Duchess Kate & William will spend Christmas at Anmer Hall, not Sandringham

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Whenever the UK papers get a glimpse of Duchess Kate on a shopping spree, they usually refer to it as “retail therapy.” I think they’re dead-on. I think Kate is soothed and relaxed by shopping, bargain-hunting and by the simple act of spending money. She enjoys a good bargain. She enjoys antiquing. She loves nothing more than to spend a whole day riffling through discount racks. Some people are just like that – no judgment, I guess. I’m not. I think spending that much time shopping would be mind-numbing and rage-inducing. Anyway, Kate was spotted shopping last Thursday – go here to see the photos.

Princess Kate delighted locals in Holt, England, when she went shopping for antique dining accessories on Thursday. After browsing the Mews Antique Emporium – a 30-minute drive from her and Prince William’s country home, Anmer Hall – the expectant royal walked away with two big bags full of purchases.

“She bought wine glasses, a lace tablecloth, a glass vase, some bowls and a pair of nutcrackers,” a store employee confirms to PEOPLE.

Wearing a casual plaid cape over a black knitted top and jeans, Kate attracted some attention as she walked up the small town’s street. After shopping in the antiques store (which she also visited back in April 2013), Princess Kate headed towards the small department store Bakers and Larners. “It’s known as the Harrods of Holt – it’s an old fashioned department store, they sell a little of everything,” said Nelson who also commented on Kate’s healthy appearance. “She looked very well, she didn’t look like she had any makeup on but she looked amazing.”

[From People Magazine]

My guess? After Kate did her event in Norwich on Wednesday, she simply stayed at Anmer Hall for a few days (probably without George or William) so she could decorate and shop in the area. She probably wants Anmer to be perfectly decorated in time for Christmas, because that’s where she and William will be for the holidays. They aren’t going to spend Christmas at the Middletons’ home, nor are they going to camp out at Sandringham. According to Grazia, Will and Kate will once again “break with tradition” and only join up with the royal family for part of Christmas Day.

Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly be doing their own thing this Christmas. The festive period is generally a time for families to meet up, and the British royals are no different, favouring spending the holiday together. However, royal insiders say this year William and Catherine are breaking with tradition, and will only spend part of the day with the Queen at her Sandringham home, before going back to their lavish residence Anmer Hall in Norfolk, England.

“William spoke to the Queen about doing their own thing, especially since Kate has been suffering with acute morning sickness. He thought it would be nice for her to have a low-key Christmas. The Queen agreed,” a source told British magazine Grazia.

Catherine and William announced the happy news that they are expecting baby number two in September. They are already proud parents to Prince George, 16 months, and as with George, Catherine is once again suffering from severe morning sickness.

“Kate, William and George will join the royal family on Christmas morning before parting ways until Boxing Day. They will rejoin on Boxing Day for the annual shoot,” the insider added.

Catherine and William married in 2011, and the pair have previously spent the festive period with her family. Last year it was reported that William enjoyed Christmas so much with the Middletons, he’s introduced a more fun element to royal proceedings.

“Christmas in previous years has been formal and duty-filled. Timetables and instructions were even handed out to guests! But Wills’ Christmas with the Middletons last year made him realise how much more enjoyable the festive period could be and he’s been campaigning with Kate to bring that informal flavour to the royal fold,” a source previously revealed.

“He’s bought a lot of board games — the sillier the better. The idea is to play games like Pictionary and charades, which will bring people out of themselves. [His brother] Harry’s even suggested bringing a [Nintendo] Wii console! He loves to dance and sing — especially after a few mulled wines — so there are some great games and karaoke competitions you can play.”

[From Grazia via The Malay Mail]

Ha, I can only imagine what the Queen thought about William’s attempt to make her super-scheduled Christmas more “fun.” The Queen’s holiday festivities are infamous for being a minefield of costume changes and hyper-scheduling. But I guess it’s good that Will and Kate will spend the holidays at Anmer – that’s why the Queen gave it to them, so they would stop spending so much time at the Middletons’ home. Oh, and the Daily Mail says that the Queen will be stopping by Anmer Hall during the Christmas festivities for a little house-warming party. No wonder Kate is doing some last-minute decorating. I hope for Kate’s sake that she didn’t paint everything in Anmer a garish shade of peasant purple.

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Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.

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167 Responses to “Duchess Kate & William will spend Christmas at Anmer Hall, not Sandringham”

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  1. perplexed says:

    Whoa…the eyeliner in these pics…

    • Penelope says:

      I cannot get past it. So cheap-looking, heavy, and just wrong. Won’t SOMEONE in her life help her out on this issue?! She’s a pretty woman but her eye makeup ruins her look!

      • Esmom says:

        I’m with you both. I have said this before and gotten slammed here but I am convinced more than ever that it’s permanent, i.e. tattooed on. I have not seen a single photo, EVER, where she’s not wearing it.

      • FLORC says:

        Ugh. Not a tattoo. Link won’t post, but here’s how to find it. Search her name and without makeup. There’s a photo in the first few lines of pics that shows here head on without eyeliner. There’s slight darkening, but it only runs in an area that suggests it’s just her bottom lashes. Zooming confirms this. Best to find a high quality image. Also she appears to be wearing minimal makeup on her crew training trips early in the marriage. The makeup there looks more like she took an eyeliner pen and gently colored in half of the bottom row of lashes and skin to give a slight tint of shading.

        And i’ve said this so many times. She’s applied it thick and thin. 1 quarter to half to 3 quarters to full length of her water line and outside her water line. She’s also applied the brown eyeliner though often seen with black.
        And she’s applying liquid eyeliner. That stuff rarely goes on thin. So, unless she can change the color and location of her tattoo it’s just not a tattoo.

      • Pippa Mids says:

        Waity doolittle is NO patron to any Charity – she already gave the ‘finger’ to those causes and on her merry shopping sprees for cheap classless clothes.

        Disrespecting HMs, the royals and subjects of GB UK/ C’wealth.

        Waity is all fine and ready to be ‘seen’ in NY; but will be HG pregnant ‘ill’ for Christmas/ royal traditions with HMs PC, who is funding her days of hardwork shopping, spa and ‘antiquing’ from taxpayers other funds.

  2. lisa2 says:

    Don’t know why it hit me.. but Jennifer Garner shops a lot too. I just realized how often we see her out shopping..

    I think Kate is a person that needs less makeup.

    • FLORC says:

      Maybe Garner is doing retail therapy too? With Ben out and about so often. Although, she also has 3 (4?) kids at this point. Shopping for her seems like a norm.

      • Hazel says:

        Well, and shopping–like a restaurant meal, yoga class, jogging–is an easy-pap setup. So in part, it’s about the photo op. And I confess, I’m a recreational shopper, too. Or, was, since my credit card bills are outrageous & I have to put them away, or maybe cut them up entirely & put them in the freezer. Alas, online shopping makes it all-too-easy to go around the frozen card issue. ;-(

      • FLORC says:

        Hazel
        I am there!
        Oh website. Thank you for remembering my info and enabling my addiction. Damnit.

    • Dorotea says:

      At least Jennifer Garner works and earns her own money. lol.

  3. ncboudicca says:

    If he was really rebellious, he wouldn’t be staying in the free house that grandma gave him, which just happens to be part of the Sandringham estate. It’s not like he went to the other end of England!

  4. PunkyMomma says:

    A pair of nutcrackers . . .

    • ncboudicca says:

      William won’t be flirting with any girls at Christmas parties this year. 🙂

      • Pippa Mids says:

        I question I’d common classless doolittle know what antiquing is – She really is soft upstairs to be wasting more tax dollars, when the best antiques are within the RF. Why not use ask her father in law, HM, PAnne for pieces to deco for PW and PG.

        Its not like the Tiaras- she need to work and earn such use.

        We will see if PG is kept away from the HMs, PC the RF at Christmas.

  5. mkyarwood says:

    Yeah. If I was having a pukey pregnancy, I’d only spend half the day with The Queen too.

    • FLORC says:

      You also couldn’t spend every few days on several hour shopping trips. Can we drop the pukey? She’s been noted to have made it well past that. She’s having a very normal and healthy pregnancy complete with weight gain and glow.
      And during her non-pregnant x-mas times she didn’t attend.

      • g0tch4 says:

        When I was pregnant, my first trimester was a flurry of barf. The second trimester, I had pretty scheduled morning barf but totally fine after lunch. Just saying it’s not an all or nothing situation sometimes.

      • FLORC says:

        G0tcha
        No it’s not.. And every pregnancy is different. With Kate things are very well documented though. As of now it’s been said numerous times she’s recovered from barfy days.
        Because Kate is so widely covered by all sorts of people with and without motivations it says a lot when the majority from all sides say the barf is done.
        I’m not saying out of the 1st tri and seen shopping means she must be a 100%. I’m calculating in much more information.

      • wiffie says:

        Yeah every pregnancy can be totally different. I have the opposite of every symptom as last time right now, and also a girl. Sometimes barfing wanes, sometimes not, but she’s obviously feeling better, her face is filling out. Etc.

        Can I note though, while also a slender woman due the same time as Kate, I get asked if I’m due for a new years baby? My belly has passed my boobs and i look like her at 8 months. She looks like she had a big thanksgiving that put on five lbs. I’m 5’4″ and very short waisted though, but still it’s nuts how differently different women carry!

      • FLORC says:

        wiffle
        I remember years ago an actress was fired for being pregnant. I think it was Melrose Place that fired her as soon as they found out. She won her case ofcourse, but the clincher was great. She went on the stand and was asked how far along she was. She answered very far. I can’t remember how long though. In the area of 5 or 8 months. And she was barely showing if at all. Some woman barely show at all. It’s incredible.

      • bluhare says:

        It was Hunter Tylo, FLORC.

        Signed,
        If It’s Useless Information I Remember It

      • FLORC says:

        Thanks Bluhare!
        I’m amazed I even know about this. I mmight have caught it in passing. I’m told I have an eiditic memory, but I think just a very good one. I remember seeing the image of her and reading the headline. Maybe you do too to remember it!

    • India Andrews says:

      Plus Kate and William have avoided the Queen at the holidays when Kate’s not pregnant.

      Really, with Anmer, William and Kate can have a Middleton Christmas without raising suspicion by being at the Middletons the whole time like in Christmases past. A nice bit of disguise for them.

      Kate has had time to shop, go to the petting zoo, go out to lunch. She’s not feeling so barfy she has to skip so much Queen Christmas time. She and William just prefer to spend time with her family.

      • LNG says:

        Actually, they just split their time between the Middletons and the Queen. Like most married couples do. I don’t think its fair to classify spending time with your own family as “skipping out” on Christmas. She should not have to give up time with her family over the holidays and she has not, so I say good for her.

        Amner solves the problem of having to switch back and forth every year – now they can spend time with both.

      • notasugarhere says:

        They haven’t split their time. 2013 was the first time W&K deigned to showed up.

        Christmas Day 2010, spent apart, Wm in Wales, KM with the Middletons
        Christmas Day 2011, with the Middletons
        Christmas Day 2012, with the Middletons for the pap stroll
        Christmas Day 2013, with the BRF

      • bluhare says:

        Actually they were there in 2011. The infamous video of Eugenie pushing past her was that year. So they were there at least for church, and I thought they were there the entire time.

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        There was the church ceremony and the photo op time. I think they show up for when there’s coverage to make it count and then return to the Midds. That’s certainly seems to be a pattern covered so far.

        And where were you for Wiglet Watch a few days ago? It’s just not the same without a Wiglet Wagon. Snatching wiglets and making a clean getaway is very tough on foot!

        LNG
        Nota is right. There’s never been an even split like many couples do. Alternating thanksgiving or another holiday for Christmas and such. It appears if avoiding any downtime with the BRF can happen it does. Even if it’s the only time their presences is requested of them.

      • LNG says:

        2010 they weren’t married.
        2011 they were there – they went to the church and then William went to the hospital to visit Prince Phillip, who was sick that year (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078251/Secrets-ones-Sandringham-Christmas–Camillas-nipping-early.html)
        2012 they were with the Middletons.
        2013 they were with the Royal Family.

        Based on the trading year by year, they should be with the Middletons this year.

      • Dena says:

        Really, with Anmer, William and Kate can have a Middleton Christmas without raising suspicion by being at the Middletons the whole time like in Christmases past. A nice bit of disguise for them.

        ***********
        My thoughts too. The Midds won’t be put up @ the big house with QEII, so this is the next best thing. Plus they all spend Christmas together. It also makes sense to bunk at their place. Less disruption. More privacy.

        Nothing to do with Christmas but although I admire close families I couldn’t have lived out of my parents pockets (literally & figuratively) & check to jowl like Kate does. It just seems so smothering & enmeshed.

      • Pippa Mids says:

        AH is on Sandringham. Common Doolittle will be HG pregnant ‘ill’.

        Waity also fail to study the history traditions of the monachy during her 10 years Wait! She is on countdown anyway.

        Wills would do good to realize the trouble changing and breaking the historical traditions did in GG uncle Eddy.

  6. Suze says:

    Isn’t Amner right next door to Sandringham or on the grounds or something? And the proximity is why Gran bought if for Wills? I think this type of thing was always in the plan.

    Kate looks good preggo. She is also someone who looks much better with less makeup, but it’s not her style or whatever.

    And she’s shopping, what a surprise!

    I haven’t been commenting on these threads because it’s always the same old, same old with these two.

  7. Goats on the Roof says:

    Does it annoy anyone else that People insists on calling her ‘Princess Kate’ or is that just me?

    • India Andrews says:

      Yes, it does annoy me especially when she does the bare minimum to deserve any royal title at all.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        People Mag is so ridiculous some of the reporters were actually surprised on the wedding day that Kate’s title became Duchess.

        The funny thing is they had NO PRoblem understanding that Sarah Ferguson was a Duchess when she married Prince Andrew.

        People magazine is full of crap. They thought by calling Kate Princess, she’d be the phenomenon Diana was….but she’s not.

    • Sammi says:

      That’s exactly what I was going to post about this story. It seems numerous American magazines and websites don’t know the difference between a princess and a duchess. Lazy reporting.

      • FLORC says:

        Sammi
        I don’t think it’s that. It’s been floated around the “princess” addition to Kate’s name is more of an endearing title like “Princess Di”. Not a literal title.

      • bluhare says:

        Bbbbut, it’s her job, FLORC!

        Exhibit A: George’s birth certificate. 🙂

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        It’s mostly People and NBC Today show which does the Princess thing most annoyingly.
        Most US outlets just call her Kate most of the time.

        People magazine seems to not be able to handle that Kate is a Duchess, I guess it’s not Disney enough for People mag.

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        Well it does state that on an official document so I guess she is a princess with her own name.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        IMO The Princess title is not working and Peoplemagazine should get over it , she’ll never be what Diana was, no matter what they call her.

        Kate’s title is like Sarah Duchess of York,when she married Pr.Andrew and People magazine had no problem understanding that Sarah was to be called Duchess, even though Sarah was also HRH t(Princess Andrew).

        Calling Kate Princess at this juncture, just looks odd.
        Most news outlets in the US call her Duchess or Kate, it’s basically People and NBC at times trying to get the steam rolling on calling her Princess and it’s been four years and it still hasn’t stuck.

      • bluhare says:

        Sort of like I’m a legend in my own mind, eh, FLORC? 😀

      • FLORC says:

        Haha
        Well, you are a legend here Bluhare! And if memory serves a Baroness!

    • Pippa Mids says:

      Yes! I go into severe HG whenever some peon place ‘p’ before Waity Doollittle.

      This is why ma carole pa middleton back to stalking Wills aka university ‘hunting wait’ days. Since separation, ma pa middleton seem to be present at functions not for the middleton, except P Will is attending (especially without Waity).

  8. GiGi says:

    My comment disappeared – strange… anyway – I just said what you all are saying. Anmer being just 2 miles from Sandringham House & on the property is hardly being separate from the rest of the family.

  9. puffinlunde says:

    I don’t see what the fuss is about – I think it’s a sensible idea

    Anmer Hall is part of the Sandringham Estate and 2 miles from Sandringham house itself. Given that the press is always full of articles about how squashed the Royals are at Sandringham at Christmas surely it makes sense for William, Kate and George to stay in their own nearby home. I am sure that it will be much easier all around if toddler George has his own space to let off steam without disturbing his great grandparents the Queen (aged 88) and Prince Philip (aged 93) but near enough to visit

    • Sharon Lea says:

      I agree, I feel a large part of this decision is the spatial planning /issues due to the large royal family and the lack of rooms, especially with so many staff on site as well. If their home is that close, it just makes sense.

    • Pippa Mids says:

      HM and the DoE is active – riding and hunting. HMs will love busy Georgie around. That is if they can pry the chains from the common carole middletons. Don’t see why HM PC allow them such bondage of PG).

      HM DoE are no shrinking violets (like some who believe prenAncy is a state of HG/illness).

      Waity was busy shopping for NY trip and she will be shopping again for London return (waste of space serial doolittle).

      To the Thank you photo- it would have been even more special had P Georgie scribble in crayon – he is well coordinated to hold a crayon and would have been princeless.

  10. FLORC says:

    I want to say this before people come in justfying whatever Kate’s actions are because these are valid points.

    Kate’s shopping. It’s not good. She rarely works. What most people do in a week she does in a year. And the money she spends is not hers. That’s where the criticism comes from. She doesn’t appear to know the value. And that’s a problem. She’s a patron of charities that deal with people struggling. Sometimes financially. I don’t think she can really relate to that and not relating she doesn’t connect. Not connecting she lacks passion and motivation to better those charities and causes. And while it possible for the wealthy to understand what struggles are and sympathize I think that’s the exception and not applied to Kate. She needs to empathize. If she can’t it’s an uphill battle to care. (And no i’m not inside her head reading her thoughts. It’s an observation with history to support this theory.)

    And Amner Hall. It’s 1 day to spend doing what the Queen wants. Kate avoids this at all costs it appears. I would hate to spend that day. It sounds awful in many ways, but it’s 1 day for an elderly grandmother in-law and her Queen. Muscle through it.

    It’s just tough to understand how this mother of 1 with another on the way, in her 30’s, married to a man she’s dated for nearly a decade, with several years of “princess training” hasn’t removed her training wheels. Same actions applied to anyone else here would be eaten alive here.

    • puffinlunde says:

      Why the negativity about people doing ordinary things? Christmas shopping or furnishing a new home

      How do you know that the Queen and her 92 year old husband don’t prefer to have their toddler great grandson staying in his own house 2 miles away

      • FLORC says:

        Puff
        Well, the furnishing happens more than it’s covered. And i’m not against buying things for homes. I think you’ve misunderstood my comment. What she bought is not what I spoke about. The season of shopping also.
        I don’t know how to respond to your comment because I can’t understand how you came to that conclusion. Please elaborate?

    • Megan says:

      Kate should not furnish her house because she is the patron of charities that help financially struggling families? That is some seriously twisted logic to critize someone for buying a few things to set the table for a holiday meal.

      • Catk says:

        Seriously. I moved to a new home and am still picking up odds and ends all the time. And I don’t work, because I stay at home with my kids. That is a job, people. Sometimes, my makeup looks bad. And I wear my hair down too often. My skirts are often too short, but I like em that way. I would be a disaster on the international stage.

      • HH says:

        Kate is no simple SAHM, so it’s not sensible to continually apply that label. And yes, from your description you wouldn’t be a good representative for the BRF. It’s good that you noticed.

      • Natalie says:

        Kate and William are extremely well compensated to conduct themselves a certain way during those rare times they do work. If you accepted the money and behaved inappropriately anyway, then yes that would be a disaster.

      • notasugarhere says:

        +1 Natalie.

      • bluhare says:

        I don’t think that’s what FLORC said, Megan. I think she said it doesn’t look good for Kate to be always photographed shopping when she does the bare minimum professionally and lives in free housing given to her by the Queen, and refurbishments (of KP) paid for with public money (for lack of a better term).

        Catk, you didn’t sign up to be the wife of a direct heir to the British throne. If you did, we’d expect more from you too. 🙂

      • FLORC says:

        Megan
        I think you’ve twisted up my point pretty well.
        As HH states below it’s the Full Picture. All year round. Not that she shouldn’t furnish her home or do holiday shopping.
        And ditto for all bluhare said.

        I’m rereading my comment and can’t see where I went wrong for some to think I said Kate can’t holiday shop or furnish a home. If it came across that way it was very much not my intent.

      • megan says:

        FLORC – I don’t think I’ve twisted up your point at all. It is your opinion that Kate does not understand the value of money and you criticize her every time she spends it.

        She grew up in a wealthy family and married into a far wealthier one, yet still bargain hunts. Do people who don’t understand the value of money waste time digging through sale racks when they are fully capable of paying full price?

      • notasugarhere says:

        Kate Middleton has never learned the value of spending money she’s earned. That means, imo, that she doesn’t understand the value of the money she’s spent for the past 32 years.

      • FLORC says:

        Megan.
        Every time? Now I know you’re twisting up my words and points. You miss the times I actualy state I have no issue and find it refreshing her shoes and jewels are often repeats. Same with clutches. That’s 1 example.
        And bargain hunting does not mean you’re thrifty. It means you enjoy the feeling of paying less and that skill of the haggle. Also, it’s been said Kate often swapped clothes with her sister and mother to appear to have a larger wardrobe. They weren’t welathy enough to spend like she does now. And when the Midds bought their main home it was revealed they had to morgage. Even though many pro articles like stating they pay cash outright for their things to give a picture of large wealth.

    • The Original Mia says:

      Agreed!

      Kate spent 90 mins at EACH, was so traumatized by her experience with the patrons that she needed 3 hours of retail therapy to recover. This is something that happens all.the.time. Kate spends more time shopping than working for her charities. She is given so much. She should be giving much more than she does.

      As for visiting the Queen 1 day during Christmas, it’s 1 day. Suck it up. Why should a pair of 90+ year olds leave their home to come to where W&K are holed up, simply because W&K feel they are above doing what the rest of the family has done for decades?

      • wolfpup says:

        I agree, FLORC & Original Mia. These two ingrates need to give an elderly Queen her day. I shake my head at the Middleton family being a part of taking the Queen’s traditional time. They are not faultless in these shenanigans with their open, familial, and impudent arms! If I were Queen I’d be pist at all of them.

      • Vava says:

        I agree too.

        Although, if I were Queen, I’d rather have Kate and William further away from me. LOL. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have given them Anmer Hall, either. And they wouldn’t have a place at Balmoral, either. I’d tell them to work for their money and build/buy their own country place. Now THAT would reinvent the Monarchy, wouldn’t it!?!?!? hahaha.

      • MinnFinn says:

        Mia – There is a lot of consumer behavior research that has shown that feeling upbeat motivates certain people go out and shop. So she might be traumatized by her charity appearance or maybe the opposite–invigorated.

        It’s possible that she feels proud and self-satisfied that in her view the visit went really well or perhaps she pats herself on the back afterward for being a good person. Or maybe all the curtsying and people falling all over themselves to kiss her a** makes her upbeat afterwards.

        For me anyway, Kate is an interesting study of human behavior.

      • MinnFinn says:

        I also agree they should spend all of Christmas Day with the queen every year because attending church as a family and that day has so much religious significance for HM.

        The Midds are not religious as evidenced by the fact that they never went to church other than the baptismal ceremonies for their kids and 2012 Christmas. So IMO, WK and the Midds are supremely selfish by insisting they spend some Christmases apart from HM. Dec 25 is a cultural holiday for the Midds. They could have the Midd Christmas together every year on 12/26 or whatever and it shouldn’t matter.

      • FLORC says:

        But MinnFinn
        Didn’t you read the article about Kate’s childhood church closing its doors? Because I didn’t, but that was the caption on the DM..

      • MinnFinn says:

        FLORC – I did read one of the articles. It said Kate and Pippa were baptized there but mentioned no other attendance or involvement. Kate did not get confirmed as a teen which is the norm and is an important milestone. We know she didn’t because she got confirmed right before her marriage.

    • Sixer says:

      I agree with your general thrust, FLORC (although I’m not that interested in Kate being caught shopping or what pointless trinkets she keeps buying).

      I don’t see any natural empathy in her either. We can’t all have it, I get that. But, if you’re Kate, and you make Kate’s choices, which include marrying into a life of national service, and you don’t have the required empathy, one would have thought you would try to make up for it by at least taking on a decent workload. You’d be wanting to say, “Look, I might not be a natural at this but you can’t say I’m not making the effort.”

      She’s not doing that. She’s wandering along, looking lazy, empty, and bland. And neither she nor William seem capable of perceiving that as any kind of problem.

      • Suze says:

        I don’t see great natural empathy in Princess Anne, either, but the woman makes up for it by working like a dog.

      • Sixer says:

        Exactly, Suze. And it’s not as though Anne chose the life herself, is it? Kate did.

      • Sharon Lea says:

        ha Suze & Sixer – I was going to mention Anne too. She routinely gets high marks in the comment section of the Daily Mail for her hard work. Only the Queen & Philip receive the same amount of good remarks – its a tough crowd there!

      • wolfpup says:

        Why doesn’t Anne give them both a tongue lashing? It seems as though she is capable…but would it be considered impolite for her to do so? William’s riding rough-shod all over his granny. She’s Queen, dam*it! The whole country seems to be aware of that, except WilKat and the Middletons. The Middleton’s seem to be a bad influence, and excuse-makers for Will…they totally entitle him to do as he pleases. William seems to have no boundaries and no one to answer to.

      • FLORC says:

        Sixer
        The trinkets are not interesting, I agree. Retail therapy sounds correct for this. It’s that there’s so much shopping all the time I don’t think she understands why that might look really bad and why so often her trips are covered up, but thanks to the age of technology that’s tough these days. And how easily this would be forgiven if she added some more events. Not like Anne or Harry. Just double up the current number.

        And you’re right. It’s the lack of effort. That events of charity visits, fundraising, and maybe doing something you and your people organize for the charity almost never happens. She’s a name and a face, but that doesn’t really bring in the donations. I adore it when others create events or items for the charity to increase interest and/or donations.

      • Sixer says:

        FLORC

        Yes. It’s like she’s a Stepford royal. All the worthwhile-ness taken out and all the vapidity of privilege retained.

      • megan says:

        Sophie’s father is the only in-law invited to Sandringham for Christmas. Edward is the only one of the queen’s children who is not divorced. Perhaps the queen now sees the value in not expecting a royal spouse to sideline his or her family and is fully on board with William’s more balanced approach to the holidays. Since she is popping over for a house warming party at Anmer, it hardly seems as if she is miffed.

        As the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, I suspect church attendance is the most important aspect of Christmas for the queen, and William, Kate and George are signed up for that.

      • FLORC says:

        Megan
        If the Queen was miffed I doubt she would let them know.

        And as the role of Queen the church ceremony is very important. But as a grandmother and great grandmother that works large hours all year long she requests her family to spend Christmas with her.
        Yes, It’s crowded, and yes it’s a lot of changing and bore. But it’s what she wants. The woman who asks little of you and gives you so much.

        As far as the crowding. They have Anmer 2 miles away to relax in. Not sharing rooms in a full, drafty house.

        Lastly, are you the same megan, but just not capitalizing the “M” or a different one?

      • megan says:

        Kate’s patronage doesn’t raise money? That’s not what EACH says …

        http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/each_hails_huge_response_in_first_few_days_of_the_nook_appeal_1_3867662

      • FLORC says:

        Please reread. I’m not saying that. I’m saying the Charities that have Kate as a patron aren’t benefitting directly from things Kate actively does for them. What about that charity auction? Kate couldn’t even attend (and not because there was something else going on) and the charity was vocal about struggling to stir up interest.

        I’m saying a few visits a year with the majority being galas (at times) at the expence of the charity isn’t noteworthy. She visits. Does she collaborate? Is there something she’s a part of that will be constructed to benefit the charity? Something of her own ideas? Or does she just attend? Are they raising money directly because of Kate?
        And can someone help me here? Was it Kate’s charity or Williams? The charity/cause that put on an event at KP and claimed Kate was to be there. Only to have to say last minute she was never going to attend.

        And for what it’s worth I might be forgeting a gala or 2 where it was held, Kate attended and money was raised by buying plates or tables. Credit to her if she mastermind the event.

      • megan says:

        FLORC – apparently you have no idea how fundraising works. The organization develops the fundraising plan, then uses its influencers to meet its goals. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen my charity clients spin their wheels and waste valuable time and money trying to implement a wealthy patron’s “ideas” for fundraising. Using a big name at gala is one of the most important roles an influencer can play. It drives up the ticket price, drives ticket sales, brings new donors into the fold, and attracts free media attention.

        Fundraising is a serious profession in which the experts spend decades honing their skills. Kate should not, and hopefully does not, spend her time cooking up fundraising schemes that will take up the charity’s precious staff time, and, as is so often the case when someone who is not a fundraising expert interferes, likely fail.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Let’s not forget the “fib” she told the Art Room recently, about how her morning sickness prevented her from being there and highlighting their new facility. She was on vacation in Scotland instead. She also cancelled last minute on the Winter White Ball, no matter how people try to spin it. Whatever her role is supposed to be in fund raising and charity, it isn’t supposed to be cancelling so their efforts are wasted.

      • FLORC says:

        Megan
        I’ve done my part in many charity events and i’m quite proud of that. Some bigger, some smaller. So, I have a grasp on the workings.

        What i’m saying is what is holding Kate back from staging an event or working with the charity to create an event. Or creating something to auction off for them. Remember Bea’s hat from the wedding? She auctioned it off online for Unicef and raised well over 100k. Camilla’s luxury bath kits for victims of assault? Another simple, but inspiring gesture. Kate could create a party (great Party Pieces exposure) or donate something for auction. I’m not saying she goes to the charity and dictates how they should spend their funds for her plans. Or that she should spend loads of funds she has access to on an event. Not at all.
        Just that there’s more she can do.

        Nota
        Paralympics, crew team race.
        She’s made mistakes in the past and hasn’t seemed all that interested in her duties outside of the photo op. That doesn’t mean she needs to continue that way.
        She likes clothes. Why not codesign a dress. Make a limited number and sell them with profits going to charity? We may not like the dress, but what she wears sells well enough. Our opinions wouldn’t matter if it raised charitable funds. She could do anything and have a massively positive influence.

      • Dena says:

        But Sixer . . . What is her (or his) incentive to change? They have both been rewarded for what & who they are and continue to be.

      • bluhare says:

        In the interest of fairness, Kate participated in the design of the pottery EACH had at the fund raiser last week. They’re selling it to raise money. Now, I have no idea what her participation was, but that’s what was said.

      • megan says:

        FLORC – do you have any idea how much it would cost to design and manufacture a dress, especially if it were manufactured domestically in the UK? The licensing rights alone would take months to negotiate and cost thousands of dollars. And who would be in charge of, much less pay for, the marketing, distribution and fulfillment? Showing up to volunteer at a fundraising event for a few hours does not make you qualified to dole out fundraising advice. Kate is a patron of sophisticated nonprofit corporations. Her role is assist them as they deem appropriate, not cook up little projects to keep herself occupied.

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        That’s interesting. Link to the article?

        Megan
        I wonder how you assume so quickly what i’ve done in regards to charity events. Interesting you so quickly belittle my actions when i’ve kept it vague at best.

        And regardings the dress idea. Donations and reduced prices as well as time donated is not unheard of. Time and expenses can be written off as charitable donations by the company producing the dress. And when linked with Kate’s name and the pr generation her office can produce can you argue there’s no chance that could be profitable? Because I know it can and this was no where near the scale of Kate. Materials and time was largely donated. A few names attached. And the outfits sold.
        There’s also the cases where dresses are already made. A celeb joins with the designer to market the dress as for a cause. A slight bump in price so the difference created by that bump goes as donation.
        It seems as if you’re only approaching this sinlge idea from a most costly and worst case scenerio.
        And the dress idea was just OTT. What about donating one of her better known dresses, hats, or jewels? Something she already has and can part with for a cause.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        William is the problem too. He chose a woman he knew would enable his own desire to distance himself from the The Royal Family and fulltime Royal duties or working hard as a royal.

        William does not want Kate to really mesh with his family or with royal life deeply. He’d love to live a life of no duties. IMO

      • bluhare says:

        http://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/539874/Duchess-of-Cambridge-launches-funding-appeal-new-children-s-hospice

        Scroll way down, FLORC, but there’s a sentence there that says she helped design the Emma Bridgewater pottery. There’s also an article on Duchess Kate that talks about it.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Emma Watson was able to do a line with an eco-friendly clothing company (People Tree). Mariska Hargitay has partnered with multiple companies for either unique designs (clothing, jewelry) or add-on signature products (chocolates) to do fund raising for her Joyful Heart Foundation. There have been multiple t-shirt designs by celebs to raise money for charity. Princess Eugenie designed a bracelet that was sold to raise money for the hospital where she had spinal surgery. Prince Harry has raised money for WWTW through the sales of WWTW-branded clothing.

        IF Kate Middleton did help with the design of the pottery (not buying an Express article as enough proof), then it has been shown that it was easily done in a short amount of time. W&K trademarked their titles, so the possibility of selling products with those titles is available in the future. Even something like Cafe Press enables you to do designs on multiple objects, all without cash up front. All easily done in a short amount of time, IF she set her mind to it to be of use to her charities.

      • bluhare says:

        http://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014112522116/kate-middleton-each-hospice-norfolk/

        http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/kate-middleton-launches-10m-east-anglias-childrens-hospices-appeal-1476500

        Granted, the first one doesn’t say she helped design it, but that her office asked or something like that. But I think it’s fair to say she had something to do with it, nas.

      • notasugarhere says:

        “was also shown a range of pottery that had been especially designed for the charity by Emma Bridgewater, at Kate’s request. ” Bluhare, that doesn’t say she designed it. She (ie. most likely her team of advisors who are desperate to make her look good) “requested” that Emma Bridgewater design pottery for a fund raiser. As in, take an existing line already in production and call it the EACH line. At least somebody in KP is doing their job, even if KM isn’t.

        Like when they gave her credit for a study that was funded by the umbrella charity (it was said to be “commissioned by her”). Quick tell everyone she *suggested* that somebody do an annual report. Gosh give her loads of credit for that one. IMO, if she’d had something significant to do with this pottery line, Clarence House would be screaming the news.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Arr, won’t let me save changes.

        That is what the 27 staff at KP are supposed to be doing, finding/making these opportunities as FLORC suggested. This fund raiser line is a good thing. imo, I think KM said yes when the staff presented the idea to her not vice versa. Blowing her contribution to it out of proportion only ends up hurting her image more in the long run.

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        I just learned about the Pottery, but can’t really pin down how Kate was involved. Maybe as much as those shoes she was said to help design? Remember? I think she made them all shades of navy blue.

        Nota
        Thank you for the links and examples! I’ve given up on links here.
        And we often forget Kate has a team that can do it all with her as the image. She just has to sign off and show up.
        The design for charity was a quick thought that stuck because she’s only associated with her appearance. Events become a “what Kate wore” instead of “what Kate did”. So, if Kate wore something and a charity benefitted from that it’s a win win. Right? I don’t see a downside here.

        And another mentioned above William should get more blame. I agree. MAny here do. His actions don’t go overlooked.

      • Pippa Mids says:

        +1

        MFinn
        I agree Waity is an ointeresting study ie breaking the manarching rules traditions that the important Queens have protected (QM, QEl), and is interesting to see how it ends. As we all know Waity is no Lady DI.

        Notasug 1:17 thread;
        Waity spends but I don’t agree -‘what she earns’ – she is workshy.

    • HH says:

      I agree with you on all the shopping. It’s not simply about Kate taking the time to enjoy herself shopping. It’s the FULL picture. Lots of shopping, vacations, and other leisurely activities with minimal *ROYAL* work. Royals don’t put in 8 hour days, they are present for 2 hour activities. The fact that she and Will can’t do that on a regular basis is ridiculous.

    • India Andrews says:

      +1 FLORC.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Thank you FLORC, you’ve summarized it beautifully as usual. Her continual shopping – even while claiming to be too sick to work for two months – showcases her lack of empathy and plain street smarts.

      Christmas Day is the one day HM asks, and after everything she has given to W&K, they still try their best to refuse her. Unbelievable.

    • Hazel says:

      Well said, FLORC.

    • Green Girl says:

      “It’s just tough to understand how this mother of 1 with another on the way, in her 30′s, married to a man she’s dated for nearly a decade, with several years of “princess training” hasn’t removed her training wheels. Same actions applied to anyone else here would be eaten alive here. ”

      BINGO. If she were recently married and was actually 10 years younger, I’d have more sympathy for her. But she’s known what was expected of her while she was chasing Prince William all those years, and she’s had plenty of times to step up.

      I dunno. I guess she reminds me of a former coworker who got pats on the head for doing the bare minimum.

    • Someonestolemyname says:

      Excellent insight FLORC.
      Well said.

  11. Godwina says:

    (1) Ugh, the eye-liner. Cosigned!

    (2) Ugh, shopping.

    (3) ANMER ANMER ANMER. I keep wanting to say AMNER. Like a holdover “li’l abner” tic. I can never get this one right.

  12. Katydid20 says:

    Love that they’re still trotting out the lame “morning sickness” excuse whenever they don’t want to do something. I think if you can go shopping, you’re well enough to go party on Christmas.

  13. Karen says:

    Their home is on Sandringham. So it’s a bit weird they’re are only attending church Christmas morning, and boxing day shoots with the family (god forbid william doesn’t shoot something on boxing day). I know George is rambunctious but Zaras daughter will be there too I’m assuming. So i doubt its a baby-makes-noise issue. The whole isolating themselves a mile from family celebrations is weird.

    Speaking of Zara, I’m surprised their was no mention of her baby’s christening this past weekend, where William came (but no kate)… was she still doing her therapy shopping?

    • The Original Mia says:

      Yeah, what’s the excuse for Kate not attending the christening? William is supposedly one of Mia’s godparents. I’m curious.

      • megan says:

        Perhaps she was not invited because the family wanted it to be a private religious ceremony focused on their daughter and not a gossip fest about Kate’s outfit, hair and make up.

      • bluhare says:

        It was a private event. No photographs other than going into the church taken by a bystander.

      • wolfpup says:

        I don’t think she needed an excuse – I don’t think that she was invited. She didn’t invite all of the royal family for the christening of George, as she wanted photographs of her family and the Queen at his Christening, Perhaps this is why she wasn’t invited to Mia’s.

      • megan says:

        Zara and Mike Tindall were at George’s christening and Zara is one of his grandparents. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2472997/Prince-George-christening-meet-godparents.html

        I do think it is odd that Mia is being christened at 10 months of age. Seems a bit late, which may be why they wanted to keep it low key.

    • notasugarhere says:

      It is odd. She has shown up at tons of society weddings post-marriage, so it isn’t the excuse of taking attention away or not wanting it to be a media circus. Either she wasn’t wanted there (by William or his family), or she chose not to attend.

      • wolfpup says:

        I wonder what the politics are like in this family. It seems that the Queen has fears about Will’s future, and tip-toes everywhere; the Middletons are enablers, trying to ride his coattails up to the top, and so they’re are unwilling to be any kind of guiding light; and the rest of the royal family may blame it all on Kate, because she is his true partner in crime. Catherine knows that she has little or nothing to worry about in all the world, because she’s already the mother of a king. She has them all trumped!

        Prince Charles really doesn’t care about much, but his own fine day. He doesn’t seem to have any guts or the kind of respect that can get William behaving in a more mature and responsible way. Prince Phillip is way too old for this duty – so no one is stopping Willy. It would be so much nicer if we could respect him.

    • Dany says:

      not sure about it, but the photos (DailyMail) show a brunette woman in a blue dress and black blazer. Maybe that´s Kate? The woman looks heavier, but maybe the photo quality is just bad.

      William is easy to identify with his bald spot, the same blue suit as always and his body language. I swear he always stands stiff like that and he has a tic with his hands. He “fingers” his cuffs.

      • Karen says:

        The Daily Mail and the people in the crowd all saw her and didn’t mention it? Doubtful. That woman looks 30lbs heavier than kate was last week – my bets are that was the professional photographer hired for the event.

      • The Original Mia says:

        If that was Kate, the DM would have gone to great lengths to let us know it was her. Especially since the woman was holding a camera. That would have been the perfect opportunity to mention that Kate’s true passion is photography. So no…not buying that’s Kate.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        Kate wasn’t there. One of the press people near was at the church and said NO KATE. She was not there.

  14. psuedointellectual says:

    Love the with the wiglet ponytail. Look closely.

  15. RedWeatherTiger says:

    Am I the only one who thinks the whole Middleton clan will be hightailing it up to Anmer Hall for Christmas, hoping to get a chance to curtsy to the queen before the whole affair is over?

    • Chrissy says:

      I assume they will be. They’d been frozen out of attending Christmas as the Queen’s home in previous years I believe, so I’d say them being at Amner is a given. Can just imagine Carole bragging about spending Christmas at Sandringham with the Queen! The whole family seem like such opportunists.

  16. ShazBot says:

    Don’t the Royals follow the German tradition of Christmas Eve being a big family time with dinner and gifts? I thought I read that, and on Christmas they just go to church and have brunch, then it’s a quiet afternoon?
    Odd that there was no mention of Christmas Eve here.

    • bluhare says:

      You’re right. They open gifts Christmas Eve, and from what I’ve read William and Kate will be there for that. The Middletons celebrate Christmas morning so they’ll be at Anmer for that, and then go to church with the Queen and Christmas dinner at Anmer I assume. Then shooting birds the next day.

      • ShazBot says:

        Anmer really gives them the best of both world then, doesn’t it?
        It will be interesting to see what happens when Charles is King and Will and Kate actually need to step up.

      • Natalie says:

        I think Charles parents like Elizabeth: head in the sand until he can no longer avoid dealing with things. At least Charles had Mountbatten and the Queen Mother as confidants, and Philip to give him hell every now and again, though Philip rather overdid it. Maybe that’s what’s Charles is doing? Avoiding pressuring William the way Philip did with Charles? LOL, I’m rambling.

        But William doesn’t seem to have anyone he really listens to, does he? Unless you count Carole. I don’t think William will ever get it together, even after Charles becomes King. His character is set. He’ll just look for more people to blame.

    • India Andrews says:

      I never knew it but my family is part German and follows that tradition.

      • Chrissy says:

        Same here. We’ve always opened gifts on Christmas Eve with one family dinner. Then, church on Chrtistmas morning and then have another family dinner. Then we all collapse and start the diet on Boxing Day (Dec 26). LOL It’s usually ends up being as family overdose but then we don’t all get together again until Easter.

      • Tulip Garden says:

        My family always celebrated with gifts on Christmas Eve too! It was because my father was a fireman and he volunteered to work Christmas Day so that others could be with their families. I grew up really enjoying that Christmas Eve ritual. Sadly, he has now passed 🙁

  17. Jackson says:

    I don’t think what they’re doing is strange at all, and I can’t believe some people seem to think the Queen wouldn’t be ok with this. They’ll come over and visit and then leave – which is what I dare say most nearly-90 year old great grandparents would want. And isn’t where the Queen stays supposed to be notoriously crowded at Christmastime? I can’t imagine having my own home two freaking miles away and yet I’d STILL have to take up space and make a crowded situation even worse…..again, when my own house is TWO MILES AWAY. Also, if the Queen wanted him there, he’d be there. She is still, after all, the Queen.

  18. Lisa Danielle says:

    It seems that the HG pretense has been completely dropped by KP/the press. I guess they figured nobody would keep buying Kate’s strain that goes away once shopping, galas, or New York are mentioned.

  19. RobN says:

    Anmer Hall is two miles from the Queen’s residence. That was the whole point of gifting it to them; that they could have a residence close to, but not on top of, the Queen’s place. I doubt they’ll have any trouble crossing this vast expanse to take part in any royal get togethers.

    • India Andrews says:

      I’ve driven a lot farther than two miles to spend holidays with relatives I wasn’t excited to see. It is what you do when you’re in a family.

  20. India Andrews says:

    I never wanted to see some of my relatives at the holidays but I decided it is one day a year to keep the peace in the family. I can put on my big girl pants, plaster a smile on my face and be merry.

    • notasugarhere says:

      And when that relative has given you two mansions in exchange for basically nothing, you show up when she asks instead of demanding more and more and more. Neither William nor Kate understand the concept of putting on their big girl pants and making nice.

    • may23 says:

      Hey, maybe it’ll help as well – I haven’t seen my family/relatives in 15 years. It kind of puts things in perspective. I’m sure I’d hate some of them just as much as you can’t stand yours, but, you know…

  21. Sharon Lea says:

    OT – Anyone else read “Prince Harry” by Penny Junor? I bought it thinking it was written by Ingrid Seward and got home and realized. Gah. She did a total hack job on Diana, not surprisingly. Seriously, she swung bats ‘Diana had men coming and going from her home all times of night and day. She was unhappy so much, children don’t like to see that.’ Blah, blah, blah. She actually did not say Diana had Borderline Personality Disorder as she has printed in prior books. Maybe she got into trouble. Hardly anything written about Camilla. She keeps repeating how hard it is for William and Harry to be Charles’ sons…hmmm…how???

    She does say briefly that Harry gets on well with Kate, but not so much the Middletons. Something like, ‘he’s the type that might fling peas during dinner and the Middletons aren’t used that sort of thing.’ And she says something like Carole is an “Alpha Male” LOL Ok, how? She does not elaborate…

    • LadySlippers says:

      •Sharon Lea•

      I did read it. I found the jabs on Diana expected (and ironic considering she repeats the fact that Harry gets really upset when people demonise his mother!). She put down Charles A LOT and in my mind, made him sound like a spin-less, selfish, temperamental weasel. Now that I was surprised about since she’s considered so ‘pro Charles’.

      Junor’s take on the Middleton’s was pretty positive here but •LAK• has stated that isn’t true of her earlier books — so I still need to read more of her earlier books to compare/contrast.

      Overall, her book was okay. Lots of named quotes from staff which was nice — it gave a decent protrait of how he is at work. A con (beyond the Diana bashing) was some glaring omissions like the fact Harry does indeed have dyslexia. For example, the book quotes an officer stating that Harry acts AS IF he had dyslexia because excellent pilots are usually dyslexic (Harry was diagnosed at 17). I felt like her bashing of both Charles and Diana caused her to miss important info about Harry’s childhood and adolescence and him being dyslexic is only one obvious omission.

      • Sharon Lea says:

        Hi LadySlippers,

        Interesting to hear that Penny was more negative towards the Middletons in earlier books, it makes me want to see what she said. Maybe a local library has those.

        Good point about Harry having dyslexia, I had forgotten that. She instead keeps reiterating that he is ‘bad at tests’ but more of an ‘intuitive pilot.’ Wonder why she ignored the dyslexia? I totally agree that she focused so much on certain things, like his military training, that she skimmed over much of what we would have found interesting, like his home life and what Charles is like as a father. She did sort of paint him negatively, and I too was surprised, since she and her hubby were such good friends with Camilla & Charles when Diana was alive.

        I also thought she sort of glossed over Chelsy and their relationship and they were together for years. And barely mentions Cressie. Doesn’t Penny know her audience is young girls and royal watchers? The book was like fat free, low cal etc and I wanted a real meal! ha

        Do you know of a good book that covers William and Harry’s 20s? I’m not a fan girl, really a fan of Diana’s, but I feel there are pieces I am missing.

      • LadySlippers says:

        •Sharon Lea•

        Not really. William *might* have a good book out there but Harry’s pretty much ignored. Almost all the joint books of the princes are 75% William with Harry the other 25%. And most authors get terribly caught up with the Charles and Diana saga too. Junor isn’t alone in that aspect.

  22. may23 says:

    I think it’s a good idea – who knows if her sickness won’t come back? If I was pregnant I’d like to stay in my own home and spend Christmas with my immediate family.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Then why is she a recent add-on to the visit to New York, originally planned as a solo trip for William? VERY selective “sickness” she allegedly has there.

      • may23 says:

        don’t know.

      • The Original Mia says:

        She’s going because she’s always wanted to visit New York. Her sickness, which only seems to pop up when it’s a charity, is non-existent at the moment.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        The thing is Kate could have visited NYC anytime during the decade she dated William. She was getting feelers even about a few jobs there, but she never even went to inquire.

  23. Katerina says:

    Who cares!!!! And does pregnancy make you look old? Or is it all the tanning and smoking she does? She just looks not that great.

    • Kiki04 says:

      The raccoon eye look with all the eyeliner isn’t helping much either.

    • Someonestolemyname says:

      Kate and Pippa both look older than their years, I think it’s their genes.

      I wonder if they age early and stay the same into their late 40’s.
      But there’s rumours Carole had a nip and tuck.

    • Pippa Mids says:

      ArtHistorian;
      +1
      P Wills will ‘need to decide’ or the powers can and will – the choice could be made for him.

      PW seem to enjoy the Title and previledges that come with ‘heir’; the prestine appearance he makes trying to pretend he is doing his duty – but this could change. He is no ‘immature’, reluctant 20 year old with time (as some believe); PC is in a ripe age and although longevity in the genes, he could pass before HM.

      King Harry! He seem to have matured and serious of his duties.

  24. Kori says:

    I think it’s a no story. Anmer Hall is on the estate. It would be ridiculous to stay in the Big House when you have a home right there. Plus there have been stories for years about the royals playing board games, card games, charades…I don’t think it’s something William is springing on them. There were even tales a few years ago of the Queen being introduced to video games.

  25. Paloma says:

    I think she looks fantastic! Good for them for taking a more casual approach to the holidays.

  26. Abby says:

    I love the ponytail look! This is the first time I have to concede that the eye liner is too much. I know it always is, but it makes her look older. And I know everyone has always said this. I’m just finally agreeing.

  27. anne_000 says:

    It’s going to be 25 years of this until W&K take the throne. Just have to accept them as they are because they’re not going to change.

    Like I said before, I think William wants to be one of those monarchs from the British near-past (think Edward VIII and maybe those a generation or three before him too) who will do what they want whenever they want and get their courtiers (now PR teams) to lie to the public and cover for them and make them look better and more deserving than they actually are. He and Kate are not going to bother themselves being held accountable for their privileged positions and income. They’re going to make sure to reap more benefits than they earn and will buck as many inconvenient traditions as possible.

    Like Sheree from RHOA said, “Who’s gonna check me, boo?”

    • Someonestolemyname says:

      I think William will find an excuse to step aside, I honestly don’t believe he wants it.

      • anne_000 says:

        @Someonestolemyname:

        I think there’s no frickin way he’s going to forgo the title because that title is what gets him everything he wants in terms of privilege and income.

        There’s no way he’s going to do what his great uncle did and go be the whatsit of some small little island and beg the regent or whomever else for an income and be glad of whatever amount he gets because it’s always going to be less than what he could have gotten as King.

      • Someonestolemyname says:

        Iit’s just my opinion and most people always tell me I’m way off kilter. but I just don’t believe he is going to ever be King and it will be his own doing.
        I think he’ll wait until Charles is King and too old to fight him on it.

        I also don’t think anything Kate says will be able to make him change his mind either.

        I honestly don’t believe William wants it and I believe it will be William who will shocks the hell out of the world and step down in a decade or two. . I totally believe that,,even if it sounds crazy.

      • bluhare says:

        I don’t think he wants it either SSMN. If he did he might be more interested in prepping for it than he seems to be. For all he knows he could be Prince of Wales next week.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        I am quite sure he doesn’t want it – when he speaks of his grand-mother’s queenship he calls it a BURDEN. That says it all IMO! I don’t know how QEII would describe her position as monarch but I know that QMII describes her queenship as a privilege and a great responsibility. That very much describes how she conducts herself as a monarch as I have observed it through the years.

      • notasugarhere says:

        HMQEII used to cry herself to sleep at night, praying for a brother. She never wanted to be queen. That, her fear of William’s temper, and her overall passive nature are leading the BRF to crisis point with W&K.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        I didn’t know that. I can see how it can be quite a burden and a pressure to thrust into something that you don’t want. However, many of us can be caught in situations or círcumstances which also feels like a prison. What matters is how you deal with it, what choices are you prepared to make?

        QMII wasn’t supposed to be queen either. Her uncle was next in line until a public referendum in 1953 elected to change the laws of succession to include a female monarch if there were no sons. That was done because the king’s brother Prince Knus was deemed unfit to rule. I think Margrethe made her peace with it and she has certainly taken her role very seriously. But it must have been incredibly hard for her to be proclaimed queen the day after her father had died. They had a close and very loving relationship. I imagine it must have been devastating for Elizabeth as well, especially since he died when she was abroad.

        I do actually feel empathy with William on this and he’s certainly not the only one who has felt trapped by his “destiny”. CP Frederik of Denmark also had a period where he felt deeply unhappy about his future and he was critizised for acting reluctantant and sulky at engagement when he was around 20. He has embraced his role now and it seems that his wife has helped him with this. It will be interesting what choices William will make. If he chooses not to step aside then he has to buckle up. However, I don’t think that anything will happen as long as QEII live.

  28. MinnFinn says:

    Speaking of Anmer Hall…WK surely have hired some of their staff for Anmer Hall by now. Why or when will we start hearing about that? If WK are living their full-time for the next few years, they need at least a few staff.

  29. MIMI says:

    Princess Kate always look stunning every time she decided to work.
    she has amazing clothes and jewelry and she can shopping anything she want.

    She’s hardly working in her entire life,
    but she’s coming from wealthy family, I guess that’s normal.

    she has amazing life, adorable baby and handsome husband.
    and she can go holiday every time she want not afraid of works commitment or being
    fired because the boss hate you.

    she’s amazing. Love her.

    • FLORC says:

      You mean Princess William?
      And her family’s wealth is exaggerated. That’s a point the press latched on to to show her as normal and down to earth. Also, it is common for wealthy families to still produce members with stron work ethics. Taht’s how they stay wealthy. The exception gets more press of trust fund 20 somethings doing illegal things or reality tv. Her lack of work experience is far from the norm.

      And she can’t be fired, but she can be divorced if her image hurts the BRF’s image.

  30. wow says:

    Good for them!

    Its good for them to start their own traditions. Nothing wrong with that.

  31. Angel says:

    Prince Charles and the Queen Mum (when she was alive) had their own houses on the sandringham estate. Only the lower members of the family ‘camp’ in the big house. The story says they will still attend the morning festivities. Such a nothing, made-up story.