Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if Kate Middleton had her fertility tested before they were engaged...

52 replies

Balsam · 09/05/2011 14:47

...or do the Royals not do that sort of thing in this day and age?

Just wondering what others think!

OP posts:
Bennifer · 09/05/2011 15:38

Of course she did

Bloodymary · 09/05/2011 15:42

I would think so, as she now has to produce an heir and a spare!

LtEveDallas · 09/05/2011 15:43

How do we even know that they want children? Prince William would be well within his rights not to, if that is how he felt, to that matter so would Catherine.

Not everyone wants children and they couldnt force them into parenthood against their wishes.

Bennifer · 09/05/2011 15:47

LtEveDallas, those considerations might apply to you, but not the Duke of Cambridge

ScousyFogarty · 09/05/2011 15:47

I would say it was maybe up to katie and william.

The press will have an influence. You can imagine the tabloids pumping up the baby question after 18 months,.

HerRoyalNotness · 09/05/2011 15:47

Isn't it rather irrelevant these days? In ages past, perhaps so, where the King ruled the country. But we have a government now, it matters not whether they have children, there are plenty in line to the throne to pass the baton on to.

MardyBra · 09/05/2011 15:57

What's the worst that could happen?

If they fail to have children then the crown would pass to the next in line to the throne - and we'd have good King Harry and his offspring.

Actually maybe not a great idea if they do the DNA test....

Insomnia11 · 09/05/2011 15:57

Probably. The role of the queen traditionally was to provide an heir and a spare! I dare say they used to check for virginity until very recently too. I hope they change the rules so that the throne passes to the next eldest whether they are male or female. Given that, you know, we've had a pretty good Queen for yonks.

emptyshell · 09/05/2011 16:00

It had crossed my mind as well to be honest. I'm sure they make sure all the heir-plumbing is functional before letting them join the firm so to speak. (Let's not go down the eternal shit storm of infertility always being presumed to be the WOMAN'S fault here)

Too high profile for them to risk it sadly.

capricorn76 · 09/05/2011 16:00

I can't believe that anyone would seriously think that William and Kate would be able to choose not to have children! They are the future King and Queen, their lives have already been planned for them, they have no choices unless they wish to abdicate. Even if they both hate children and the kids have to be brought up by nannies, they will still have to have them.

sickoftheholidays · 09/05/2011 16:08

Its horrible for them, but at the end of the day, they are the future king and queen and that means they have a duty to the country to produce an heir of whatever gender. So I'm quite sure that at least basic questions will have been asked before the marriage, but really, thats between Kate, William and the doctor involved, and frankly none of our business.

cabbageroses · 09/05/2011 16:24

I think you all mostly all being rather naive.

it was well known that 30 years back Diana was subjected to fertility questionning. And that several possible brides for Charles were ruled out because they were not virgins and " had a past".

How times have changed; Kate and Wills lived together before they married which when you think Diana had to pass the virgin test!

But I am sure that if for instance she was one of the rare women who are born without a womb, or who have very obvious fertility issues, like PCOS, then the Firm would have suggested he pass and find someone else, love or no love.

Finallyspring · 09/05/2011 16:25

Some people on this thread sound like 1950s prefects. The OP is asking what the royal family do to ensure the line is continued, not actually preoccupied with Kate Middleton's plumbing herself

Bennifer · 09/05/2011 16:29

But wouldn't part of ensuring the line is continued require some consideration of Will and Kate's plumbing?

I might be being unfair and accuse some of being naive, but the question seems to be whether Kate and William have bought into the idea of being Royal, and on the basis of their wedding and the titles bestowed upon them, it would seem they have.

It would seem naive for me to think that "it's up to them if they have children"

Newgolddream · 09/05/2011 16:34

LtEveDallas "How do we even know that they want children?"

That Im afraid is totally irrelevant when it comes to the Royal Family - they will be expected to produce at least 1 child.

EssexGurl · 09/05/2011 16:35

Whatever, they have been very sensible by announcing that they want to spend the first few years of married life just the two of them - they have said that they won't be rushing into babies. So that gives them some wriggle room should things not happen quickly.

LtEveDallas · 09/05/2011 16:38

"I can't believe that anyone would seriously think that William and Kate would be able to choose not to have children! They are the future King and Queen, their lives have already been planned for them, they have no choices unless they wish to abdicate. Even if they both hate children and the kids have to be brought up by nannies, they will still have to have them."
-------
"I think you all mostly all being rather naive.

it was well known that 30 years back Diana was subjected to fertility questionning. And that several possible brides for Charles were ruled out because they were not virgins and " had a past"."
-------

"LtEveDallas, those considerations might apply to you, but not the Duke of Cambridge"

-------

I find it amusing when people say things like this, as if it is fact. Unless you were there, unless you are part of the Royal Household (and pretty bloody senior at that) you cannot know this. For all you know Prince William approached the Queen:

"Granny, just so you know, I'm going to get married"

"That's nice love"

"But, the thing is, neither of us want children"

"So?"

"Well, as a future King, surely I must have them?"

"Don't be silly, Willy, I've got plenty of children and grandchildren, one of them can do it. I dont blame you, not wanting any rugrats spending your wages"

"Ok, thanks Gran, I'll tell Cathy the wedding's still on"

"That's OK, now bugger orf, I'm watching Eastenders"

Surely thats just as possible too? Grin

cabbageroses · 09/05/2011 16:42

William was asked about kids during some interviews- google and search if you must.

he said they did want them but would get the wedding plans out of the way first!

fedupandfifty · 09/05/2011 16:48

I'm sure she has, too. Isn't this why they chose Diana - because she was young, very likely fertile and a virgin? The Firm need to produce offspring - an heir and a spare should do it - in order to secure the line, and William will be King one day, after all. Don't think it's weird, just practical.

Bennifer · 09/05/2011 16:49

Truth is, we don't know - but I have a feeling that the monarchy isn't all that modern

holyShmoley · 09/05/2011 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oohlaalaa · 09/05/2011 17:08

No, I dont think the royal family could run the risk of fertility tests leaking to the papers.

capricorn76 · 09/05/2011 17:26

Even if all of the newspaper editors had photo evidence of Kate being checked over they would never publish it. They would be finished, the media owners support and are part of the establishment. Many things go on within the royal household that much of the top media people probably know about but would/could never tell.

For example after Diana's death a work colleague's mate at Reuters had told him that Cocaine was found in the car but they couldn't report it.

PiazzaDellaRotonda · 09/05/2011 17:32

No, I dont think the royal family could run the risk of fertility tests leaking to the papers.

Too funny! Who on earth do you think would leak information like that?

juneau · 09/05/2011 17:34

If so I hope they got HIM checked out too. After all, it takes two ...

Swipe left for the next trending thread