The Duchess of Cambridge attends the Sarah Everard vigil

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

My respect for the Duchess has just shot up. For a Royal, this is pretty bold and brave.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sarah-everard-vigil-kate-middleton-london-b1816862.html

Not forgetting other women - if you attended the vigil tonight, thank you for sticking up for women's rights. Let's hope this is an opportunity for the Met Police to review and change how they treat both offending officers and female victims

If she'd have turned up dressed as she did, a slim woman in her 30's, with brunette hair, inconspicuous security, and WEARING A MASK (as she should have done), I guarantee no-one would have recognised her.

I guarantee she would have been recognised. She may have even been followed from wherever she departed from by the press. But the hell she wouldn't have been recognised!

@MeribleMelon if that is how you’ve experienced it ok
I’m simply saying it’s a mn perennial. Gorn to the dogs. Used to be good

I know it was on the bbc online but I didn’t notice it being mentioned at all on the 10pm tv bulletin? Pretty shit PR if that was the intention (I don’t believe it was).

Although I could have missed it, I’ve had a bit of wine...

I think the cynics are the cynics and making assumptions about a woman you don’t know (Kate) and a whole lot of other women you don’t know (most posters, who you seem to think are idiots and PR some superpower). We support the cause. I support anyone who supports the cause... they are allies and we need all the allies we can get. If any other royal or person in the public eye wants to contribute too then GOOD.

She went quietly and privately with her face done up and no mask? Ok. I'm sure it wasn't for publicity.

I respect the gesture but this is an obvious PR move.

I’m sad and angry that this has turned into a discussion about kates visit and the royal family.

she has never been seen paying respects to any other female murder victims - Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman for example.

If this is true (I have no idea, don't follow royal comings and goings) then it obviously bears thinking about ...

@Nomorepies

So much respect for her. It wasn't a pr move, no announcement, no cameras. Dressed down with just one bodyguard. She just wanted to go and pay her respects like every other woman, royal or not. She looked visibly upset to me.

It's brilliant she did this.

Wow you are so gullible!

In terms of the RF and her usually buttoned-up behaviour, it's staggering.

Since there's no way it would ever have been officially sanctioned or suggested, it could only be because she shares the pain and wanted to show respect. Good for her.

Yes!

@Thewithesarehere

This was a PR move through and through.

I agree with you.

PS: and her going and ensuring she is recognised does obviously put a spotlight on the issue, which I also respect

@PicsInRed

At least three of the charities she supports have domestic violence programmes.

She needs to be out front and directly involved with raising awareness and raising funds, the way she is with early years. The problem is that women's rights is a very political topic, particularly for men, and I guess a decision has to be taken as to whether that's something she wants to spend and risk her profile on.

I'd like to see her do it, it would be hugely helpful and she would be an asset to the movement if she chose to take part.

I completely agree @PicsInRed and I think she's so a good job. Sadly I'm not sure there RF is "there" yet. But then again, give it time - once upon a time it would have been impossible for the RF to advocate for mental health and environmental issues in the way they do today. Topics also once considered divisive and political

@Backstreetsbackalrightdadada

Soooo all these posters would rather she stayed away and kept her mouth shut. Right...

FYI some of us are Meghan “fans” (to the extent I can be cos don’t like royal family!). I really liked her in the family, I was excited when she joined, celebrated the wedding, signed petition against Piers. I don’t like the royals or the idea of royalty.

But worse at the moment is seeing women shit on Kate for supporting a good cause. Do I care if she used PR? Not much. Do I think she did? No. I’m really disappointed to see posters shit on her for doing something good. This is what I would want to see royals do and MPs do and celebrities do and anyone in the public eye. Because the more visible we can make this - to EVERYONE - the better. The royals reach people I can’t. I support her turning up. The cause is bigger than the royals.

Totally agree

OIC - Kate didn't attend the actual vigil, she paid a visit earlier - kind of privately - ish.

I am so impressed by her going to pay her respects , how compassionate and lovely of her to think of Sarah & her family given all that has happened this week to the RF . I am sure they will feel Sarah has been recognised by her actions.

*is seen and joked about as a trouble maker

I've been here off and on for 14 yes, and it has changed a great deal for the worse with a lot of great contributors having given up

I simply can’t comprehend how some women are attacking her for going and paying her respects. As if she shouldn’t have done. Or why anyone is making it about Meghan, I’m sure Meghan would also have went if she was in the Uk.

It’s not a competition between the two. You don’t need to hate Kate if you like Meghan.

Any woman going and paying her respects is doing a good thing. That’s it. Any woman. And any woman who has a media position then she’s bringing more publicity to this, and that’s also a good thing.

Women attacking women is awful but attacking her for paying her respects is appalling.

Well done Kate. I am 100% sure she totally understands the fear women have out walking at night or even during the day sometimes. I think about being attacked every single day walking to and from work and I know my female colleagues do too as we talk about it in a casual way regularly. What way are you walking? Don’t go down the back path, take the busy route etc etc. It’s daily. Even on Friday I was approached by a drunk man talking nonsense and I had to swerve him and walk quickly away. I didn’t feel particularly scared but it was light. In the dark I would have been more worried.
Thank you Kate
RIP Sarah 💐

@GruffaIo

No face mask. Obvious PR move, which I find particularly upsetting given the issue.

Me too.

@MeribleMelon

After this week, can we not all just support one another?! Of all weeks and all times, why have we got to slag off a woman, that most of us have never met off. She’s not a dictator, she’s not a murderer, she’s done nothing wrong. Yet here is a thread absolutely slating her. Of all weeks. I’m so tired.

Absolutely I'm tired too

We have no idea how Sarah's family and friends feel about Kate's gesture of solidarity, and their opinion really matters.

@LaCerbiatta

OMG why is everne so naive? Couldn't be more obvious this is a PR move...

IKR

I rather object to a RF member with 24/7 security team trying to hike brand popularity by pitching up at the memorial of a murder victim.

Ironically I detect the influence of Meghan and her interest in female empowerment.

Kate has 24/7 security. The visit was for good PR and judging by some of the responses it's worked.