The Duchess of Cambridge has worked a lot in the past two weeks. She really back-loaded her October schedule, and it was great to see. Even though I’m absolutely positive that Kate and William were making so many appearances because they plan on going on a big Mustique holiday in November, I’m genuinely happy that the Cambridges have finally realized that they need to work ahead of their vacations or it looks really bad. So, I was actually prepared to give the Cambridges a break for the most part – their press secretary, Poor Jason, has been really pushing this “new and improved” Will and Kate narrative, complete with a new “cause” that really “energizes” them. And… well, Poor Jason has been laying it on a bit thick. People Magazine took the bait. You see, Kate “isn’t someone smiling and nodding.” O RLY?
Princess Kate is a royal with heart. As PEOPLE observed her working earlier this week, she was far from formal, learning about the challenges facing young people and spreading cheer as she did. Joining a group of children and their mentors from Chance UK, there was laughter and some raw emotion.
“This isn’t someone smiling and nodding,” Chance UK’s chief executive Gracia McGrath tells PEOPLE. “She is asking intelligent questions and knows what happens when children go off the rails and go off the rails early.”
For Kate it was the latest stage in a series of visits as she highlights the roots of some of society’s toughest challenges. She has been setting her sights on helping attention on the early intervention for young people, whether they have mental health difficulties or face other social issues.
For many of the youngsters Kate met, “when you get in trouble at school, you’re always the focus. You’re the bad kid. All their attention has been negative attention,” says McGrath.
“What more positive attention can you give your children than saying your future queen actually really values you. I think the children felt listened to. When you’re valued by somebody it opens your eyes to the fact that actually you’re not just a kid who gets in trouble.”
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed in the wider charity movement. Action for Children boss Sir Tony Hawkhead has told PEOPLE, “She’s interested in mental well-being and giving children confidence and self-belief. She is clearly very interested in how you can help families who are facing some really tough challenges.”
During a visit to Dundee last week, she regularly raised the subject when talking in a roundtable with volunteers who have suffered from mental health problems. When one youngster talked about being helped by a tutor, Kate remarked, “For quite a few young people, it’s come to the point that they have ended up at hospital at a critical stage,” before she questioned if they felt there was sufficient support, “before it gets to that moment?”
And, as she and her husband Prince William kept the conversation going, she asked, “Do you feel enough young people understand what lies underneath the banner of mental health? People think in terms of extreme cases but an awful lot lies underneath.”
Kate was inspired to get involved after hearing through her patronages Place2Be and Action on Addiction that she found that mental health problems were often at the root of many other ills. But being a mother is something that’s no doubt spurring her too.
“When you have a child, and if you then start to think about if you didn’t have the support you had, or a certain amount of comfort you have, you start to think about struggling families,” McGrath adds. “I could only guess where that comes from, but when you do have children it changes you and your view on life. She’s a real woman, who lived out in the real world.”
The thing is… even if Kate was just going to random charities and smiling and nodding, even that would be great. She would be raising awareness just with her very presence. Just appearing in a half-assed way on behalf many charities would help them raise money and get attention to vital and important causes. The problem isn’t really that we expect Kate to become an expert on this or that, it’s that we expect her smile and nod consistently, every week and every month and every year and not just when she’s trying to get her numbers up before a big Mustique vacation.
PS… This is my favorite photo from Kate’s visit to Chance UK. That little girl side-eyeing Kate’s janky ponytail is EVERYTHING.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet and Getty.
meh, Kate….. glad she did some “work”. Where is our favorite Swedish newlywed couple?? Miss seeing them!
I don’t even bother reading PEOPLE articles anymore.
I agree. *honk* for the Swedes!
The three Swedish Princesses and their spouses are on the Cover of a magazine called SVENZK DAM the magazine edition of the Swedish Royal couples is so beautiful
HONK
Those bangs can look good when styled right but god that WING style is so 70s!
But this is an article about her “work” – she isn’t someone smiling and nodding, etc., etc. and she’s asking “intelligent” questions.
Why focus on the superficial stuff?
The better question is why is there a need to state that she does more than simply smile and nod? Right?
@ Dena
Good point! It needs to be pointed out that Kate doesn’t merely smile and nod…
Because maniac grinning and nodding and asking silly questions are all she does. So the counter-pr is very very necessary.
@ Celebitchy:
I doubt that Kate’s mere visits will help a charity raise a lot of money. If Kate visits a charity that will cost them money / time / resources and I am not sure that they get more donations than they “invest” into Kate’s visits.
Kate doesn’t cultivate private relations with money bags as Prince Phillip for example did do by inviting them for semi-private dinners and made them invest. Charles is the same. But Kate?
There are no statistics about how much a charity gets if she patronises them.
But there are a few charities who would rather drop Kate as a patron because she apparently is a burden. There were reports that Buckingham Palace had to convince those charities to not drop Kate which would have been a huge embarassment. ( In her first or second year of marriage.)
Ponder Thoughts
This was when Kate went on vacation after ignoring the plea of a charity she patroned for attention brought to a fundraising auction. Ultimately they were out funds spent and had to cancel auction from lack of ticket sales. A few members made their opinions known and were quickly quieted. Since then the charity has looked elsewhere for patrons.
The burden of Kate come in that when she requests they must arrange time for these meetings for her PR. At a cost to them and assuming she’s on time so they aren’t waiting around. They end up paying for her to be a patron and the relationship only benefits her directly. Unfortunate.
@ FLORC
“Unfortunate” seems to be a rather timid judgement of the whole mess ;-D
“DUCHESS KATE ‘ISN’T SOMEONE SMILING & NODDING’ DURING HER CHARITY VISITS”
I agree. She’s a triffid smiling and nodding during her charity visits.
hahahahhahaha!!!!! all the points!!
Bwahahahaha!!!!
Good one, Sixer.
Oh, snap! LOL!
is this a UK term? triffid?
I did not know what a triffid is so I looked it up. It is from a science fiction novel “a race of predatory plants that are capable of growing to a gigantic size and are possessed of locomotor ability and a poisonous sting”.
AKA the British SciFi version of a Wisteria Sister. Nice one, Sixer.
Sorry, I forgot to look back!
Triffid = predatory plant, yes. I’ve been calling her triffid of late in mockery of the ever-growing wiglet.
They’re the British version of Killer tomatoes as it was explained to me.
LOL………
The huge wiglet/extensions are completely over-the-top. How can she not see that? Honestly, it baffles me. (along with other things).
The TEETH are taking on a life of their own as well.
That hair is a crime.
I agree. I came here to say WILL SOMEONE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY CUT THIS WOMANS HAIR ALREADY!!!!!
Getting rid of the extensions would be a good start.
Yep. “People” is definitely Jason’s propaganda mouthpiece. What a load of bushwa. Steaming mountains of it.
Exactly, they are just a arm of the Cambridge PR office.
Gone are the days of someone like James Whitaker getting juicy info that might be unpleasant for the royals to read and leaking it to People and People actually writing the story.
Can we all give a virtual wave to Jason right now (because we know he or someone who reports to him probably reads everything). On a count of three…
Using Platell as a ghost writer was eerie, but not substantive. Hi Jason!
Why does People insist on calling her a princess when no one else does? Besides, the title duchess has more power than a princess……….like those titles mean anything…….
Most Americans (People’s main readership) don’t know that, and likely can’t be arsed to take five minutes to skim a Wiki article on Royal styles and titles.
Wasn’t she Diana, Princess of Wales? I think I remember a discussion here a while back about this. IIRC….(name), Princess of (wherever) is different than Princess Beatrice (just an example) with the first being the highest “ranking”. And “Duchess of (Cambridge) is higher than either of the other two?
IMO they do it to try to draw comparisons with Diana, who was incorrectly called Princess Diana. And to them the princess title is more Disney important than duchess. People mag want another royal cash cow and they’re trying to turn Middleton into that moneymaker.
@ notasugarhere
*LOL*. I like your idea that People mag tries to make her into a moneymaker. It merely raises two questions: 1. Does People mag not see how incompetent Kate is at anything Royal Duties? 2. How quickly will People mag drop Kate when they figure out that positive articles about Kate are satire and result in loss of profits?
but most of their readers DO know and often write in and complain…
I agree with all the above really though…that PEOPLE wanted the Diana comparison, Kate is so lackluster on her own. They also want the Disney Princess image for some readers, also they figure the Princess will sell her more…
but the weird thing is…Kate on her own doesn’t sell, People made her a regular column inside , she is in their pages constantly, yet they do not have to depend on her to sell Covers, because she is NO Diana as far as selling power. I read some numbers on her and she sells less than US celebrities for People and even less than the reality stars… the times she does sell well is when a Pregnancy happens and she is with George on the cover.
Let’s not forget that dear old Wills wrote “princess” under her job description – I think it was on Georges birth certificate.
They – WillKate – did their jobs well the past two weeks. But don’t over egg the pudding here, People.
I’m glad they’re stepping up their public events but 2 of the events were watching movies. Their work is what the rest of us do after work!
exactly!
Rumours are Jason wants Kate’s numbers up over 100 before the end of the year, hence the sudden flurry of engagements.
If that’s true then they’d have to abandon paying a visit their beloved Kingdom of Mustique to reach their target.
I agree that they’ve been out and about and appear to have done more than wave amd observe. I don’t think I’ll be flying my Kate flag until she starts actually putting things into action. It’s not like we expect them to go out and work in the trenches, but I so wish she would go and actually do something to benefit her patronages. Just headlining a fundraiser (which I know she just did for Women in Hedge Funds because her patronage was beneficiary of it), but also say something.. Spearhead an initiative. I still think she should curate an art show for The Art Room. Stuff like that. Then I’d be cheering.
But then she’d have to stick around talking to people who aren’t rich and famous. By the end of the day, her eyes would be tired out from rolling them so much.
Hurrah, pats on the back to them, they are doing a little bit of what they should be doing!
I like her hair in a ponytail. That’s all I’ve got.
Those flower print dresses have just got to go. What a mess
OMG I agree.
Nothing that was quoted here stands out, those are not highly intelligent questions if you ask me. She can hold a conversation about the cause she’s supporting. Congratulations, I guess? I’m not criticizing her btw, she’s really been doing what she’s supposed to do – finally! – and that’s great. But what’s with the ridiculous PR? They constantly highlight that the expectations we have for her are so very very low. That’s not good strategy. She talked! She worked! I DO THAT ALL DAY LONG! This is what’s expected, the bare minimum still. Don’t act like she’s saving the world one bad hair day at a time.
Exactly!
“…one bad hair day at a time”…Ha!
The bar against which she is measured is now subterranean.
At this point, is there even a bar?
I think the bar which is more a wide board has been carefully placed on the ground under her feet for her to comfortably stand on it.
Nevertheless she keeps falling off.
The bar is so low that now we have people thinking she’s brilliant and interested based on quotes somebody told somebody else she allegedly said.
@ anne_000
I am quite sure nobody believes it. She was so lazy all those years before her marriage nobody believes she is worky worky now.
And not even her pr believe it. That is why they made her do less than a dozen charity visits before they announced she were brilliant. Because even her pr doesn’t believe that Kate will keep going on several engagements a week. So they had to quickly announce that Kate is brilliant and hard-working while there actually still is something like a work record.
Form the metal while it is hot. I will cool down quickly. Something like that.
@ Pondering Thoughts
Good point. And it makes it look all the more desperate and empty.
Pshhhft. They’re only working “hard” coz they’ve got numbers to boost. Both are sitting at <50 so they're in a rush, of course.
As well as the pending Mustique vacation and the month-long “Christmas break”. They still fall faaaaaar short of the more senior members numbers. When the Queen is doing close to 700 engagements and these two can only manage around 50, it looks really bad and actually shameful given all the privileges they’ve received. It’s far too early, IMO to praise anyone especially if their actions are so self-serving and they have little to no heartfelt interest or investment in their “work” and a pap stroll and new dress/ hairstyle are the focal point.
Everything this couple does is self-serving – even this rush of end of year activity. It would be fun to do an expose on their PR.
Thanks for that info (<50) I was wondering where they stood currently.
Does the length of a visit factor into the final tally? Because if a royal spends a full day at a charity (giving a speech, photos, doing stuff and so on), I’d think that should count as much as some of these whirlwind appearances where a royal visits three or four charities in an afternoon. I still think W&K need to do more work, of course, but I am just wondering if the length of time makes a difference.
Time? Nope. They can stay for 15 minutes at a visit(and they have, OzNZ tour @ a hospice) and still make it count. No royal, AFAIK, has spent a “full day” with a charity. Maybe Diana or Sophie, the other posters may know. What should be kept in mind is that the Cambridges always manage to keep rare charity visits short: 1 hr or less.
There’s been more than enough comments about Kate’s clothes – one of the most recent articles had 300+ comments, predominantly on what she was wearing.
This article is NOT focussed on and doesn’t even touch upon her appearance, so let’s not beat a dead horse and criticize what she wore earlier in the week. The article is about Kate’s genuine interest in her charities and her intelligent questions, remember? Let’s discuss and debate how accurate this is – I’m sure everyone has their own opinion.
What do we actually know about the depths of her interests and questions? She hasn’t said anything directly to the public and to the media: no speeches, no interviews, no written statements, no press conferences, etc. All the alleged quotes from this People magazine article are from what somebody heard from somebody else of what Kate might have said to somebody and so we can’t even be sure whether the quotes are verbatim or paraphrased from somebody’s interpretation and memory of what she might have said.
Usually, people with a “genuine interest” and drive to promote publicity and information about a charity’s goals do so through direct communications to the public via the media. The fact that she can’t bother to do is an indication of the level of her interest.
Example: Look at Harry’s efforts with his various veterans-related organizations. When he talks, people watch and listen and thus the public becomes more aware of the messages and goals of the charities he works for. He even got the ear of POTUS and his press conference with President Obama is on the White House’s YouTube channel for all the world to watch and remember.
Kate no doubt knows she has the same influence to get the news and social media to disseminate her messages for her own charities. Anything she says would be seen and discussed by a wide audience, especially over the internet, just like Harry. This is what Diana used to do and 30 years later, we still know that her causes were for those affected with AIDS, landmines, homelessness, children with terminal illnesses, etc.
How will Kate make her causes be known? Through indirect quotes told to celebrity publications like People via her current PR guy? Even actresses promoting their upcoming movies put in more effort to get the word out.
So what has Kate shown the public directly? Her ‘look at me’ hairstyles and dresses worth thousands of pounds? Why does she always seem to consider these charity events as yet another self-promoting and self-indulgent celebrity pap stroll?
Anne – Thanks for responding to my comment. I enjoy reading your comments. You speak sensibly, coherently and “call a spade a spade”. I wasn’t trying to defend Kate or anything like that. I was just trying to reiterate what the article seemed to be striving for – at least according to the headline. They seemed to be inviting discussion on those deeper issues v.s. her appearance and I was eager to see exactly what there was to say about Kate in that regard. Apparently, not much since there is still a lot of harping about what she wore on Tuesday (Wednesday?).
Thank you Kaye for your comments. You’ve make a good point on what people comment on in articles about Kate. I have a theory as to why it’s usually not about the serious issues her charities deal with.
Initially I wrote a long explanation. But in short, people don’t feel a connection to the causes of her charities through her, because they are smart enough not to believe blindly the repeatedly failed PR hype of any new supposed interest she has especially as there’s no direct proof from her of such beyond showing up in a costly new dress and showy hairstyle.
Yes, we’re told that she said something to somebody and that was then reported through a third or fourth person, but that’s it and her alleged comments weren’t of much substance and depth but rather vague on the topic. People who get really sick go to the hospital and so maybe there should be something done so they don’t get that sick? Thanks Captain Obvious. Not much more to expound on that is there.
Many have noticed a yearly pattern from W&K of when and why they suddenly become interested in a cause. So when #PoorJason tries anew, there’s an automatic cynicism in response.
Consider why the CB recent article on Harry had numerous comments discussing his charities’ veterans-related theme. People felt motivated to do so by his enthusiasm and genuine interest and his statements that explicitly pointed out the deeper issues that veterans face. His efforts and knowledge of his charities are more substantial than those by W&K. People know and feel the real deal when they see it.
“…so we can’t even be sure whether the quotes are verbatim or paraphrased from somebody’s interpretation and memory of what she might have said. ”
Or, it never happened.
*’future queen’*
I am sure the kids really care about a future queen… Especially those with mental illness. Such a dumb quote. And speaking of quotes, if Kate spoke so much, how come she isn’t quoted in the article but instead we hear from third party sources about what she supposedly said.
It is so weird that a 33 year old woman in this public position has said so little to the public. Where is her voice?
Barbie-Kate’s voice is the little PR man stalking the charities that she visits, while setting up the commoners to say kind words for their column.
Zombie, THIS!!
This is the real story of this week. All these articles and tweets by royal journalists are suddenly all referring to her using the term “future Queen.”
What changed?!
Well, a couple of weeks ago Willnot and Kannot met with a select group of reporters- privately. They even brought the two kids to butter their opposition up for better news stories like this one. I find it dissapointing how easy it all was for the lazy duo. Why should they work hard and show dedication when they don’t have to?
What exactly occurred in this meeting? It seems as though there is not a free press in Britain when it comes to Will/Kate manipulation. I honestly don’t see children’s antics as more valuable and newsworthy than the good works expected from this spoiled twosome. To give so much and expect so little is the conundrum of the British crown.
A true riddle for foreigners…
All the reporters had to sign a non disclosure agreement to get into the meeting. Since then its been nothing but sugar. The DM even trotted out a thrifty Kate piece because she rewore that grey dress.
@Hudson – You’ve provided the missing link. That journo meeting is the source of the great disturbance in the force of Kate I sensed last Friday here on CB. That covert non-disclosured journo meeting was Jason deploying his new “Leave Kate Alone” PR plan.
The trail of evidence is the journo meeting followed by 1. out of nowhere last Friday a few unknown posters criticized us here on CB for criticizing Kate 2. those posters responded to comments all afternoon 3. then the very bizarre Platell “Leave Kate Middleton Alone” editorial came out 4. then this People article is released and 5. the LKA posters have been here on CB all week.
You’re one of my fav posters, Minn but that seems a bit farfetched imo. Although, I really wouldn’t shut down that theory down.
Personally I still think that those Kate-and-George-in-museum shots were staged. They knew they would be papped and it was part of their media strategy to portray Kate as a real and normal mother who visits the museum with her kid. You know not the one who would rely on mummy or nanny for everything.
That might be part of that pr strategy which is mentioned above by Hudson Girl.
And MinnFinn’s comment makes a lot of sense, too, in that respect.
Though I would like to see a link for that, too.
Since last Friday, it’s crossed my mind more than once that CB may be getting astroturfed by the WK PR machine. However, some of the *new*, more supportive comments have come from people who post regularly on other CB articles. So, I think it could be a mix of both. I do know the DM is trying to turn it’s game around in Katie’s favor. In the first Harry article about his visit to DC, the DM tried to take his thunder away right from the top by saying his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, has *long* been a champion of mental health. IMO, that statement was a total fabrication, but I think we’re going to start seeing more of this “Bulls*it without shame” in the months to come as Poor Jason tries to clean up her public image.
@Ponderingthoughts,
Kate doesn’t strike me as the museum type, even for the sake of the sprog. I think the PR juggernaut is in full onslaught, and the fact that a photo got out, without protest, given the RPO thuggery at every turn usually, suggests another pap stroll. For some reason we are being deluged with the goodness that is Kate. Yeah, I’m so convinced of her social intelligence, mothering and compassion.
This thread is fascinating. Hudson Girl, whatever went down in that NDA-required meeting a couple of weeks ago has changed the trajectory of reporting on DK. Poor Jason is on a PR offensive, and somehow he’s gotten the press to go along with him.
And MinnFinn/Pondering thoughts, I think you’ve broken down some of Poor Jason’s tactics. I think Kate’s trip to the museum with George was done knowing it would show up on social media — they don’t need the paps that way, and it shows Kate being a hand’s on mum. Platell’s Leave Kate Alone article also had the message that Kate is very hand’s on, despite having nannies.
The whole PR strategy is pretty heavy handed and certainly not subtle. Instead of trying to shift DK’s image by actual and ongoing work, it’s being shoved down our throats that she does more than show up and smile, and is an amazing mother, working hard for her charities. Poor Jason has a lot more work to do before there’s anything authentic to support his PR fluff. So I wonder what’s next…
Platell’s articles on Kate should never be taken at face value. Her use of hyperbole and back-handed compliments draws attention to Kate’s failings whilst outwardly looking like praise. That way she can avoid getting another “talking to” from William’s people.
@ ArtHistorian
I agree with your analysis of Platell’s articles.
And it is even more amusing that Platell’s way of backhanded compliments and sudden un-explain-able U-turns is a way of telling readers:
a) what Platell really thinks about Waity Katie
b) what is going on behind the scenes.
Buckingham Palace should be rather worried about b) because it sheds light on the whole mess.
Kate should really just stop the PR games and just do some decent work in decent quantities.
I’m with Art Historian once again. Platell’s articles should never be believed. It’s satire. The photo of Kate at the museum with Georgie was odd – I’m not sure I know what to make of that. Would Kate want to be photographed with her bare backside showing and wearing ballet flats with messy hair? I mean it’s one thing to have her toned rear end flashed, but to have her shirt ride up like a plumber? LOL!!!!
If Kate was going to do serious work, she would have done it by now. What you see is what you will get for the time being. We won’t be fooled any time soon.
nota & AH – ITA that Platell’s “Leave Kate Alone” piece was passive-aggressive. But my point about the article is the timing. I remain convinced that Platell wrote it wrote it as a P-A response to that NDA meeting.
Pondering – I see your point about Kate being papped at the museum. I think it could have been a scripted part of Jason’s new LKA PR plan. I guess we’ll never know.
They shouldn’t tempt fate, by going with future queen, moniker, especially in the House of Windsor….
She barely stays an hour. What does Jason think she does in that short period of time? We’ve seen her range from blank staring (I believe she thinks it’s her concern face) to grinning inanely to manically laughing. She doesn’t bring ideas to the table so much as make inane comments that anyone…anyone could make.
I agree with you Mia. What effect, if any, are these visits having? What are WK bringing to the table? What concrete changes have been made because of their involvement? They appear at these events to “absorb” information but are they offering to help by making public declarations, addressing the MPs about what can be done to increase services etc? Anyone can show up and say they support their work but you or I could do the same with the more effect. The only exception being that we’d be there without the new dress, the camera crew and a PR person in the wings.
There seems to be no effect except on their PR, vacation rights, and end of year numbers.
If you think about it: nowadays every employee gets evaluated at his workplace. How much work done? How well done? How much profit? How are the results?
But the Royal Family? And especially Kate?
There are no evaluations of her charity visits. Nobody knows if the charities profit from the tabloid coverage:
– increased donations?
– connections to other charities / institutes / organisations / government … departments?
– increased interest?
Evaluations, please.
I guess someone put the fear of Marie Antoinette Syndrome into them. I’ve seen royals make visits like this across two generations. Once in a while someone like Diana with the AIDS photo makes a difference, but mostly . . . patronage is a very low form of work. It’s all cosmetic and at the end of the day means very little. As for smiling and nodding – I really think those kids expect her to smile cheerfully at them – the “she’s not smiling and nodding” is a pathetic if misguided attempt to make a woman who has scarcely done a hands-turn worth of work in her entire life look like A Serious Person instead of a wealthy sheltered young matron who wishes she could have it all and not be bothered having to make it look like she’s earning it. She’s never earned a thing except perhaps her university degree.
I like the blue flowered dress and black pumps. What I call a really suitable Princess Daytime Outfit.
Calling what Kate does “cosmetic” is an apt description, but I would argue that certain royals really do make an effort to make a difference and do meaningful work — e.g. Harry, Anne, Sophie and the late Diana. The other thing is that unlike Kate, much of the work the other royals do is done ‘on the sly’ with little or no fanfair
Don’t forget making (rare) charity meetings count when NO ONE else does. Nearly half of H’s appearances done since Sep don’t to count on the CC.
One can also argue that both Charles and CP Mary have shown that royals can effect change through their foundations. I actually think that is the way forward for royals – because just being a patron and showing up once in a while doesn’tt really seem to me to having any meaningful effect.
However, that requires both consistent work and money!!! Considering the wealth of the BRF I do think that they need to start investing in the causes they support.
Considering Kate’s public speaking incompetences or her fabulously ridiculous questions whether Faberge eggs were still being made or considering that Kate apparently chose the colour of the paint in Kensington Palace herself and it looked rather pink and had to be re-done … or Kate’s usual strong-coloured war paint face make up … her lack of interest into anything art … Imagine studying History of Art for YEARS and then suddenly there seems to be no more interest.
I really don’t get how Kate can lose her interest into something she chose to study for years.
In Germany there was a case of a high-ranking politician who had allegedly written his Phd and earned a “summa cum laude” (highest possible mark) and then it turned out it was more than 40% plagiarized and there was the suspicion of a ghost writer … and he had had donated a six-figured sum to his university …
It shocked the nation.
If its to be believed there was talk at one point of tutors helping her – her own Uncle even said that it didn’t come naturally to her and she had to work harder than everyone else. So my guess one of the reason she moved schools and became a day student was to get the extra help that came with a private tutor. Nothing wrong with that – quite common. The tutor probably helped her get into St Andrews as you do need the grades to get accepted. All she needed was 2 A’s and a B for Art History and no need to have to have prior knowledge of the subject either – its all in the prospectus.
“Do you feel enough young people understand what lies underneath the banner of mental health? People think in terms of extreme cases but an awful lot lies underneath.”
Jason, before you arrived she was asking, “Can you test the smell by smelling it?”
At least you got her to memorize and repeat the questions you and Deacon wrote.
Jason also taught her to make tea as well, nota dear. Have you forgotten she can’t make tea but brother Jamesputin can? A royal highness shall not engage in taxing labour ;-(.
You know, I teach English and if a student wrote that sentence, I would write on his or her paper, “HUH???” What was she saying? What lies beneath the banner of mental health?? What is the “banner of mental health”? The topic of mental health? An actual banner? The term? What the heck is she talking about??
Thanks, Jib. I read through that statement twice trying to break it down and figure out what she’s really saying. It’s so stilted and unclear, and doesn’t feel like the way someone would talk to a kid about mental illness who has a supposed depth of knowledge and history supporting the issue.
It almost sounds like she’s being trained in Sir Humphry-speak 😉
I thought the same thing. Such odd things to say to a kid, even a teenager.
Yes, her questions are certainly strange. And even stranger: she answers her own questions immediately instead of waiting for a response! Why? Maybe because she is more interested in her own opinion than anyone else’s. Sadly, this is not the first time.
I like the blue dress on her, but that’s the biggest, heaviest bangs I’ve ever seen.
Sometimes when you draw attention to what someone is NOT doing, that is exactly what they ARE doing. Poor Jason, someone should tell him that the less he draws attention to Katy Bucket’s smiling and nodding, the better it would be for her image.
This! Its like what the Republicans used to do when Karl Rove was in charge: accuse someone of doing what you yourself are guilt of. “She doesn’t just smile and nod.” “Thrifty Kate!”
Poor Jason (I love that that’s his name now) can twist reporters arms all he wants and bully them into writing this crap but he can’t make it true. All it will take is for one person to come forward and tell the truth.
Exactly, that is just what I was thinking…. That is what she is doing, nodding and smiling, saying inane things.
Excactly!
Some time ago there was a story how Kate has an uncanny ability not to look directly at the camera and to acknowledge the person in front of her. Sadly this statement was a complete fabrication. There are pictures from all of her engagements where she completely ignores the person she is greeting and is more interested in the cameras.
I think that is Kate’s signature camera whoring and hyean laughter.
“For quite a few young people, it’s come to the point that they have ended up at hospital at a critical stage,” before she questioned if they felt there was sufficient support, “before it gets to that moment?”
And, as she and her husband Prince William kept the conversation going, she asked, “Do you feel enough young people understand what lies underneath the banner of mental health? People think in terms of extreme cases but an awful lot lies underneath.”
If she really said such generic, non-commital things, then I’m taken aback. Both comments sound as if they were meant to show how “well-prepared” (coached…) she was as opposed to something I would expect from someone who understands the issue and is listening with an open heart.
Yeah, I just answered my own lingering question, I guess.
That’s how I read it. Someone who ends up in the hospital “at a critical stage” obviously did not have sufficient support up to that moment. Or am I misreading? And isn’t the second statement a different way of saying there’s an entire spectrum of mental illnesses, something they should understand already. She and Will need to do more listening at these visits, so they can respond in a more personal way, instead of offering the canned response.
Interpretations of her brilliant #KateThoughts:
– People who get really sick go to the hospital.
– Not everybody who is sick goes to the hospital.
– People shouldn’t get so sick.
#KateThoughts: -Sick people need medicine. -Hospitals are for sick people.
Awfully complicated sentences. Whomever coaches them, is taking this to a different level. They don’t address to a health professional. They sound so pretentious, it’s ridiculous.
it´s good that she´s out doing something. Yeah the Cambridges do this because they have to do something before they start their annual winter holiday till spring, but at least they did something. The new PR team is good. I don´t know how they do it or if they blackmail the Cambridges, but William and Kate shift… something changes…. yes just baby steps, but steps.
Finally the PR people sat down with Kate and gave her some sentences to learn. Seriously i never understood how she could make that bad small talk and ask all these dumb questions about tea or facial hair or nail polish. I know small talk can be the horror, but this is what she has to do till she dies/divorces/runs away or whatever. So the best she can do is learn and practice. Did she finally wake up? She birthed the kids and now all she has to do for the rest of her life is visiting charities and make small talk. Is this why she looks so haggard lately? It seems after 5 or so years they now convinced her that she needs coaching to do her duty.
This isn’t the first time W&K have tried to up their tally by doing last minute, end-of-the-year ‘work.’ This happens every year about this time. It’s a pattern. It also happens right before they go on vacation at other times of the year in order to decrease criticism of their self-centered lifestyles.
@Lea
People have created the world’s biggest hamburger and gotten into the Guinness Book of Records, and so has the biggest ball of twine. Clearly, people were out doing something as well. Should we applaud them and her, should we applaud the idea that she did the laundry? Or more egregiously, should we applaud her giving birth like the royals applauded it by counting it as an engagement in the court circular. Guppies give birth, too, and I see no kudos and approval coming their way. My gosh, I think they at least deserve an OBE for multiple children! 🙂
Baby steps? They are in their mid 30’s! When do they get to grow up and expected to do better than guppies?
Actions speak louder than words.
Kate is really a disappointment. I had some hopes for her back in the early days of her marriage, but she has demonstrated she has no real intention to use her position to make things better for the people of the UK. She’s all fluff; designer clothes, hair extensions, veneers, goofy expressions, fake accent, obsession with being skinny, and most of all – a bad attitude. She lacks a passion for anything but herself, her idiotic husband, and her mother.
Vava, I’m with you. Was completely ambivalent/paid no attention through the girlfriend years or even through the engagement. She hit my radar at the wedding, and I hoped she and Will would find that balance of work and influence and having a private family life.
And now, she’s turned out to be such a lightweight, avoiding work and appearing vapid or maniacally grinning and unable to communicate effectively. It’s obvious that all of her years spent waitying, gave us the insight into who she is — minimally accomplished and not interested in doing much.
You know what got me? During that engagement interview where she said something about “wanting to make a difference, even in the smallest way…..”.
Well yes, Kate, you have. You’ve made a small difference. Now all anyone says about her is her appearance, and some shock when she finally emerges from behind the door of Amner or Kensington Palace!
Vava, I wish People would publish the reality of Kate’s finer points: “She’s all fluff; designer clothes, hair extensions, veneers, goofy expressions, fake accent, obsession with being skinny, and most of all – a bad attitude. She lacks a passion for anything but herself, her idiotic husband, and her mother”.
They need to *sell* us on the idea that she’s a good mother – because they don’t give us evidence – just a heap of PR crapola. Vava, your description of Kate is what we actually observe. Her PR obscures the reality of her, and I am losing respect for #poorJason because of the half-truths and the finely tuned lies. Heck – I am questioning whether Britain actually has a free press!
Show up maybe once every few weeks on time and not cancelled. Show up prepared to have pictures taken meet people and do an activity for the press.
AND show up prepared to sit down and discuss how to raise money or create awareness.
If she really wants to put in time and effort to these causes she’s so jazzed about it’s very simple and very easily done.
And as far as more PR telling us how Kate is so keen to work and she’s working, but we never see it or the results of it… Show that proof. Show a fundraiser Kate is part of assembling. Show a donation. Show time spent. Show anything other than more PR writing about how she works, but we will never see the results of it.
If anyone believes Kate has invested interest past photo ops and time shopping i’ve got a bridge to sell you.
LOL………….if I needed a bridge, I’d buy one from you FLORC!
Yeah, there is a smokescreen going on with that chick.
Site Unseen As Is No Refunds!
It’s frustrating from a news/media angle that gets me the most. And how people blindly accept what they read and want to believe as the truth.
And that journalist will allow themselves to be bought. It’s massive and far outside of this tale.
Almost as bad as 2 people with the ability to impact worthy causes for the better choose to only help themselves and consider this blessing a burden.
I’m waiting this out for 2 outcomes. They either mature into responsible adults and understand the basics of their lives and duties or they get exposed and their house of cards crumbles.
Apathy is a terrible trait. Certainly a trait I find to be the worst.
Is it me or are there fewer and fewer Kate defenders/justifiers/supporters on these Kate posts?
There are plenty. They tend not to show up unless the conversation can be steered to the goto defenses. Motherhood/jealousy.
I can understand why they don’t — they tend to get piled on — but I wish there was a bit more divergent opinion on here sometimes. It takes fortitude to go against the grain, though!
They wouldn’t get so piled on so much if they at least made an argument and provided facts instead of, as FLORC says, trying to shame us with the ‘we are all jealous, cold hearted spinsters’ BS. The facts that all they can come up with reflects even worse on her – that her supporters even struggle to come up with decent excuses for her/them.
Oh I agree with that, Betti. But there are people who are reasoned in their responses out there and I wish they appeared more often.
Or maybe I was so tired I didn’t press submit properly 😞! I need to get busy preparing for a Halloween party at my place, so I’ll have to defend Kate next time!
She’s a victim of her own reality. She’s lived such a privileged, sheltered life; the problems of regular people are just foreign to her. William is the same. On the other hand, there’s Harry. He served in Afghanistan & witnessed first hand what injured soldiers have gone through & wants to make a difference. He genuinely displays empathy & passion for his causes & can connect with people. I’m not saying that people like Kate aren’t kind & don’t want to help the less fortunate but that wasn’t a value that her parents instilled in her. It was all about looking good & marrying well. Why she’s so vapid & uninteresting.
Katie Bucket and Normal Bill lack empathy and thats why they struggle to come across as sincere. God help us if they do end up on the throne.
Cindyp
It’s exposure and empathy. William has been a part of rescue teams. He has seen the struggles. He just doesn’t bother to pay that much attention. Vacations and secrecy is his driving force.
Wish I remember where I read it, but I think I just saw an article somewhere saying he does do things without publicity. If he does, more power to him. I just wish he’d do a bit more on the radar!
Extreme privilege can very easily become an insulated bubble with little resemblance to the reality of most people. If you’ve lived like this your whole life it can be hard to relate to “ordinary” people – especially if you havn’t any drive or passion to venture out of that protected, comfortable bubble that keeps the rest of the world at bay.
This just proves that it doesn’t matter if she’s informed and involved and working more, or if she acts as if she knows nothing about the situation at hand. You really, just don’t like her. So she’s damned if she do and damned of she don’t. Very passive-aggressive post. Sorry, jmho.