A Tale of Two Would-be Princesses
Two very different takes on the Princely girlfriends appeared in the British Sunday press.
Barbara Ellen in The Observer had a real go at Kate Middleton, calling her boring and middle aged : “William seems to be suffering slow death by middle-aged domestication with the admittedly ‘lovely and fragrant’ Kate Middleton”
That was a low blow. But even worse follows : “While Kate Middleton types may be every man’s future, the Chelsy Davys of this world are every young man’s dream.”
To be placed below Chelsy in the eligibility pecking order is not what Kate is used to, but it now seems to be the order of the day.
In the Mail on Sunday, Elizabeth Sanderson praises Chelsy’s educational achievements, even though they’re not quite in the bag : “…she is an intelligent, driven girl who spends much of her days studying and is expected to get a double first in her philosophy, politics and economics degree from Cape Town University.”
She also picks up on a point about the complexity of her course we made here a while ago : “This is no mean feat: her course requires her to study logical and critical thought, international relations, and economic policy and the effects of globalisation. To get a double first from Cape Town, alma mater of the Nobel prize-winning author J.M. Coetzee, requires a sharp brain and serious dedication.”
So what to make of all that? Chelsy is clearly flavour of the month, while Kate is drifting a little. Time to sharpen those stilettos, I think.
Flavour of the month…
That comment about Kate is a big OUCH! Every man’s future… Then again, that comment could also be taken as an ouch for Chelsy. She is every young man’s dream, but not his future. So, she may be fun, but also impractical. While Kate may be boring, she is practical. (This is just a thought, not something that I agree with) Btw, I think that accusing Kate of being a bore is silly. The woman who wrote that dosen’t even know Kate. I feel the same way about those who accused Chelsy of being stupid.
Both are seemingly lovely young woman and people need to stop taking sides! Why can’t they just hope that whatever happens, it will be best for all involved (William, Kate, Harry & Chelsy)… Oh yeah, then people wouldn’t read it.
By Jane on October 24th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
I agree, Jane. Time to give them both a break.
By John on October 24th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
I think both girls have appealing qualities the compliment their respective Princes. Perhaps these two authors should try to get to know them before they judge them.
By Trudie on October 24th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
NOW you are saying this? How many other posts/articles have been judging of Chelsy, not to mention Harry?
I think it is about time that someone dared to say something less than flattering about Kate. IMO she does seem boring… that is part of the reason there are people who do not really “like” Kate.
If “journalists” constantly critisize Chelsy by implying that she is “dizzy”, “stupid”, and “less than KM” than I don’t think that calling someone boring is really that much of an insult. My point is she could be called a lot worse, but isn’t so why the big deal?
And she is right about Chelsy that is a difficult degree and good for her that she is planning on furthering her education… at least she will not be another (IMO) do-nothing-Kate!
By varya on October 24th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Well, as a chap, if I had to make a choice it would be Kate every time. There’s too much danger attached to Chelsy. She’s racy and fun and very intelligent, but I think she’d be another Fergie as a Royal wife.
This generation needs to improve on the choices made by the last one, and for all Kate’s refusal to play the celeb game, she could be perfect for that role.
By John on October 25th, 2006 at 9:14 am
John I do not think Chalesy would be another Fergie as a royal wife. While married to Andrew Sarah had no self-esteem and the constant headlines such as Duchess of Pork further whithered her confidence. Chelsy on the other hand has self confidence. It seems to me that boring is what the monarchy wants not someone who shines on her own.
By Trudie on October 25th, 2006 at 10:08 am
Yuo may be right, Trudie, but the problem is that Royal life, with all those engagements to do, is actually very boring. It takes someone with great stamina and a sense of self-sacrifice (like the Queen) to do it well. Both Diana and Fergie were impulsive types who wanted to be in the spotlight. So both failed in the end.
By John on October 25th, 2006 at 10:22 am
Diana did not fail!!!! She was the best and did her duty very well. It was only her personal marriage issues that was no ones business that leaked into the press. Even with those problems she did her duty very very well.
By lucy on October 25th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
If this time next year Kate is still the non-working,non-career,”non-engaged girlfriend”, just hanging-out and vacationing when William’s available, that will just be sad. If no engagement comes she might be devastated.
By mandy on October 25th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I hope no engagement comes until Wills is at least 28!!
By lucy on October 25th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
I have to agree with Lucy. Diana never failed in her duty even during the worst of times she put a smile on her face and held her head high. Sarah however hard she tried was constantly put down. Though no longer a royal Sarah is still loyal and the amount of charity work she does despite having to earn a living should be a lesson to the minor royals stop griping and get a job.
By Trudie on October 26th, 2006 at 12:13 am
I love love loved that article The Observer article on Chelsy. And yes, it is refreshing to hear Chelsy getting snaps for her achievements and to hear some criticisms of Kate. I do have this to say: I understand why Kate’s the rational, practical choice for a royal bride. But, I think Chelsy brings life and fresh air to a family that many people doubt. While she may seem reckless now, I think with maturity she could be great for the family. People change–no one person acts the same way they did when they were 17-27-37. I think with her fun, intelligence, and dare I say, sparkle–they can be a clutch player for the royal family.
By Pri on October 26th, 2006 at 6:08 am
i meant she can be–not they
By Pri on October 26th, 2006 at 6:10 am
Once you start to confuse Royalty with celebrity the problems start. It needs solid dedicated types to make it work.
When Zara stopped being showy and dedicated herself to winning World and Olympic championships, people started to take her seriously. I hope Chelsy can develop that way. Kate already has.
By John on October 26th, 2006 at 6:52 am
Chelsy is continuing her education, going for more degrees, it appears she ‘is” developing herself. Kate appears to be in “limbo”,not doing much but waiting for something from William,that might not ever come.
By mandy on October 26th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Kate already has? Has what? Gone to night clubs, associated with celebrities at an after party, have no job? Where is the maturity in that?
By lucy on October 26th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Ah, but you don’t know what she does when she’s not clubbing, Lucy. She could be working secretly in a fish packing factory.
By John on October 26th, 2006 at 10:12 am
I highly doubt she is secretely working in a fish packing factory. Also, bringing life and a breath of fresh air is not the same thing as the perception of celebrity. I do not think Chelsy is bringing an element of a “footballer’s wife” as many are quoted to describe her as doing. She did well at Uni–in a challenging major showing that she can work hard. But, she’s young–so don’t discount her as a force to be reckoned with. She can work hard and play hard. We don’t know how Kate acted at St. Andrews–she was lucky enough not to have photographers and paparazzi follow her–she could have acted out and had her share of fun. Remember, Kate is at least 3 and a halif years older than Chelsy. In a way, it is unfair to compare their maturity. As long as Chelsy continues to mature–which of course she will, we ALL do, I think she can be a great member of the royal family.
By Pri on October 26th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
i have to agree with Pri..
John, Kate will NEVER be as good as DIANA… she actually us her “celebrity status” to make the world conscious about the ongoing suffering in Africa. No other British Royal has been so into helping the ones that are in need. I thank God that William and Harry say they will keep doing the same thing as well.. unless Kate tells him not to do so so that she can go party…..
By Ziny on October 27th, 2006 at 12:55 am
But Varya, Priness Anne has been closely involved with Save the Children all around the world for decades. I think she founded it.
By John on October 27th, 2006 at 8:11 am
John not to take away from Princess Anne who is the most hard working Royal it was Diana who took on Aids despite advice by the courtiers against it she highlighted eating disorders, homelessness,leprosy and countless other causes as a humantarian. I wonder when Kate will start supporting charities before marriage like Camilla to clean up her image as a potential Bride instead of being at Williams call. At least it would be some sort of job, and not wandering aimlessly from club to club or shopping.
By Trudie on October 27th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Oh but Ms. Kate has been compared to “WAG” or “Footballer’s girlfriend, as in this article called “What’s the Point of KATE MIDDLETON?”
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=3&subID=694&p=6
By mandy on October 27th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Treeka, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? I have no idea what you have against William, Kate or Chelsy… Perhaps you are some lesser royal that will never have any claim to the throne? Whatever the reason, you are extremely bitter! I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist…
Unless you personally know Kate Middleton or Prince William, calling them boring is very biased of you. As to “Billy” not being a catch, perhaps you haven’t talked to any of the millions of young ladies that adore him.
And old trash? Whatever problems her father has, to blame Chelsy for them is dumb. Nobody is saying that Chelsy hasn’t had it easier than most… Obviously she will never have to work her way through college! Everybody is just applauding the fact that even though her family has money, she seems interested in making a future/fortune for herself and not living off of her folks.
By Jane on October 28th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
No offense to air hostesses……but in “grey-men” royal ,aristocratic circles.. the former Air Hostess would classify on much lower wrungs (than Chelsy’s fabulously wealthy family, with political connections,no matter how questionable). Tatler said it right when they said , it is Chelsy who actually has more in common with those Aristocratics , than former Air Hostess-Party-Favor-maker Middletons. Don’t be fooled, the higher Chelsy goes educationally the more she is developing “herself”,which could be why some of the press seems to be giving her a bit more credit these days , but the longer Kate hangs in limbo with nothing happening, but showing up at a bar or club with William, the less it helps her, she is doing nothing with that Education and IF she doesn’t get a proposal, it will be sooooooo many years, when her main goal was just William. What if it doesn’t pay off for Kate, she will have to find a job, work and finally develop herself outside of William. She may have to do that at 27(but by then so many other university students will have had many years of experience over her, but the good thing is she has the avalanche of publicity, so maybe Kate could end up with a high profile TV-gig or commercial spokeswoman or something IF William doesn’t marry her.) Regardless of anything ,Chelsy is moving forward on her own educationally now, she is developing herself.
By mandy on October 28th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Kate will never “have to work” like most women her age. That sticks in the craw of more than a few. Her parents have created something she and her siblings will inherit. Kate is working for her parents.
By Positive on October 29th, 2006 at 3:55 am
Don’t worry. With or without William in her future Kate will be more than alright.
By Positive on October 29th, 2006 at 3:57 am
working for her parents??? Hahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahhaha… that was a nice joke…. keep ‘em rolling girl!
By Ziny on October 29th, 2006 at 7:22 am
Kate’s not one of the “trust fund” girls — children of the wealthy who never have to work — so she has to have an income. She may well have an arrangement with William who might not want her to work both for security reasons and publicity. Work has a completely different meaning to the aristocracy and Royalty.
By John on October 29th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Um, John I never mentioned Anne so I am not sure why you mentioned me in one of your above post.
And as for Working… if she was working than the press would be all over it. And a lot of people do think it important that she show some kind of work ethic outside of Uni. But alas she seems not to care. And if William did encourage her not to work than it would be very dissapointing. And her security would not be that great, no greater than if she was shopping. Which we all know besides partying untill 3am, is her fav activity, oh and being on her… well you get the idea.
By varya on October 30th, 2006 at 3:30 am
Yeah Zina, she is working for her own parents. Didn’t you hear? They pay her to buy clothes for herself…
By Lucy on November 13th, 2006 at 1:00 pm