To think that with Kate Middleton's education, she should be able to give a 3 minute speech without notes?

[Hammy02]

Given that new graduates at my organisation are expected to give 30 minute presentations without notes.

A presentation is not the same as a speech.

What a stupid OP. Was there a point to it at all or were you just having a snidey moment?

Never mind that, she was wearing her mum's old dress! Way to recycle!

Yabtu. I didn't realise there were prizes being given out for speaking without notes. I most certainly would not have gone up to speak without notes if I were her

Well, whoop-de-do for your organisation's new grads. New graduates in her organisation are expected to never do anything controversial ever, never complain about anything ever, look constantly happy while still maintaining an air of gravitas, entertain international dignitaries, always buy British, never dress too daringly, never dress too conservatively, not have friends who are in any way indiscreet, never drink slightly too much on their own time, put up with pages and pages of people all over the world ripping them and everything they do to shreds every day without ever rising to the bait and replying, expect a close-up photograph of their bellies to be posted in the national press every couple of months with massive speculation about whether they might be pregnant, and never ever have any real degree of privacy again. Oh, and also to be very thin and have lovely shiny hair.

How would your grads shape up under that set of expectations?

wss

OK. I realise it was a bit snidey. I was wrong. at least I can admit it unlike the poster that shouted fuck off at an old man

She was very clearly extremely nervous! If she had applied for the job of 'princess' and all it entails she probably wouldn't have been the person for the job. However, she appears to be in the 'job' because of who she fell in love with and married, so I think she did the best she could, and think it is mean to criticize her for her efforts.

YABU (but you know that )

I assume by presentation that your new graduates have something to present, like slides, Powerpoint thingies or posters so they aren't without props either. I also assume that they were chosen for their ability to do 30 minute presentations so it isn't a fair comparison. KM is doing it because of who she chose to marry not because she is necessarily good at it so cut her some slack.

Whether or not she is graduate is irrelevant - you don't need to be a graduate or have a brain the size of a planet to present well - it is a talent that some of us are born with, some develop and some are never good at and intelligence hasn't got much to do with it.

Besides even the queen uses notes after 60 years of doing speeches so I think you are being a bit harsh.

What is with everyone nowadays being required to give presentations all the time and those that don't want to/hate the whole idea are seen as lacking? The bullying rise of the extrovert personality, I reckon.

So stick one of your wonderful new graduates in front of the world's media, remind them that if they stuff up they will be headline news in many countries, and that everyone will also be commenting and judging their skin/hair/dress/smile/shoes/way of walking and then see how they do.

She is a graduate,she has degree from St Andrew's.
I thought that she did very well.

She was very nervous and whatever she says will be analysed endlessly so she probably wanted to get it just right.

I couldn't do a 3 second Speach I would crumble never mind 3 minutes.

She married into the royal family she hasn't been coached her entire life for the role

I lurrrrrve Kate. BACK OFF.

YABVU. Kate is lovely. Being a graduate doesn't mean you will never suffer from nerves or forgetfulness when you have to address a nation.

Everyone who makes public speeches has notes, especially politicians. They might look like they dont because they are using those transluscent teleprompter screens just below the camera level.

I use notes when I make speeches/presentations/lectures. I dont read from them but it is good to have them as a prompt. Its amazing how the mind can go blank.

Give her a break! I had to make a 10 minute speech today-I was quite capable, but I didn't know any of them and you get nervous. Notes are a prop. People are not machines. I only had 15 people-she had quite a few more!!

I did a 16 minute talk to my department today, and had to use all the "don't panic" techniques that I have been taught. And I'd written it would verbatim just in case I froze and needed the script. I am a graduate. I got through it but in terms of presentation, I still need improvement and I am well impressed at Kate.

*out

There were two 'experts' on Sky News this lunchtime, analysing her speech, body language and mannerisms (hair-flicking was one topic )
One dude in particular was full of his own self-importance laymans terms: complete and utter wanker.

I think Kate did very well. The lip-licking, although not as frequent now, still irritates me a little but that's down to nerves.
Hand on heart, with the media being what it is nowadays I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.

Really??? YABVU. It was streamed live on various international news networks ffs! Utterly ridiculous post.

yabu

What Sparks1 said

education dousnt equal a good memory