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.

[Charlesroi]

The Middletons have been very dignified in the face of all the crap thrown at them. That's class.

[arabesque]

I agree Charlesroi. They also seem to be capable of creating a friendly and civilised relationship with the royal family while still getting on with their own lives, doing things their own way and maintaining a very close relationship with Kate - allowing her to keep her feet on the ground and not become subsumed by the whole royal circus.

[MintyChops]

It was a really nasty article. I wonder if there is ANYONE Camilla Long likes/admires?

[ubik]

[Eastpoint]

YANBU

I read the article at the weekend and was quite ashamed to have bought a paper which contained such a snotty piece. It was so unpleasant in tone and diminished the achievements of the Middleton parents. In the US I'm sure they'd be held up as a family who deserved respect. It was thoroughly unpleasant.

[Witco]

Same here, nasty spiteful article

[BridgetBidet]

Bloody hell. I always think that the royal family are lucky that one of the Middleton's deigned to marry them. They've worked hard for the money they have, they've stuck together, they have brought their children up to be decent people with a stable family home. They've earned what they have. I have always thought that the royals look like fucked up dribble of a family when compared to them.

It's exactly because she does have that background and she's made something of herself that I like Carole Middleton. Nobody handed her anything on a plate, she worked for it.

[EldritchCleavage]

Fair point, LessMissAbs.

[satsumasunrise]

I couldn't agree more. It was one of the nastiest articles I've ever read. She was writing about her like she was shit on her shoe. What a vile, bitter woman Camilla Long is.

[arabesque]

Perhaps she had hopes of nabbing William herself and is now a woman scorned. [big grin]

[Latara]

YANBU, i think Carole Middleton's background is normal and she has achieved a lot in her life to be proud of.

It annoyed me when people in the media and upper classes sneered at her air hostess job - at least she had a decent job and didn't live off anyone's money unlike many aristocrats.

[thebody]

What a silly sad old bag.

Think carol having the last laugh here though.

If you talk/ care about class that's actually dreadfully commen doncha know.

[HebeJeeby]

I thought exactly the same when I read this, I couldn't understand the spite or where it could possibly have come from. Not an especial fan of the younger Middletons but I do think Hats Off to Carole for creating a hugely successful business from scratch. From what I can see their 'crime' is to step out of their 'place' and upset the apple cart. Our society is so fixed on placing people in a certain class, as then everyone knows where they stand - God help anyone that moves up the social ladder. The Posh people don't like it as they feel threatened. After all if some rich middle class girl can marry a future King then perhaps it could so easily have been Camilla Long/one of their daughters. Sour grapes???

[Onesleeptillwembley]

The Middletons have done very well off their own backs, certainly no reason to sneer. However, none of their children have done much, and I do actually think they are very poor role models. It just shows how families can change from generation to generation.

[sue52]

It was a nasty, sneery article. Carole is ridiculed for being brought up in a semi in Southall, working hard to establish a business, buying a nice house, having conservative taste in fashion and for one of her daughters marrying a royal. The Times should be ashamed to print such a bullying piece. Sorry I can't link because of the Times paywall.

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

YANBU OP and I can't help thinking that when something this - what's the word? - I suppose sneery is right - is published and put out there then decent people almost have a duty to make publicly known their distaste at it. I also wrote in expressing just that and I'm glad it's gone more public here. I know MN can reach the bits that other media sometimes cannot but bearing in mind that Twitter is just way over my head could someone maybe get something started there? I don't know - maybe I'm being ridiculous but I just despise this endless kicking of the Middletons for no better reason than their daughter happened to fall in love with a Windsor. Seems so wrong and unnecessary.

[arabesque]

Doesn't Kate's brother have his own business? Not sure, but thought I read that somewhere.

[FreudiansSlipper]

No it is not nice but really the whole thing is pathetic

she married well and her daughter even better. She certainly does not sound like she is from anything other than an upper mc family thats a little sad to be so driven to fit in still its paid off :) and that must piss off many.
I do not care who will marries I rather we rid ourselves of this ridiculous family it would be a start of getting rid of our obsession with class. And as for kate she is nice but what else can be said about her nothing nothing other than that for the future queen I rather Zara be queen

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Yes - cakes, linked to his parents business. Not one of the children have stood on their own feet, and I do see that as a failing of the Middletons. But as I said before, their background and where they are is certainly no reason to criticise.

[arabesque]

I've just emailed the Sunday Times telling them how nasty I found the article. First time I've ever complained to a newspaper.

[mrsjay]

cakes, linked to his parents business. Not one of the children have stood on their own feet, and I do see that as a failing of the Middletons. But as I said before, their background and where they are is certainly no reason to criticise.

but it is a family business so the son works for the family he didnt really need to stand on his own to feet just get stuck into work. pippa seems a bit of a layabout though

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

It's a family business ffs. I don't get the criticism of that and the endless 'oh but they've never done anything for themselves' moaning that goes on. That's how family businesses work. The clue's in the name. It's a family business.
For example, mrsjay, if your parents founded a business, a successful one, and you grew up in and around it with the general expectation that come the time you would join the family business - well? Would you then accuse yourself of not standing on your own two feet?

Some people are confusing this concept with a distaste for the Royal Family. I didn't think this thread was about that. Is it?

[mrsjay]

r example, mrsjay, if your parents founded a business, a successful one, and you grew up in and around it with the general expectation that come the time you would join the family business - well? Would you then accuse yourself of not standing on your own two feet?


oh iforgot to quote the top bit wasn't me the bit about the family business was my reply , so I basically agreed with you sorry I will remember to quote properly

[Picturepuncture]

I also hate the 'the Middleton children haven't done anything with their lives rhetoric'.

They have all had jobs, some in the family business some outside it. They don't draw benefits or expect handouts from the tax payer (with the possible exception now of Kate- but you can't blame her for the royals tax situation really can you!)

Ok they aren't self made people. But that's tricky to achieve when you are born with their advantages- and it's not fair to blame them for having the temerity to be born into an affluent family.

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

Exactly picture. Exactly. They (and anyone) cannot and should not be blamed for the circumstances of their birth. Flip it and start casting aspersions on someone born to bugger all and see how that goes down on MN - not well would be my guess!