Duchess Kate came to Sandringham after Christmas, just in time for the hunt

I was kind of surprised by the backlash against Duchess Kate and Prince William for spending Christmas with her family instead of with the royal family. The tradition is to always – ALWAYS – spend Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham if you’ve got a title. Married royals cannot invite their commoner in-laws to the Queen’s Christmas celebrations, and everything is coordinated minute-by-minute. So… considering Kate is still so sick (?), it didn’t surprise me that she wanted to spend Christmas with her family. But there was still a backlash, because more and more it feels like William and Kate will do anything to avoid work, or making expected public appearances, or traditional royal events. So, what’s happening now? Well, they saw the backlash and they got their royal arses to Sandringham.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have finally joined the rest of the Royal Family for a belated Christmas celebration, after choosing to spend the festive season with the Middleton family instead. William and Kate arrived at Sandringham House, the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk, early on Boxing Day just in time for Prince Philip’s annual pheasant shoot.

It was the first time the Duchess had been seen in public since she attended her office party before Christmas. She was seen going to church with the Middleton family on Christmas Day but the Palace bizarrely requested that no pictures take of her were published.

The couple were driven the 155 miles from Kate’s new family home in Berkshire to East Anglia, a journey which takes around three and a half hours, by their Scotland Yard police protection officers. William, 30, then joined his grandfather and other relatives for a morning’s hunting while Kate, who is in the early stages of pregnancy, opted to remain at the house with the Queen as it was pouring with rain. The monarch has herself only just got over a heavy cold. But they did join their menfolk for a slap-up lunch at Wood Farm, a small lodge on the 20,000 acre estate, for a hearty lunch, chauffeur driven in a fleet of Land Rovers.

The meal was laid out in a conservatory area to the rear of the house and included cold meats, soup and flasks of steaming hot toddy, although clearly the Duchess stuck to soft drinks.

It is believed that Kate may have re-joined the shooting party after lunch, however, watching from the warmth of one of the cars.

Other members of the Royal Family present included the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of York and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Prince Charles. Charles’s wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, who has two children and five young grand-children of her own, is believed to have left to spend time with them at her own home in Wiltshire.

Sources have told the Mail that William and Kate stayed at the royal residence overnight after the shoot and are likely to remain on the estate for at least another day before they are expected to fly to Scotland for the New Year. They tend to celebrate Hogmanay at Birkhall, Prince Charles’s private estate in the Highlands.

The couple’s surprise decision to skip the royals’ annual get-together in Norfolk in favour of a family Christmas at the Middleton’s new £4.85 million mansion in Berkshire was a distinct break with tradition. Royal aides said the couple had the full backing of both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and suggested that the decision had been taken in order to give Kate, who was hospitalised for three nights earlier this month with severe pregnancy-related vomiting and dehydration, the opportunity for a quiet family break.

They also asked members of the media to respect their privacy and not use any photographs taken of them, even when they attended a public service on Christmas Day at the Middleton’s village church. But the Mail now understands that the couple had always planned to spend the festive season with Michael and Carole Middleton at their new home, a Georgian manor set in extensive grounds. This suggests that the Cambridges may join other modern couples in spending alternate Christmases with their families in future – one of a series of changes the young Windsors are likely to ring in.

Next month St James’s Palace is to announce whether William plans to stay in the RAF, for whom he works as a Search and Rescue Pilot, after his tour of duty ends in September or leave to become a full-time working royal.

They are also due to reveal when the Cambridge’s new son or daughter, who will become third in line to the throne, is due. Assuming the child was conceived after their return from the South Pacific at the end of September, the child is likely to be born in early summer, a busy time for the couple who will be overseeing the final renovations to Apartment 1A, their new royal residence in Kensington Palace.

[From The Mail]

If this plan was put forth a week ago with the explanation – “Kate is still feeling kind of queasy, she wants to spend time with her parents and Will wants to look after her, and then they’ll see the Queen for Boxing Day and maybe Scotland later if Kate is feeling up to it” – I don’t think many of us would have had a huge problem with that. But because Will and Kate’s press office botched this (as they’ve been botching so much lately), it seems like Kate is just “playing sick” to get out of certain events and Will is joining her because he feels he can get away with it, and then they quickly change their lazy plans when there’s a backlash and suddenly Kate isn’t too sick to go to Scotland after all. Just my take.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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225 Responses to “Duchess Kate came to Sandringham after Christmas, just in time for the hunt”

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  1. Eleonor says:

    Sick or not I find ridiculous if you’re married to a royal you can’t spend Christmas with your non-royal family, and that your non-royal family is not supposed to get invited.

    • Angelic 20 says:

      I not very supportive of this rule but this is the ONLY time Queen asks her whole family to be with her in the whole year, they are free to spend all the other holidays & vacations with whomever they want to. So all the other family members oblige out of respect to spend the Christmas with Queen and her husband, this also the reason no in laws are invited because it is Queen’s private time with her family and she don’t want in laws or outsiders to be around. William had spent every single vacation and holiday this year with the Middleton family, Christmas is the only time he was required to be with rf and specifically with Queen, hence the backlash.

      • emmie_a says:

        Agreed… And I could be wrong but I thought I read that Kate’s parents were invited??

      • erika says:

        wow, thanks for that, i was going to post how uncool it was..

        hard for us US folks to understand so many of the royal traditions, i don’t think we’re so much a ‘traditions’ type of culture. if we are, they’re not ages old as UK.

        i’d probably be a horrible monarch….i’m too much a softy…’sure sweety, spend times w your family, you’ve been sick lately….mom makes u feel better….hey why not invite them up here, no big deal, we have plenty room/food…..”

        kind of pathetic i am….i think i’m a pushover sometimes as i just want to make people happy/smooth the edges and i trust first rather than distrust..

        whatever! good god kate just pump that baby out so we can get over all this minute by minute by pregnancy minute hoopla!!!!

      • gg says:

        ^ I like you even more hearing that, erika. 🙂

    • gg says:

      If I were even the least bit nauseous, I’d opt to stay at home with mom.

      I don’t see why anyone would give a damn what somebody else does for their own holiday. People have preferences. It’s not like any of us were invited and missed seeing her or anything.

    • Chatcat says:

      Oh for Christ’s sake…anybody that is married knows that a marriage is about compromise and keeping the outlaws happy. Every single married couple I know has to alternate or adjust to holidays. Thanksgiving with the wife’s family and Christmas with the husbands…or Christmas eve with one family and Christmas day with another and so on. Poor Queen Elizabeth is just like a billion other Grandmothers out there that have to accept they can’t control every aspect of their families lives. Welcome to the “real” world your majesty.

      • cumber says:

        +1

        they can do their role as member of RF if their marriage is happy. otherwise it’s not gonna work. .

      • Eleonor says:

        Agreed.

      • Angelic 20 says:

        Again if you are comparing Queen to a normal grandmother then you don’t understand monarchy and rf . Also Queen never spends any holidaywith her family, Christmas is her time with her family and they have to make a public appearance also, all other holidays can and is spent with Middleton. Queen is not a normal grandmother and he is not a normal grandson,I think it’s the cultural difference between America and England and different expectations from rf which causes so many different opinions.

      • emmie_a says:

        Angelic 20: I agree with all of your comments! This isn’t a ‘normal’ situation and W/K aren’t a ‘normal’ married couple. They are royalty and there are duties (& many privileges) that come with their titles. It’s too bad they don’t like it — but do you like everything about your job or your family? No. But if you want to keep your job, you do what your boss tells you to do. If you want to stay with your family, you make sacrifices.

      • Mel says:

        “Every single married couple I know has to alternate or adjust to holidays.”

        But why? Why not alternate homes only, but invite both “sides” to the celebration?

        Certainly in this case I see no reason why they couldn’t do that. It’s not like they’re short of rooms or anything.

        However, if it is a protocol thing, it would effectively mean that her parents are somehow “not good enough” for the Windsors.

        If that’s the case, then it is really REALLY unacceptable and needs changing. Protocol does change with the times.

        If that is the reason why Kate and William decided to spend Christmas with the Middletons, I say good for them.

        But of course, that is one big IF.

        BTW, I’ve seen comments on the DM site questioning her pregnancy. It’s no use asking there, so I’ll ask here: why would anyone think she is “not pregnant anymore”, as some commentators on the DM said? Any ideas?

      • Chatcat says:

        Mel…I couldn’t agree more…in an ideal world the couple would invite both sides over and entertain both at once…but there are other family members other traditions to keep so married couples try to find the balance to keep each set of outlaws “happy”.

        And I find it amazing how the same trashers of the monarchy and how they should be disolved, no need for them, etc. argument is now “they are the rf they are different”. *Eye Roll* Yeah well I am sure there are many a grandmother out there that believes she is the Queen of her castle and her subjects should attend to her whims…that is what grandmothers do best! 🙂

      • Angelic 20 says:

        MEL,
        As I said above in laws are not invited because it’s Queen’s private time with her family only once a year, it’s not about someone being commoner or not good enough, Diann’s family was also not invite d and they had more royal blood then Windsors. I am sure Charles will be more relaxed about this When he will be king but for now Queen spends 1 day once a year with her family only and that’s Christmas. Did anyone here notice that William has spent ct every other holiday with Middleton and vacations with them and they see each other more then he sees rf or Charles or Harry. People are acting as if these two spend whole year working their ass off and never gets to see their or her family which is not true at all. They see and spend time, holidays, vacations with them all year long and only once they have to be with Queen so IMO it’s not to much to ask from these 2.

        We were told Kate was very sick, tabloids were reporting about her morning sickness or severe morning sickness or hglike she was dying or was unable to function at all and something along this line but then we see Kate was well enough to meet celebrities at awards functions, attend parties, diners, church service and is well enough to go fly to Scotland etc, so my point is on one hand they are trying to portray her as severely t sick who is unable do anything but then their actions show s that her illness is exaggeratedand not really true plus her track of work or lack of it makes people question everything their PR is saying and question everything about them. Inn soushort they have been caught lying publicly too many times and are not know for their work ethics or sense of duty so people question everything they say or do.

      • gg says:

        Sounds like it’s high time they humanized royal traditions to me.

      • Flower says:

        @Mel….. “It’s not like they’re short of rooms or anything.”

        Actually there is a shortage of bedrooms at Christmas with the extended family staying, it is often noted that some of the household staff have to give up their rooms in the main house to family members over the Christmas period. The staff has to share or move into accommodation in town.

        As long as the Queen lives , family Christmas at Sandringham is a royal tradition and that’s that, two or three days a year respecting his grandmothers wishes is hardly a great cross to carry,the Middletons know the drill and have known it for a decade , it seems very odd to me that they would even think of crossing the Queen over such an important occasion for her. It has certainly done nothing to improve their standing with the British public.

        Kate is obviously not so ill that she couldn’t make the Sandringham trip especially as she intends to go to Scotland for New Year. I’m not entirely sure but I believe the Middletons have been invited to Scotland for NY by Charles in the past. Perhaps they will turn up there later.

      • Whatever says:

        Maybe welcome Katie to the real world? Like, advise her that real women have something called JOBS and they can’t afford to give up their dignity and self-respect to be a waiting booty call for 10 years? That you can’t pick and choose what you want to do sometimes, especially when you are nothing but a lazy parasite?

  2. Devon says:

    Either just before, or just after they got married, it was made clear that William and Catherine were going to be going about things in their own way instead of following what has been done in the past. William has said many times that he wants his life, and now Catherine’s and their children’s lives, to be different. I honestly don’t get why people have such a problem with these two.

    • pink giraffe says:

      They made it perfectly clear that they would act like spoiled brats who make their own decisions. Until these two are willing to forsake all the money and publicity and fun trappings of the public life that is paid for them, they don’t get to make up their own rules as they go along. It doesn’t make them, particularly William, looks strong, it makes them look bratty and spoiled and whining.

    • Angelic 20 says:

      Because William’s way is the stupid, entitled, indulgent way. He is a part of an old fashioned monarchy that needs public support and money, he has to maintain traditions of this institutions. he can’t do what he wants to do because he is a public figure dependent on public support and money. If leading a different life means lying about working at RAF and get caught vacationing or skipping memorial service of your family to go skiing or not doing public engagements becausE he is working as an RAF pilot but then people found out that he has not even completed minimum flying hours and is of risk if losing his license. That’s why people don’t like or respect them, if being different is being lazy, entitled, liar, then yes he can be different but can’t keep his title & position too. He can do whatever he wants to do after he give up his title not before,I don’t know why so many of their fans can’t underhand this simple fact. They can’t do as they wish because they are not private citizens, they are public figures and hence answerable to public.

    • Addison says:

      If no one can tell us who to spend Christmas with we shouldn’t have a say as to their Christmas plans. Besides, it’s not like William and Kate have not seen the Queen all year. They have seen her many, many, many times.

      WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL! Just look on this site and you will see the many times they have seen the Queen, I don’t really think it’s our business.

      They told the Queen we want this marriage to to work and so there will be some changes. I really think the only thing the Queen cares about is that there are no more divorces during her lifetime.

      • hoopjumper says:

        Totally agree. It’s interesting to me how people seem to be conflating them backing out/going easy on their public duties as royals with their desire to have some say in how they spend their holidays. Being lazy at your job is one thing, but wanting to spend Christmas with your parents is another.

        And no, spending Christmas with the Queen is not their job. Showing up at her Jubilee was, spending time in her box at the Olympics was, but not spending time with her at Christmas. Their job is to represent the monarchy and GB to the world, not to one another.

  3. Valerie says:

    In all her newer pictures I keep looking for a baby bump!

    • Amelia says:

      Eh, she’s still near that 12 week mark so I doubt we’ll be seeing much for a while.
      Seriously, Kaiser, why aren’t you in charge of Palace PR? I’d be willing to bet a lot of things would run much more smoothly with you in charge.

    • Deehunny says:

      She looks sonmuch prettier w/her face fuller w/that little bit of extra weight from the pregnancy

  4. Lem says:

    Who hasn’t faked sick to get out of holidays with the in-laws ? Dh and I have done so with each other’s blessings. Sometimes DH tells his family that I am sick and we won’t be coming without telling me that I am sick. Can’t say I’ve ever been bothered by that marital policy .

    • happycats says:

      +1 Lem – my hubby and I have the same arrangement!! We never force the other to do something he/she doesn’t want to do and it has served us very well for 23 years and counting! (Just celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve!)

  5. Talie says:

    I don’t think William gives a crap about any backlash to doing what he wants to do at the holidays. He seems to prefer the Middleton family.

    • danielle says:

      I was thinking the same thing – that it’s interesting that William seems to prefer the Middletons to his family.

      • mimi says:

        Maybe they are nice, warm people, rather than cold, snotty and annoying people who are not so busy with hierarchies and actually enjoy spending time together in a down to earth- laid back attitude,

        If his grandmother is so stuck up and full of herself that she wouldn’t even bother inviting Kate siblings for the holidays when she has a palace (lots of roon for everybody) and doesn’t even has to bother cooking, then no wonder he would prefer spending time with the nicer group.

      • Jess says:

        @mimi:

        Actually, it was established by staff in a television documentary (I’m trying to recall which one!) that Sandringham is not an overly large palace, compared with say Windsor or Buckingham, and they ARE short on rooms around Christmas (many staff give up their rooms and relocate to the town, as a commenter above said).

    • Alexandra Bananarama says:

      Does William love the Middleton family because they give him a stable nurturing environment where he can be at ease or because they treat William like gold?
      I always wondered if with his entitled attitude he prefers the mids because they cater to him, Never tell him no, and inflate his ego where with his own family he’s down the line.

      I just can’t imagine that if my husband had publicly humiliated me, made fun of my mother’s former occupation, and cheated on me numerous times that my family would want him around and vice versa unless he got away with all of that because the middletons let him get away with it and that is the norm. They will never punish him or show him consequences.

      • OhDear says:

        +1. IMO, sounds like if William was unhappy about having to do something, the royal family would tell him to suck it up and that as a royal, he has certain duties and obligations that come with the position. The Middletons, on the other hand, probably coddle him because he’s their key to obtaining certain statuses.

      • Dena says:

        Agree! They probably are a close knit and clannish family, but I do agree that they probably keep the “poor motherless baby / wounded bird” routine going and probably lay it on thick.”

      • Dena says:

        This situation reminds me of the time when my brother broke-up with a girlfriend who my family really liked, just absolutely loved her. We continued to invite her to everything. It’s like our sole mission was “how do we keep Debbie.” My brother got x’d out of a lot of invitations simply so that we could see her.

        Back to the grifters. Most of us have said it before, but I do think part of the attraction to KM is the attraction of her family. Many of us who came from broken and/or dysfuntional homes find that type of cohesiveness attractive. What we don’t see sometimes is the downside of that type of cheek-to/by-jowl relationship.

        William needs to grow up (mature a bit) and realize that his parents’ decisions and relationship were just that–theirs. He cannot and should not live his life in opposition to that or as some sort of example of “what life should be.” He has a right to make private decisions but he is also behodden to the public–given his role. Do it. Make peace with it. Or step aside.

        Just my two cents.

      • GoodCapon says:

        I bet he’s the star on top of the Christmas tree at the Middleton family home. They treat him like a king, whereas at Sandringham he’s just another royal.

  6. Lulu says:

    I want a private estate in the Highlands. *sob*

    • Erinn says:

      Heck, I’d take a private estate in most places! I’m really willing to work with them here- I’ll take any estate they don’t need 😉

    • gg says:

      Yes, my thoughts exactly. I’d be fine just staying in London for the holidays, let alone a gorgeous estate in Scotland.

  7. Charmingfrock says:

    I have always wondered if the relationship between Charles and Diana went South because after being shunted aside by his mother all his life, for the Kingdom, the man wanted a wife who would put him first instead of the Kingdom. Poor Diana, she thought she was SUPPOSED to go to one event after the other but luckily wised up in time to parent her children. Maybe William just wants a wife, who is more interested in fiddling around her home than going to a bunch of dumb events. Honestly, I say, good for her.

    • Angelic 20 says:

      Her home is a palace paid by tax payers, he can have a wife who will stay at home if he pays for his home and give up his title before that no.

    • Mich says:

      Charles and Diana went south because she wasn’t the woman he wanted to marry. He clearly didn’t like her very much, let alone love her.

  8. Mary says:

    This article clearly states that they had planned to spend Christmas with the middletons ALL ALONG! Besides they had to show up now so they can justify their ski vacay next month. They are incredibly manipulative. We all should have seen this coming when Carole brought her pr person as a guest with her on the boat for the Queens jubilee.

  9. Kat says:

    Give me a break. There’s no “work” involved in going to Sandringham for Christmas. Reaching a bit to find something to complain about, aren’t we? And please with the “Kate doesn’t work” nonsense. All those other royal women of the UK and Europe are just working their little hands to the bone, aren’t they? Just toiling away digging ditches, the poor little dears.

    • Gine says:

      Seriously. None of what any of the royals do is “work.” Yet people seem to love the Queen, even though she’s a lifelong freeloader just like the rest of them.

    • flan says:

      In fact most royal women of other houses do a lot, make appearances to events they probably don’t like and support causes. This while being a lot more hands on with raising kids than the British royals tend to be.

      It might not be heavy physical work, but I doubt that whatever it is that you’re doing involves any toiling away digging ditches. So by your reasoning that also means you and most commenters here don’t do any real work.

  10. Meerkat says:

    Terrific! Let’s celebrate the season by slaughtering as many birds and animals as we can!
    These “royals” are disgusting.

    • Jules says:

      I could not agree with you more. I also believe that Kate is lying about the severity of her illness. I just saw something on the news this weekend, when the morning sickness is as severe as she claims she has, 15% of women opt for an abortion, instead of puking all the time. The royal family disgusts me.

    • bluhare says:

      People don’t seem to have a problem slaughtering millions of birds for Thanksgiving.

  11. Po says:

    Look, if you really want to be different from previous royals, give back the cash. This is the problem. These two want the perks of the royal life without the crap that goes along with it. I wouldn’t want to be required to make public appearances or spend time with stuffy royals either however I don’t get to vacation 6 times a year off of money that I didn’t earn. If these two didn’t spend the royal inheritance and instead worked for every penny they made none of this would be an issue but that’s not what they’re doing. They seem extremely spoiled. IMO

  12. Lem says:

    John John would have been glorious in line to the thrown

    • gg says:

      John Kennedy, American, who is long deceased? What did we have in our tea this morning? 😉

      • Lem says:

        Would have. He would have. ! !

        John John would have been brilliant. Self earner, hard worker, understood protocol, understood the public ‘owning a piece’, lived private and lived public. Good with press, good with the monied, good with the commoners. Understood he had a public duty, understood how to accomplish that on his terms whilst becoming more endearing. Understood the could date Daryl CrayCray Hannah but needed to marry uptight established old money. Easy on the eyes. Blah, blah, blah. He got it. We didn’t even have a throne to give him, yet he understood.
        John John would have made a brilliant heir to the throne!
        For a while there, around the 10 anniversary of Di’s death I though Wills & PHG were going to do well. Very well. Then… What? To much time with Chuck?

      • LAK says:

        i am with @Lem on this. JFK Jr really understood the private/public dictum he had to live with.

        And in those days, there were no rules to protect against invasion of privacy, so he was hounded as much as Diana was hounded in her later years.

        Diana wanted to meet him to talk to him about how he had managed it so she could teach William and Harry. It’s too bad that they never met.

  13. Gine says:

    Oh noes! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

    I love how there’s all this speculation that they’ve INSULTED THE QUEEN OMG when she seems totally fine with it. I also, like I said in a comment above, don’t understand why everyone seems to fall all over themselves getting offended on the Queen’s behalf, but then blasting the other royals for being lazy freeloaders, seeing as she’s Lazy Freeloader #1.

    • Alexandra Bananarama says:

      When does the queen ever show emotion? When does she ever make a statement? Does this mean she has no opinions? That things don’t upset her?

      I thought it was pretty big for Carole M to be invited as maybe trying to give incentive to Kate to stay for christmas.

      • Gine says:

        I’m sure she has plenty of emotions and opinions, I just don’t understand why everyone pretends to know exactly what they are with no evidence. I also find it interesting how public opinion has shifted in her favor recently–people seem to have forgotten cold she used to be to her children and their spouses.

        Frankly, I think that, if she hasn’t orchestrated this whole thing, she’s definitely in on it. After Diana, the family got a lot of backlash for being stodgy, and having Will and Kate be more casual and act more like “normal” people seems like a calculated PR move on everyone’s part.

      • M says:

        Amen.
        But just to clarify, the Queen never invited the Middletons, there is a strict royals only rule when it comes to Sandringham, and it has nothing to do with her being rude but rather because every room on the estate is filled by members of the royal family and staff. The Midds being invited was probably planted by Carole herself in an attempt to get an invitation.

    • Belle says:

      I don’t think everyone assumes the Queen is offended… I certainly don’t. My gripe about Will and Kate isn’t about them ‘offending’ the Queen… it is more about being disrespectful and rude. It isn’t like they are being asked to keep up some strict schedule or be with the Queen for every holiday.

      I posted this yesterday (or the day before… or a few days ago…lol) but here goes again… I agree that being with Kate’s parents is probably more relaxing and enjoyable for Will and Kate, but it seems they want the Royal lifestyle only when it suits them. They want to be Royal sometimes, and be ‘wealthy’ commoners other times. It doesn’t work that way.

      I’m sure the RF would have been very accommodating to Kate, and she would not have been expected to participate at all if she didn’t feel up to it. People make it sound like if Kate had spent Christmas with the RF, she would have had a grueling day, with sooooooo many outfit changes and activities. I really believe it would have been perfectly acceptable for Kate to take part in only what she felt up to.

      • Gine says:

        but it seems they want the Royal lifestyle only when it suits them. They want to be Royal sometimes, and be ‘wealthy’ commoners other times.

        Fair enough, but honestly, how is that different from the way every other royal acts, the Queen included? We hear more about Will and Kate, but it’s not like the others don’t also take constant vacations and mooch off taxpayers’ money, while occasionally taking the time to walk down a red carpet and wave.

        Plus, like I said, I don’t believe for a second that the Queen isn’t in on all this. “Allowing” Kate to be with her family makes her look gracious and generous.

        I probably just don’t get it because I’m American, but the UK’s attitude toward the royals confuses me. They complain about the royals being part of an antiquated, pointless tradition, but then they’re furious when those same royals don’t adhere to those antiquated, pointless traditions.

      • Belle says:

        Gine, I’m American as well, so I’m no expert on the RF or how the people feel about them. I don’t think the general complaint though, is that they aren’t complying with ‘antiquated, pointless traditions’, it is more that they don’t seem very inclined to fulfilling their public duties. They seem to want to be celebrities, which they are not. From what I can see, many others in the RF do NOT behave as Will and Kate do…. especially the Queen, who seems to have always kept up with her ‘public duties’.

        Oh, and while I agree that the monarchy may have antiquated and pointless traditions… and quite possibly IS antiquated and pointless, I don’t think it is fair to judge the RF tradition of spending Christmas together as such.

      • Gine says:

        Her public duties of standing around in pastel suits every once in awhile, and then spending the rest of the year at her palace in Scotland?

        I’ll stop commenting here, because I’ve pretty much exhausted my opinions on this topic, but I’ll repeat what I said above: None of the royals “work.” It just kind of cracks me up that so many people are taking offense that W & K are lax on their “duty” to show up to places and have their picture taken, as if that kind of thing has actual importance when the other royal moochers do it.

      • Belle says:

        Gine, I’m not trying to argue with you 🙂
        I don’t think I suggested that anyone in the RF actually ‘works’. Most do what is expected of them though, including the Queen. Whether their ‘public duties’ are worthy of maintaining their existence as royals is not what this is about… and not for Americans to decide anyway. The Christmas with the Queen issue, for me, is just another example of Will and Kate doing what they want, rather than what is expected. If they want a life without these awful, antiquated, pointless traditions and duties, then William should abdicate and be done with it.

  14. MST says:

    Hunting harmless animals for fun is not too cool. That’s one thing I liked about Diana, she HATED blood sports and never took part in them.

  15. Bonnie says:

    Wow, Kate seems to be in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” position with just about everyone here…

    • cumber says:

      mte. 🙂
      people just love to hate kate.
      basically they’re all jealous. because there’s a commoner who’s not a dropdead beauty who can make their beloved prince fall in love and eventually decided to marry her.
      it has nothing to do with tax payer. how much share of public money went to the RF? and how much RF has given back? i believe those tax mostly goes to the public.

      • Mel says:

        I actually think she IS a beauty.
        And no, I am not jealous. 🙂
        I am not her “fan” either.

      • Angelic 20 says:

        CUMBER,
        he might be your beloved prince because he is certainly not mine. it looks like you also don’t know how much exactly goes to rf or how much we get from them, so I suggest either you provide figures to me that shows I benefit from them or stop making stupid arguments about things that you have no idea whatsoever . As far as jealous or hating comment is concerned I choose not to say anything because IMO it’s just a senseless defence from her fans when they don’t have any sensible counter argument.

      • Belle says:

        Why is it that anyone who isn’t a fan of Kate’s (or Will’s for that matter) is jealous? Oh yeah… that is the only defense one can make for them. You don’t like them? You are jealous! You think they are lazy? You are jealous! You think they act spoiled and entitled? You are jealous!

        Um… no.

        Next.

      • Hmmm says:

        @Angelic 20

        You go girl!

      • Ms Kay says:

        To all those who seem happy to defend this idle pair, and claim those against their idle lifestyle are sad and jealous. We in the UK pay towards this lazy couple daily jaunts so we have a right to comment on how our money is spent. If they lived a private life, totally funded with their own money none of us would give a sh*$¥€ what Duchess Do-Little and part-time Wills did in their spare time. It’s that simple really.

    • flan says:

      No.

      She would not be in such a position if she actually did something resembling work.

  16. qtpi says:

    She made an impressive recovery just in time to meet Beckham….. 🙂

    Seems like the major issue is that they live their lifestyle on taxpayer money and the public expects certain things from them – correct? I’ve heard before when people have been critical of vacations and the like that William says he has money from Diana.

    It certainly is quite the lifestyle.

    • Alexandra Bananarama says:

      Diana left 10million pounds (no english currency symbol), correct? It was in a high yielding interest account which i’m sure since nothing was taken out it got huge! Still, even if William got 30million he’s not likely spending it. Everything (vacations, clothes, day to day living) seems taken care of by charles, tax payers, or the mids.

      So, sure William has money, but I really doubt he’s spending it.

    • LAK says:

      William doesn’t spend his money.

      Somebody else, including his wife’s family, pays for his expenses, holidays, lifestyle etc.

      At the moment, the Middletons are getting a return on that investment. The Royal family as well as the public is not.

      • Hmmm says:

        Wow! Imagine someone who feels so entitled that they take no pride in paying their own way. In the ‘normal’ universe he would be considered a lazy mooch and not much of a man. Talk about the great divide!

  17. LAK says:

    I think the queen has played this very well.

    And William and Kate have just been making gaffe after gaffe because they under estimate just how much people hold the Queen in high regard.

    All their efforts to appear modern or whatever they are trying to do have only backfired.

    When a baby and an alleged dose of HG can’t swing the opinion polls your way, you have serious issues.

    And the papers, not just DM, have taken to revealing more damaging information.

    Here is the thing though, that titbit about Kate being able to fly to Scotland, will she find that she can join the Middletons in Mustique afterall?

    • The Original Mia says:

      I totally think they’ve been played by the Queen & her courtiers. They’ve given W/K just enough rope to hang themselves and they have. Public opinion has soured on these two, and rightly so. As I said yesterday…don’t want to be a royal, fine, abdicate. live off Diana’s divorce settlement and work for the RAF.

      • flan says:

        And let Harry be king after Charles.

        He would be a lot better at it and probably have more enthusiasm for it too (even if he dances around naked sometimes).

      • bluhare says:

        Flan: I’m with you on Harry. And his coronation might be a bit less boring too!!

        Henry IX!!

    • Angelic 20 says:

      LAK
      Well said, Americans generally see Queen as the evil bitch thanks to Diana but England is totally different. IMO what really happened is that William demanded Middleton family to be invited to spec Christmas with Queen but she refused and he threthrethrew a fit, dividedecides to spend Christmas with Middleton and goes back to rf after the backlash. He might not think highly of Queen but the public that support his lifestyle does.

      I am sure Kate will be fine to fly to Scotland and to other vacations or to meet celebrities but will be suffering through rarest of morning sickness when she will new required to attend a charity or a not so glamorous event.

      • Alexandra Bananarama says:

        Angelic As an American our opinions tend to be what the media and our regional opinion wants it to be. That said, The Queen is generally well liked here. She’s all business and though Diana is remembered well the aftermath with the Queen isn’t. You rarely hear about the Queens actions after Diana died.

    • andy says:

      “I think the queen has played this very well.

      And William and Kate have just been making gaffe after gaffe because they under estimate just how much people hold the Queen in high regard.”

      The Queen wants to make the future King look bad, eh. What good will that do the monarchy? The idea that Her Majesty wants to turn the public against Wills is ridiculous. Does the Queen want to destroy his chance of being King because he didn’t show up for Christmas dinner? Silly.

      • Gine says:

        Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense. And the “backlash” people are talking about only seems to be on sites like this. I read a LOT of news/entertainment websites (it’s part of my job) and the articles and comments about Will and Kate are generally glowing. There are plenty of people who don’t like them, obviously, but to say that public opinion of them has soured is a bit of a stretch.

        I’ll admit the idea of the Queen launching some bitter conspiracy to ruin members of her own family is hilarious, though. Maybe she wants to take the monarchy back to its medieval roots!

      • bluhare says:

        I didn’t read it that way at all. I read it that the Queen is ever so quietly showing William how it’s done. She never even mentioned the baby in her speech — the third in line. She may be been a bit upset about the way she was told.

        And did anyone else notice that Camilla went for Christmas, and then left so she could go home and be with her children and grandchildren?

      • Alexandra Bananarama says:

        Andy Maybe the Queen or others are hoping William will learn some humility and have more of a respect for his position.

        Gine Depends on where you’re reading the opinions. Some sites only promote 1 side of the story and a moderator deletes the other. Just because the tabloids and fluff on news shows promoted how much W&K are loved doesn’t mean that’s the truth. Just an opinion to sell issues and gain viewers.

      • LAK says:

        @Andy and @Gine – both of you misunderstand my statement.

        The Queen doesn’t want her heir to do badly or even work against him. However, that very same heir is doing things that are disrespectful to her. He doesn’t like to be told what to do by anyone and has frequently gone out of his way to show that he knows better. He is also on record many times saying he doesn’t want his royal position and avoids it as much as he can. that perhaps explains his attitude.

        If the Queen were to come out swinging, it would backlash. Instead she’s just allowed William to go his own way without being seen to interfere. simulteneously, she’s allowed the Palace to be very open and transparent in how much help they are giving or willing to give both William and Kate. She’s being seen to include Kate and The Middletons at every turn unlike her other commoner inlaws.

        And by being seen to be open and welcoming, it makes William and Kate look petulant, whiny and ungrateful when they don’t respect her traditions.

        @Gine – if you read so widely, how is it that you haven’t seen the trend from Wedding to now? Their opinion polls where sky high across the board, online and print.

        At the wedding they were being lauded as the saviours of the Monarchy. people were very open to idea that throne should skip Charles and go straight to William.

        Compare coverage in last two years. last year, coverage was good and syncophantic mostly. This year, plenty of negative information negative information about them is being put into the public domain. Which is quite unthinkable given the general media stand on how the heir and by extension their spouse are treated. The DM would never have dared to write a comment that directly criticised the heir as they did on boxing day.

        I am surprised this is the only critical blog you have found because there are plenty out there.

        There are also many pro-blogs whose commentors are struggling to justify their position.

  18. Quinn says:

    That new hair style kind of looks like a wig on her head. There’s my snark for the day. 🙂

  19. Mich says:

    Oh, FFS!

    I assume most of the commenters on these threads have at least made it through high school which means they will have sat through history classes that included stories about how royalty works. Here’s a hint: the top of the totem pole is the King or Queen. If you don’t get that, there is really nothing anyone can say to help you understand why this particular story has gotten attention.

    And give it a rest about William being wealthy in his own right. Every cent he has is due to his family line of royalty and/or aristocracy benefiting from centuries of royal patronage.

    Long story short, comparing WK stories to stories about how you deal with your grandmother/mother/aunt/mother-in-law is ignorant – unless, of course, your grandmother/mother/aunt/mother-in-law is the Queen of England.

    And if you don’t understand what it means to be a ‘public citizen’ vs a ‘private citizen’ then maybe consider spending a few less minutes on CB and a few more with your friend Google to figure it out.

    Long story short, Kate grew up in the UK and dated her prince for a decade before marrying him. I can find no excuse for her not fully understanding the implications of the life she chose. William may not have chosen the life but he hasn’t chosen to give it up either.

    • bluhare says:

      ^^^ Excellent post!

    • Suzie says:

      Great post.

      • Christina says:

        Yup. Seems to me that these two want it all – the many, many perks and privileges of being ‘royal’ but none of the relatively tedious downsides. It’s interesting how the tide of opinion in the UK seems to be turning against these two – at the time of their wedding, everyone was thrilled with Kate’s perfect dress and how happy they were as a couple. Now, after a year and more of laziness and sulkiness, not even a pregnancy and ‘severe morning sickness’ can bring people over to their side.

    • Angelic 20 says:

      Mich,
      This is my last post toady and I just want to say I agree with you completely and very well said. On another note the fact that w&k’s fans are unable to separate them from celebrities or reality stars or normal Joe public says a lot about them and how they are perceived in USA. IMO it’s the cultural difference and the fact Americans don’t have to pay for them that causes so many not comparable comparisons and opinions.

    • Belle says:

      Very well said! *applause*

    • LAK says:

      Excellent post Mich!

    • the original liv says:

      EXACTLY!

      Some people (wk included) seem to forget that with great power comes great responsibilities (shout out to Uncle Ben) or with great privileges come great obligations.

      • GoodCapon says:

        They want all the perks and privileges that comes with royalty without working for it.

        Whoever put them on part-time royal status deserves a good kicking.

      • Pirouette says:

        Yeah, great responsibilities.

        I will snuggle myself in that “ignorant” American catagory by saying that maybe taxes would be better spent on other priorities, instead of the Royal Family Christmas dinner. Also, maybe your attention should be on other important issues, like animal rights.

      • the original liv says:

        @Pirouette, when i say great responsibilities i’m not merely talking about keeping up with christmas tradition, i’m speaking in general how wk rarely perform their royal duties, or in will’s case, his raf duties, but enjoy all the benefits of being a royal. i do agree that taxes should be spent on other programs and social services rather than on the royals.

        btw, just because i’m reading and responding to this article doesn’t mean that i don’t care about more important issues like animal rights. unless of course you’re saying that you don’t care about greater issues, since we are reading and responding to the same article.

      • Lushus L. says:

        @Original Liv, who is Uncle Ben? I hope you didn’t mean Uncle Sam. That would be racist. If that’s not what you meant then I offer my sincere apologies.

      • Ms Kay says:

        @ Lushus L.

        Even though you apologized, still weird you jumped so fast into that conclusion…

        Million of people know that now cemented in superhero film history line Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker aka Spiderman : “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” 😀

      • GoodCapon says:

        That line is way overused but it’s so simple but precise. I love it.

      • stinky says:

        ok im 48, and i can tell you i know nothing of Spidey’s Uncle Ben or any such quote… But regardless, im suddenly hungry pilaf!! 🙂

      • flan says:

        I also find it a strange conclusion by Lushus L.

        Even if it had been ‘Uncle Sam’ who had said: “with great power comes great responsibilities”, what would be racist about that?

    • Hmmm says:

      @Mich,

      You nailed it! And so succinctly, too.

    • Lisa says:

      That’s it in a nutshell — well said!

    • Mon roi Henry IX says:

      LAK & Mich,
      Hear!Hear!
      Mich,You’re absolutely correct.You put perfectly when you said:

      “Long story short, comparing WK stories to stories about how you deal with your grandmother/mother/aunt/mother-in-law is ignorant – unless, of course, your grandmother/mother/aunt/mother-in-law is the Queen of England”.

      BTW…many Americans do not know how traditions work in the RF, hence the error they mnake when they say: what’s wrong if LazyBones and William the Angry don’t show up at their grnadmother’s Christmas invitation.
      Also many americans are head over heels with those two lazies and do not realize too many Brits are NOT.

    • Lushus L. says:

      @ Ms Kay, thank you so much for clearing that up for me. Omg, how embarrassing. I didn’t jump to my conclusion right away. I read Original Liv’s comment yesterday and several times since. I was perplexed as to who is Uncle Ben. Also, when I simply asked, my question was deleted.I’ve read so much American hate on DM and presidential hate from my own people that I did get a weird idea. Sorry to all.

      • stinky says:

        thats right – sometimes my comments go missing too – what gives?

      • LAK says:

        @Lushus L:-

        1. We have better race relations in Britain than USA, so don’t assume that the ‘little englander’ comments on DM are posted by only white people.

        2. DM is apparently the most read news website worldwide, according to the New Yorker magazine. They put an estimate of 52M hits per month, so comments could be coming from anywhere.

        3. I tend to see the anti-obama comments on DM from American posters. The rest of the world loves him. Not necessarily because they understand his political position, but because he isn’t Bush.

  20. Simply Red says:

    these comments made me chuckle today while reading them.

    as for Kate & Will well they need to think before requesting, demanding or changing anything because they will get a backlash if people of UK does not agree with their actions. If they want to change certain RF Tradition then they need to do it gradually.

    some of their actions are pretty much saying **** you the majority by the way things are written

  21. Kim says:

    The policy of only royals being allowed to the palace for Christmas will be quickly abolished by William when he takes the throne. No way he will not invite the whole Middleton clan when his time comes!

    • Just Me says:

      Well considering the long lifespans of his parents, I would suspect that Prince Charles will likely live for a long time, so by the time William becomes king, the Middletons as we know them now may not exist. I’m thinking William might become king sometime in the 2040s!

      Must point out that what they are doing at Sandringham is not hunting ( which is done on horseback – foxhunting for example, ) but shooting. The pheasants do get eaten by the way.

      • the original liv says:

        i was thinking the same thing. given the longevity of royals, it might be a while before will becomes king. who knows by then waity’s parents might be long gone or waity might be divorced or perhaps uncle gary’s dream of the goldsmith wing at buckingham might actually come true.

      • Hmmm says:

        All the pheasants get eaten? By whom? As I recall, it’s not unusual to kill more than a brace. As in, hundreds.

        And like they can’t get food from the supermarket?

      • M says:

        Hmmm- The royal family eats some and they sell what meat isnt used at local markets.

      • Hmmm says:

        @M,

        Thanks for the info,

        They SELL the rest at market? Like they need the money? Sheesh.

      • Belle says:

        Thank you for that link Just Me… very informative! I love animals and don’t think I could ever hunt them. Having said that, I do understand that hunting in general isn’t just a ‘blood sport for fun’ activity, and does have its place.

        Have to add that I can’t help but chuckle whenever I hear (or see) the ‘they can’t get food at the supermarket?’ comment. Where do people think THAT food comes from?? It has either been bred and raised for slaughter (and possibly treated very poorly), or it has been hunted and killed in the manner the article explains.

  22. aims says:

    Maybe they’ve decided to start their own family tradition. After this past dreadful christmas, I dont blame them and will be doing the same.

  23. Amy says:

    I dunno. While royal families fascinate me, I don’t care how they celebrate their holidays.

  24. OhDear says:

    The fact that they went to Sandringham post-backlash makes them look worse, as if they’re admitting that they lied. I feel bad for their press officers; must be draining to work for them.

  25. mimi says:

    Poor girl. Seriously.
    The last thing a pregnant woman needs is more stress and travel.

    Snotty people who are not likable vs. spending time with your parents when you are pregnant?!

    Why did they force her to travel?
    Even if she is not sick at all, this is just annoying.

    They don’t seem like a nice or fun bunch to spend the holidays with, and who cares if she spends any time with them?

    It’s not a charity event or a public cause to spend time with people who won’t invite your siblings because they think they are better than them, while in reality, all of them are so useless.

    I’m beginning to feel sorry for her.

    • emmie_a says:

      mimi: Newsflash! Some pregnant women have to go to work everyday. some even have to travel daily. some have to put up with hectic schedules and family obligations. it’s life. Also, most of what Kate has (royal title, royal privileges, fame, fortune, etc etc etc) has been given to her by her ties to the royal family. If she can’t spend a few hours with them (as a tradition nonetheless!) over the holidays, then she has problems. And I believe her parents were invited so no, the Queen doesn’t think she is better than them.

      • mimi says:

        Pregnant women cut back on travel if they can.
        Visiting your grandmother in law is not “work”.

        She should not be traveling just because her grandmother in law would not deign to spend time as a guest of her family, and is not nice enough to invite Kate’s siblings.

        If I were married to a guy that his grandmother had a palace and other people who cooked for her, and yet she would not bother to invite my sister, which means, not really invite my family for the holidays, well guess what, I wouldn’t go.

        Nor would any normal person.
        That’s just rude.

        Not to invite someone just because they were BORN to some family that you see as less than yours is ridiculous at best, and obnoxious at worst.

        I thought she was a fame-digger, lazy and many other unflattering things, but now I just feel really sorry for her.

        No one should have to endure someone who acts so rude and impolite and tries to force you to spend the holidays away from your family.

        I know some people don’t have enough room and it’s too difficult for them to invite a lot of people for the holidays, but if you do have a huge house with plenty of rooms and staff that takes care of everything, and yet, you make it clear that your sister and brother are not invited, well, that person should learn a thing or two about basic human behavior and respect for others.

    • Hmmm says:

      A pregnant woman and no travel? I betya she could make it to Mustique, no sweat.

    • Lisa says:

      Mimi — pregnant women shouldn’t have stress and travel? My God — what century are you living in?

      Welcome to the 21st when amazing pregnant women out there, everywhere in the world, are strong enough to do it all without missing a beat!

      • Lushus L. says:

        Traveling is dangerous. Have you never heard of the Holiday Death Toll?

      • mimi says:

        She is strong enough to make her choice be heard to spend time with her family where she feels comfortable and doesn’t need to stress over people who think they are better than her, just because they were born to some family.

        No, pregnant woman should avoid stress if possible, and if they must, at least let it be for something like their career. Not an over-controlling grandmother in law.

      • Lisa says:

        Mimi —

        If it’s so horrible and stressful why hang in there for 10 years to marry in and then why show up at all? You would also benefit from reading Mich’s excellent post above.

      • The Original Mia says:

        I have friends who worked (operative word that Waity has no familiarity with) up until a few days before delivering. Marathon runners have run half marathons and delivered. Waity is just lazy and indulged. Like her husband.

  26. M says:

    She has selective morning sickness, she only gets ill when it most benefits her.
    If we believe reports, she is already over her morning sickness and the palace confirmed that the decision to spend Christmas with her family was made before she even got knocked up so no, she didnt spend Christmas with her family because she is “ill”.

  27. Kay says:

    Just saying, an 86 year old with a heavy cold sounds more worrying that a chick with bad morning sickness. Especially as she apparently felt better like two days later. And yet you never hear the queen complain

  28. Apsutter says:

    This looks really bad for them. The argument for them staying with the Middletons was her illness but she’s well enough to travel over 3 hours the next day? Will better get his house in order or no one will be supporting their asses.

    • mimi says:

      You comment is so odd.
      Does she need an argument for spending the holidays with her family?

      Her husband’s family refuses to invite her siblings, even though they have enough room and food is being cooked by other people, so they don’t even need to bother.

      Isn’t it obvious any normal person would rather spend time with his family regardless of being pregnant and feeling less than great?

      The alternative sounds nauseating to me just by the entitled and snobbish attitude of her husband’s family.

      • The Original Mia says:

        She wanted into this awful family with the over-controlling grandmother-in-law. For 10 years, she did everything, put up with everything to get the ring & the title. With the ring came certain responsibilities. She knew that.

      • emmie_a says:

        Enough already mimi. Your argument is baseless and ignorant and you’ve said the same thing over and over in your posts. It comes down to tradition, respect and royalty. You obviously do not understand that.

      • Angelic 20 says:

        Mimi,
        I will try for the last time to how it works because it looks like you have already made an inaccurate opinion which is nottrue . Queen do not invite her cousins (who are real royals) or other aristocratic family that married in or any outsider to Christmas because it’s her only time in the whole year to actually spend time withher family, it has absolutely nothing to do with Kate or Middleton being commoner. Kate knew very well that she have to give up Christmas with her family before marriage, all the other holidays and vacations are spent with her family. She gets everything from her royal status,a status she chased for a decade, so giving up Christmas is not too much to ask and I it has nothing to do with her being a commoner . Absolutely everyone in rf does this irrespective of being a commoner or royal, she is no delicate snowflake who can’t spent 1 holiday in a year away from her family. I hope you can find someone more suitable and poor or miserable for your pity then this spoiled lazy woman child.

      • cumber says:

        @to all the royal tradition defender

        but this is Christmas. both middleton and windsor have the right to celebrate christmas with their family.
        what if one day harry marry a someone who only have one parent left? and she only have one sibling?
        do you think it’s fair for her family not to celebrate christmas with their loved ones just because she’s a RF wife?

        I dont see william decision is an act of indulgence. he wants to make his marriage works. he learn to respect his in-laws as much as he does to his own family. by doing that he get more respect and loyalty from his wife.

        it’s very basic in every marriage i know. why william should be different and put risks on his marriage just because he must follow tradition?

        after all, does it affect you how the queen celebrate her christmas day?
        the middleton only have 3 kids. QE has four children and 8 grandchildren. losing 1-2 of them on christmas wont affect her much.

      • LAK says:

        @Cumber – oh dear! you really believe the PR, don’t you?

        If only all that you said about William were true.

        If only the Queen was such a heartless person who has never dealt with single parent/sibling inlaws. oh wait she has. But i guess you don’t want to see the neat solution she’s employed in those scenerios over the years.

        I guess you’ll be cheering the Goldsmith wing when it happens because you’ll believe whatever PR rubbish they put out to defend it.

      • Angelic 20 says:

        Cumber
        The case you defined is not the case with Kate, as I stated she had spent every other holiday, vacations this year with her family so spending 1 holiday away from them is not asking to much from them or putting too much pressure on their relationship. William have disrespected his family on various occasions, starting with not telling then about engagement few hours before press release or about pregnancy news or choosing to go skiing with Middleton family instead of attending memorial service for Queen’s mother and sister from whom he inherited millions in trust funds so the least he could do is to attend her memorial service.
        What about Charles? He didn’t have Harry with him and his second son choose not to spend Christmas with him. Why are you not thinking about his feelings? How would you feel if your only son choose to spend Christmas with his wife’s family knowing that you will have none of your children at home this year? He has spent every other holiday with her family, don’t you think it was hurtful of him to not spend Christmas with Charles knowing he will be alone? Why do you t think it’s fair for Charles to have none of children for Christmas especially since he has been a very good father to William and has always welcomed Kate even before the wedding and has done everything to support her after the wedding . They see her family all year long, spend every otherholiday with them and Charles didn’t have any of his children with him, so IMO this Christmas should havebeen with Charles and rf.

      • stinky says:

        someone doesnt have what it takes to be a ‘royal’… and her name isnt Kate!

      • bluhare says:

        Angelic 20: Thanks for bringing Charles into this. That’s a great point. Not only was Harry not there, William wasn’t either. And Camilla left the next day to spend time with her family.

        So rather than complain about how poor Kate is treated horribly, everyone, think about Charles’ Christmas and how William apparently didn’t give a damn.

      • the original liv says:

        @mimi you keep reiterating that there’s more than enough room at sandrigham, but in actually there is a shortage of rooms during christmastime as flower explained it upthread.

  29. blonde on the dock says:

    She looks so pretty in the top photo

  30. GoodCapon says:

    Who wants to bet she’ll be completely recovered from ‘HG’ to jet off to the Middletons’ annual tradition of going to Mustique next month? HG my a$$.

    • vava says:

      I mostly lurk here, but I couldn’t resist joining in on this debate. I think Waity will certainly go to Mustique. This whole ridiculous HG diagnosis is a joke, IMO. She’s already shown she’s using her pregnancy to get out of selective obligations. Missing out on warm weather? NOT A CHANCE……..no, not gonna happen!

    • bluhare says:

      Diana was in the Caribbean when she was pregnant with William. And photographed in a bikini, which was tres scandalous at the time. So pregnant royals do fly.

      • Less is More says:

        And if I recall the press photos from departure, upChuckie boy was on the same flight.

      • GoodCapon says:

        Except Diana was very healthy and wasn’t continually described as a delicate snowflake who needs rest because of HG right?

      • bluhare says:

        Behind closed doors, I bet Diana was described as a lot of things, GoodCapon! 🙂 But, no, she was healthy although I do think I remember her having pretty bad morning sickness.

        I actually responded to the wrong post above.

  31. Apsutter says:

    Too bad Harry wasn’t born first. I think he’d be a much better heir than spoiled Wills. Side note..how much do you want to bet that if Harry had been home for the holidays that Will & Kate would have been with the rf for Christmas?

  32. Elise says:

    I’m so confused with these two. Why were we made to believe that 2010 will be the last time Catherine will spend with her family? That she will forever never get to spend Christmas with her family again, when all along perhaps the plan is to spend alternate Christmases with the Royal family and her family? Why can’t William or the palace just be honest and say that there will be a break from tradition and that from now on things will be different with William and Catherine? It will save them the excuses.

  33. HK9 says:

    @ Just Me
    Thanks for the factual clarification on the situation. Your voice of reason has not been lost. 🙂

    • Just Me says:

      Thanks :). It gets hard to separate press speculation from facts. The royals really need to work on their press releases btw. Too much is left up in the air and the tabloids just jump into the breach with tons of speculation. I remember thinking – ok now that they have spent Christmas with her family, they will got to Sandringham just as the paper said they would. And so they did. Then I saw all the commentary to the effect that they ran off to Sandringham when they realized they were getting bad PR etc. As if William was ever going to miss the pheasant shoot? Heck you can go to church anywhere, but a good Boxing Day shoot cannot be missed! Remember how Prince Philip scooted out of the hospital list year as quick as he could shoe would not miss it! 😀

      • LAK says:

        Just me – this is more a general comment rather than a reply to anything that you’ve specifically written.

        You do know that SJP is WK’s private office, don’t you?

        You do know that in the past they have sent out statements that told of WK’s intentions which were never fulfilled?

        Or lied to cover WK’s movements? [or WK changed the plan without informing them with end result that they look like liars]

        The Press has very good reason to speculate because more often than not, they have been proved right with regards these two.

        Putting out a statement that covers intentions means that if they do behave per statement, then it can be taken that they were indeed going to do it and if they don’t, it was only an intent.

        Hence the statement was very ambiguous as to when they would go to Sandrigham. Ditto cancelled engagements statements at her pregnancy. ditto today’s statement regarding her work schedule for next year.

        Personally, i wait to see if the intention is fulfilled rather than believe the original statement.

      • Just Me says:

        The statement said they were going to visit Sandringham during the Christmas holiday and so they did. Seems pretty straightforward to me. No reason to say exactly WHEN and on what day they were visiting. I was not surprised to see the visit coming on Boxing Day since that is the day do the shoot, which William enjoys.

        Not everything is a piece of drama! And yes I know SJP is their office.

        Her work schedule for the next year will seem to depend on her health. The only specific thing said was that she would not be undertaking a foreign tour like Canada in 2011 or the Far East in 2012. Again that seems fair. If she feels better we’ll probably see more of her. I believe she is sick, but probably on some sort of drugs to keep it in check.

      • LAK says:

        Just me – to be fair to you, i wasn’t surprised that William would show for the shoot because he enjoys it and has been doing alot of hunting/shooting lately. Infact i won that bet with my friends.

        With regards their press, isn’t it curious that they made sure that royal reporters were notified that they were back at Sandrigham?

        And as for the press releases/plants, they appear to be straight forward and sincerely. With plausibly reasonable and detailed explanations as to what they think or hope is going to happen. And they are vague enough to be open to interpretation in the present and in the future. This means that if vague activities do work out, then they can point to press release and say that was truly what was planned and if it doesn’t work out, they can still point to press release and say we never said for sure that was the plan and BTW here is the reason we gave. It’s covering all sides.

        ps:- no tour has been planned for the summer. Those things are at least a year in the making, and at least 6mths public information with regards location.

        Also, Royals diaries are always planned at least 6months in advance, And her diary per her own office is clear for next year.

        That story is a plant to gain more sympathy for her lack of work next year because it looks like she’s magnanimously, for her health, for her baby, giving up the chance to tour.

  34. Andrea says:

    That dress is so hideous and ugly…it looks likhigh school uniform.

  35. Anon says:

    Her makeup and clothing have improved some, but she still needs to find a good stylist. She’s so pretty, but she doesn’t look like a royal yet. And I wish she’d get her hair out of her eyes.

  36. Meerkat says:

    I cannot fathom what pleasure you could possibly get from blasting away at birds and animals – killing some but leaving many wounded to die in pain. They kill far more than they could possibly eat and the rest are burned.
    This whole bunch of useless wastes of oxygen disgust me.

    • Just Me says:

      Game is eaten, not burned. It is very flavorful and healthy, far healthier than farm-raised.

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/game

      http://britishfood.about.com/od/diningdrinkingtradition/a/game.htm

      Shoots sell the game they don’t eat to game dealers

      http://www.basctasteofgame.org.uk/
      http://directory.thesun.co.uk/find/uk/game-dealers

      http://directory.thesun.co.uk/find/uk/game-dealers

      http://www.uk-local-search.co.uk/directory/game+dealers/

      Where the game is available for purchase.
      People have hunted for centuries in every culture and have always got pleasure from it. It takes skill and practice. But each to his own. If you disapprove, it is your right to do so.

      • Just Me says:

        “The total number of gamebirds and wildfowl shot for sport across the UK in 2004 was just under 19 million, of which 99% were intended for the food chain.”

        Found this from a report on shooting in the UK.

      • Lushus L. says:

        That still left approx. 190,000 poor birds shot for no reason. If my math is incorrect, blame Mr.Lushus.

      • SISI says:

        @ Just Me
        I repeat what HK9 and others have said here:
        “Thanks for the factual clarification on the situation. Your voice of reason has not been lost”
        Many people here just love to bash Kate for no good reason, some even wish her marriage to fail ….Sad, really! They would never admit it but they are all jealous.

      • GoodCapon says:

        That jealousy card again? Yawn, yawn, YAWN. It’s the most elementary comeback ever. You, chatcat and cumber need to start talking about strategy on how to defend Kate because this jealousy card is frankly Pathetic with a capital P.

        If you have an opinion, go say it. But remember that we also have a right to argue that opinion and calling people jealous to defend your position isn’t going to cut it.

    • Kate says:

      They aren’t left to die in pain. That’s why retrievers are named as they are and bred to be soft-mouthed and unaggressive. They’re retrieved and then the necks wrung.

      Vegetarians have every right to criticise game shoots. Meat eaters, on the other hand, are in my view on really shaky ground. I will never understand why people find shooting horrific, while happily chowing down on a McDonalds. If I were destined for a plate, I’d far rather be a pampered pheasant, reared in sheltered freedom, well fed yet completely free to roam, than a factory farmed chicken with no freedom at all, bones that fracture because hormones and feed mean I grew more rapidly than they could take, and with feet that are eaten away because all the urine underfoot burns. I’d also far rather die at the end of a gun in my own home environment than be shipped off in fear and confusion to a huge industrial abbatoir.

      I live in the Cotswolds, and all the butchers around here sell game birds in season. It’s much more humanely produced meat than a chicken from a supermarket, in most cases.

      • bluhare says:

        I’m vegetarian and I agree with you. I don’t like pheasant shooting, but at least the birds live the life they’re supposed to live. I have no issues with family farms with cows and sheep at pasture and chickens pecking away. My issue is agribusiness. Horrible, horrible practices. And I’ve got no issues with people who eat meat either. If you can kill it (I couldn’t), go ahead and eat it.

    • Lisa says:

      SISI —

      I am jealous of women with talent, brains, compassion. I am jealous of women who improve other people’s lives, who leave their mark. (Think Cate Blanchette, jk rowling, michele obama, melinda gates, jhumpa lahiri).

      I Am NOT jealous of a clearly anorexic woman pathetic and vacuous enough to serve as some man’s booty call for 10 years of her life and I don’t care how rich he is or how rewarding in material terms that may be. While that may be something to be jealous of in your world view please do not presume to project that on to me — so rude.

  37. Another K says:

    I betcha the queen doesn’t give a flying fig who attends Christmas, Boxing Day, or whatever. I’ll bet all she really wants to do is hide from her annoying family and find a comfy chair, put her feet up and have a hot toddy by the fire. Sounds good to me.

    • bluhare says:

      Along with changing her clothes and jewellery five times a day!

      I don’t think Kate likes the rigidity of the Queen’s court, and that’s the reason for all this. She’s got crap for brains, though, as it will come back to haunt her. The Queen’s got a long memory to go with that long healthy lifespan!

  38. Jess says:

    There is nothing like a Royal Family post to get a heated debate going on CB!

    Like previous commenters, I think there is a huge difference in the opinions posted here due to misunderstanding or unfamiliarity with Royal procedure and tradition. As an Australian (and therefore part of the Commonwealth), I’m well versed in the British Monarchy but far enough removed from the direct effect of living in England that I understand both sides of the fence.

    The situation here is that William and Catherine seem to have shrugged off the tradition of a Sandringham Christmas (which is a long established tradition) seemingly just because they can.

    I know the Duchess has been ill, but many people have speculated on just how ill, as she was forced to cancel some Royal engagements, yet appeared at others (for instance, the BBC Sports Personality Awards – http://metro.co.uk/2012/12/16/kate-middleton-to-present-bbcs-sports-personality-awards-3318535/). This made the severity of her illness questionable to the public, and therefore their decision to not spend Christmas at Sandringham seems to be another “I’ll shirk tradition and family wishes just because I can” decision.

    IMO, spending a few days with your Royal grandmother (whom, Royal or not, should be shown respect and deference from her grandson) is not a huge ask or commitment.

    Also, just as a side note – a few commenters have brought up the “the Royal Family don’t do any kind of work, etc” arguement – this is a common misconception, and one I’d like to bring up only as I think it’s important to remember that the RF extends past William and Catherine.

    For example, Princess Anne, William’s aunt, is extremely well known for her extensive charity work, sometimes attending up to several events/functions a day. Here is a list of organisations she is affiliated with in an official capactity – http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/ThePrincessRoyal/Charitiesandpatronages.aspx

    • Dena says:

      . . And THAT is exactly the problem. While it is true that Princess Anne has being doing this type of work/service for a long time and haS built these alliances over a long period of time, it this type of stuff that makes the Petulant Prince & His Handmaiden look lazy, uninformed and uninvolved.

    • Mich says:

      Nicely explained! Not that I think the “not fair!” criers will stop to think about what you are saying.

      I love these threads because, once I wade through the drivel of ignorant pearl clutchers, I often learn a lot from other posters. Royal gossip isn’t the same as celebrity gossip. It is about more than a millennium of history and is filled with nuances and intrigue that does not exist in the outside world.

      What I can forgive the pearl clutchers for not understanding is the British class system because it is completely foreign to the American way of looking at the world. It isn’t, however, foreign to Kate. She is no innocent victim of the aristocracy. She plotted and planned and bided her time to become one of its highest members.

      Re the work aspect. People are right, it isn’t Kate’s ‘job’ to stand around in pastel suits. It is her job to bring attention to the social causes that make Britain a better place. And she knew damned well that she was entering into a contract with the nation when she accepted the future King’s proposal. I don’t expect her to replicate the incredible work Diana did in humanizing people with Aids or making land mines a global issue but she could do something. Anything. She hasn’t, however, and that is why people don’t like her. She simply isn’t living up to her side of the deal. She is a pretty social climber with no apparent substance.

      Re Xmas with the Queen and the rest of the royal family, I’m sure she has been dreading the occasion and I’ll grant that that dread could have been extreme enough to contribute to her illness. I’ll also grant that she probably was truly devastated by the nurse’s suicide. That said, as someone posted earlier, she just doesn’t seem to be up to the task of being a royal.

      Ultimately, I think this is all William’s fault. His own petulance could quite possibly be the root of his geisha wife’s overall failure to succeed in the role she chose to accept.

      • cumber says:

        when you can’t get the best, sometimes you just have to be grateful for what you have. who do you expect would marry william windsor? you want a duchess with great work ethic, do you think a woman who work as doctor or uni professor or nurse or lawyer willing to give up their career and achievement to join the RF?

        kate is the best that william could get. she’s not perfect, but the most important thing she loves and admire william for what he is. and william loves her back. I’m sure william doesnt want to face another marriage drama in the future. afterall, it’s not like the royal lack of resource to do their work.

        imo, the success of their marriage is the most important thing for sustainability of british monarchy. and as for christmas, i’m still adamant that both middleton and windsor has an equal right to celebrate christmas with their family.

      • Angelic 20 says:

        Cumber
        Kate is not even close to best, please search other European crown princesses who are way more educated, accomplished, hard working then Kate before and after the marriage ., with proper carers jobs, interests, friends etc. Monarchy future depends on how dedicated younger royals are towards their duty and not on their state of marriage , both of them are lacking hard work sense of duty passion for any causes and lack of respect. William will be a very terrible king and I think monarchy will end with him and no they c can’t just do anything they want to in the name of having a good marriage. You don’t have to be spoiled, entitled, lazy lying brats living on public funds to make a marriage work and a girl who sat on her ass for a decade to be a doormat booty call and have no identity or life beyond her husband is not the best he could have done , google crown princess letizia or Mary of Denmark or maxima for examples and you will see that England got the worst princess in the whole Europe and yes they are all happily married with children and work hard before and after their marriages,& pregnancies .

      • Mich says:

        Nonsense, cumber.

        The actions of Will and Kate are just the ticket to bring down the monarchy once and for all. He is essentially saying that the position he is destined to hold (i.e. King) is worth about as much to the nation as a group of party planners.

        The royal family either bands together to maintain the show or the country might as well become a republic.

      • LAK says:

        Cumber: I suggest you research Sophie Rhys Jones AKA The Wife of Prince Edward. She was a career woman, and kept up that career for the first 4yrs as a royal. She managed to combine her royal duties with a full time job. When she finally gave up the job, she made 450 engagements in her first year as a full time royal with no outside distractions!

        Now she has kids, she maintains a schedule of 250-300 engagements a year.

        Plus all your arguments vis a vis Kate being common are baseless because Sophie is also common. She didn’t have the advantage of millionaire parents to cushion her. She is adored by The Queen, and they spend a lot of personal time together.

        Her marriage to Edward appears strong, and hasn’t suffered from being required to spend every christmas day with the Queen.

    • mimi says:

      While, I still cannot fathom why would an entire nation pay millions to support this odd family and their less than polite “tranditions”,

      and why would the way that one grandmother celebrates the holidays affects anyone in England (or how is that some sort of a public duty to visit her on a particular day of the year)

      I still have to say I really enjoyed your post and that you write beautifully.

      No doubt that there is something really odd with the British culture if this is something English people view as normal or acceptable and they are even willing to pay for this nonsense.

      The main conclusion is that if you allow nonsense to take place long enough, an entire nation may call it “tradition” and start paying for that.

      I don’t see anything noble about how these people behave, other than the two sons that chose to serve their country in the military.

      • Mich says:

        Because she isn’t just a ‘grandmother’. She is the Queen and head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

        The people of Britain are not citizens, they are subjects of the Queen. Most public servants must swear an oath of loyalty, or make an affirmation of their loyalty, to the crown. The national anthem is about her.

        If a Prime Minister wants to take an action that is not popular with Parliament, he/she can invoke Royal Prerogative (i.e. ‘the Queen wants it’). During Elizabeth’s reign, this has been done to bring England into the European Community and to go to war in the Falklands.

        She provides consistency as political winds change from decade to decade. She is the head of the Church of England and of the armed forces. While she doesn’t, if she wanted to she could interfere in the selection of Prime Ministers and determine when elections are called.

        William couldn’t have even married Kate without her permission thanks to the Royal Marriages Act 1772.

        She. Is. The. Queen. The embodiment of Great Britain since 1066 and, might I say again, the head of the Church of England – no small thing given that it is a religious holiday we are talking about. Who the hell is William to elevate the Middletons to a rival position of importance?

      • Angelic 20 says:

        Mimi
        I completely understand your point of view of monarchy.I wasn’t born & brought up in England so the concept of monarchy is still strange to me and if given a choice or vote I will always vote for a republic or president . However at the moment we have a out dated system that W&K are part of, they get privileges, wealth, luxuries beyond our imagination without having to earn them because of their royal status and hence they have to make few sacrifices in return . Look at Kate minus the title, she is a very basic & ordinary girl and have nothing that makes her stand out in a crowd and yet because of her title and royal status she is held as some sort of icon but in reality I know plenty of women who are simply more accomplished, hard working, charitable then her. The same goes for William, he was not qualified to be & pilot because of his eye sight but was given admission as he is a royal, he is close to losing his licence because he hasn’t completed even the minimum flying hours and yet he is doing whatever he wants to do, because he is a royal. In short the concept of monarchy is old fashioned, outdated and unfair but they are part of this system and get privileges, status, admiration that they haven’t earned because of their royal titles and hence they have to follow old fashioned traditions of on old fashioned institution in return, there is nothing know as free lunch in this world and this applies to them too.

      • The Original Mia says:

        My Grandmother is 91 years old. She is the queen of our family. If she asked all of us to be at her house for Christmas, you can be sure we’d be there. We’d find a way to spend the holidays with her because she asked, because it’s the respectful thing to do, because we love her. That’s all QEII asked of her family and William couldn’t do that, because he’s shown he has very little respect for his grandmother, his great-grandmother, his great aunt, his position because it’s all about William.

  39. bluhare says:

    I’m getting all fidgety over here because no one has said anything (other than Angelic 20) about Charles here.

    Charles didn’t have EITHER of his sons at Christmas. Harry is in Afghanistan, and William chose to go to the Middletons. My mom has two children — me and my sister. We aren’t royal and no one outside the family gives a crap what we do for Christmas, but if my sister wasn’t able to be home for Christmas, you can bet your last dollar/pound/euro that I would be home. Why? BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

    • Angelic 20 says:

      I’m with you, my husband is the only child and I only get 10 days off from work around Christmas every year to visit my family but I always stay with him and his family on Christmas because I understand that even though I get to see my family once a year this is Christmas and he needs to be with his family and then he can come with me. Forget about Queen or traditions,a father spent Christmas without his children because his douche of a son choose to stay away with another family that he sees and visits regularly. Looks like no body cares about Charles parental right and his son direct insults towards him, poor Kate my ass blue hare,

    • LAK says:

      Bluhare – I’ve been meaning to say something about this. That seemingly throwaway line in his xmas message about how precious Harry’s letters were….really broke my heart. William would really,really rather spend Christmas with the Middletons than with his lonely father. I think Charles left the day he arrived at Sandrigham so very little crossover if at all.

      What gets my goat though is that apparently, he is going to spend new year at Charles’s scottich estate (no word if Charles will be there) which makes him look like he is happy to take from Charles but not to spend time with him.

      As Kaiser said in the post, their press office keeps mucking up. Putting this information about their whereabouts is a bad mistake. They protest too much. Charles and the Queen could be at Balmoral right now (not a chance) but we don’t know, and we can’t speculate. Giving out details of their proposed movements invites all kinds of speculation and criticism, deserved or undeserved. These chatty cathy need to SU!!!! They need to learn the lesson from HM that silence is golden. Charles finally learnt that lesson and look how much better he is perceived.

      • The Original Mia says:

        I hadn’t heard about Harry’s letters to Charles. That is rather sad. I’ve lost considerable respect for William since his marriage to Kate. To be honest, he really hadn’t earned it. He was given it due to being Diana’s son.

        I’m an unapologetic Diana fan, but I also have to give Charles credit for being a good father. I remember when he supported Diana when she refused to leave on tour without baby William. He made the first steps towards modernizing the monarchy, by being a hands on/present parent. So for William to decide that the Middletons are more important than his father, knowing Harry is in a freaking war zone, is disrespectful. William has succeeded in losing all my respect for him. Diana would not be happy, regardless of what William thinks.

    • bluhare says:

      Everyone: Thanks. I’m glad others feel the same way. I’ve never been a big Charles fan — a bit too stuffy for my taste — but then I’ve not seen him in an informal setting. I just remember him making all his girlfriends call him Sir, which brings up all sorts of fun thoughts. But with Harry in Afghanistan piloting helicopters that crash and are shot down, he’s got to be worried sick. William has the empathy of a rock if he can’t see that his dad needs some support. And not from Camilla. I’m sure she’s supportive, but she’s his wife, not his child.

      PS I think I just insulted rocks.

  40. stinky says:

    now bring on a nice Princess Charlene story!

  41. SISI says:

    Clearly, this wasn’t a last minute, unilateral decision or a decision that was taken lightly. Not only is totally in-keeping with William’s expressed desire to maintain a close relationship with Kate’s family but also with the Queen’s acceptance and acknowledgement that the Middletons are very important for Kate’s emotional stability, their marriage …and crucially, William’s emotional stability too. I’m in the least surprised by press rumours that they’ve been discussing & planning this (and possibly future Xmases) for months, before making the pregnancy announcement. – It’s only to be expected. Kate’s current health condition only made it more relevant/imperative. Her & William (+ baby) need all the support and help from both their families, equally). Fact is this has the full APPROVAL of the Queen (the boss), Pr. Philip and Charles. They just didn’t announce it until now.
    So, the plan so far seems to be: to attend Xmas Lunch with HM the Queen and all other RF members at BP as usual, spend Xmas day PRIVATELY with Kate’s family as they feel fit, visit Granny next day (Boxing Day at Sandringham) – just like most British families traditionally do. Then celebrate the New Year privately with HIS Family (Charles, Camilla and Harry, if back in the UK, in Scotland). – This seems to me an entirely sensible and considerate arrangement, a move forward which respects the needs and traditions of all the families involved, and strikes a good balance … And quite frankly, it brings in modernisation to a deeply unfair, outdated royal practice needing change. Kudos to William & Kate, and thanks to the Queen for her generosity, open-mindedness and for continuing to point the way forward – She is amazing (and in control).

    • Hmmm says:

      Dreamer.

    • emmie_a says:

      Just curious but how is it that WK’s Christmas plans had the full APPROVAL from the Queen?

      And once again, you are treating William’s family as any other family. They are ROYALTY and there are certain traditions to be upheld. And what is ‘deeply unfair’ about spending ONE DAY with the RF?? It’s not asking too much.

      Plus, Kate keeps a very light ‘work’ schedule — She has plenty of time to be with her family. It’s not like anyone is keeping her from seeing them and I’m sure her emotional needs are being cared for just fine.

    • Lisa says:

      Is there something wrong with them that their emotional stability needs to be so coddled? If they’re not strong enough to spend one day with the queen are they fit to lead a nation?

  42. Less is More says:

    Remember William and his mother both believed the Monarchy needed to change with the times. Traditions will change.

    • bluhare says:

      I don’t think they meant dumping his father while his brother is at war.

      • Less is More says:

        On top of change, perhaps part of change for William is Christmas with Catherine’s family? They did go to Sandringham eventually.
        I see William being a very different King with different choices.
        Diana’s death also has a lot to do with how he views change in the Monarchy, I suspect.

  43. Mich says:

    Did anyone else see that story in the Express about William interfering with the staff viewing of Skyfall? If true, what.a.jerk.

    • bluhare says:

      I did. What a selfish bastard. And then not even showing up. Twilight instead of Skyfall? What are they, 13 year old girls?

    • The Original Mia says:

      Just read it. Choosing Twilight over Skyfall and then not showing up. Major d*ck move.

      I also read there’s a motion in Parliament to ensure that future spouses, like Camilla & Kate, aren’t given the title of Queen Consort. Like Prince Phillip, they would be called Princess/Prince Consort of the King/Queen. This brings equality to these things. Why should the wife of a King get the title, when the husband of a Queen won’t?

      • Mich says:

        Cause it will make Ma Middleton unhappy and she is just as important – if not more so – than the Queen? 😉

      • bluhare says:

        I think it’s a good idea. Can’t have it both ways. There’s either a King and Queen or a King/Queen and something else.

    • LAK says:

      I did. There is a high probability that it’s true because that particular reporter has been the first to report on William’s behaviour before other reporters write about it a few weeks later. Eg William’s dictat that media write ONLY positive stories.

    • Lisa says:

      Lil’ Prince Pissy Pants likes Sparkle — awww!

    • ANGELIC 20 says:

      william is digging his own grave , reading about him is like seeing history repeating itself after edward. he is being rude to palace’s staff and trying to control media , the only two groups that control his public image and reputation and can break him . he is isolating himself from palace ,the only group of people who can protect him from public backlash and pissing off media who has been covering his ass and has been more then understanding and accommodating to him and kate’s lazy lying lifestyle. what a douche bag he is .

      again before i forget twilight seriously? well i can see why she would like this movie, she is just like bella who have absolutely nothing else in her life other then edward and how beautiful he is or how lucky she is that he looks her way but what is a hormonal 13 years old ?

  44. Mel says:

    “Why should the wife of a King get the title,”

    It has to do with an insidious ancient view of men as being inherently “superior”, in the sense of being the “head of the family”; therefore a title such as “king” would actually mean real political power.

    But yes, in this day and age, and specifically in the case of Great Britain where the queen is no more than a “folklore” figure, with little to none ACTUAL political power, I say they should be called “prince/princess consort”. Period.

  45. June says:

    what do you think about this http://hrhduchesskate.blogspot.de/2012/12/duchess-kate-spotted-in-berkshire.html
    if it’s true, they are going to spend the new year with her parents…. hmmm

  46. cumber says:

    let them do whatever they want to do. celebrating christmas and new year is not a public duty. it’s time for family. just because you pay a penny or two two sustain the monarchy, it doesnt mean that you own each member private life.

    am not a fan of kate, but am really horrified with the criticism towards her in this board. seems like she never done anything right.

    • stinky says:

      so agreeing with you right now. seriously.

    • lisa says:

      I don’t blame Kate for this — she’ll do as she’s told but I do hold William responsible for all these numbskull moves.

      When you’re the future head of the church of england and part of the royal family then no, sorry, christmas is not private. When your grandmother is your sovereign then, yes, you do show up to support her on the one occasion she wants her family there. When you live off the public purse then, sorry, you don’t get to pick and choose which of your duties you deign to fulfill.

      Don’t like? Simple! Step aside — plenty of worthy people ready, willing and able to step in.

      Of course I think the whole concept of having an unelected head of state is just stupid and William is just proving it with his whimsical, petulant ways.