Kate Middleton hard at work at home
It’s good to see the Daily Mail threading a little light into the “Waity Katie” obsessions of some commentators and newspapers, including its sister paper, The Mail on Sunday.
On the website they quote a piece in Hello Magazine, in which friends of Kate Middleton rebut the constant stream of antagonism about Prince William’s girlfriend’s lack of “a job”.
Hello reports that Kate has been working full-time at her parents’ multimillion-pound business, Party Pieces, for several months in a 9-5 role editing catalogues for the mail-order children’s party props and costumes enterprise in Berkshire.
“She is annoyed at the headlines saying she doesn’t work,” according to a friend. “She is actually working full-time, is on the payroll, and plans to continue doing the job.”
The MoS stories about the Queen ordering her and Prince William out to work seem wide of the mark. It’s astonishing the Queen hasn’t made a fuss. She was livid with the BBC over their visual misquote in A Year In The Life Of The Queen, the corporation’s ill-fated, but ultimately rescued, documentary series.
The quoted “Royal aides” are clearly waspish towards Kate Middleton and are psychologically inept at best. You could walk an adult bull elephant through the holes in some of the stories. We’ve long suspected these are a self-selecting set with their own agenda to promote.
With Kate, it may be just a shift of tone here and there, as we’ve pointed out before, but it seems to convey the wrong impression of the Monarch’s wishes.
The Queen has always been reluctant to interfere in her children’s private lives. She’s not going to start now at the age of 82.
John, it’s clear to me there is something rather rude going on at one of the Palaces, that someone must be on some sort of deranged campaign to weaken Kate otherwise why would so many negative articles have come out? I find it appalling that Kate is forced to have someone speak out (the Hello article) on her behalf — I am thinking it might even be her sister, which however sweet it is a shame it’s not someone from the royal PR machine — to defend her from the workshy allegations.
I thought the Monarchy had modernised, yet it would seem that CH/BP have not, as Kate seems to be left alone to fend for herself through the PR minefield that is the British press. Why is it they only wait until an offical engagement is announced to take someone into the Royal fold? Why wait so long? That seems unfair to any young woman (or man) wishing to marry into the RF.
I was rereading the Belle Robinson/Jigsaw interview in the Evening Standard and Belle quoted Kate as having said that she could go to the Clarence House PR machine for help, but only if it was “politically serious” or some such thing. That doesn’t sound very reassuring or particularly helpful, at least to my view.
Also, I don’t wish to criticise William, but why doesn’t he provide her with a private bodyguard so that she can have the career of her choice whilst dating him? It would seem he would have enough money to do so, and I would think, if done discreetly, and by revealing that it was not taxpayer funded, that it would be the sensible thing to do.
I hope Kate can continue being so strong, but this is getting to a ridiculous point, leaving the poor girl out on her own to deal with all of this. I’m quite put out with the CH press office, I must say.
By alsgal on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Two things:
1) I don’t believe these hateful stories are coming from the Palaces. How easy is it for a reporter like Katie Nicholl to ascribe one of her screeds to an unnamed “Palace source”? It just so happens that my own Palace insider tells me she makes all her stories up to impress her editors.
2) It sounds cruel, but perhaps the Palace, by remaining silent and publicly unsupportive, is trying to see how tough she is? Once she’s on the inside, the onslaught will increase a hundred fold, and she won’t be able to hide behind HM’s skirts there either. God knows, neither an engagement announcement nor a Royal wedding ever yielded any Palace comfort for Diana.
By Dan on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
It’s good that Hello is confirming that sheis working at the family business but everybody here has said this all along. Alsgal, I have to agree with you, she needs mor public support from the royal family and the game need to be stepped up.
By Claudius on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I wonder why the Kate-haters care so much whether she has a job. I’ll take them seriously when they prove that THEY have jobs, and aren’t spending their days on the dole posting to the tabloids.
Bunch of yobs.
By Dan on September 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Don’t worry, Dan. Leogirl and her other aliases are dumped from this website.
By John on September 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Dan, despite the noisy protests of a few dozen living on the lunatic fringe, the majority of the British public are in fact rooting for Kate and William, and if anything, just can’t wait for them to get on with this marriage business because who doesn’t love a Royal Wedding? Those doubting Kate’s ability to function as a royal consort either a) have no idea what it entails so who are they to say who is qualified or not and b) discount the simple yet huge fact that Kate is from a self-made family. It’s in her genes for goodness sakes to work hard and be productive — look at how her parents built a multi-million pound business out of nothing but hard work and determination. That, to my view, speaks volumes about where Kate has come from and where Kate is going.
By alsgal on September 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I like especially the DM comments that accuse her of wasting her St. Andrew’s degree.
Her degree is in art history. I know a lot of people whose art history degrees have got them far less than a job editing sales catalogs.
Would people be happier if she worked in the Christie’s sales catalogs department? Trust me—the work is identical, whether you’re selling partyware or Old Masters.
By Dan on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Dan, you bring up a good point. The people who say she has “wasted” her degree usually go on to suggest that she could have “at least” worked in a gallery. Yet, I can hear the complaints now: “What does Kate actually do whilst working in a gallery? All those girls do is schmooze the rich clients and husband hunt.” Once again, no matter what she does, she will be damned in certain quarters.
Let’s face it, even if Kate was working as a trainee doctor in a hospital ward for terminally ill children, and taking her elderly aunt to church every Sunday, certain people would still complain.
BTW I would like to point out that Kate’s History of Art degree will not go unused once she is chatelaine of a few homes containing the magnificent Royal Collection.
At last, a Princess who will know her van Eyck from her van der Weyden.
By alsgal on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Well said, alsgal.
After a slow August, Royal news, especially about Kate, appears to be ramping up. Is there any cause for this, other than the need to sell papers?
By Dan on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Has anyone heard from Gigi lately? I think that she might be away from the damaging effects of Gustav. I am hoping.
Now, I have a theory. I think that people who are against Kate might be reading about William becoming King sooner than later. If so then they are afraid that Kate would become queen. So they are stepping up their negative campaign against her. They don’t like her in the beginning. Now they have a greater reason to be negative. For my own curiousity I wonder if any of these people have any direct knowledge of her or her relationship with William? I don’t think so. They would truly be happy for them. The only reason to go negative is that their fairy tale will be ended. I think that the press articles are pure speculation. They want to sell papers. They need to write something. So why not guess at what is truly happening? Some people say that it would help greatly if a statement could be made. I think that statement was made through her birthday invitation to Charles’s party, vacation, Garter Ceremony etc. I really do think that in their own time an announcemnet will be made. I am hoping for sooner than later. That is just me.
By kat on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:00 am
Dan I hate to disagree with you but some of these stories very well could be leaked from from the various palaces by courtiers with an agenda. It happened in the case of Sarah and she wrote about it in my story. I just don’t put it past some of those old snobs. As for Kate wasting her degree I hate to say it but she is!!! The media and William himself have made it impossible for her to do any kind of public work. I think the only time her degree will come in for any good is if she could do some kind of work with the royal collection. William better step up to the plate soon and marry her so waity kaity can disappear and Kate/ Catherine Duchess of what ever can appear.
By Trudie on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 am
alsgal,
I agree with your second point. Except I don’t blame CH or BP. I am actually becoming somewhat disappointed with William, with how he has chosen to go about this. Kate is really out there by herself. Her parents are pretty much shouldering most of the load. They have to provide her with a job and a place to live because of her relationship. Where is her prince? As you said, he could certainly afford to hire a few security guards to make this situation a little easier for Kate. I’m not saying Prince William is a bad guy, but he should follow the example of his father Charles and his uncle Edward & what they did for Camilla and Sophie even before there was an engagement announced.
By lizzy on September 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 am
I would have to say that Miss Middleton’s degree couldn’t possibly help her in any way now that she is pretty much a celebrity. Her status as the girlfriend of a prince is enough to get her anything she wanted in the world. I think it’s smart that she is tucked away with her parents, helping them out with their business. This way, she’s not hounded by prying eyes, and still gets work hours in. I’m disappointed William or another Royal has not come out to say that she is working, however, I agree with Dan’s first comment. If she can handle all of this criticism from the tabs, then she can do anything. It must be the hardest thing to see negative things about you in the tabs so often, but if she can weather this storm, I think she’ll be a very good Royal.
I think it would be tiresome to not have a job. To go out and party, laze about, etc etc., one would get bored. She doesn’t strike me as the type to just sit around and think about what club to hit next.
As for the jealousy issues… one can’t blame them, but really, one should get over it. Everyone wants to be Kate Middleton right now, but what’s the use in a smear campaign that really isn’t working? The only opinions she need care about are those of her family and those of the Royal family. All others are trivial.
By Meg on September 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 am
I said all along that Kate was probably working for her parents. Obviously she had a job since she had not been seen shopping for months.
The only problem I have with Kate is William himself. Kate has been put in an awful position because for some reason or another he refuses to really clarify her status and this gives some people the ammunition to degrade her. I think Kate has really been given a harsh ride and through it all she has retained her dignity a really hard thing to do with all the negativity the media has heaped on her.
By Trudie on September 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 am
I don’t see a reason to put all the blame on William either.
Why should it be his fault when the greed of the English media (and finally the public) make it virtually impossible for Kate to have a normal life in London? He shouldn’t be “forced” to get engaged when he feels he has reasons not to (yet) just because the press won’t leave his g/f alone.
By Isana on September 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I think the British press would find some fault with Kate whether or not William and Kate are engaged. What they write might change, but the fact that they want to find “juicy news” to sell papers would not change.
That said, an engagement might encourage some papers to look harder for more positive angles to their Kate stories. But not all of them would do so.
By Evelyn on September 3rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
The description given to the blabbing courtiers is always telling. “Royal aide” could actually be a footman, a downstairs maid, or a backstairs page. They may just be selling snippets they’ve picked up from half-heard conversations, which may not be accurate — plus a little bit of personal animosity thrown in.
“Senior Royal source” could be someone who works in the press office, or even a typing-pool secretary who describe themselves as “an administrative assistant to the Royal Family”. Nobody knowingly undersells themselves when receiving money for information.
If it comes from a rival press office there could be heavy spin attached.
By John on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
John, you are obviously a man in the know about these things so could you please clarify what you mean by rival press office — are you referring to CH vs. BP? I have always wondered if it was as bad between the two camps as it was made out to be in the Bradford Diana book or whether that was just an exaggeration?
By alsgal on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Alsgal, there’s no doubt that an on-off turf war has been going on between the two press offices for quite a while. Kate seems to be supported by Clarence House, but a lot of weird stuff is coming out of the Palace — although not necessarily the press office proper.
These things are always carefully worded to give deniability but the meaning is usually clear.
By John on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I am a long time reader (well, since this year) and just want to say that I’m quite pleased to see RA back up again after the break.
I don’t go anywhere else for my Royal news — I read about most news reports here first — except the Majesty magazine.
By Imani on September 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
First they complain that Kate does not work.
Then they complain that she works - BUT is wasting her degree! Gosh, and I thought that the problem was her being lazy and jet-setting.
But like some people already said: no matter what she does, she is always doing it wrong.
And by the way I find it disgusting how some people like to force their own values on other people. Who cares if she works or not. I mean it is not as if she’d be spending tax-payers money. People forget very easily that this modern way of life - middle class ideal of a working woman - is a very young invention. Who’s to say that this way of life is “the right one”?
By Peg on September 3rd, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Well said, Peg. I, too, am out of patience with those who are contemptuous of others who do not live by their standards. I am also very tired of those small-minded, mean-spirited people who hide behind the screen of internet anonimity and slander others to serve their own petty personal agendas.
Alsgal, thanks for worrying about me! So far, we in Central Texas have seen no adverse weather conditions from Gustav except for some high winds today. Nevertheless, the Texas Coastal evacuees were brought here to Austin for safety and are housed in the Delco Center. All the area hospitals are on alert and have activated their emergency response plans, so we are ready for whatever comes.
My dear John, I am troubled by the consequences for others which are generated by this turf war that has broken out between the courtiers of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House. Kate has weathered the storms splendidly so far, but she should not have to be bombarded with this media storm of slander and innuendo. Why does the Queen not intervene? I am not so delusional that I expect the ever self-absorbed Charles to display any gallantry or sense of fair play, but the Queen could silence these courtiers with a well-chosen word of command. Why does she not do this?
By Gigi on September 3rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
From my point of view, there are many people who are watching William and Kate with interest. The press wants to make money, so they take any snipet of information and sensationalize it. This is in the absence of any information coming out of anywhere. People who are either jealous or not understanding of Kate’s life find everything wrong with her. The Royal Family stays quiet about family matters. There are people who truly like and admire Kate. If what we suspect (hope) that there will be an announcement soon, only a few people know about it. These people have the timeline planned out and have had it that way for a while. The problem is nobody is talking. It is driving everyone nuts. I have to think that the Queen has made a statement by inviting Kate to Charles’s birthday party. It is another way of including her in family events. I will look forward to seeing if there is a change once William’s new PR person comes on board. Maybe, the RF is biding time until the PR person can handle the announcement?
It will be an interesting few months which will find everyone on the edge of their seats. The thing is that William and Kate know exactly what is going on and it is up to everyone to have the hard task of being patient. Meanwhile I hope that everyone will give a break to Kate and her family until then. It is not fair to drag them through the mud. I do have a desire though to have the Queen greet William with Kate and her family at BP with plenty of pictures. It would help to answer many questions.
By kat on September 4th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Isana I disagree. I place most of the blame of William. Charles may be not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but he at least did clarify his intention about Cammy by making her non-negotiable. Cammy has never worked a day in her life but for some reason had never taken the bashings Kate has.
Kate is in a rather unenviable situation people believe that they have a right to say vile things about her because she is Williams girlfriend and nothing is done to stop this and Kate can hardly speak up to defend herself as in why she cannot work a normal job or for that matter if they are announcing an engagement soon.
If William were a gentleman he would speak up and defend her instead of letting things get so nasty and downright cruel if this really is the woman he loves.
By Trudie on September 4th, 2008 at 4:21 am