The Cambridges & the Middletons did a church photo-op for Christmas

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Here are the photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending a church service on Christmas Day in Bucklebury. William and Kate notably chose to spend this Christmas away from Sandringham entirely for the Christmas holiday, and they apparently spent the holiday at Middleton Manor, the huge home that Carole and Michael Middleton purchased with their son-in-law’s help several years back. Many of you said that William and Kate would do a photo-op with the kids outside of the church, but I actually had my doubts. But you guys were right! This photo-op worked exactly like the royal family’s church photo-op at Sandringham. It’s almost as if the Middletons are the new royal family!

Kate wore a fur-trimmed burgundy coat by Hobbs and matching burgundy shoes. She looked nice, although I guess she gave her hairdresser the holiday off, because you can tell that Kate’s hair isn’t professionally blown out. George wore a little grey coat by Pepa & Co, which apparently sold out a few hours after the photos came out. Princess Charlotte wore red tights and a matching red bow in her hair. I’m also including photos of the “Queen Mother” Carole Middleton, plus Michael Middleton, Pippa and the Terribly Rich James Matthews, who seemed to have spent the entire holiday with the Middletons (as opposed to his own family).

As for the continuing conversation about whether it’s rude or un-royal or petty for William and Kate to spend the entire holiday with her family… the Daily Mail seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach. The DM published this piece about how William’s decision reflected a “changing of the guards” when it comes to royal tradition, and blah blah isn’t it grand that William is so “modern” and “middle class”? But I don’t think William did a Middleton-Christmas this year for any political reason – I think he avoided the royals because he’s in a snit with his father about something and because he truly prefers Carole Middleton’s company above all.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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261 Responses to “The Cambridges & the Middletons did a church photo-op for Christmas”

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  1. Katydid20 says:

    One day, I would just love to see George in some trousers. The shorts are getting a bit old, especially in winter!

    • Soprana says:

      He’s usually wearing pants or jeans in candids. I think the shorts are just for photo-ops.

    • Original T.C. says:

      I will never get what’s classy about having a boy wear shorts instead of trousers for a formal occasion. It looks silly, like Bradley Cooper wearing his booty shorts to go meet the prime minister!

      And why have him with bare knees but keep your other child warm with wool stockings? It’s winter for goodness sake! If you are into old school, then Wills should wear shorts too with white hose and Kate petticoats. Suffer along with your child you silly people.

      • Megan says:

        I think the shorts and socks are adorable.

      • Spiderpig says:

        I don’t understand why they feel the need to stick to that particular tradition. Someone on another forum dug our loads of old pics of Will and Harry as little kids and they always had bare legs for the Sandringham church walk.

      • Adele Dazeem says:

        Your comment about Bradley Cooper made me laugh out loud. Thank you!
        God those booty shorts….

    • Locke Lamora says:

      It’s such a moronic thing to do. And if you need to show you’re upper class with the way you’re dressing your kid ( even if the kid is cold) you’re an asshole, royal or not.

      • LAK says:

        And yet they keep 8nsisting they are ‘normal, middleclass’…….

      • Bitchy says:

        A well, those clothes are one of the few things that signal that they were Royal. At least that is what they believe.
        What they don’t get is that the upper class does purposefully break style rules because they needn’t prove anything. Unlike the Middletons and the Cambridges.

      • Tythonto says:

        I think it’s lovely. My boy went to prep school in the UK and was in shorts and long socks until form 5. It’s traditional…

    • ravensdaughter says:

      Despite the Little Lord Fauntleroy look, George-and Charlotte-are absolutely darling!

    • spidey says:

      Funnily enough, it was unseasonably warm in the UK on Christmas Day – around 15 degrees C

  2. Patty says:

    Someone should tell Normal Bill that regular middle class folks don’t do pap walks.

    • Megan says:

      I don’t think they had any hope of avoiding the paps on Christmas Day so best just to deal with it. At least the Midds hung back a fair distance so it wasn’t a full-on royal parade.

      • Llamas says:

        If they didn’t want a photo op they’d be complaining about how their “privacy was invaded.”

    • Robot Dog says:

      Or shooting parties.

      All I did yesterday was cuddle with my dog (who’s been in a William-like snit because she’s been feeling neglected due to all the holiday stuff) and stream Time Team specials and George Michael videos. Guess I’m doing middle class wrong…

    • spidey says:

      So how do they avoid them on Christmas Day unless they just don’t go to church, which is expected of them?

      • LAK says:

        They’ve gone to church at christmas without putting on a parade before. William managed to have the few pap pics pulled from the media within hours of them being posted.

        Unlucky for him, they had already gone viral.
        http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXiuMf7nwzM/UNmj75Eb0yI/AAAAAAAAaOU/A9z2ow4DOgM/s1600/christmas2012.jpg

        This was before he completely shut down the media on taking photos of his family during private time.

        Despite a PR narrative whereby their family time with the Middletons is private, which the media respects, he has arranged an official pap stroll with coordinating outfits and dragging out the kids to make sure it was front page news.

        The kicker is that if he had stayed at Sandrigham, the kids would have stayed home because the Queen prefers older kids do her pap stroll not little ones like these G and C.

        And William hated his mother using him for pap strolls, yet here we are.

      • spidey says:

        Perhaps they just couldn’t get the car right up to the church door!

    • Nic919 says:

      It actually wasn’t paparazzi but members of legitimate media taking pictures, like the associated press. This was planned as much as the sandringham walk except here Willy gets to walk at the head of the line instead of the Queen.

      And then the next day a shooting party where again Willy is star of the show.

      This was never about hanging out with the Middletons, because Carole lives at Anmer with the kids and sees them all the time. This is about Willy being petulant and showing he can be the boss too.

    • Olenna says:

      I would guess someone (PC maybe?) has tried to talk to him about his alliance with this family and their behavior, but he doesn’t listen. He’s basically just as stubborn and tacky as they are. I just want to know what’s up with QM Carole’s arm. Did she slip and fall while social climbing and break it?

  3. Soprana says:

    Weren’t the Queen and Philip quite ill this year? They might have wanted to keep G and C away for that reason. As a teacher, I can testify that little kids are walking Petri dishes and if one of them was even a little sick, they might have stayed away so as not to exacerbate HM’s illness.

    • Megan says:

      The plans to spend Christmas with the Midds were made long before the Queen caught a cold. It was a deliberate decision on William and Kate’s part.

    • Nanea says:

      Peter Phillips’ kids were there though, as was Mia Tindall.

      It seems that the Cambridges’ kids are being kept away from seeing their great-grandparents, for whatever petty reason Willnot has brought forward this time around. It’s sad, really, and selfish on the Lamebridges’ part, and something that can’t be made good once QEII and the DoE have passed away.

      • Jade says:

        Yeah, their kids are too special to be with the other kids at Sandringham. Their kids can’t be exposed to royal traditions. Their kids would not enjoy the regimented Christmas itinerary. But other royal kids, sure, they can do that. Them Middletons (William should just change his last name) have their own church walk and hunting. Totally different from the royals. Totally NOT using their kids as excuses. You peasants know nothing!

      • Poppy says:

        As lovely as it was to see both Peter & Autumn’s girls walking to church ( Anne looked as proud as punch holding Isla’s hand ) and George & Charlotte walking ( it would’ve been so sweet to see the Philips girls & Cambridge kids walking to church together – a new generation ), both walks were overshadowed by not only H/M’s absence but also Zara & Mike’s sad news. My thoughts went out to them.

      • LAK says:

        Poppy: The Queen likes any children who join that service and walk to be old enough to look after themselves, and understand proceedings.

        If William had spent christmas at Sandrigham, we wouldn’t have seen the Cambridge kids this year as they are still too young for the above criteria.

        It explicitly demonstrates the PR nature of the Middleton pap stroll.

      • Poppy says:

        I know that LAK and I also know how manipulative mother Middleton is. I also believe Kate has been used as a pawn to a certain extent by her mother, saying that I certainly don’t believe she’s as innocent as she makes out! If William was out to score points Christmas day then he really has sunk to an all time low. Perhaps the Phillips girls appearance was the R/F’s strike back at George & Charlotte appearance with the Middleton’s! Unfortunately the Middleton Xmas day won, the usual BBC coverage of Xmas morning at Sandringham was definitely lighter than usual with them preferring to cover William.

  4. CarrieUK says:

    I spend every Christmas with my two kids and in-laws, just one year I’d like to spend it with my family up North (I live away down South) so I don’t see any problem with this, mix it up.
    Just cause they’re Royal I don’t see an issue with taking it in turns with families *shrug* also the routines of the Royal Xmas would do my head in with small children!!
    Also the Queen isn’t well so I’m not sure she’s bothered, you have my sympathy Queen, I’ve got a bastard of a cold and I’d like it to be spring now, hang in there!!

    • spidey says:

      +1. The Middletons are their grandparents too.

      • Llamas says:

        The thing is, they favor the Middletons. Charles complains about not seeing his grandkids. They also completely shunned the royals; they have never completely shunned the Middletons during Christmas. That’s why this is a painfully obvious diss to the RF. Not only that but they copied the royals’ traditions (pap walk to church, shooting) to a T making this diss even more painfully obvious. Why copy traditions if the excuse to avoid the RF traditions was because “the kids?”

      • Nic919 says:

        Carole sees the kids on a daily basis while living at Anmer whereas Prince Charles, the other grandparent and the one who pays for Kate’s 200k a year wardrobe, barely gets to see them. Where is the fairness in that?

      • Megan says:

        I don’t think Charles pays for her wardrobe out of kindness. The Duchy of Cornwall funds the family’s work expenses and is a tax write off for Charles,

      • hmmm says:

        Nic919’s point still stands even with a deflection.

      • Megan says:

        My point was Charles doesn’t buy her clothes to curry favor and his lack of access to the kids should not be conflated with funding her work wardrobe. William and Kate have the right to decide who does and does not have access to their children. If Charles wants more time with the kids perhaps he should discuss it with W+K rather than complain about it in the media.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I think they do use him for money, obviously. They do not need $4 million a year to represent the nation, but that is lifestyle they want and Charles (Edwardian gentleman) wouldn’t deny it. She doesn’t need $200,000 a year in clothing to work 100 hours a year. If her shopaholic nature is appeased by it, and it keeps her off William’s back, then Charles will cave and allow it. There was talk of them pressuring him personally to pay for the $100,000 tennis court.

        Perhaps he has tried for years to reason with them, and they continue to keep the kids away from him. The articles about how he longs to see the grandchildren are him trying to put public pressure. Silly, but since he didn’t know how to deal with Diana he’ll never know how to deal with William. Peas in a pod those two.

      • Megan says:

        I don’t think William uses Charles for money, I think he feels downright entitled to it and has no qualms about demanding it.

    • Elle R. says:

      Carrie – on the one hand, I agree with you, but Will and Kate could easily do Sandringham at Christmas and then see her family this week. Plus, they aren’t like most of us who have holiday and work schedules to plan – they don’t just have to celebrate on Dec. 25.

      Plus, wasn’t part of why they got Anmer Hall was as a bribe to get them to do Sandringham every Christmas?

      • wolfpup says:

        I wonder if the Queen was reminding Willy of the helicopter bribe, during her Christmas speech..I thought it interesting that she mentioned it.

        “A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridge base of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot. It was not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly skilled doctors, paramedics and crew, who are called out on average five times a day.”

  5. als says:

    What I don’t get is what Harry was doing in Sandringham?
    He is not the heir to the throne, he is apparently madly in love with Meghan, why did he spend Christmas with the royal family and his brother (that had all sorts of obligations to do it), did not?
    Also, maybe William does have fights with his dad once in a while, but it seems that he gives no thought to the people that might be caught in the crossfire, like his own brother. If I were William, I would ignore a dad like Charles too (that openly cheated on his mom and married his mistress) but spending Christmas away from his brother (little brother, I might add, because that dynamic is forever no matter how old people get), a brother that went through the exact same thing, is just wrong.

    This constant idea of William being upset, traumatized, mad, etc at his family is ugly and it would work better if he was an only child but he is not.

    • Cee says:

      The whole (immediate) Royal Family goes to Sandringham, not just the Heir and his Heir.

      William is no longer a child but he still behaves like one. Something happened behind the scenes and he really has very little power within the Family, that’s why he’s restricting access to his children. That’s his only card.

      The moment Charles becomes King it will be over for the Middletons because William and Kate will have to get off their asses, WORK, and their children will now became more public than ever. If they don’t like it then they can always step aside and go live their normal middle class lives like they soooo love (and lie about)

      • pf says:

        If Charles take after both of his parents and grandmother in terms of longevity, it’s gonna be awhile before William becomes King. We’re talking maybe another 30 years possibly. Waity Katie will be waiting and waiting a long time. I just hope Prince George still isn’t wearing those shorts when he’s 35 yrs old LOL!

    • HappyMom says:

      Prince Harry went because he understands that is part of his responsibility to his family and the Queen. It’s part of the gig.

    • Melanie says:

      Saint Diana cheated too with married men. William needs to grow up. A person can be a horrible mate but a wonderful parent…js

  6. Sarah says:

    Smug Carole annoys me so much.

    • Canadian Becks says:

      I dislike the smug as well, but I suppose it’s justified, no?

      • Beatrice says:

        Yes, my thought is that she’s saying, “See? All my ruthless social climbing and momaging paid off. My waity daughter will be Queen.”

      • kaiko says:

        i think it’s just the impression her squinty eyes make, the smugness…like she’s a cheshire, er berkshire cat?

      • oce says:

        I think Carol is so interesting. She came from working class roots, grew up in subsidized government housing, and raised her family to take a place in history. Honestly, I am much more interested in her than anyone else in these families – this includes the Middleton family and the entire Royal Family.

        To me, Carol is at the top of my most fascinating person in this circle, by miles and miles. Can you imagine if she wrote a book about how she pulled this all off? Talk about NYTimes Best seller, lolol! I am so serious too…

      • Nic919 says:

        If Carole would have become a businesswoman and then helped her kids and daughters in particular to also become successful business women, then maybe she can be said to have done something admirable. All she has done is raise all her children to be idle social climbers who have wealth and do very little with their lives. They could all be spearheading charity to help others and yet they do nothing. Kate only attend things because she has to.

        Carole’s ambition went sideways and really she is a failure. They still laugh at her and her pretentious ways and always will. It’s a constitutional monarchy, so Carole can never control what people think.

      • Megan says:

        Carole can be interesting without being admirable. Going from flight attendant to grandmother of a future king is undoubtedly an interesting story full of years of maneuvering and family politics.

    • IMO says:

      Carole gives me an “I’m the Queen and bow down to me vibe”.

      • Zut alors! says:

        She’s giving me Hyacinth Bucket vibes. You know she’s the type to answer the phone and say to her friends, “It’s my daughter Pippa, the one who is engaged to Terribly Rich James. My other daughter, Kate is currently on a royal tour of wherever. I’m sure you’ve seen it on the news”.

      • BTownGirl says:

        Every time someone compares Carol to Hyacinth, an angel gets its wings hahahahaha!! However….if If my Sheridan was here, he’d be appalled.

    • Tourmaline says:

      It looks like Carole went wild crimping her hair on Christmas morning.

    • Locke Lamora says:

      I really like Carol.

    • OhDear says:

      I think she’s a social climber, but I get the sense that she’s coddling William to desperately hold onto favor, not to disrespect the RF.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Oh I think Carole’s well and truly hacked off that she isn’t allowed to lord it over the staff on HM’s private estate anymore.

      • Lady D says:

        I think you’re right, NOTA. She’s been fuming for a year now. It was shortly after 5 staff members quit on the Cambridges that she was told to go home, correct?

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      Looks like she is secreting a baguette beneath her cape. Maybe that accounts for the smugness.

  7. AfricanBoy says:

    I kinda like Pippa and Michael Middleton but I have to say Pippa looks really old. If she would tell me she’s 39, not 33, I would totally believe it.

    • Canadian Becks says:

      Back when they were 22 & 24, I first saw pictures of the sisters together, and I totally thought Pippa was the elder of the two.

      IMO, It’s the heavier eye folds, the bags under the eyes, and the rougher-looking skin.

    • Lizzie says:

      Both sisters look as old as their mother. It is shocking to think how much they spend on clothes yet skimp on dermatology. Kate needs to hire a pro estatician and makeup artist immediately. She could erase years with some regular non invasive treatment and obviously would look about 25 with fillers and lasers. I’d love to drill about 10 layers of her face off with microdermabrasion while force feeding her coconut water like a goose for Foie gras. She always looks parched and drawn. The queen needs to step in here.

      • Sansa says:

        Pippa Is the image of Wallis Simpson really strange .

      • Sharon Lea says:

        Sansa – I can’t get over how much Pippa looks like Wallis too.

      • Megan says:

        @Sansa – I never noticed that before, but what has now been seen can never be unseen.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Especially photos of a younger Wallis. Difficult to find pictures of Pippa when she isn’t smiling, but if you can, she and a solemn Wallis look like sisters.

      • msthang says:

        Lizzie, the sad part is she probably has done all that, and that is the best they can do, I mean she certainly has access to that, it just goes to show you, when you destroy your skin with sun,booze and ciggys,even the very best skin specialists, can’t help!!

    • lucy2 says:

      Neither of the Middleton daughters have a particularly fresh faced look.

  8. vava says:

    Carol looks dreadful in those photos.

    • Chrissy says:

      She looks hung-over to me. OT but that cape and too-short skirt are do her no favours.

    • Elle R. says:

      An older woman I know is staunch in her belief that how one ages reflects their soul, and that those with black souls age poorly.

      I feel like Carol Middleton is a great example of this.

  9. smcollins says:

    Say what you will about them, but their kids are absolutely adorable! Based on what I’ve read about them on here (I’m not a royal watcher) it would seem that making cute kids is one job they excel at. 😉

  10. CharlieWaffles says:

    George looks like Michael and Charlotte looks like Carole and Pippa.

    *For the people who say Charlotte looks like TQ: Lady Louise Windsors looks like TQ, not Charlotte.

  11. Sixer says:

    Told you we’d have the alternative church walk. At least ER actually believes. And at least the BBC didn’t subject us to it.

    I bet I am better at drunken darts than any of these fools. The best part of Christmas 2016 was ME. ME, ME, ME. Cos I checked out a 158 in drunken darts. I am useless at darts. I. Checked. Out. 158. This is a true story and also a Christmas miracle. Sixlet Minor doesn’t see it that way. It was him that I beat with my 158 checkout. Did I mention 158 yet? 158!

  12. The Original Mia says:

    William got exactly what he wanted: a rival court with him at the head of the pack. No Granny taking Carol away from him. He can be the Royal and everyone can fawn over him for making their lives better with his presence.

    • Original T.C. says:

      Hope he enjoys being written out of the Queen’s will! What a brat.

    • Chrissy says:

      Yes, a rival court with them parading into church in order of importance with the two heirs in front and the lessers following. So normal using those kids as PR fodder. So middle class to be shooting innocent birds to make his in-laws feel superior. Ugh! Willnot is an ass and I truly hope something is done about this situation like cutting him off. He’s so out of line and disrespectful.

      • NatalieS says:

        Right. They’re talking out of both sides of their mouths again and that has always been a major factor for the Cambridges getting bad press.

        Either they are thrifty and too middle class for royal work *or* they have multiple exorbitant renovations, take lavish vacations etc.

        Either they’re having a normal middle class Christmas with the Middletons or they’re staging their own version of the Windsor’s Christmas church traditions. They can’t have it both ways.

        They are children playacting at being important. This whole things just reeks of petulance and immaturity.

        Where do they go from here? How do they top this next year?

  13. Betsy says:

    Grow up, Willy.

    I do love George’s coat. My boys have not great wardrobes, so I envy great boy style.

    • OhDear says:

      Apparently William wore the same (or very similar one) coat in one of his public outings as a young child (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/04/article-2139793-00005E0D00000CB2-561_634x744.jpg). It’s a great coat, but the photo-ops of George dressed exactly like William once wore is weird.

    • kaiko says:

      You can dress your kid to look classy or to look like a pretentious classist. I think with W/K it’s the latter that they adhere to, George looking sharp just happens to be a coincidence. I like the suggestion of breeches, hose for Will and layers of petticoats for Kate…if the toddler must be paraded around in his aristocratic regalia then by Jove, the parents should too!! Honestly, I’ve never seen a young boy in the US walking around in winter in formal shorts/knee socks, elite private school uniforms always have an option of chinos. When it’s cold you cover your child’s legs in some pants, ffs. Unless of course you are an elitist dead set on showing the world you and your child are a cut above them all.

  14. VierPfotenHelfer says:

    Yeah.. Wills won’t be a good king.

    • L84Tea says:

      It’s a shame they were born in the order that they did. Based on his work ethic and ability to engage with people, I believe Harry would make an excellent king.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Nature vs. nurture, although William was reported to be a nasty and bullying child (Billy the Basher). If Harry had been as coddled and protected as William, would he have turned out as selfish?

      • L84Tea says:

        notasugarhere, I don’t know. My observation is based on what I know of them in the present.

  15. suze says:

    They all look good. Really. No snark. Kids are cute, as all kids that age are. Parents are well groomed and dressed. Notice that the muscle in Wills jaw was working overtime during the pap walk.

    A bit of snark may sneak in from here on out. So normal. So very middle class. So MODERN. Except for that rented shooting bit, but all families have their traditions, right?

    Just like Bill and Cathy Cambridge alternating holidays between the real royals and the shadow court. Sorry, alternating between families just like you do. Normal like you.

    • Robot Dog says:

      So petulant, isn’t he? I kinda wish the paps had just ignored him…except for one hidden photographer to capture the gnashing and wailing when William & his in-laws realized no one was paying attention to them at all.

      It’ll never happen because he’s too soft-hearted, but I wish Charles would make a New Year’s resolution to call Billy’s bluff: as in, “you wanna be rich-boy normal? Have at it!” and then cut William off so that he has to live on his inheritances along with whatever income he makes from managing one or two family businesses or estates that will succeed or fail based on his efforts. Maybe that would help him realize that his current behavior is endangering the BIG family business that keeps him and his wife supplied with helicopters and kitchens.

    • Sixer says:

      The church walk in particular annoys me. It’s a total shadow court thing. Particularly since it seems pretty clear that the Middletons aren’t believers. I mean, I suppose they’ll have to do something about disestablishment eventually, when it becomes blindingly clear that the monarch isn’t religious. Chuck already punted that thing about being defender of faiths not defender of THE faith. But, as it stands, ER is a believer. Ma Middleton is going to church purely for the pap stroll. I’m an atheist and I find it offensive, so lord knows what actual Christians think.

      • Cee says:

        I’m with you, Sixer. I’m atheist and I only go to Church for very specific reasons: weddings and baptisms. I never go for Christian festivities because I’m not a hypocrite.

        This shadow court is him trying to be the biggest fish in the pond, with the lesser people fawning him, telling him how great and mighty he is.

        It’s a pity he was born first and not second. I can’t wait for Harry and his wife to overshadow William into oblivion.

      • Sixer says:

        Exactly. There is no motive for Carole (and Michael) beyond aping the actual faith tradition of ER for a photo op.

        If I had any religious relatives and was staying with them over Christmas, I would go to a service with them and attempt to relate the morals behind it to my own humanist principles. Otherwise, I would never go to church just so that I could be seen going to church. Particularly if it meant the service was restricted so that people who might actually believe couldn’t attend.

        Honestly: I think it’s outrageous.

      • Megan says:

        Unless someone is using religion as a tool to oppress others, I think when and how others choose to worship is a deeply personal and private matter.

      • Sixer says:

        And I think pretending to be religious to up your social cachet is deeply offensive.

      • notasugarhere says:

        +1 Sixer. They’re using a Church appearance as just another PR tool. The Middletons didn’t attend Christmas services until the dueling pap parades started. For 10-15 years Easter was the time for a late season ski trip, not for going to church.

      • suze says:

        Right?

        The thing is, I would personally love it if Wills did shove off and go have himself a real middle class Christmas. If he had taken up with an actual, real middle class family. Spent Christmas Day on the couch opening up boxes with the telly blaring in the background, and an open beer on the side table. And no church ever because no one does that in the neighborhood. It cuts into drinking time!

        Finish with with Boxing Day pub crawl and raucous rounds of “Knees Down Mother Brown” and drunken dart tourneys. Or played Aunt Sally out on the lawn until the wee hours.

        Now that would scandalize the royal family and the masses, all in a good way.

        But I am all bah humburg over the wannabe royal re-enactment.

      • Megan says:

        Since even William cannot blow off church on Christmas Day when his whereabouts is known, I really don’t see the problem with the family joining them. It is a day of togetherness, after all.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Joining for what is an obvious PR stroll, using a religious belief they don’t have for their own purposes. Despicable, and completely unsurprising from this group.

    • LAK says:

      My take away from this pap stroll; et tu Terribly Rich James?

      I can’t believe they talked him into this considering how much he appears to avoid the media despite having fame thirsty brother and fiancee.

      • Indiana Joanna says:

        I wonder how Terribly Rich James Matthews feels about being relegated to a minor player role in the Middleton’s kneeling, bowing, scraping to Willy farce.

      • Maria says:

        I thought that Pippa and Terribly Rich James looked better that Wills and Kate. They looked more relaxed. Pippa manages to keep her hair out of her face, and James looked kind of handsome, and he still has hair. Kate’s hair kept on falling In her face. Why does’t she get it cut or at least thinned out? Kate and Wills looked tense to me.

      • Cerys says:

        Terribly Rich James and Pippa look happy together and I wish them well. I wonder whether TR James will be so keen to play along in years to come when he realises that he, Pippa and their future children will always have to play second-fiddle to the Dolittles and their sprogs in the eyes of the maternal grandparents.

      • Megan says:

        I think Pippa is the real winner. She gets all of the perks of being royal adjacent without any of the work.

    • Zombie Shortcake says:

      Their shadow court is a kangaroo court.

  16. MyOp says:

    I just have the feeling William really hates his life.

    • Robot Dog says:

      He hates the “pro quo” side; the “quid” part he likes just fine.

    • original kay says:

      Yes, he sends a clear message, doesn’t he?

      He does not like the royal life, for whatever reasons, I am guessing back to what he thinks they did to his mother. He seems to have found a “normal” substitute family with the Middletons. They seem to stick together, support each other. Lots of kids find a second family they are more in sync with, later is life.
      He takes the money perhaps, because he thinks they “owe” him for what they did to her. I don’t know if they do or not, but I often read he seems very caught in the middle of his life with no way to see through clearly what to do.

      But my thoughts are, he does not want to be king. And Kate and the children are all caught up in the mess that’s in his head.

      • LAK says:

        I think he likes the money and deference.

        Kate and the Middletons defered to him from the moment they walked out of the car to the church and back again. A private life where people still defer to him is what he wants.

        A life where he has all the riches and deference from everyone including his wife. It was a *sickening piece of theatre to see her and her family defer to him in what should have been a private moment albight a pap stroll of a moment.

        *sickening to see how they defer to his status in a private moment where it should have been unnecessary because they had opted out of the official royal family christmas and weren’t supposed to be adhering to royal traditions.

      • original kay says:

        That’s so sad 🙁

        What an unhappy existence for them. I wouldn’t trade any money to have to live like that.

      • TheOtherOne says:

        +1

      • Nic919 says:

        I agree LAK. This is a parody of a royal walk with Will wanting everything on his terms and not bothering with the stuff he doesn’t like about royalty. I am sure he makes republicans happy because if he isn’t prepared to do the work, it makes it a lot easier for the taxpayers to cut him off.

    • sage says:

      I think he hates that he does not have absolute control over his life.

  17. cindyp says:

    Time for George to wear big boy pants. Is it some aristocratic thing to wear shorts with knee socks in the winter? Carole looks awful, that cape looks so cheap. Of course Kate’s mop is a mess. Like Pippa’s coat.

    • Chrissy says:

      Did you notice Pippa’s crotch-clutching? I guess the Middleton women all think it’s so upper-class. At least Pippa doesn’t do it to flash her engagement ring. She seems on her demure best in the photo.

    • Zombie Shortcake says:

      Carole looks like she’s concealing a gun under that cape.

  18. NOLA says:

    I wonder if The Queen and/or Charles gave W&K a talking to about their crappy work ethic? I could totally see W being in a snit about having to work more and, as a result, withholding the children from The Queen and Charles at Christmas just because he can.

  19. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    Called it. Of course they were going to have a pap stroll. After all they r just so normal what with their normal middle class royal family traditions rip off. If it was jus my because they wanted to spend with her family fine but did they have to do the exact same things as the RF do at xmas? That’s what made it a talking point.

    This is Carole and W&K sticking it to the RF. the smug mugs of the Middleton Mafia was too much on a aday we lost a great musician.

    This smugness and relentless grasping will b their downfall. And yes the Middletons r the new royal family in town and we should not forget it.

    Bah in bad mood today so won’t b nice about this lot.

    • Sixer says:

      +1

      You and Suze are both right. Fine, go somewhere else, but don’t make it blindingly obvious you’re competing with a shadow court, else you just come off as the outright arses that you are.

      • Digital Unicorn (aKa Betti) says:

        Yep esp with the articles basically slagging off the said traditions as being stuffy and boring. They couldn’t wait to recreate them with the petulant Prince leading the way with his vapid wife gurning her way into the church, mugging for the paps.

        This stunt will bite him on the ass. Chuck won’t attach Willy directly, he will go for the Mids.

    • TheOtherOne says:

      +1

    • Sharon Lea says:

      Yes, it does seem like it was set up as an alternate set of royals. Why else did the Middleton family hang way back to let Kate, William and the kids go in first? If they wanted to do their own thing, why do exactly all the same things including the shoot on Boxing Day?

      And as someone pointed on the DM, Kate wasn’t confirmed growing up, but was just prior to marrying William. I wonder how churchy this family is.

  20. Rae says:

    I just really, really, want to see these two get a proverbial slap across the face from her majesty, or Charles.

    Dear Santa, for Christmas 2017 I would like…

  21. Nic919 says:

    So Will and Kate visit in September and this is a recent Canadian survey:
    http://globalnews.ca/news/3145545/majority-of-canadians-say-ties-to-monarchy-should-be-cut-when-queen-dies-poll/?utm_source=Homegnca-toronto&utm_medium=MostPopular&utm_campaign=2014

    This is only going to get higher as the Queen ages. Good luck baby Will. Enjoy your Middleton court because you did not impress Canadians. Even with the cute kids.

    • Amy says:

      The link doesn’t work.

    • Amy says:

      Now it worked.

      I think people are just fed up with the monarchy in general.

    • Zeddy says:

      I don’t believe this article for a second, and I mean no offense to you either. It’s just that there has been zero news across Canada calling for this aside from a small political party in quebec. Media Bias crap is what I say.

      • Nic919 says:

        It’s a survey conducted in mid December in Canada. And Global News is a major Canadian broadcaster now reporting the results. They aren’t tied to any political party. It isn’t media bias just because you don’t like the results.

      • Joannie says:

        I agree Zeddy, Quebec dislikes anything Royal.

      • Zeddy says:

        I’m Canadian. I’m well aware of global news. I the same news company that refuses to report on the KKK insurgency in Calgary but outs out stuff like this. Being large doesn’t make one unbiased. I agree with Joanne, yet another QC anti royal sentiment.

      • Nic919 says:

        The survey was taken all over Canada. 53% for the whole country and 73% for Quebec.

        This trend is only going to continue because fewer Canadians feel like paying for a family that doesn’t understand most Canadians and who are quite well off without them. It’s really Charles that most don’t like and want to cut off once the Queen passes, but clearly the will and kate visit didn’t shore up royalist sentiment.

        Just randomly ask a Canadian on the street if they want Charles to be king and on their money. A majority will say no and has been saying no for years. This survey confirms this.

  22. shel2 says:

    So was this a private church service, closed to the public and regular parishioners? How does that work?

    OT but I’m curious – do the BRF have a deal with Range Rover? In recent years, it appears to be their (exclusive) vehicle of choice. In years past, they made do with regular (luxury) cars v.s. SUV’s. Why the switch to SUV’s from cars and RR in particular?

  23. Cee says:

    My observations on these photos:
    1. Charlotte’s eyer are now brown and she really does look like her maternal grandmother.
    2. George is the spitting image of Michael Middleton. It is clear in the photo of him with the candy cane in his mouth. The Middleton genes are definitely STRONG (Hopefully this will include no hair loss).
    3. Kate needs to stop dressing George like a 1920s 3 year old.
    4. I need to see Middleton Manor, and I can’t believe they actually call it that LOL

    I’m sad that William is so petulant and his latest hissy fit coincided with the Queen’s flu being so bad she had to missed out on the whole Serivice and Walking. Just to make it even more clear that William will turn things into the House of Windsor-Middleton.

    • Kitty says:

      1.) Yeah her eyes are getting darker.

    • spidey says:

      4. They don’t, it is called Bucklebery Manor, and always has been.

    • N says:

      Michael middletons eyes are not brown. They are actually a dark blue/green. They look Grey close up like jimmy pages eyes.

      • Cee says:

        Still, George and Charlotte have dark eyes. I’m sorry if I implied there is something wrong with it, because there is not. It was just my observation. I had bright green eyes until my 2nd birthday when they turned hazel. Eye colour changes in babies and young children.

        I don’t agree with MM’s eye colour because I’ve never seen an upclose photo of this man. George does not have hazel eyes like Kate does (although usually photoshopped to appear green).

  24. Kitty says:

    Apparently they are now permanently moving back to London(Apt 1a) for George school and they said they will take on more responsibilities!

    • Llamas says:

      LOL they say that every year.

      • HappyMom says:

        Exactly! How many times have we heard this narrative? And yet, it never pans out.

      • Racer says:

        Every. Year. that’s what they say. She’ll get pregnant again so they can stay in the country and send George to a local school to add normalcy to his life.

    • Indira says:

      Doesn’t matter how many royal duties they attend, William and Kate always look bored, show their forced smiles and leave after 1-2 hours.

    • Maria says:

      Ha, ha, ha!

    • notasugarhere says:

      William and Harry didn’t start Wetherby until they were 5. If W&K send their son there, I doubt they’ll send him when he is 4. They’ll wait until he is 5 or 6, giving them the excuse of staying in Norfolk for two more years. Or they’ll skip Wetherby, pick a Norfolk school, and skip boarding school as well.

  25. LAK says:

    Well!! William is parading his rival court. This was the point of this rival pap stroll. Everything about this christmas with the Middletons was to set this up publicly. Nothing to do with a normal, private, low key christmas.

    And he used to the kids to make his point because the kids would have been deemed too young to do the Sandrigham one.

    They are dressed like they are doing an engagement, complete with protocol deference to William and George.

    And this wasn’t random paps, they arranged it with AP and a press pen.

    The last time they pulled this ‘normal christmas with the Middletons’ schtick, it was actually believeable because they were low key, no pap stroll, mingled with with the congregation before and after and no special ‘royal/ vip guests’ greetings at the door.

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXiuMf7nwzM/UNmj75Eb0yI/AAAAAAAAaOU/A9z2ow4DOgM/s1600/christmas2012.jpg

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi6aOhnOnB0/UNmk_InBt8I/AAAAAAAAaO4/OXQ9sWwX3gc/s1600/christmas2.jpg

    I couldn’t believe they pulled this stunt to pull focus and to shaft his father, but then he is his mother’s son. This was something she did all the time.

    Sandrigham Royal Christmas – cut price, but let’s pretend they are just being generous and it’s all a coincidence.

    • NatalieS says:

      It’s so pompous and it’s creepy to use Christmas to advance their agenda like this. I’m cringing for them, watching Will and Kate stride ahead with their children and the Middletons huddled back in deference.

      But I guess the shadow court is why Kate has been wearing those frumpy dresses and skirts. They’re costumes to look more grown up and give the Cambridges gravitas (because that’s certainly not going to happen through their work ethic)

    • N says:

      I am starting to believe the rumors that charles is not Williams real father and that the spanish man diana had something with is the real father. I always suspected this due to williams coloring and how he easily tans. People were so focused on harry due to his red hair but my bet is will is the one whose father is someone else.

  26. Cali says:

    Maybe I’m the only one here but imo, Rexit will happen one day. I believe there’s a chance that George will never be king.

  27. Indira says:

    Carole probably cuddles and makes hot chocolate for William every night.

    • original kay says:

      And what if she does?erhaps not those 2 exact things, but so what if she is close to him? he doesn’t have a mother. His step mother had an affair with his father for years that hurt his mom. would you be close to that? polite, maybe, but close?
      So what if they are close to the middletons?

      I will never get the slack the middletons get from people. They are close, and that’s GOOD. Because the other side is a right mess. The Royals, as a family, seem to be a right mess.

      I’d prefer time with Carole and Michael too.

      • LAK says:

        And yet he lives in the house that was a frequent trysting place for Camilla and Charles plus he is so close to the family that supported and organised said trysts that one of their sons is godfather to his son.

        Not to mention his own romantic record………

      • original kay says:

        are you going to follow me around disproving all my posts LAK?

        I have no personal stake in this, it’s just my thoughts.

        But thanks for all the additional information 🙂

      • Jade says:

        I agree with you there, doesn’t really make sense for the boys to be close to Camilla. But I do think he can do both. He can be close to the Middletons personally but still be a professional and diligent royal. He could but would he?

      • LAK says:

        i didn’t realise it was you @original kay. Just responding to the comment. Wasn’t my intention nor was it deliberate. Sorry.😊

        ….i think he doesn’t like his father, BUT i don’t think cheating with Camilla is the problem since he is besties with all the enablers and lives in their house.

        I once thought it may have something to do with Diana UNTIL he sanctioned an article that criticised her personally vis a vis her parenting.

      • Nic919 says:

        Carole is taking advantage of his lack of a mother to manipulate him for more social status. This is what is turning people off. She isn’t doing this to help his emotional state. If she was, he would be a far more mature and responsible 34 year old when in fact he is obviously petulant and lazy. Did we hear about the EAAA workers who had to take up the holiday shifts for him? When was he last working there? Most emergency service providers have to work some part of the holiday season. Will has not.

      • Sixer says:

        I’m with LAK. One could have credited that he was still taking his mother’s side in his parents’ mess of a marriage and playing out that resentment against his father. But then he threw her under the bus as a terrible parent in a public article. So really, the standard conclusion is the one we had all along: he’s a spoiled, petulant, entitled fool who wouldn’t know anything about anything good and decent, even if it slapped him in the face with a wet fish.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Close vs. co-dependant enablers? I’m putting the Middletons in the latter category. They’ve raised three permanent adolescents who have no idea how to function in the real world. Their sycophantic attitude towards William only makes him worse.

        William appears to have no problem with infidelity, given his track record for 10+ years with Kate Middleton. Accepting Anmer Hall is more proof of that.

        He’ll throw both his father and mother under the bus to get what he wants, he’s shown that in the last year. I think overall he doesn’t have a problem with what happened between his parents, nor does he have problems with Camilla. He doesn’t care about how they were impacted, he only has problems with how it impacted him.

      • hmmm says:

        Yes, if you leave out the fact that William is royal and a grown man and leave out his personality, that seems okay for a poor motherless child suffering from a fat head growing fatter amidst the Midds.

      • Tiffany H says:

        Agreed

      • TheOtherOne says:

        What did Will say about his mother and her parenting? Or does anybody have the link to the article?

      • LAK says:

        TheOtherone:http://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/648005/Prince-William-dubbed-workshy-revelaed-works-80-hours-week-Camilla-Tominey

        In a nutshell, Diana and Charles were absentee parents who left William and Harry to be raised alone on the nursery floor to extent that they didn’t share meals with them.

      • TheOtherOne says:

        @LAK Thanks. You guys are right – I read the article. Did it really have to end with questioning what is Harry going to do now?? I thought the article was about modern dad Will!!! Geez. They need a new story line.

  28. Tourmaline says:

    For some reason because it was trumpeted that this was Pippa’s Last Single Christmas! Everyone Must Gather in Bucklebury! I was thinking James Mathews wasn’t going to be there but, of course he was.

    I am wondering why James Middleton and his longtime serious ladylove, Donna Air, never seem to spend holidays together. Is he Aspinall part deux for her and going to refuse to commit?

  29. homeslice says:

    Given that this is still horrible 2016 and all, I am terribly worried for the Queen!

  30. Hazel says:

    I wonder if Carole’s left arm is in a sling. She’s been wearing that cape for a while & always seems to have one or both arms underneath.

  31. zinjojo says:

    Of course Kate wears fur.

    • Hazel says:

      That’s actually a cheap faux fur collar from ASOS.

    • Nopity Nope says:

      It’s faux. She’s worn it before. On the What Kate Wore site, you can see more details.

    • Elizabeth says:

      Glad you brought that up, zinjojo. When I saw the trim I thought, “Oh, here we go again with celebrities and their stupid fur.” Glad to know it’s faux fur, although the faux fur kind of chaps me, too. But I wear faux leather and faux wool, which is, I guess, the equivalent of wearing faux fur, so maybe I should just shut it. But it bugs me. Also, when I see fur, I think of high-paid hookers. Just not a great look, IMHO.

  32. Jayna says:

    Love the first photo of the four of them. Kate looks great. The kids look adorable. I better duck back out since I said something nice in this thread. LOL

    • NatalieS says:

      Charlotte is adorable and has loads of spirit. I love the expressions she makes.

    • LAK says:

      I’m stunned by the PR point of this pap stroll, BUT they all looked good. I think Kate looks genuinely relaxed and happy in a way she has not for months.

      The colours suited her colouring, and she doesn’t look over/under done.

      By contrast, Middleton entourage looked shambolic. Like they decided last minute to attend church and threw on the nearest coat and off they went.

      • hmmm says:

        Probably couldn’t get time in the bathroom to primp. Heh.

      • Digital Unicorn (aKa Betti) says:

        I think Kate got what she wanted, the entire xmas period with her family. I’m convinced she doesn’t like being around his family as it’s intimidating for her. Given that Carole practically lives at Amner it’s sad that the his family didn’t see them.

        Willy is sticking it to his father as he knows he hates the Mids. This shadow court is his way of saying ‘this is going to be my modern, normal version of the Monarchy’. The Mids of course are more than happy to play along as they want nothing more to be part of the Royal inner circle.

        Chuck won’t be happy about this shadow court and the Mids better watch out, Chuck is ruthless and he will throw them under the bus regardless of how William may feel.

    • suze says:

      Actually, don’t.

      They do all look good.

      I will know their work ethics and their shadow courts until the cows come home, but I agree they clean up well and are an attractive family.

  33. Svea says:

    Sheesh. Everyone knows they judiciously dole out photo ops of the kids to buy thise kids sime privacy the rest of the time. So they sent everyone a Christmas card. What’s the big deal?

  34. whoknows says:

    I’ve noticed something on the Daily Mail comment sections. Every time they are with their kids almost all the positive comments have a lot of upvotes but when they are alone it’s different… many people think the DM does manipulate the top comments on politics articles, maybe they are also doing it on some royal articles.

    • Kitty says:

      Its common knowledge the DM or Royal palaces manipulate the comment boards and yes anytime they are with their kids its always positive.

  35. Chery says:

    I think only Mama Middleton wanted to marry into the British RF. Catherine would be happier with a man like Ben Ainslie.

    • Maria says:

      You are so right. I think Pippa will have a far happier life. And she will have freedom.

    • sage says:

      Nah, Kate wanted Billy.

    • addie says:

      Kate was a dull, beige child no-one noticed, but in her mind she was tops. So of course she went after William, enabled by her grasping mother. The three Middleton kids were brought up be courtesans – to attach themselves like leeches to those with serious money/titles. That’s it. What kind of parents do that to their kids?

      • Chrissy says:

        Selfish, scheming, manipulative, social-climbing parents, like Carole Middleton. I agree with everything you said, addie.

  36. moon says:

    Charlotte is looking a lot like Queen E.

    • minx says:

      Love her little outfit. And I just ran across a picture of my daughter at that age and I had her hair the same way…the little barrette holding her hair back that way.

  37. OhDear says:

    They certainly coordinated their outfits (see George’s coat with Carole’s cape, the color of William’s tie with Kate’s coat, George’s coat being the same as one William once wore when he was a young child, etc.)!

  38. Jess says:

    She actually looks good. The straight hair suits her. STOP RING CURLS!!!

  39. Starlight says:

    Wills has broken With tradition, but I think Kate got her way on this one she looked like the cat who had got the cream as she walked up to the church with her hair flicking and that pursed lip look when she feels vainly contented. Carole had it all under control, was that a toy she plonked on the baby seat after the cars came to an abrupt halt and they got out shielded by the doors so the cameras could not snap and then Wills put his security into action. It did look like it was carefully managed the way they all walked in but James came out tops he let his dad go in before him no sign of his girlfriend. Wills is such a striding fast walker he got in before all of them nothing like showing the order of things, they just couldn’t keep up. So different to the gentle patient stroll of the dignified royals at Sandringham.

  40. Adele Dazeem says:

    On a related note, did anyone read Tom Syke’s Daily Beast ‘assessment’ of the Cambridge Cmas? It was surprising because in an otherwise not interesting or new information article, he put all of this Royal/Sandringham snub on Kate, saying it’s what she’s been pushing for all along.

    Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s lazy, unhappy with her choices etc., but I’m not sold she has the backbone or the tenacity to push Will to do *anything* he’s not 100 percent on board with already.

    • TheOtherOne says:

      I agree. I’m not a Kate fan but Will does what Will wants to do. This is just not going to end well for the Cambridges and the Middletons. And I do feel bad because the media will make it all Kate’s fault to save the petulant prince.

      • LAK says:

        And that’s where Kate and the Middletons are less than smart. The in-law is ALWAYS blamed for the royal’s shortcomings.

        Diana cultivated allies and public opinion to counter this.

      • Digital Unicorn (aKa Betti) says:

        ^ this. They r too wrapped up in their smugness to see the dangerous position they have put themselves into. Make no mistake they r desperate for this life but stupidly believe that they r protected because of Willy being heirs heir. They will b used to get at him and to potentially bring him down and they have certainly made enemies and have many skeletons to hide.

      • Sixer says:

        I agree. At some point, the Middletons will pay the account for all Bill’s sins. Bill won’t. Someone below laughed at a Henry VIII reference. But honestly – what’s changed? The spouse’s family will get the blame.

  41. Cerys says:

    Whiny definitely has had some kind of spat with his family. If he truly wanted a private Christmas for the children he would never have dragged them off to church knowing the press would be in attendance. This was all carefully stage-managed down to Whiny walking first, followed by Kate, all wearing coordinated outfits. Kate looked better than she has in ages. The Middletons all kept at a respectful distance, pandering to Whiny’s Royal status, but still managed to be photographed.
    I think the Queen and/or Charles had a little chat with the Dolittles about their work ethic and they have taken the huff. Whiny is exploiting the situation in the media just as his mother did,
    If Carole had any sense she would be encouraging him to keep in with his family as life could get quite difficult for them all under King Chuck. Royal in-laws quite often get their comeuppance eg the Boleyns and the Woodvilles.

  42. kyliegirl says:

    Something is definitely up. I don’t get why the press is not writing any stories about why “Normal Bill” is not having to work at EAAA over the holidays just like his coworkers. The party line has been that he can’t work during the holidays because he is required to be with the Queen. Obviously this is not the case so he should have to put in his 20 hours if he truly wants to be treated “just like everyone else and not be given any special treatment.” Especially since the Queen highlighted his “work” at EAAA during her Christmas address. Although she had to mention this because unlike Phillip and Charles, and Harry, William has not taken the initiative to create a charity focus of his own. The fact he is not working during the holidays highlights that he does not really take this “job” seriously if all the other heroes are working and Bill is doing pap walks during his private time with family.

    Everyone has mentioned the Middleton pap walk with William and Kate walking ahead of her parents and given the royal treatment instead of being treated just like everyone else. Not exactly the “middle-class” Christmas the PR stated they would have. The other interesting development from this Christmas was the fact that after weeks of stories talking about the cold royal family Christmas celebrations they had all the children walking to Church with Savannah and Isla making their debut this year. The Tindalls were understandably the only ones missing. Heartbreaking time for them. I may be reaching but the royal family excels at conveying their PR through images. Never complain and never explain, but see, we are a loving family with happy children enjoying the Christmas season. George and Charlotte are missing out on playing with their cousins. It may be coincidence, but it seemed like this was a direct shot at William and Kate. It will be interesting to see how things play out. William and Kate need to get a better PR campaign because their message is all over the place and the only weapon they have is the children. The normal “Bill’ line is wearing thin. Time to step up or step on.

    • addie says:

      We don’t know how many hours William works for EAAA. I’d bet it’s not 20 hours per week though – that was just something the press has grabbed onto and run with.

    • JaneS87 says:

      +1 Excellent observation re: shirking work.

  43. Starlight says:

    The PR machine has been quick to cover their tracks with the news of leaving of Amner for London to put George into primary school undoubtedly not till September – but sorry Wills has broken tradition and endorsed his in laws as equals, it won’t be long before Carole will be cutting ribbons opening the charity fete –

  44. Meow says:

    Check the Duchess of Haggardbridge’s bitch face. How is the Botox already wearing off her forehead??

  45. wow says:

    I’m so glad that William doesn’t try to isolate Kate from her family. I like that he is also close to them. Not having a strong support system that she could trust seemed to be a major issue his own mother experienced so I am glad that they have a close nit family.

    As for all of the hoopla over the Cambridges spending Christmas with Kate’s side of the damily, it’s probably just hysteria the media has created beceuse afterall they need those type of headlines in order to get people to click and read. I doubt The Queen s in bed p*ssed off because The Csmbridges chose to do a Sandrigham Christmas Church walk …a walk/appearance she didn’t even attend due to her being so sick. I’m sure she more concerned and focused on her own health and that of her husband than worrying about how or where her adult grandson decided yo dpend his holiday.

    • Lobbit says:

      I think it’s nice that they spent the weekend with Kate’s family, too. They almost always spend Christmas at Sandringham, so I don’t think skipping for one year and having the holiday on their terms is a big deal.

      • notasugarhere says:

        No, they don’t always spend Christmas at Sandringham. And when they do bother to show up, they only do 1/10th of the family events and they drag the Middletons with them to church. They have never participated fully in the Sandringham Christmas.

      • Lobbit says:

        They’ve been married 5 years and have spent 3 out of the 5 with HM – so, yes: they spend their holidays at Sandringham more often than not. The fact that HM has previously invited ma and pa Middlelton to take part in the festivities does not mean they’ve “never participated fully in the Sandringham Christmas” – it just means they’ve included members of Kate’s family that some would prefer to be left out.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Missing the point. When they show up, it is with the Middleton clan in tow. They do not fully participate in all of the BRF Christmas activities. They show up for one or two, then run off and hang with the Middletons. HM doesn’t invite the Middletons to participate in the family-only events. They were allowed to attend church, as anyone can. They weren’t invited to the Christmas lunches, the dinner, the day of events. So W&K only participated in a handful of things and ran away to sulk.

        The “some” that want the Middletons out appears to include Her Majesty. None of the other in-laws have tried to force themselves into the royal proceedings like this family has. Maybe if they hadn’t been so obvious, they would be welcomed as Sophie’s father has been.

  46. Seraphina says:

    I think he loves having his arse kissed and that’s why he likes spending time with Ma Middleton, not nessarilly for her company.

  47. Starlight says:

    Sandrngham is walking distance to Amner Hall and according to the daily beast Wills and Kate spent hardly any time at Sandringham because the In Laws were at Amner last Christmas – this makes me wonder why would William break the tradition just to be in a different Manor House when Christmas to the British is the royal family all at Sandringham it’s like Father Christmas coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve – tradition

  48. spidey says:

    Reading articles about the D&D of C on celebitchy is better than reading a novel. 😆

  49. what's inside says:

    I think they want their own lives and are determined to get it, just forget about the traditions of TRF. Anyway, it will be years until there is a King William and Queen Catherine if ever.

    • notasugarhere says:

      They are welcome to have their own lives, as long as they give back all the palaces, allowances, and security they get by virtue of being the third-ranked couple in the BRF.

  50. weegiewarrior says:

    I didnt get it until I saw th pics of th pap walk to church – this shadow court is where william can be top dog, th main man, not having to walk behind TQ, th doe and charles – th ‘normal’ life he appears to want may be coming sooner than he thinks – th BP’s patience is wearing as thin as his hair.

  51. CrystalBall says:

    Normal Kate ‘worked’ just 63 days this year and spent £2764 on average per ‘working’ day.

  52. Meow says:

    The Fail is going after Kate ON ITS FRONT PAGE this morning due to her lack of engagements.. beginning of the end for her royal laziness.

  53. Jaana says:

    Carole has totally taken advantage of William’s mommy issues.