Shouldn't we expect just a little bit more of the Duchess of Cambridge.

[sweetgrape]

Never turned up for one single memorial service for the armed forces, but there at Center Court, Wimbledon, rubbing shoulders with a load of celebs,and entertaining Brad and Angelina Pitt at Kensington Palace. Is this what her royal life boils down to.

I agree with you partly which rather makes me think why is there a thread criticising KM in such detail... the title of the thread says it all!

If they're deserving of criticism why shouldn't they be, who ever is relevant at the time, or are we to just turn a blind eye and let them get up to whatever they want. If they don't want criticising let them just bow and and live off their own reserves. Not too long ago Prince Charles cost the taxpayer £250.000 for a private jet to go to Nelson Mandela's funeral. Now if that's not worthy of criticism I don't know what is. Their massive sense of entitlement disgusts me.

But women get together to bitch and rip apart another woman, it's like walking into a witches covern of bitter old hags

If she was old, ugly and fat, people would think she's luvverrrly and there would be no harsh words against her.

But because she has the cheek to be young, attractive and slim - the claws are out.
It's an ugly side to females that I don't care to see.

Oh that's not true Jenenberry over the years most members of the royal family have been criticised. Philip, Charles, Andrew and Edward have all their fair share, it's whatever's relevant at the time. It's ridiculous to suggest it's because of jealousy. On the contrary I often think some people are maybe a little starstruck by royalty, something akin to celebrity worship?

I've no expectation of any of the royals anyway, especially the younger ones. But when all said and done given the position Kate holds then I don't think its unfair that its mentioned she hasn't attended any memorial services. After all she's not the girl next door living off her own money is she? She's a royal and a future queen.

Im not into any of them but I can't see that she should somehow be beyond criticism and being young and beautiful or an older woman is neither here nor there. She's not "old fat & ugly" (horrid description!) is she? In fact, which one of the royal women are...? None. So its irrelevant

I find it very ugly - I don't understand why women do it.
They would hate to be attacked like that themselves and yet can justify doing it to others. I can't see any justification.

Was she expected at the memorial service? Was she invited? Did she turn it down?

I find it absolutely surreal that we have a royal family in 2015, whenever I see coverage of their births, marriages etc I'm just astounded by how weird the whole flippin thing is!
I'm a republican for sure.
We have a lot more to offer in terms of tourism than the bloody royal family! Talk about doing the UK an injustice.

Mehit what do you mean "you don't understand why women do it" are you actually saying that all women should be above criticism because they are women?? I don't understand that sorry. Fwiw yes she would have been expected at at least one of the recent memorial services, it's not a lot to expect. I should imagine the queen isnt too happy with her.either.Being a princess isn't all about glamour and tennis matches and celebrities. What kind of life do you expect her be living? if the queen had had the same attitude as her the monarchy probably wouldn't have lasted into this century.

I don't understand why women are so bitchy about other women.

They're the Royal Family, not my personal servants. Why do some people expect to control what Kings and Queens do?
I don't give a monkey what she does with her time. I haven't attended any memorial services this month either. Have they now become compulsory?
It's a recent thing expecting to control what the royal family do with their time.
If you want to attend umpteen memorial services off you go. Let other people live their lives thier way. Support the abolition of the monarchy if you don't want to pay for them but stop being a control freak.

I really cannot take anyone serious who comes out with statements like "I don't understand why women are so bitchy about other women" Err it's already been said, her gender is irrelevant, it's not bitchy to criticise someone who we as taxpayers are massively supporting.
2rebecca "it's a recent thing expecting to control what the royal family do with their time"?? I don't think you're thinking quite straight there, are you sure that's what you mean?

Btw 2Rebecca I haven't attended any memorial services either. Was it expected of us?

You think Henry the eighth cared whether a peasant thought he had been to enough memorial services? A peasant who couldn't be arsed to go to any herself but just wanted to tell him what to do?

We've moved on a bit since Henry the eighth 2rebecca, in those days Kings had absolute control over the subjects. Nowadays the queen is only a figure head, she can't order beheadings like Henry did. We as taxpayers who pay for the royals have certain expectations of them. If they didn't fulfil them the tap could very easily be turned off iyswim.

If the Royal Family are all lizards, what does that make Kate? Can you convert into a lizard the same way you can convert to Catholicism or whatever?

Do you remember the 1980's sci-fi TV programme V?

It will be something like that.

ARrgh I remember V! Help. We're dooooooooooomed.

FFS sweetgrape cut her a bit of slack. She had a baby 2 months ago. Let her enjoy just a bit of peace with her babies without people judging her for not going to a memorial service. Anyone else on MN would be shot down in flames for saying a woman is being a lazy arse and not working. Yet because she has chosen to be in that gilded cage that other pp's have mentioned she's fair game. Just give a mother with a baby a break.

Come back in 10 years and I'll listen.

Just read on my twitter feed that Kate and Wills are going to Portsmouth soon. Maybe they're going to catch the ferry to Ryde?

You do seem amazingly selective in your figures.
the Guardian here

yes, you do seem fairly selective.

the article you post plainly gives the balance as a negative. the 2bn are projected figures, whereas the 6bn is a pretty good estimate.

I used to be a staunch monarchist but nowadays I just don't see the point or use of them. Not sure why I've come to this conclusion . I do live abroad now which gives some perspective . They are a curiously and a gilded cage. The system is maintained due to their being many who aspire to be classy and look up to their superiors for guidance. I think a lot will change when the queen ( who has been great at performing her constitutional role) dies. There used to be more point to them. Herediatry peers had a say in running the country . That whole edifice has gone and with it a lot of royal political influence . The commonwealth isn't what it was. New Zealand is changing its flag and dropping the union flag . UK influence abroad and the emotional attachment is weakening as the UK relatively declines. So I think they'll be slimmed down or gone in 50 years . An imperial type set up isn't needed now!!but don't think for one moment that Kate doesn't love the status and the endless money. It's really all she and her family's type do it for. Time for them all to go. ps I still think the queen is amazing but it should stop after her.

Rousette "Let her enjoy a bit of peace with her babies"
She has an army of servants and nannies, if she wants she can sit there all day with the baby in her arms and not have to lift a finger, she gets to devote her whole day to her babies undisturbed and gets to sleep all night undisturbed. I'm sick of people classing the royal family the same as us. All she had to do was turn up for the odd memorial service to show her respects for those who gave their lives for us. It might seem tedious and boring but it is expected of her. How bloody hard can it be.Its ridiculous to use the the phrase maternity leave when talking about a member of the royal family. Why do they treat us so stupid. You can't have leave when you don't work. Their work is what the rest of us might call leisure time! like going on a holiday and getting everything done for you.

rousette I think it's the stark contrast with what duties she's feeling well enough to break her "maternity leave" for. Royal box at Wimbledon - get in. Meeting Angelina Jolie - what time? Services honouring victims of terrorism and armed forces "ooo, I've just had a baby and couldn't possibly attend"

It's pretty insulting

Kate and William aided and abetted by sections of the media and their own great PR teams work hard to put forth the image that "look they are just like us". even the queens pr team is at it. After the embarrassment of the nazi salute gate (ridiculous though it was ) the queen was pictured driving -gasp- herself to church. Her church , on a private road, in the grounds of Windsor castle. This was pitched as defiant queen going about her daily life, look she's normal, she drives.... It's all such bollocks. People drink it in and they are soft minded fools and very easily led. Kate and her family recentlyjoined the party but thankfully the game is nearly up and more people are realising it, as I have done. Kate is not normal, never wanted to be normal, actively sought out extreme wealth, priveledge, luxury and power. She is bone idle and has never intended to do anything but marry a wealthy and important man and advance her and her family's social status . I honestly have not a scintilla of sympathy for her and she should not be immune from criticism as she seeks to climb the ranks of society and place herself above others as a duchess, princess, then queen.