Duchess Kate reportedly planning neutral-palate nurseries for her daughter?

kate1

I never got around to posting some of these photos from Duchess Kate’s outing on Wednesday, so here you go. Very few of the photo agencies got pics from this event, which was Kate meeting indoors with some young athletes from SportsAid, one of her (few) patronages. Kate wore a $700 Goat dress in plum. I see nothing in the way of a “bump,” but if this pregnancy is like the last one, she doesn’t really pop out until she’s like five or six months along.

While she was meeting the athletes – many of whom are 2020 Olympic hopefuls – Kate was invited to try out a “cognitive assessment” program which involved her tapping on a large flat-screen. Kate reportedly said: “Finally, something I can do while I am pregnant!” Clarence House posted a short Instagram video of her game-playing:

It’s cute. I’m assuming the trick was to touch the balls of the same color or something? It’s not much of a cognitive assessment to see if one can just “tap the ball.”

Meanwhile, this week’s Life & Style claims that Will and Kate definitely know that they’re having a girl and Kate is already decorating two nurseries. No, not twinsies! She’s decorating one nursery in Kensington Palace and one at Anmer Hall. A source says: “Kate wants more neutral palates like creams and beiges. She’s earmarked rooms that’ll turn into the new baby’s nurseries.” Better a neutral palate than painting everything a garish shade of peasant purple. And after mercilessly bullying poor Kate, the Queen is reportedly “loving” the idea of Will and Kate having a daughter. And you know what will happen if they have a girl… they’ll be naming the girl “Diana”. Sigh…

Oh, and the New York trip just got confirmed today. Will and Kate will be in NYC on December 7th through the 9th. William will be in DC for a day while Kate remains in NYC. I’m glad they won’t be here for Thanksgiving – this gives us something to look forward to in December!

Photos courtesy of Clarence House’s IG, Fame/Flynet and Getty.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

54 Responses to “Duchess Kate reportedly planning neutral-palate nurseries for her daughter?”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Birdix says:

    this is inane, but she has such a beautiful smile.

    • Penelope says:

      Yes, she certainly does. And I may be in the minority but I think the long hair suits her, banana-ish curls and all.

    • Erinn says:

      I was just thinking that when she’s genuinely smiling, it’s really nice. She brightens up. I still like her hair too. Sometimes it’s overdone, but I have hair that length and similar color. If I ever went to the salon (my friend/stylist usually puts big curls in before leaving) and then stopped at my grandparents my grandfather would always laugh and say that I was “copying the princess’ hair”.

  2. OTHER RENEE says:

    She looks like she’s having fun. I guess it beats standing around and making mindless chitchat like she usually does.

    • mayamae says:

      She’s athletic and seems much more genuine in these situations. If they were smart, they would load her schedule up with these types of events. Maybe her pet projects could involve disabled athletes. She might be criticized for being one dimensional in her activities, but that’s better than being criticized for doing nothing.

  3. Ollyholly says:

    Of course she’s designing a neutral nursery, she’s a neutral human being.

  4. Etheldreda says:

    I’m sure Kate and Wills do know the baby’s gender, but I highly doubt it would leak out to the media, especially so early on. Since George is a boy, it just makes a better story for the magazines if the baby is a girl.

  5. notasugarhere says:

    “Finally, something I can do while I am pregnant!” It hasn’t stopped her from shopping, going on vacation, or working out.

    Overall, not the best statement to make. Pregnancy (despite her alleged HG) is not a disability. Seeing as some of the athletes she was visiting are disabled, her comment was inappropriate and possibly offensive to some.

    • RobN says:

      Disabled people aren’t nearly as touchy about the use of normal everyday terms and expressions as you think. They are perfectly capable of understanding that she’s been ill without comparing her illness to their own disabilities.

      • LadySlippers says:

        •RobN•

        Very true. Very, *very* true.

      • notasugarhere says:

        RobN and LS, you know all of them personally do you? Some may not have been offended at all, some may have been. These are people who have overcome great adversity in their lives, being talked down to by someone who has accomplished nothing in hers. I’d suspect some side-eye behind her back about those comments, whether they were offended or not.

      • LadySlippers says:

        •notasugarhere•

        No, I do not. However, the ablebodied often try to rush in to defend the disabled in an effort to be sensitive and PC (not saying you were doing this). My guess is you probably do know someone disabled that is bothered by certain comments by the ablebodied. But I just don’t think your original statement was supported by what I’ve seen personally or learned as a part of my degree either — that’s all I meant.

        To be honest, I think her comment was more tongue-in-cheek and playful. I don’t think she meant her comment to be taken that seriously. However, there are some restrictions during pregnancies, especially depending on any new or pre-existing conditions. She may have something that we don’t know about that requires her to be careful… We just don’t know.

      • notasugarhere says:

        LS I know many who have wicked senses of humor and cope far better than I ever would. That stated, her comment still falls on the negative side of the equation. Any pregnancy restrictions she *might* have had would be temporary (unlike what these individuals are facing) clearly didn’t stop her from shopping, vacationing, and working out. She needs lessons in small talk and deportment.

      • LadySlippers says:

        •notasugarhere•

        I think the comment is being taken out of context. And when that happens, the most bland, garden variety comment could be construed into something inappropriate.

        I seriously think she was making a lighthearted joke — no more or no less. And the people standing around her that had heard the context, would have understood.

      • Tessy says:

        That’s right. PC is necessary but I find that nowadays too much offense taken when obviously none is meant. If this keeps up, there will be no safe topic or comment left to say.

        She was obviously talking about being pregnant and as her comment had nothing to do with anyone else who was around, why should anyone be offended? Its more likely that any disabled people who were there were simply happy to be at the event with her, just like anyone else who was there.

    • Hope says:

      Maybe it’s meant more as “finally, something I’m *allowed* to do.” I’m guessing William is keeping a short leash on her like he did with the last pregnancy. Remember the reports of him fussing over what she did, what she ate, etc?

      • notasugarhere says:

        Hope, he wasn’t around for the majority of her pregnancy as she was encamped at her parents like she is this time. And she’s obviously been shopping, went on vacation, and has been working out. She’s been doing plenty – except working – which makes her comments odd.

      • FLORC says:

        Hope
        what Nota said.
        Kate resides with her parents when William is away and she has great freedom. She does as she pleases. As he also does.

    • MrsB says:

      Good point, I didn’t think of that until reading your comment. It was definitely on the insensitive side.

    • Jennifer Williams says:

      There are a couple of things I have to say about your comment. While I love both of my children my pregnancies were , how did you put it, “disabiling”. I was on bed rest with both the whole time I was pregnant, and they each where still born early. One at 30 weeks one at 32. That was your insensitive comment because there are many woman out there who feel like our bodies aren’t able to do what there built to do.
      Secondly, I have multiple slerosis and am disabled. I struggle hourly to do what most people take for granted when twevle years ago I was severing our country in the Navy. There are many others like me with handicap tags, walkers, wheelchairs, medications and we are proud. Disabled doesn’t sum us up we are mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers.
      So no I’m not offended by your offhanded comment, because you probably weren’t thinking when you put it. My family would be though, very. They’ve struggled with all the years and being disabled doesn’t make them love me any less or vise versa.

      • FLORC says:

        Has this gone off point? I’m having trouble understanding the comment as it appears you’ve taken this as a personal and direct insult.
        Always best to take a breath before we assume we’re under attack. Especially on blogs.

      • notasugarhere says:

        While you may have felt your pregnancies were “disabling,” pregnancy is not considered a disability. It is not the same as long-term disability or chronic life-long illness, as these athletes and you yourself are dealing with. Her off-hand comments, while taken lightly by some, may be considered offensive to others. Again, points to her needing to learn basic small talk. And where did you get the idea that I’d love someone less because they might be differently-abled?

        The only thing pregnancy has prevented KM from doing is working. She was able to shop, workout, and vacation just fine – while claiming she was too sick to work. That is offensive to me and many others. Her doing that has put women who DO suffer from HG at risk, because they’ll be disbelieved by their workplaces.

        And JW, I thank you for your service.

  6. Jeanne says:

    it’s neutral palette – “palate” is what’s in your mouth

  7. RobN says:

    She should stick with a lot of sports related events; it’s really when she looks most relaxed engaged. As a sporty chick myself, I like the fact that she’s athletic and enjoys this stuff.

    I thought they said they weren’t going to find out the sex? I always figured that it would be impossible to keep it out of the media so they just don’t find out. Either way, I love nurseries that aren’t just a bunch of primary colors.

    • LadySlippers says:

      •RobN•

      She always looks most at ease and like she’s having fun at sports related event. I like it.

      As for the gender, they did find out with George, contrary to what was publicly stated. Sometime in June (or thereabouts), after all the ‘daughter stories’ were circling, it broke that a few friends (one I think was Jessica Hay) were saying it was a boy with Harry accidentally saying the same thing (it could be that Harry said it first with others agreeing — can’t remember order*).

      Since these are unnamed sources I’m fairly skeptical but once I hear a credible name being quoted, I’ll give it more credit.

      *Does anyone else remember the details? Lol I’m just drawing a blank.

  8. Hope says:

    You know who else is all about the creams and beiges for her little girl? Kim Kardashian. Those two would be besties in a different world 😉

    • FLORC says:

      Hope
      It was black and white. Not neutrals. Ofcourse that was quickly changed. Nori has loads of color in her surroundings.
      Interestingly enough around that time there was a trend with nurseries to be black and white. Someone started the craze babies make out shapes better with black and white. Making it better for them to absorb shapes and depth. Then over time transition into colors. I’m not on board with that, but it was a trend.

  9. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I hope it’s true that she’s having a girl. That would be fun.

    • mayamae says:

      It would be great fun – if they don’t name the poor thing Diana! I’m partial to Elizabeth, but maybe they don’t want to use it on a child who (absent tragedy) won’t reign.

  10. Sullivan says:

    She looks good.

  11. Lizzy1013 says:

    Her natural smile is beautiful. She’s actually enjoying herself and it’s obvious in her genuine smile. When she forces it for the cameras it looks forced and sometimes joker-esque. I’m sure most of us would look the same way if we had to constantly put on a show for the cameras. Just be yourself girl!!!! Who ever that may be…

  12. AmandaPanda says:

    Are they seriously going to NYC? Why? I don’t understand it at all.

    £700 on a coat dress that looks like it came from jigsaw. Meh. I hope it’s made of fairy cashmere for that price.

  13. CuriousCole says:

    I had a horrible realization. If it is a girl, who do you think will be teaching her to apply makeup? The awful eyeliner will continue into the next generation, NO!

  14. Clara says:

    Beautiful dress, terrible boots. Her shoe game needs some help as usual.

    • Beatrice says:

      Yes! Those look like the same black suede boots she’s been wearing non-stop since 2007 when she was still waiting on the ring.

    • Olenna says:

      I don’t care for the boots either but, for once, she’s not towering over everyone in 4 inch heels. The black Jimmy Choo platforms she wore at the variety performance were just under 5 inches, making her only a couple inches shorter than William’s 6’3″.

    • Chrissy says:

      Is it me but do those boots make her feet look REALLY big? (3rd picture) And the dress looks like something my nana would wear.

      • mayamae says:

        Maybe in contrast to her very thin legs? I think they look fine, but then I’m tall and have what you probably think are big feet too.

  15. Alec says:

    Is it wrong that I want Harry to have a little ginger baby named Diana? That would be perfect!

    I feel Will’s daughter is going to have to be one tough little girl with George as an older brother. Therefore she should be named Elizabeth after the queen. No disrespect to Diana but the queen is a force to be reckoned with (I love them both!).

  16. MinnFinn says:

    Did Kate buy white crib sheets whilst spotted shopping at John Lewis last week? Some reports about Kate are 100% fabrication but maybe there is a logical basis for this neutral nursery report.

  17. deuxchats says:

    methinks you mean “palette.”