Prince William & Kate ‘are a strong team,’ claims their in-house photographer

Gwyneth Paltrow Book Signing For 'The Clean Plate: Eat, Reset, Heal'

I hope Prince William enjoyed being dragged this week, because he did it to himself. The Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony flopped and it wasn’t even a 24-hour story. William set up an exclusive interview AND exclusive photos with People Magazine, in what was originally intended to be a victory lap around the American media as they praised him for being so big and so keen. And now he’s being dragged for the People Magazine stuff too, and they’re dragging Kate as well. The Daily Mail truly ran this headline: “Copy-Kate! Cambridges take a leaf out of Meghan and Harry’s book with release of arty black and white PDA pictures from backstage at Earthshot Prize Awards.” LOL. This is the British media telling William and Kate to get back in line and stop being so obvious and desperate.

People Magazine posted their exclusive Chris Jackson photos from “behind the scenes” at Earthshot on Sunday, including a photo where William and Kate were holding hands. That was pretty brief, because they were photographed extensively coming in to the event and at the reception and no one other photographer caught that hand-holding. It’s almost as if they posed specifically for that photo! As you can imagine, Chris Jackson was also tasked with trying to bill Baldemort and Wiglet as a loving couple:

When he stepped off the stage where he made a heartfelt address at the inaugural Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony on Sunday night, the Duchess of Cambridge was waiting for him with a huge welcome. Kate, 39, “was so clearly really proud of him when he came back from his speech,” says Getty royal photographer Chris Jackson, who was capturing exclusive behind-the-scenes images of the event for PEOPLE. “She had been watching on the backstage TV. They are a strong team.”

Jackson’s intimate images from the night show William taking a last-minute look at his speech, Kate heading out into the lights of the stage at Alexandra Palace and the royal couple holding hands in a rare public display of affection.

He adds, “Seeing firsthand, you had this realization of the huge amount of work this was for [William]. It was a really special evening.”

[From People]

“You had this realization of the huge amount of [busy]work this was for [many people who are not William]” fixed it. It’s not like William was toiling away, doing double-blind research on all of the environmental projects nominated for Keenshot’s millions. Willy just faffed around, gave some interviews, took credit for a lot of other people’s work, declared himself keen and that was that. “They are a strong team…” I mean, Kate seems to “know her place,” which is important to a weak man like William. In that sense, they are a strong team.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Instagram.

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135 Responses to “Prince William & Kate ‘are a strong team,’ claims their in-house photographer”

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  1. OriginalLala says:

    When it comes to couples – celeb or not – I’m always weary when it’s loudly proclaimed over and over again that they are a perfect couple….if you’re solid in your relationship you don’t need to externalize it so aggressively.

    I’m not in the UK so I didn’t care to watch Keenshot, but was there no audience at all? no one outside to watch the green carpet arrivals? or is that just the way the photos are framed?

    • Elizabeth Regina says:

      I live in the UK and no one in that family will make me go out and wave a flag. The only person that I went out of my for was Diana. The Keenshot awards ceremony which was on the BBC lost 2 million viewers when usually a programme put on at that time on a Sunday would have 5 million viewers. Tells you how unpopular they are. Just because the press is vocal about their hate of the Sussexes does not mean that the rest of the population embraces the Keens.

    • Scorpion says:

      @originalallala

      I’m wary of anyone whose PR constantly tell us that they are perfect, never put a foot wrong, Down to Earth, A team et cetera…

      It’s like men who immediately tell you within moments of meeting them that they are a nice guy.

      Human beings are fallible by nature, so forgive me but everyone and their mother is side eyeing this PR offensive.

      Next week, we will hear from the GroundKeeper and Keeper of Keys of KP telling us about how normal, down to earth, hardworking ad nauseum.

    • MMadison says:

      So……William doesn’t display ANY public affection for his wife but behind the scenes at events he’s holding Kate’s hand and they are looking into each others eyes with so much love…..LOL these people are CRAZY!

      • CE says:

        Someone conspicuously submitted a report to Deuxmoi that W and K were “snogging” backstage LOL talk about a plant! You can’t create PDA out of thin air but they’re sure trying

      • Kfg says:

        When the Nobel prizes are awarded are there tabloid pictures of the committee members and presenters? No there are photos of the winners. I doubt there will be a 2nd earthshit prize.

      • MMadison says:

        “Earthshit”……LOL…coffee everywhere!!!

      • Becks1 says:

        @Kfg exactly, perfect comparison. There are pictures of the royals but I don’t know how widespread they are, I just see them bc I like seeing tiaras, lol.

        I just looked on the Earthshot page and there are pictures of the winners but not their names and you have to click through. There’s a big picture and quote from William though. Contrast that with the Nobel Prize website, which has a quote from alfred nobel and then just goes right into the winners. You can click for more information but all the winners, with some info as to why they won, are right there on the front page. the winners are the focus, not the Swedish royals. Now you can argue that the difference is that the swedish royals did not establish the Nobel prize, but the contrast is still remarkable.

      • Jaded says:

        You’re forgetting the topless pap shots of her giving Willnot a beej on some balcony in France. Now THAT’S PDA!

      • Tessa says:

        It was funny how the day before (in comments section of DM) Harry and Meghan were slammed because SHE put his hand on HIS BACK. And it is not protocol. Couples in love did not have to show affection. The day after, the same people were saying it was so beautiful to see the Cambridges IN LOVE when she was supporting him with her hand on his back.

      • JMoreno says:

        So the husband will ONLY recognize her when there are no cameras around ….yet camera was around and pictures published by the couple on social media despite that they don’t want their affection on camera. I’m trying to keep up because it’s getting confusing.

    • Tessa says:

      Celebrity couples marriages are often on the rocks when they are proclaimed by the media as the perfect couple. Jen and Brad come to mind.

      • Lorelei says:

        After Harry and Meghan walked out onto the stage in Central Park together, they didn’t need to *issue a press release informing the world that they were a strong team*. We saw it ourselves. It was incredibly obvious.

        The Cambridges are forever trying to play catch-up and they’re totally embarrassing themselves in the process.

      • Nic919 says:

        Harry and Meghan aren’t afraid to show affection in public and Harry doesn’t work overtime to avoid making eye contact with his wife in public as William does.

      • Christine says:

        Tessa, you are ringing my memory bell. I remember clearly a walk down the beach, with Jennifer and Brad, and all of the tabloids had it on the front page, talking about how loved up they were. The very next day the divorce news hit, and it was, in hindsight, a very depressing goodbye walk.

    • Lucy says:

      You nailed it. Everyone I know who’s doing the most to talk about how great their spouse is, how great their marriage is online, most of them are divorced.

      Also see Adele s birthday when she was last on tour where her now ex husband surprised her with confetti of love notes he’d written. Happiness speaks for itself.

      The deaux moi tip was so weird, putting Trinny Woodall, who’s too old, as a school mate. When was the supposed backstage party with Rose? We would’ve seen pics if she’d been there, the press would’ve included it to be sly.

      The over top emphasis on what a great team is overkill and the lady doth protest too much. All they’re doing is increasing the focus on the state of their union.

  2. Elizabeth Regina says:

    Isn’t the photographer married to Top CEO’s assistant?

    • Sunshine says:

      Yes. He’s married to her “stylist.”

      • Laura-Lee MacDonald says:

        Who is described as her ‘close friend’ as well as stylist. Two things: Your employees are not your friends. Collaborators, yes, but as long as money and services are being exchanged, that is a transactional relationship. It can be immensely positive and valuable to both parties, but it is not an organic friendship. Two: Based on Kate’s ‘style’, I’d say more like ‘close frenemy’.

      • BothSidesNow says:

        @ Sunshine, well that explains it all!!! Kween Guevara doesn’t have “friends”, she isn’t capable of being a friend to any woman who would be within walking distance of TOB!!

    • Name keeps changing cos I delete my cookies says:

      He is. Seems like a nice guy who has been fair to H&M, but who also wants to keep he and his madame gainfully employed in the UK. I don’t judge him for that, and I like to think he misses covering H&M. He took the picture H&M used to announce Archie’s pregnancy, the one with Harry fist-bumping the air.

    • BABSORIG says:

      Chris gave an interview a while back where he stated how long he’s worked with both brothers. He stated that his relationship with both Harry and William is based on his professionalism and ability to separate friendships from his work. Chris has covered the Duke of Sussex extensively on all his projects in Africa and else where and him and Harry have a good professional relationship. Chris is one of the few royal related people that has never dissed the Sussexes. He gets along well with both brothers.

      • notasugarhere says:

        He gets no medals from me. He has published nasty photos of Meghan questioning her makeup or clothes while publishing hyper-photoshopped ones of Kate and praising her. And doesn’t delete haters from his feeds.

      • Beach Dreams says:

        Really nota? Because I remember Chris Jackson getting attacked by Cambridge stans for that one photo of Meghan at Remembrance after denying their claims that it must’ve been photoshopped. I also remember him being one of the few among royal reporters and photographers to limit his comment section at one point. That would be a very drastic change if he does what you say he does now.

      • notasugarhere says:

        One photo of Meghan where he was remotely positive vs. all the others where he was tearing her down, photoshopping Kate, and building Kate up. He’s very much on the W&K team; he is no independent. Let’s not forget the disgusting pre-arranged posed photos of Kate at Prince Philip’s funeral. He knows which side his, and his wife’s, bread is buttered on.

  3. Abby says:

    They get praised for the bare minimum. People who don’t even know each other can watch each other on a tv screen and hold a hand. And that’s not the point of the event!

  4. Fanciful says:

    So someone whose job it is to photoshop all their pics is now photoshopping their relationship. Sure, Jan.

    Oh, I missed the holding hands pic. Just like another couple we know

  5. Tiara says:

    This fluff in between red carpet events is how it’s gonna be until someone finally decides to blow up this operation.
    Sussex supporters do not outrage tweet these people into relevance like they want you to.
    One of the reasons Reese Witherspoons media company sold for millions is because of their social media engagement. Telegraph has Camilla looney writing outrageous stories about the Sussex’s because they now get paid by the clicks aka outrage.
    I 100% believe this is part of KPs play..just like ToB talking about billionaires in space last week. They want social media engagement to sell themselves. As well as the lovey dovey look we can relate to the millennials.
    Let them fade into oblivion and apathy.
    Keep Meghan and Harry’s name, their projects tagged, engaged, booked and busy.

    • Jais says:

      @tiara- when you say that’s KP’s play now, do you mean they’re purposely going for outrage clicks now? That’s an interesting idea. I’m wondering if this copy-Kate headline got more SM traction and thinking it probably did. They probably knew that there would be high levels of SM response to their PDA pics but I’m not sure they thought that the daily mail would actually do a copy-Kate headline. I’m not sure their egos can take it, but on the flip side, they are getting more SM attention.

      • Tiara says:

        At some point last year or the year before one of the RRs mentioned that they wanted to get more involved with social media to connect with “the people”
        Will and Kate have both started posting more. Of course all this is following Harry and Meghan.
        As long as people are talking about them, engagement means money in this day and age. They are trying to do more streaming stuff again following H&M so the more people engage the better for them. Whether it’s good or bad doesn’t really matter unless it’s something horribly bad like Andrew.
        Algorithms and all that speak loud when you’re trying to sell products.
        Watch for the climate summit to get some more oopsie “sound bites” of their shock and horror to create more headlines

    • BABSORIG says:

      Personally, I think the DM are mad at the Cambridges for giving the exclusives AND the extremely photoshopped pics to People, an American tabloid. If the Cambridges has sat down with the DM or any other UK tabloid and given this interview with pics, we wouldn’t have heard the end of it. But the BM are mad because the Sussexes are off limits and anything Sussex related is first released by US media and the UK media have to settle for sloppy seconds. Now the Cambridges are taking the same route? No no no no, the BM cant let that happen. The Cambridges should have thought really seriously before they made a decision to lay with the devil. The BM is going to turn on them Cambridges so fast they won’t believe what hit them. I’m telling you the Cambridges heads are spinning right this moment, just from that headline alone. They better get back in line or they’ll be very sorry they even entertained the ” let’s purse the American dream” idea. And I think that as we write this, William is seriously reconsidering this Earthshot thing being hosted in the US next year. I’m.very positive him and his team are having these discussions right now.

      • Tiara says:

        I’ll believe they are turning on them or sending a warning when we actually get a nasty article from one of their sycophants about Will and Kate. For now it’s just a game for DM at the expense of Harry and especially Meghan.
        And they already had a John Kerry announcement for earth shot in the US. It’s happening but I do think with elections, Harry’s memoirs timing it will be tricky.

      • BothSidesNow says:

        I just looked at the DF article and they are very clear in their direction of stabbing W&K now. In fact many of the commenters are angry that when they went to sleep last night, the entire DF article was positively glowing about W&K. Whereas today, they have taken out the daggers and aren’t taking any prisoners!!! The DF is dragging them through the mud!!!

        Uh oh, looks like someone has taken a chunk out of the hand that feeds him and his angry, fist clenching, jealous toddler of TOB…….

      • Lyds says:

        Ditto to the anger directed at Cain’s exclusive to People. The BRF know that it’s a fine line they toe with the tabloids…can imagine the incandescence at Kensington Palace after that headline though.

        That said, between the covers of Chopper Chompers and Goopy Paltrow, could the readership of People BE more white?

        Lastly, I am convinced the Cambridge staff reads Celebitchy. They knew how bad the Keenbridge relationship looked on the outside and the backlash from Khate’s ignored gazes at the Bond premiere…someone said, guys, you gotta be better actors than that and forced Will to cooperate.

      • Lorelei says:

        @BabsOrig, that’s exactly how I read it, too. They’re pissed and this was a warning shot.

        The photos they got were pathetic to begin with, but looked especially dull after the People pics were released (not that those were particularly exciting, but for W&K they are, I guess!).

  6. Brit says:

    I feel like the shoe is going to drop any minute with these two. It’s like everyone including the family is just waiting with baited breath for the media to turn on them. If they can’t produce Harry and Meghan leaks and exclusives or get them back on UK soil, which is what that Diana party was really about, for the tabloids and keep that cycle going, it’s not going to be pretty. Yeah, they’re competitive and jealous but they’re under the control of people who want the golden geese, which isn’t them.

  7. Matthew says:

    these pictures are terrible though

  8. S808 says:

    I’ve largely ignored all of this but that black and white photo….the pda….lmaooo

    • Merricat says:

      Lol, same.

    • Anne says:

      I would love to have been a fly on wall during the conversations about the planned hand-holding. Because there’s no way that was an off-the-cuff move. They should fire their PR team — that’s their strategy? “Let’s copy H&M in the most obvious way AND do it with zero charisma and charm!”

    • Myra says:

      Are they not embarrassed? Because I’m embarrassed for them.

  9. rawiya says:

    The Lifetime movie predicted this. The clip is all over Twitter. Also over Twitter, the British press talking about how Meghan having her hand on Harry’s back wasn’t royal/how the Keens were better than the Sussexes because they weren’t constantly displaying PDA. And now THIS! TOB and Keen and all their staff at KP should be humiliated. It’s so embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for them.

    • Cessily says:

      +1

    • Nic919 says:

      Lacey’s daughter is one of the writers for that lifetime movie so the fact that a clip from a movie filmed months before accurately predicted how these two would respond is likely grounded with a chat with dad about what he learned when writing the book and the updates.

      • Lorelei says:

        @Nic REALLY?! Somehow I didn’t know that about Lacey’s daughter, or I’d forgotten. That makes it so much more humiliating for W&K than it already was 🤭

  10. Cessily says:

    Saw the creepiest video where they use clips of the Lifetime movie Escaping the palace compared to the people article and the ES pda, so either Scarlett Lacey can predict the future or they are binge watching lifetime movies at KP.

    • Becks1 says:

      Third option – Scarlett Lacey knows some of the inside dirt at KP and knew what was being discussed as how to “appeal” to the Sussex market going forward.

      • Cessily says:

        Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

      • Nic919 says:

        She definitely had a chat with her dad about all the information he collected over writing the book.

      • Brit says:

        This. Many there know that there was jealously and envy when it came to Meghan and Harry. The problem is that Harry and Meghan are still visible and thriving. The Cambridge’s can’t move into a market that isn’t interested in them. The irony is that the same people kissing their behinds are the same people desperately wanting access to the Sussexes. Personally, I think they’re only propping up the Cambridge’s due to them being dumped by who they really want and their access to the Cambridge children.

      • swirlmamad says:

        If they think this sad display is going to appeal them to Sussex supporters…..I can’t.

  11. SarahCS says:

    HIS FACE in the handholding pic! Oh my goodness. Clearly there aren’t any others or why would anyone use this one????

    • GuestWho says:

      LOL I came here to say much the same thing. Billy looks like he’s in pain. He’s probably thinking “I hope my girlfriend doesn’t see this!”

    • swirlmamad says:

      I said in another post that his face in that shot is hilarious. One can presume that was the “best” pic if they used that one as well. Really not a good look if in the rare photo of your spouse holding your hand, even he’s got a “can you believe this sh*t???” expression on. 🤣

    • Nic919 says:

      And yet some are interpreting this photo as a sign that they have a solid relationship.
      I don’t think ignoring kate in public but then posing for a quick behind the scenes photo erases his poor treatment of her. Besides this looks as awkward as that anniversary video. And I just cannot believe that a happily married couple would be this awkward around each other after ten years.

    • Agreatreckoning says:

      Yea, his face looks like he’s pleading to be told he can stop holding her hand. The equivalent of “Are we there yet?”.

    • NiqGee says:

      He always looks so strained and pained around her. They can’t fake it well at all.

  12. Eurydice says:

    After you get past Copy-Kate, the DM piece is oddly mild. Lots of comparisons between W&K’s photos and H&M’s, but no sniping or trashing of the Sussexes. I think it’s a definite wrist-slap to Kate, that they’re noticing how she’s copying Meghan, but a gentle slap.

    • Brit says:

      I knew she was copying Meghan when Meghan wore that Tiffany blue Victoria Beckham dress and we had that iconic rain shot, she wore an outfit that was literally the same but in her Kate way. That was creepy and showed the jealously. I think the media wants them to copy to keep the stories coming but it’s a ploy because she’ll never be the real thing and they want Meghan. Not a carbon copy, which isn’t going to sell because Kate is not capable.

      • Eurydice says:

        It’s been obvious since day one that Kate copies Meghan. To me, the unusual thing is that the media is choosing to call her on it.. And even more unusual is to make comparisons without trashing Meghan – I think that’s new.

      • Brit says:

        @Eurydice. I think the change in tone has nothing to do with Kate per say, I think the Diana party/christening and no Lilli/Archie pictures has pushed the press over the edge because they’re losing out on so much money. That recent Thomas Markle interview was basically the press getting back at them and wanting Meghan to respond, which again didn’t work. I think they’ll change up their tactics and be a little nicer by throwing same shade here and there to the Cambridge’s but it still won’t work.

    • Nic919 says:

      I think we will see more digs because the UK media is peeved that Billy gave People an exclusive.

  13. Harper says:

    Yet there is video going around online of them in their Earthshot seats, laughing at something. Kate is staring at William intently, waiting waiting waiting for him to look at her and join her in the laugh and he will not do it. He expends so much effort not to connect with her when they are together.

    Interesting how these photos are done exclusively for the American press. What an act they are putting on. Can’t wait for this fakeness to blow up in their faces.

    • heygingersnaps says:

      Oohh, have you got a link to it? There was barely any engagement for his vanity project and if they really wanted to highlight the environmental cause then they should put the spotlight on the people who have put forth projects or suggestions rather than have willnot and kannot’s photos plastered all over.

      • HeyJude says:

        @Harper OMG Is that an entire instagram account devoted to documenting all the (rare) times they’ve been photographed touching each other in any way in public?! For real?!!!!

        THIS IS SO ABNORMAL!!!!!

        Normal couples do not need a “look how many times I’ve been affectionate with my wife” account.

      • Feeshalori says:

        Kate: look at me, look at me, LOOK AT ME
        William: l can’t, my jacket needs adjusting

        Thanks for that entertaining link, Harper

      • nina says:

        @ Harper. That video clip is so cringe worthy. She obviously is holding on for two reasons,
        (1)Without Baldy she is nothing.She will fall out of the aristo circle that she and Carole worked so hard for.
        (2) She genuinely hopes that she can still salvage her marriage.
        Her imploring glance trying to get him to look at her is humiliating. She needs to get a backbone and stand up to him or leave him.

    • Becks1 says:

      It’s really hard to be next to someone the way he is next to her and to NEVER make eye contact. It takes a lot of effort. That’s how you know he’s doing it on purpose and is focused on it. He does not want to look at her.

    • Betsy says:

      Or, worse from Kate’s perspective, he’s really that over her and it’s no longer work to ignore her. She’s just furniture to him.

    • TheOriginalMia says:

      Damnnnn…

      She’s looking at him, looking at the cameras and he just ignores her. He truly doesn’t gaf about her. At all. Yet, she continues to play the dotting and loving wife. Couldn’t be me.

    • Lorelei says:

      @Harper, I’m so curious to know if she’s still genuinely that much in love with him, or if the adoration is for the cameras, since she gets so lavishly compensated for trying to sell the “stable, happy family” image for Will in the UK?

      ETA YIKES just watched that video! JFC that was painful. I have to think Kate is aware of things like this? That that’s how it looks to so many people that there’s an entire account dedicated to it? That’s so sad. Will she really put up with this treatment for the rest of her life?

    • Noki says:

      What is the insta accoung name,when i click it ,it just goes to the home page?

  14. Queen's_cocktail_hour says:

    Oh, I took the British media’s salty headlines as payback for the Keens courting American media outlets. They wanted to remind them who is in charge.

    • Brit says:

      This too. The media is already traumatized over Harry and Meghan not giving them access. You can see the Sussex influence from other members of the family like Beatrice and Eugenie but the future king/queen and his children doing the same, they don’t want that. I think William and Kate are stressed the hell out and want out that deal with the Rota but still wants to keep them close. They’re truly trapped.

    • Becks1 says:

      Not even about them courting the outlets – I think the rota is PISSED that these exclusive photos were given to People mag. If they had been given to the DM or whatever – no issue. But People? Photos taken by Chris Jackson who is one of the royal pool photographers (I think, as he definitely covers all the royals)? Yeah, Will and Kate went over the rota’s head here and they are going to be mad about it.

  15. Shell says:

    Anyone else notice how their people anonymously dropped a couple “tips” to deux moi about how Kate and Will were “all over each other” at Earshot as well? When I read it I suspected the ‘tips’ were from their people, and then when these “super sexual” photos dropped it was pretty obvious…

    • Jais says:

      Lol, these are “super sexual” pics? Yikes!

    • Merricat says:

      I love the typo here–“Earshot” is a much more accurate depiction of anything William’s involved in.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Why does anyone pay attention to that site anymore. Most of what is on there about royals is written by Meghan haters. They workshop their lies openly on another forum, then submit them to DM.

    • Harper says:

      The deux moi tips were sloppy. Had Kate hanging with Trinny Woodhall and Rose Hanbury sipping champagne and giggling backstage. Then had to come back later and correct the item because Trinny Woodhall is a 50-something year old woman and the tipster meant Trinny Foyle who went to school with Kate. Explained the mistake away as saying Woodhall was on the tipster’s mind at that time (we see you CarolE.)

      The tipster tried to cover so much ground: 1) Kate and Will all over each other just like a couple of kids in love. 2) Claimed the Rose rumors were started by the French magazine that published the naked pics of Kate. 3) Rose rumors have always been scoffed at in tipster’s circle but tipster had suspicions until she saw them all at Earthshot together 4) No baby no. 4 for Kate now because she was drinking champagne.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Kate stans still trying to counter the pics of her drinking a bottle of white wine while expecting Charlotte. William was in the same pics drinking red, so we know that bottle wasn’t his.

      • Canadian says:

        notasugarhere, this is an unnecessary comment. I personally have no idea what guidelines British physicians give their patients about alcohol during pregnancy. Even in Canada, where there is a lot of awareness about the risks, any OB would tell you that an occasional glass of wine is completely acceptable from time to time. And before anyone tries to educate me about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, I have two adopted children who are Fetal Alcohol Effect, so I am well informed on the issue.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Whether you agree with them or not, it is clear the Kate stans have an issue with her being photographed with her bottle of wine during that pregnancy. They repost the pictures all the time – with the wine bottle cut out.

  16. blackfemmebot says:

    After reading Meghan’s lovely letter to Congress and seeing how she shines the light on the needs and work of others just make Balidmort look that much more pathetic. ES sounds like such an important and worthwhile project but because he was in charge it just did not live up to its potential. They’re pathetic and worthwhile causes and work aren’t getting the recognition they deserve because of them.

    • mariahlee says:

      I think the biggest propaganda that even we on this site may have fallen for is that H&M and W&K are peers. It’s apparent now that they are not. I think I read H&M get 5x more internet engagement than W&K? More in a single day than they do in a month in one case. They’re in different leagues, and desperate PR exercises like this are further evidence that W&K are trying to take shortcuts to play catch-up.

      • Lorelei says:

        @MariahLee, I always see their stans reply indignantly to observations like this with, “The Cambridges are the FFK and FFQ! The Harkles are irrelevant! No one will be thinking about them in ten years, but our gorgeous, regal, elegant couple will be KING and QUEEN!!”

        My reaction is sort of like…and? They will still only be figureheads. Their lives will basically be exactly the same as they are now, except William will have mounds of paperwork to deal with every day, and his profile will be on stamps and £? They will never have any privacy and neither will their poor children, they’ll never be able to speak their minds (probably better w/r/t gaffe-prone Bill), never be able to take a personal vacation without having to inform everyone in the UK, have to publicly account for every dollar they spend (well, in theory), never get to look forward to retirement, etc.?

        I don’t get how anyone can seriously view this as the most desirable, superior existence, not in 2021. Maybe centuries or even decades ago, but definitely not anymore, and H&M are living proof of that. I think William would give anything to be able to trade places with Harry right now and that’s why he is so visibly miserable. Their stans are only deluding themselves.

  17. Esmerelda says:

    He’s kinda absorbing her middle class blandness – they’re so boring. Vague green activism, velvet jackets, boring column dresses, is there anything more basic? Yawn.
    Gimme back Charles and Camilla with their jewels and scandals, please, at least that was entertaining.
    He really needs a more interesting spouse, if he wants to stay in the spotlight.

  18. Belli says:

    You’d think William would be disappointed that the awards themselves, his passion project and a cause so close to his heart, is getting no coverage whatsoever.

    People posted a 9 image series on insta to go with their exclusive. The photos are of 1) Kate 2) William and Kate with Clara Amfo and KSI 3) Ed Sheeran 4) William and Kate with Emma Watson 5) William 6) Chris Martin from Coldplay 7) William 8) Yemi Alade 9) William with Emma Thompson

    Anyone missing?

    Prize winners, maybe?

    • Name keeps changing cos I delete my cookies says:

      This is the mildly unforgivable part for me, not highlighting the winners. I know about SmartWorks, Homeboyz, Loveland, and so many other small orgs because H&M gave them a platform. I’ve donated to these orgs. H&M truly give and take and give. W&K just seem to take. Earthshot especially looks like just taking, for William, and giving nothing sustainable ($1m goes quickly! Visibility could ensure money keeps flowing). Funny enough, I only recognized one of the nominees/finalists because Charles’ IG posted a picture of them.

    • Nic919 says:

      I still don’t know who won outside of seeing somewhere that Costa Rica got some money. That’s poor messaging. We should be hearing about the winners and their projects to help the environment. Not whether or not Billy decided to take a few seconds to glance at his wife.

    • Belli says:

      Oh and I just checked the Cambridges’ insta for Earthshot related posts.

      1) William and Kate photo
      2) Post about the Republic of Costa Rica being awarded a prize (first photo has Kate in the corner, second is of Kate with Emma Thompson)
      3) Photo and a video of William
      4) Behind the scenes of William and Kate, William alone, William and Kate.

      Yes, that’s it. That’s all there is. On their official insta.

      Three guesses who Earthshot is all about. Hint: it’s not whoever the heck one a prize (apart from the entire country that was awarded £1 million I have no idea)

    • Merricat says:

      But Belli, if there aren’t lots and lots of photos of William, how will people know he’s in charge here and the most important? Lol.
      It really sums up why William did this.

  19. mariahlee says:

    I can tell KP thought these pics would be groundbreaking and headline grabbing. Except, it’s totally normal for couples to hold hands and embrace each other affectionately. It’s even normal for royal couples to do so — H&M being the most famous — but other European royals as well. I believe they’re a good team — they have shared goals. It’s just a sad state of affairs when you have to pose for and stage manage your PDA.

    • Lorelei says:

      @MariahLee, ITA, KP definitely thought that, and not only were they roundly mocked, but Meghan’s letter dropped so soon after they were released and they were forgotten immediately! (Except for the people still laughing at the “CopyKate!” headline.)

      The only retorts the Camb Stans seemed to have, besides their go-to “FFK/Q!” were, “Meghan and Harry didn’t invent black + white photography, so this headline is stupid!” 😂

  20. Over it says:

    These pictures would mean something if he actually gave a damm about her . Is it just me looking for the negative, or has anyone else noticed that the picture with her having her hand on his back he appears to have his eyes closed to get through it?

    • swirlmamad says:

      Not to mention his hands are clasped in front of him — she’s doing all the work of trying to connect, as per usual. He’s just like “whatever, let’s just do this like they told us to and keep it moving.”

    • Nic919 says:

      She also appears to be barely touching his back as if she is afraid to be too affectionate. It doesn’t look casual or comfortable despite the PR trying to say that it is.

      • Digital Unicorn says:

        Yeah – back during the Waiting years it was often written about how William thought she was too clingy and was the reason for their breakups. The reason he kept dumping her was because there was always someone else he was more interested in.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      All of the “totally genuine and not staged at all” pictures are terribly awkward tbh. She’s looking at him and trying to feign affection while he STILL can’t be bothered to do the bare minimum in return. There’s even one proper smile from him in those shots.

      • Nic919 says:

        He’s still barely looking at her in the super exclusive oh so romantic photos… only confirms that they have serious issues going on. Stans must be in shitty relationships to not see how that is not a loving respectful relationship. They can’t fake it any more. Kate can hyena grin all she wants but William can’t be bothered to pretend.

  21. SunRae says:

    The more stunts they pull, the more sad and dumb they look. I thought they had a better plan than this. I thought the Hollywood stuff was a well-crafted part of the smear… it makes sense to me why that would resonate with the average Brit. But to now rebrand as wannabe influencers while the couple you tried to convince us is all ‘glitz’ advocates for vaccine equity and paid leave, it becomes glaringly obvious how badly thought out and juvenile the whole things was.

    This was the perfect time for them to rebrand as stately, humble, baby hugging, local church opening, salt of the earth royals – the direct antithesis of the LA lot they claim to hate. This… this is just sad. It’s Mufasa plunging to his death sad.

    • Tiara says:

      Unfortunately those blinded by their “hate” of Harry and Meghan won’t see it. They’ll twist and contort themselves to prove that TOB and his wife are different lol.
      Where are the investigative reporters when we need them to expose this family? Where?!!!!

  22. ModeratelyWealthy says:

    He still does not look in her eyes lol.

  23. Merricat says:

    Oscar and Jessica were far more convincing as a couple. Lol.

  24. Amy Bee says:

    According to the royalists there’s nothing wrong with PDA now. LOL. William and Kate can do whatever they want but the fact is Meghan and Harry got bashed for being affectionate in public and for posting black and white pictures. I expect the same treatment from the press for William and Kate. The royal rota is very quiet about these pictures and the exclusive to People but I’m sure they’re pissed about it. Another thing, this Earthshot is not about Climate Change it’s about boosting William and Kate’s image and projecting them on a global stage. These exclusive pictures are proof of this.

  25. Serena says:

    Can they be more obvious? Lol nothing scream ‘happy couple’ more than staged photos and paying people to talk about it.

  26. Coco says:

    If you can’t fake a smile that reaches your eyes, then don’t agree to be photographed smiling on the cover of a popular magazine.

  27. Slippers4 life says:

    So, I’m still unclear on the goal of the “Earthshot prize’. Legitimate hardworking scientists, sociologists, environmentalists, engineers, and inventors, duke it out for research grants from Prince William?” If this is the concept, it feels really condescending. I’m not mad at the idea of setting up a research grant program for the environment, but the spectacle of it all and the exploitation of people actually working hard to make a difference in order to thrust this green velveteen rabbit into the spotlight.

  28. MellyMel says:

    Can’t wait for the media to turn on them and start reporting what’s really going on cause this fake lovey dovey, power couple nonsense is too much.

  29. kelleybelle says:

    Kate’s demeanor and facial expressions? Way overdone and phony as hell, all for the cameras. What a sham.

  30. Anna says:

    Lovley pics

  31. Robin Samuels says:

    To settle for People magazine is an act of desperation. The heir to the British throne appears on a magazine cover displayed in a supermarket checkout line with noted Murdoch tabloids, Enquirer, and Star. As the saying goes, “you never miss the water until the well runs dry.” William and Kate need to step back, refocus, stop competing with the Sussexes because there’s no comparison, and step into the 21st Century. The monarchists will not accept PDA with the Cambridges because they will see it as copying Harry and Meghan, whom they despise. Breaking that silent contract will not be as easy as they anticipate. Charles outwitted William. He saw William’s attempts to undermine him and his need to be front and center, so he set back and let William drive himself right into that brick wall. Love always wins.

  32. Rapunzel says:

    W&K’s PR is so transparent here that it could be mistaken for a window.

    But why are they trying to convince us they are so happy? What’s the purpose? I don’t think it’s only about competition with H&M. I think they are aware that people are suggesting their marriage is strained. This is overcorrection. But why is it so important they look lovey dovey to the public? I mean, it’s just weird. There aren’t any articles suggesting marital problems. They’re obviously not divorcing any time soon. Why can’t they just stay together and let thar speak for itself? It just seems like they’re making some point, and it’s not just “we’re happy like H&M”. Am I crazy for feeling this way?

    • swirlmamad says:

      My guess is it’s a combination of their obsessive need to compete and show “we’re just as loving and solid a couple as H&M (NOT)”, but also, maybe trying to convince THEMSELVES that they can stay in this sham marriage for the long haul, for their own ends. Kate to ensure she gets the grand prize of being Queen/Princess of Wales, and William to hold on to whatever edge he has over his father in popularity, especially if he’s scheming to get the top job sooner rather than later. They (mainly William) may have been on the brink of splitting before Sussexit, and now an open, formal separation may not be possible at this juncture, as has been theorized by many here. So they need to hold on for at least a few more years/as long as the Queen lives, and this is them making the “best” of it. But who knows.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      The more they do this, the worse the end result is going to be. They’re seriously setting themselves up for a spectacular fall with these antics. I’m not saying it’s definitely going to be a divorce, but I feel it’s going to be *something* disastrous for their marriage. They’re doing way too much, especially since few outside of royal watching circles actually pay attention to them.

  33. Kfg says:

    @Rapunzel if I had to guess, I think Charles is holding money over TOB and Keen. He’s letting them dig this stupid ditch and they’re crashing. Had earthshit been successful and interest improved bc of their tabloid photoshoot, he’d let them chill, but bc it’s not, he’s not going to pay for ish until they start doing the bread and butter. This was their attempt to get out of work. It failed. I’m positive that the keens will be following a much busier schedule soon.

    • Tessa says:

      I think Charles is hedging his bets. He notices the W and K future King and Queen spin and noticed Kate’s image all over the media instead of his after the premier. He knows he has to be “nice” to William aka use him and play happy families. But I am not holding out any hopes after the way Charles treated Harry and Meghan and threw them under a bus to “please” William.

  34. Sunday says:

    I know everyone is focused on the copykeen b&w photos, but what in the fruit-punch-mouth The-Master-from-Buffy is going on with William on that cover???

  35. Mslove says:

    If I were William, I’d be very upset with how my mother was treated in that family. I would do everything in my power to make sure that anyone who marries in, is treated with dignity and respect. Sadly, that was not the case for Meghan. William’s cruel and racist behavior towards her was on display for everyone to see, and we want no part of you, William.

    • Lorelei says:

      @MsLove, this one comment really sums up the past five years very succinctly. That is what it boils down to, and it was driven by a combination of racism and jealousy that the Cambridges could not overcome. Diana would be so disappointed in William right now.

  36. kelleybelle says:

    Please tell me your marriage is doomed and miserable, without telling me your marriage is doomed and miserable. “A great team” is more cover-up for the fact that he can’t stand her and they don’t even live together. Obvious to anyone with eyesight and half a brain.

  37. Diana says:

    I don’t know. This constant PR push to say what a great marriage they have and what a great team they are. Yeah It does make me kind of roll my eyes. And while i think this Earthshot Project has potential. This does seem like more a campaign to Puff William up.

  38. Margaret says:

    Let harry come in, and see how the look of love jumps honestly on old kates face. The haggard look on her face in that red dress does not look like a happy loved woman. Face it staged pr puff, by order of the handlers. Full stop.

  39. February-Pisces says:

    I can’t believe they actually did these photos. They are straight up photocopying harry and Meghan. It’s creepy AF.

  40. Marivic says:

    These two are so trying hard to be believably in love. They are so fake. Their PDA has no authenticity. They don’t thrill and electrify anyone no matter how hard they try. Not even their disciples. Because everyone knows that behind that PDA is a woman by the name of Rose who William really wants to be with that night and every other night. So that’s what we all see— no love in the room.

  41. MangoAngelesque says:

    Aw, diddums.

    They touched palms. Sooooooo in love.

    And seriously, the hug between Michelle Obama and the Queen had more chemistry than whatever that back-grazing stiff-arm pose was. She was really trying for the loving doe eyes, I’ll give her that. It’s just difficult to do when your marriage doesn’t include “love” anymore.

    Remember how he “scarfed” Meghan that time? He basically does that same thing to his own wife every time she looks at him. He literally does not even want to make eye contact with her.