On Friday, Duchess Kate made a solo appearance at the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton, England. We don’t have those photos, but you can see them here – Kate wore pants (shocking!) and a nice blazer. Apparently, there was a tea party and Kate played with children, sang “Old McDonald Had a Farm” and did something with a frog puppet. Even though we don’t have the photos, I wanted to talk about her trip because there’s some video and it is AMAZING. There’s a whole new dimension of Kate that we haven’t seen before – a version of Kate who is comfortable around children. I’m not saying that like “she’s been flat-out horrible with kids thus far” or anything, just that when Kate had to interact with kids, she usually seemed to be going through the motions. But in this hilarious video, we have Kate not knowing the words to the song, acting silly with a puppet, getting bossed around by a funny little girl and generally being very, very charming:
You guys, she’s getting better at this. She’s not, like, at Diana or Harry-level with kids, but you could argue that Harry and Diana were simply born with that ability to just be wonderful with children. But Kate is learning how to be better, to be in the moment, to get down to their level and to be silly and sweet with them. I especially liked how she was with the bossy little girl and how Kate sort of wanted to take her home.
In other Kate news, she and William are drawing the ire of their new neighbors. Apparently, a costly renovation is ongoing at Anmer Hall, the mansion/country estate on the Sandringham estate (Anmer was given to them by the queen several months ago). As soon as work on their Kensington Palace apartment was completed, Will and Kate began the renovation at Anmer, and the neighbors are displeased:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have incurred the wrath of locals living near the Queen’s Sandringham estate after picking ‘vulgar’ colourful tiles for their country home. Kate and Wills are putting up a new roof on Anmer Hall and have been accused of turning the Georgian building into ‘a Barratt home’. The mansion’s tiles have been replaced over the past weeks and the neighbours are not best pleased with the result.
The Duke and Duchess, who left a London cinema in tears on Thursday after being informed of the death of Nelson Mandela during the premiere of a biopic of the civil rights hero, are believed to be renovating Anmer Hall to use as a second home.
‘The building dates back to the early 1800s but it looks more like a Barratt home now,’ one local resident told The Sunday Express. ‘It’s not an eyesore but it does look completely different.’
The 10-bedroom property is situated on the Queen’s private estate at Sandringham and has been the home of company director James Everett and his family for 13 years. The Everetts is said to have been asked to leave four years ahead of the end of their lease in order to make way for William and Catherine’s young family.
A raft of new security measures have also been approved by the local council, including the planting of dozens of trees to shield the stunning property from public view.
According to a planning application lodged with King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council this summer, an existing wood store will be converted into extra accommodation – mostly likely for police officers guarding the property – while a garage block will be transformed into an equipment room.
Other plans involve moving the main gates to the property further down the access lane so members of the public will not be able to get so close to the house.
The couple are already renovating another 20-room home in Kensington Palace to serve as their primary London residence, which has so far cost taxpayers £1.1 million in building costs.
I didn’t really get the “Barratt Home” reference completely – from context clues, I gathered that Barratt Homes are apparently very gauche, perhaps even nouveau riche. I was right – Barrett Homes seem to be newly-developed homes that are mass-produced in housing developments, with the idea that you can cheaply make your new home look rather old and English-y, I guess. We have that kind of crap in America too – new developers trying to make their budget, mass-produced mansions look “old” with modern amenities. They’re usually very tacky-looking. And I guess that’s the point – if you’re going to move into an exquisite country home on the grounds of Sandringham, wouldn’t you want to keep the general look of the home?
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
Is she wearing jeans ?
I thought they were sort of velvet pants maybe? I don’t know. I didn’t sleep much last night.
OMG Kate is adorable and I think I am in love with her now! (and the little girl, too!)
Agreed, that little girl made my morning.
When she is relaxed, she is so very attractive.
I love that little girl! I know I loosened up around children a lot myself after I became a mom. I think Kate looked lovely and seemed sweet and funny. And I’m going to get out of the comment thread now, because I don’t want to read any bad things.
She looks beautiful! Love her hair and makeup.
Yup, she’s truly lovely. I need that jacket in my closet though.
When she smiles, her eyes light up her face, and the dimples pop up real cute and sweet, and she no longer seems like a bland plain oatmeal. She should do this more often.
It always surprises me to hear her speak…I don’t know why, that’s just not the voice I expect.
Cute video, but I hope she makes other visits without the entourage and cameras.
Good luck with that request. Not only would the press hunt her down but one would imagine the hospital makes sure there is press. They have a cause to promote and a pretty princess visit only helps that cause.
I guess I’m wrong, but I would have assumed that this was a mansion isolated on the grounds of the Queen’s sprawling estate. My answer would be that I didn’t care who liked it, you don’t have to or can’t see it, so mind your own business! Kate’s ok, I guess. She’s here to stay and she’s growing on me. But it still bothers me every time I see Diana’s ring on her finger.
Why is that? Why wouldn’t her son give that ring to his wife? It’s a family ring and seems perfectly appropriate-and sentimental for William-that Kate wear it. I like seeing it worn by someone who obviously loves it.
Very sweet video! She has a pretty voice.
Awww, so cute! And that little girl is adorable!
I saw this video yesterday and thought she was wonderful!! She seemed at ease and interacted extremely well. This was how I expected her to act after the Canada tour. She did really well there, but it was a slow, steady decline ever since. Good to see there is some hope!
Might I also add, this is the first time I’ve seen PERSONALITY with her. It’s quite refreshing. One of the reasons it’s been easy to criticize and focus on secondary things such as hair, hemline, etc. is because she seemed like a mannequin. I couldn’t get a sense of who she was behind all of that. There was nothing else to focus on and/or distract from any shortcomings.
She’s probably been terrified of doing something wrong, so never relaxed. She’ll get better.
Snort* Gotta love how snobby the neighbours sound.
Aaaah, the English Middle Classes … Makes me homesick!
It seems typical. I’ve been living in England for a little under a year and I was shocked but completely infatuated with a reality show regarding town planning and the like. People around here are passionate about that. Even what might be considered little changes stateside can have massive resistance. I wish I could remember examples, but it’s been awhile since I saw the show.
That was such a sweet video and I gotta say, I love her look in these pictures. She looks so young and hawt! 😉
That video was AMAZING? Really? It amazes me how little Kate has to do to get praise. She interacted with kids. She’s growing more comfortable with her role. I’m glad to see her doing these things — but it’s all very normal and far from amazing.
I think “AMAZING” is in reference to the hysterical and lovely little girl. Cool your jets.
Cute video. When people refer to Diana and stuff you forget when someone dies there is some sort of official sugar coated rewrite of their lives. She was great but she had a long time to learn the ropes.
Barret homes are usually low cost
housing working around minimal space requirements . They are usually made of cardboard and although I have a friend who grew up in one, who defends them fiercely, I loathe the pastiche-style they use to patronise people into believing is the future of living well.
There is NO comparison with Princess Diana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3shlQa_UNro – Montage of Princess Diana with children & babies early in her marriage
Even as a very little girl, Diana loved puppies, bunnies, babies, and the camera. She was a natural straight from the heart. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfVI8Rvi8-c
Thanks for the links – I could watch these videos all day! She was absolutely beautiful and graceful.
I’m glad to see Kate coming into her own but she’s still a long ways from approaching the levels of charm set by Diana.
Erm…okay. A photo montage of Diana with puppies, bunnies, babies…right.
Both links are video. The first is of a young Princess Diana with children, showing her adorably interacting with lots of children on different occasions, which sharply contrasts with Duchess Kate’s cool, stilted way with children in this story’s video. The second is of home movies of Diana as a little girl, already a natural and charmingly interacting with anything and everyone. It’s pretty darn cute.
Am I missing something with your comment, Harriet?
Diana was a natural and the videos demonstrate this. Kids are very perceptive and can sense when someone is genuinely interested in them or “playacting” for the cameras as Kate does. She appears wooden and “stilted” as you quite rightly pointed out.
People also tend to forget that Diana came from an aristocratic background, and although she seemed reserved, was actually well-schooled in how to behave in public, especially at these events. Just because Duana worked as an assistant at a pre-school did not mean she was a commoner, like Kate is. I’m not a big fan of the a Royal Family, but hope Kate is now hitting her stride.
Spray-on jeggings and a dressy blazer. Interesting combination.
I usually defend what she is wearing but I saw the pics from the DM link and I’m really not sure what is happening there!
Am I the only one who just found that whole video incredibly awkward? She just looks so nervous, she’s constantly looking down at the ground, she doesn’t react to anything, including the children, until she see’s how others have reacted, she’s terrible at making conversation (huge pauses between sentences), not even in an amusing fish out of water Prince Charles way, just generally socially awkward…if she were 10 years younger this would be forgivable, but she’s a woman in her 30’s who comes across like a shy 14 year old on their first day of work experience.
On the other hand, she managed to say some words without William backing her up and without notes in her hand, and I guess that’s all we can expect of her.
I don’t know about “nervous” but I see feigned interest and lack of depth and sincerity — i.e. “business as usual”
True!! Kids see right through her. Most do anyway.
No, Kate, you’re not the only one. Duchess is stiff and almost startles when touched. I wonder if she’s a high functioning Aspy?
I think she is a reserved and controlled person, and that situation was probably tough given that she is a new mother visiting a facility full of very sick children. I agree with Kaiser that she is getting better at these sort of visits.
I’m willing to extend a lot of slack here. The kids, the parents, the staff – all seemed really excited and she seemed to interact genuinely with them. She even had to ad lib a bit.
I though she seemed a little humbled by it all, if anything.
And that little girl – wow talk about having personality plus. I fell a bit in love with her myself.
Sloane – I think you are confusing Waity’s single-minded obsession/focus on landing a prince with characteristics of AS.
Yeah, I don’t see improvement here. She’s still fidgety and oddly reserved. Granted trousers are a huge improvement, at least she can physically bend down to the children’s level without flashing her duchess biscuits all over. Otherwise, and in terms of substance, she still seems like a very shallow person who does not find other people or their lives remotely interesting.
I don’t see much improvement either. The kid is great, but Duchess isn’t impressive. I think she’s very ill at ease, that kid helped break the ice, but only for a moment. She’s still quite robotic.
She needs to not wear jeggings to her ROYAL appearances. Save them for your walks in the park or your country retreats, Kate.
Were we watching the same video? I thought she handled herself rather well.
yeah, I don’t know what video they were watching, either. “High functioning Aspy?” Seriously?
She seemed warm, genuine and quite happy to be there and enjoying the children. Obviously that one little girl thought so too!
Equally confused. What’s an ASPY by the way? I think, when everyone is staring at you like that, of course things are bound to get a little awkward at some point or the other. I’m not a natural kid person. I really resent that you’re seen as a good person only if you are able to naturally make them laugh, smile and cuddle every single one you ever meet. Because that’s not weird at all?
Aspy is short for Aspergers. As in the PP was implying that Duchess Kate has Aspergers (it’s on the autism spectrum) and that’s why she is so terrible in public. Which of course is a pile of nonsense. She seems to do just fine on her public outings lately. I think she’s starting to get the hang of doing public appearances rather well.
Awww, no I never said or meant that Duchess Kate wasn’t a good person because she’s not as warm and charismatic as Princess Diana was. Introverts are some of the kindest, loveliest people I know.
Kate seems uncomfortable here, but I hope to see her improve as she gains more experience. She’s just not a natural though, which again doesn’t reflect on her character at all.
That little girl is adorable. Super cute.
So Kate’s been averaging a event every 8-10 days since the christening. Honestly (and I say this as a Kate fan)-that’s not what I was expecting from her post-baby. I do wonder if it is just because there is a uptick in charity events around the holidays.
The Middletons bring William to Mustique every January. Will & Kate have to put in enough appearances so that when they inevitable depart with Prince G, the papers will say “much deserved break” rather than the truth “yet another vacation from a workshy couple of freeloaders.”
Agreed, L. I don’t think her workload is anything to write home about. No one is expecting her to work 80-hour weeks, but I don’t think one or two daytime events and maybe an evening event every week would be an overwhelming workload.
Good for her. She brightened the day of very ill children. They were smiling and having fun. That is all that matters.
Forget Kate – I’m all about that little girl. She’s got moxie and initiative, and she’s fearless. I want her to come teach some of my employees a thing or two :).
i have a 5yr old cousin who is exactly like that little girl. impossible to resist.
I did post this video in the last Kate thread. And I told you that girl steals the show.
As for the neighbors, fuck them. Apparently there are new trees that will be planted for extra privacy so the neighbors won’t be able to see it anyway.
That was adorable!
Okay, that video was precious.
I own a construction business and new roofs frequently look like hell until they’ve weathered a few winters. Most tiles weather into the color you’re looking for; they don’t start out that way.
They probably do look a little wild compared to local homes that have been around for a century or more but that won’t last.
She seemed slightly more engaged which is an improvement. The little girl is adorable. Kids usually are, though.
As for her look, oh, hell no! Jeggings and a dress blazer with winter wedges? No. Dress slacks and flats would have been fine. Not for Kate, though, who has to show us her long, skinny legs. Get a stylist, Duchess! You’re not a 32 yo housewife (well, you are). You are a 32 yo, future Queen Consort. Start dressing like it.
That video made me smile. Loved it. She seems much more at ease and confident. It’s nice to see her personality come out a bit more. I would imagine this whole lifestyle would come with a steep learning curve. It would for me, that’s for sure.
Whoever is training her is the hardest worker in London!
The little girl made my day.
Kate looked great in the video. No she’s not as amazing with children and Harry and Diana, but she’s improved greatly since marrying William.
The outfit was nice. Those velvet(?) pants should have been trousers imo. And those wedges are awful, but that’s because I hate most wedges. She’s making progress in turning her image around. I wonder if William is going to be ok with the future headlines of how Kate is stealing the spot light and how she works harder than him.
Last thing. WIGLET?
Yes to the wiglet. There’ some photos where it does look like she’s got it on.
And, yes, she looks much more engaged than she has in the past. I hope that she’s gained some confidence from it as I really think that a lot of her awkwardness at events is stage fright or other fears.
Florc quit with the wiglet already. That’s her hair! Sometimes that green eyed monster just can’t help but slither out. Lol! Sorry I don’t mean to pick on you but c’mon.
Maggie
You often mock my posts and it seems personal and not topic based. I’m going back to not engaging you now.
There’s this thing called “scrolling by”, Maggie. Try it when people are discussing something you don’t care for. Florc and I love the wiglet watch, and I for one am not going to let you spoil my fun.
I think she did fine. I wish she’d do something with that hair so it wouldn’t flop all over the place though. If she wants to leave it so long, at least put it in a French braid so she doesn’t have to keep shoving it out of her face when she’s interacting with people.
I love the full length photo of that white dress, she looks gorgeous.
I believe Kate will be just fine. A lot of people forget that Diana also had to ease into the role of being a public figure within the royal family. At the beginning of her brief courtship with Charles she was shy, awkward and quite unsure of herself in public. Everyone has a learning curve.
Not only that but I firmly believe that the queen is quite fun of Will and Kate as a couple. Believe it or not there are a lot of similarities between her grandson’s marriage to Kate and her own marriage to Philip so many decades ago. I’m sure that she finds the couple refreshing even though she is aware of their public persona. The queen is known to follow the press and media reports about herself and the royal family. I believe the queen and Prince Charles are completely in control of the monarchy and exactly what they are doing. We may not like the amount of work that that Prince William and the Duchess put in but it is what it is.
And I also believe there is nothing wrong with being shy or awkward and public. The role will grow on her I believe. Besides, that everyone has the magic touch with children is laughable. And let’s not forget that some children can be quite beastly LOL. But I wish to high heavens that she would get a stylist. I love clothes and although I love mini the pieces and Kate wardrobe I don’t know why she can’t put them together properly. Shaking my head at this one.
Kate is getting much better and this visit had many charming moments. The children, parents and staff were obviously thrilled and she did her job well – the video will be provide the hospice with much needed visibility. So – a really good job by the duchess.
I will say, though, that I remember Diana even from the early days and there was very little “easing in” her royal duties. She wasn’t really shy, not past the first interview with Charles.
Here is a montage of footage of several interactions with children over the first two or three years of her marriage and you can see how incredible she was with people, I mean, really, really off the charts good. It’s a gift, though, and I hardly blame Kate for not matching her. It’s not a contest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3shlQa_UNro
I think Kate is just a very shy and private person in general, it’s not easy to go to these things and come off looking winsome (a la George Clooney), but it’s nice to see her making an effort. And gosh that little girl was so adorable!
Bloody hell, please tell me kate didn’t have on the wedges of doom again? If her performace at this kids hospital was the new and improved kate, we are in trouble.
It’s nice to see her in action and not just pictures of her shaking people’s hands! She has a nice voice. The best bit about this is how she went with the moment, kids are incredibly spontaneous and even the most well organised and thought out person can be caught off guard. Nice that she took everything in her stride as well with that little girl such as the musical instrument bit and the Father Christmas comment haha. I can only imagine how awkward it could be to try and interact with a multitude of people and children all at once with all those cameras flashing and what have you. As much as people may say that she isn’t half as good at public appearances as Diana, she’s certainly getting into her stride more. Now to up the number of engagements for more practise!
As for the roof tiles, I think they are a kind of red colour, but they are the sort of tiles that are due to weather into a more traditional colour 🙂
Now to up the number of engagements for more practise!
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I don’t think so. Where children in particular are concerned, you are a natural or you’re not and Diana had it in spades. All the practice in the world won’t make Kate “genuine” or give her charisma and her actions will always seem strained and forced. Sure she can “practise” hiding her boredom, but kids see through that pretty quickly. Sorry 🙂
Penny. Remember the first camping engagement? The children looked utterly bored in every picture with her. With that said, i see improvements. Although others have argued that when you have set the bar 6 feet under you cqn only go up.
Why do the neighbors care what someone else’s home looks like…mind your business.
Well, I care what I look at from my house. That being said, although the roof tiles are quite jarring they’ll fade or they can be weathered artificially. No big deal.
I think Kate looked beautiful- and those were not jeggings, for crying out loud. They were blue corduroys, and I think they were appropriate for playing with children. I agree with the comment above giving her some slack. It must be terribly sad to go to a place like this and keep one’s composure after the parents’ tales of hardship and kids with tubes stuck in their noses, and all in front of cameras. I don’t think I could personally hold it together very well if I visited a place like that.