To think there is nothing wrong with Carole Middleton's background

[arabesque]

There was a pretty sneery article in the Sunday Times last Sunday by Camilla Long, which seemed to be very critical of the fact that Carole Middleton's parents and grandparents were working class people who made their living in shops and factories. There was also some comment on the lines of 'oh yeah, well William might find TV suppers and family games a novelty now but I'm sure he'll soon get sick of it'.
AIBU to think 'fair play' to her for building up a business from nothing and giving her kids advantages she and her parents could never have dreamed of? From what I can see Kate has a far more stable and supportive family than Princess Di ever had (bitter divorce, very public custody dispute, no decent advice when she was just 19 years old and about to make an enormous mistake with her life etc.) Yet a lot of people seem to think there's something preferable about a fragmented and dysfunctional family because they're upper class; while a middle/working class background with a strong work ethic is just not suitable for the future queen.

[wispawoman]

I have never written to a newspaper before but I actually wrote to the ST yesterday about this. I am not an apologist for the Royals, but it was just such a spiteful and sneering article about someone who hasn't chosen to become a 'celebrity'. We are still a horribly class conscious nation aren't we?

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

I'm no fan either, but I did think that article was dreadful. But I can't bear Camilla Long anyway - her articles are always sneery and snobby but I cant' see that she's anything special herself. Bit disappointed that the ST employs her at all, to be honest.

[EldritchCleavage]

YANBU. Though bear in mind 'sneery' is Camilla Long's default setting.

I sometimes think snobs particularly hate the Middletons because they have the temerity not to have any obvious faults that would let the snobs look down on them. They even refused to be embarrassed or defensive about 'Uncle Gary'.

Handsome family, well-dressed (looked better than any of the toffs at The Wedding), work ethic as you say, successful with all the tasteful trappings (house, schooling, ski holidays, etc etc). Oh, and they all look as though they love each other and get on well. The despicable nouveau bastards.

[HumphreyCobbler]

That article was a dreadful, sneering rant. I gave up half way through, feeling rather sorry for Carole.

[squeakytoy]

YANBU at all OP.

[angelos02]

YANBU OP. They behave with far more class and dignity than William's parents did.

[CelticPixie]

YANBU. Surely working your way up from a working class background should be something to be admired rather than sneered at?

[TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong]

Yanbu. It's just sour grapes.

[LessMissAbs]

Theres been a number of sneery articles about Kate Middleton's background, all very unfair. She has a very decent background. Even if she had come from a scandalous background involving some great criminal family past, who cares if she herself is decent. But she hasn't - she has simply come from a stable, successful family.

Far less scandalous than the Spencer family - Diana's brother's behaviour is quite appalling, possibly copying his father.

That said, they are not an academic family, and if the children have inherited the parent's business instinct, they have only put it to use through networking and manipulation of the media. Not one of the Middleton children has gone onto any kind of worthwhile professional job, despite having expensive and extensive educations. Nor have they excelled in any field.

[EldritchCleavage]

That said, they are not an academic family, and if the children have inherited the parent's business instinct, they have only put it to use through networking and manipulation of the media. Not one of the Windsor children has gone onto any kind of worthwhile professional job, despite having expensive and extensive educations. Nor have they excelled in any field.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

I didn't read the article but how nasty .
Snobbishness and class really does still exist within the 'upper' echelons of society, doesn't it.

[LessMissAbs]

I though William and Harry were in the army and navy respectively *Eldritch Cleavage"? And Zara Phillips, although a cousin, has medalled at the Olympics and been a world and European Champion, as has her mother. Even Prince Charles has made quite a business success of the Duchy Estates and the Poundbury concept is competitive and leading edge in its market.

Its just a bit ^disappointing^ that, coming from such a stable, well adjusted background, and enjoying so many benefits in life, none of the Middleton children have achieved much, beyond one of them marrying well.

[Boomba]

why do middle/upper classes think WC people give a flying fuck about their opinions of them anyway???

[Boomba]

its predictable and boring, ignorant and unintelligent

[youmeatsix]

didnt read the article but i cannot feel sorry for them regarding class & their origins, i think she would do well to remember just where she came from herself and stop riding on her daughters husbands family coat tails. It was recently reported she wanted a royal title due to connection, like we dont fund enough hangers on

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Oh, what a daft article that sounds. I don't feel terribly sorry for them but I don't get the idea that we have to assume Carole (why always Carole, btw? Does she not have a husband? I genuinely don't know) is some kind of evil scheming social climber.

Diana's family, btw, if you go back far enough, were sheep farmers and related in to George Washington's family, so you could be shocked at their hillbilly/yank associations if you were the type to be fussed.

(NB, tongue firmly in cheek re. 'yank'. Or indeed 'hillbilly'.)

[Mimishimi]

"Even if she had come from a scandalous background involving some great criminal family past"

I think that more than a few royals and the uppercrust spring from such a background....Kate and Wills remind me of Elizabeth and Darcy, the sneering columnists are the jealous posh girls whom noone much likes despite their accomplishments which only their monied backgrounds bought them (i.e not intrinsic talent but just learning certain things a 'naice' girl is deemed to ought to know).

[ubik]

Can anyone post the article?

[BarbarianMum]

I've no idea. But I'd suggest that they should care because the group of people who control how resources are allocated in this country are almost exclusively drawn from the the upper middle/upper classes and from where I'm standing that allocation doesn't look all that great.

[Boomba]

yy barbarian on a political scale, its important

but on a personal level, I doubt Carole Middleton gives a shit what some horse-toothed, plum mouthed vacuous columnist has to say about her or her family. im sure shes heard it all before

[BarbarianMum]

Oh, I agree. Although it's sad that such vitriol gets thought, let alone printed.

[LessMissAbs]

Mimishimi I think that more than a few royals and the uppercrust spring from such a background...wink.Kate and Wills remind me of Elizabeth and Darcy, the sneering columnists are the jealous posh girls whom noone much likes despite their accomplishments which only their monied backgrounds bought them (i.e not intrinsic talent but just learning certain things a 'naice' girl is deemed to ought to know)

LOL but I can assure you Kate Middleton is one of those "naice" girls - she went to the same school as them, the same university, was given the same advantages by her parents and has the same mannerisms. She only lacks a title. She has been very careful with her behaviour to fit in and mix with that social circle.

Theres nothing wrong with her background at all, but I don't admire her as she has achieved very little - but do you see the difference in judging her for what she has done in her life, as opposed to what her parents have done?

I don't think a member of the Royal Family is considered that much of a catch now amongst much of the "upper" classes - too much hassle and publicity.

[Damnautocorrect]

I cannot see one thing the middletons have done wrong, even when Kate & wills split, they were quiet and dignified.
There is certainly nothing to sneer at from what I can see. So they worked for what they have rather than be born into it, that makes me respect them more.

[SybilRamkin]

YANBU at all! Camilla Long is vile and utterly pathetic with her sneery, snobby tone.

[mrsjay]

I am very common I have no idea who this camilla woman is but what a sneery snooty article, some of the elite are the worst behaved in society thinking their status gives them a reason to act like nobs, or maybe camilla has an Unwed dd and is jealous of them all