Happy to see Princess Kate doing so well, but...

[JustPassingThyme]

I'm really glad to see Kate doing so well, and I am glad she has finished chemo looking so healthy and happy. However my sister and I cannot stop laughing at the video Kensington Palace have just released.

We think the video has a striking resemblance to the Twilight films, only warm toned and shorter.

Narration - check
Holding hands while lying down in a meadow - check
Tree climbing - check
Stacks of logs - check
Dramatic sweeping shots of trees - check

I was waiting for William to say something really cringy while giving Kate a piggy back ride.

what specifically makes you draw that conclusion?

It reminded me of an advert from the 1970’s - professionally made up woman wanders through a field of happy flowers and starts singing lol

I think it was about chocolate - “only the flakiest crumbliest chocolate tastes like chocolate never tasted before”. Possibly Flake?

Cheesy.

They're pretending to be natural but it's all acting in front of a camera. Sorry but it's very disingenuous. We're being sold what appears to be a complete lie. All very odd.

I think Kate and William could have done a very short video similar to the one she did to start with.
With thanks to the hospital staff, the school who supported the kids, etc etc.
And a nod to others who are going though the same thing, with money worries, issues with childcare, would have been nice.

This is a really good point and exactly what she should’ve done instead of all the frolicking through meadows type nonsense.

It made for quite uncomfortable viewing for me because it had clearly been storyboarded, styled carefully filmed, lit, staged etc throughout despite trying to appear very natural and unposed. It felt incongruous and in my opinion detracted from her very lovely spoken message a bit (as well as cost a fair whack from the public pocket). It was v glossy and indulgent and I would not be surprised if some cancer sufferers and their loved ones find it quite alienating.

But hey it's probably a nice memento for them.

It's not mocking to have an opinion on it.

It's possible that the surgery she had to have was life changing?

I would have got the videographer to sign an NDA. Then the illusion of home video could have been maintained for people who want that.....

@Misfitmissy Cancer can return and every year for the next 5 years she will need tests. My mum was diagnosed in 2017 and she passed away last year. She still had the cancer inside her that's not what killed her. She had a stroke and that's what done her in.

Any cancer diagnosis know matter how small it is is worrying. Your body can create cancerous cells that's why you're monitored after chemo with regular check ups and tests.

What lie are we being sold?

Well I’m just relieved they didn’t use a home camera and photo shoot. Look how that went!

I think they’ve tried to respond to the criticism of the way they have done things before - saying nothing, and then releasing a home-job photo. I do think they are trying.

It’s just a tricky situation when in all honesty they do have privilege and some people won’t unsee or look past that regardless. If she’d done a warts and all video people would say surely they could have got the maid to tidy up the background and iron her pyjamas.

But yes, there is privilege there, and many suffer cancer without that privilege to ease and support.

@Calliopespa "
Well I’m just relieved they didn’t use a home camera and photo shoot. Look how that went"

Professional photographer sensible.Videographer famous for some very high profile advertising campaigns-less sensible.

Yes me too. I was surprised at how moved I felt by it.

I thought it was a beautiful and surprisingly intimate piece to celebrate her recovery and her lovely family. And I’m usually pretty cynical 🤨

What a pile of crap it was. I was expecting her to whip out a flake. Why can't she give information via press release? Total bollocks.
I await the sycophants.

Marina Hyde in the Guardian nails it.

Basically why on earth are they appeasing the mob by putting themselves through this

You’ve got issues

I find it a bit unnecessary tbh. Lots of people suffering through cancer who don’t have the best doctors money can buy, private healthcare and no worries about losing their home due to a lack of income. Many people in this country can’t afford to eat well enough or heat their houses during chemotherapy treatment or get sick in the first place due to poverty. A simple statement would have been sufficient without all the saccharine family shots. In saying that, as a fellow cancer survivor who had life changing surgery - I’m glad she’s on the mend and will hopefully stay well enough to see her kids into adulthood.

Catherine might well be on Mumsnet. I haven’t seen the video, but I’m glad she’s doing well, and I hope everyone here affected by cancer is doing well too. 🌸🌻🌞

Mocked!!! They can't win can they.

Sick of nasty people making comments about Catherine. Just be glad she is improving as she may not be around in years to come. She is a major asset to the royal family and I think she is an amazing woman. The film was a lovely update and would have been shown worldwide.

They’re competing with Harry et al perhaps. It’s sad she’s unwell. William looks unconvinced and the optics are corny (literally in some parts)

I just think it would not be possible for them to ever get it just right. I understand the reasons for that - as do they I expect - but that doesn’t make it any easier for them.

I do think a poster above made a good point that William could be being very visible and demonstrating a desire to plug the gaps while the King and Kate and Anne are unwell. I don’t think that could hurt - though I guess then there might be threads about the King is on his way out etc.

It’s a difficult situation for an institution that is struggling to win approval at present and tricky for them to field that aspect as well as the more human issues involved.

Some people are so mean, she’s happy and recovering. Why knock her down. It was lovely and so nice to see the whole family happy together. Don’t be so nasty.

Same for me