bet their degrees weren’t earned so much as paid for.

    • FLORC says:

      Just as a side comment.
      BlancheDB
      We might be in awe of different things. Those who run marathons/iron Mans/Ultras etc… It’s great and not something done easily without commitment. Those who hold full time jobs, family commitments, ad still dedicate time to train. I’m in awe of them. Of their family supporting them emotionally. Of their dedication to train and work, and not give up their social life.
      Those who don’t hold full time jobs. That need not worry about paying those bills plus the extreme costs of gear, and race related fees. They still commit time and energy, but it’s easily done. The level of sacrifice is minimal. I’m less in awe of those who take the easier path.

      It’s a standard of how value comes from me. Both outcomes of good and not too easily done, but 1 requires so much more they have me in awe of their commitment and sacrifice.

      IMO Pippa likes being fit and would be doing this as a time filler because there’s nothing else to do. No one will pay her to write another book. Her columist stuff is drying up.
      That’s where the reinvention comes from.

  29. Kate says:

    Girlfriend needs to stop tanning. Yikes.

  30. tabasco says:

    The Middletons have terrible genes when it comes to aging. Holy hell. They both look a solid decade older than they are.

  31. Tessd says:

    I don’t see it such an embarrasment that NBC didn’t like her – not everyone likes or wants to be in front of the camera. She seems like a regular, middle class girl who likes the attention but isn’t fame hungry, the essential quality for those working in broadcasting.
    I hopethey get back with Alex and get married.

  32. Tessa says:

    Oompa Loompa doom-pa-dee-do
    I have a perfect puzzle for you
    Oompa Loompa doom-pa-dee-dee
    If you are wise, you’ll listen to me

    Now first stop the sun and fake tan. Then get a proper job and stop exploiting royal connections
    Easy now you are not like fergie

  33. InvaderTak says:

    If she didn’t want to be papped, I bet she wouldn’t be. At least not on a day to day basis. And I thought the BF moved to Switzerland because his company asked him to.

    • LAK says:

      BF had a perfect normal job in London. Then he started dating Pippa, whose parents were besties with a company with better opportunities based in Switzerland and lo, BF switched jobs.

      Personally, I think BF wasn’t in the relationship for the long haul, but it certainly helped that he shortcut to the next job up the career ladder via Pippa.

      Isn’t that the point of connections?

  34. Fluff says:

    Pippa needs to accept the fact that “sister of woman who married a prince” is not an actual career, and get a job.

  35. JRenee says:

    Ease off of the fake tan.
    Lay low.
    Get a job.
    Hustle your way up legitimately.
    Break free from mom’s aspirations.
    Marry who you want.
    Full stop.

  36. What's inside says:

    I’m not buying this entire arc. This gal will get married eventually and probably to someone who can give her a nice life. As for exploiting the money-making opportunities presented to her, well a girl has got to make a buck doesn’t she? She has the connections and a few shekels to her name to ease the way. Unfortunately for her there was only ever going to be one future king of England and Sis nailed that one down. So now she must decide what kind of life she is going to have and then go after it accordingly. As for her appearance, well she and Sis both have made the most of what they’ve been given and after that there’s plastic surgery.

  37. India Andrews says:

    Carole has placed all of her energy in Kate bagging William and in building a close relationship with George that everyone else seems to take a back seat like Mike, James and Pippa. Sadly, James and Pippa didn’t have the humility and foresight to see the only person getting lucky in the marriage stakes was Kate because the only bufoon who couldn’t see theough the Middletons’ naked ambition in William’s circle was William.

    Now, the upper classes have seen even more of the Middletons thanks to their quest to make a living as William’s inlaws and the meager chance james and Pippa had with them is closed. Also with privacy loving rich commoners who want nothing of the Z list spotlight the Middletons have carved out for themselves.

    Be careful when fifteen minites of fame come knocking because you may spend a lifetime regretting taking it.

  38. India Andrews says:

    With the way that Carole stalked William through Kate, I wonder what kind of co-dependent relationship she has with George. She is going to want to make sure granny is number one to secure her place. Carole always has been one to live her ambition through her children.

    • FLORC says:

      Because in no way could Carole want to be with her grandson out of… love?… Nah. Every move is without a doubt calculated with heavy motive. It’s that hard to believe Carole would want to be around George and Charlotte outside of ambition. That makes sense.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I think we won’t know until Pippa and James find partners, get married, and have children. Does Carole spend as much time helping them out after the births? Does she move in and run their lives for them? Does she take those grandchildren out to play constantly?

        If it turns out she only dedicates herself to managing the W&K relationship and getting points with PGTips and CC, then we’ll know it was ambition.

  39. aquarius64 says:

    Pippa only has herself to blame for her golddigger, title chasing image.

    • FLORC says:

      Title and golddigging? IDK. Too much to speculate.
      We can be sure Pippa rides the association wave via Kate’s husband. James too. They both speak out against being known for that connection claiming they have more value than that, but both ride that wave and stay more in the public eye than any other family of a married in royal in the BRF.

      • notasugarhere says:

        FLORC, they were both named the Wisteria Sisters years before the royal wedding. That speaks to both of their behavior in and around that set for years.

  40. raincoaster says:

    Of course she has to date and do her thing without royal bodyguards. A) she’s not a royal and B) nobody wants to kill Pippa.

    It’s not like I’d get her column in Vanity Fair…