Bbc headline Princess Kate passes PADI In Mustique is not news

[elizadolittlechoc]

Or is it that I am so proud of my own daughter for working lots of shifts in student bars whilst studying for end of year exams, to pay for her PADI in UK waters, as well as passing the theory, supporting small Britsh businesses, seems slightly worthier? There is bigger news in the world this weekend.

eliza - I’m very impressed by your daughter’s achievement. There isn’t enough focus on what ordinary people, especially young people, achieve through their own efforts. (Hint to journalists/Daily Mail: a Sidebar of Pride would be good.)

SisterNancy’s comment was exactly what I was thinking. If Kate’s qualification had been tied into environmental work or underwater archaeology (of which there is plenty to do around our shores) then that would have been noteworthy. She has a degree and now a SCUBA qualification. What’s the likelihood of her doing anything of significant value with either?

The Royal Family PR people really don’t have a clue. The RF is supposedly all about service to the nation, but they don’t seem to actually do anything other than turning up to open days and charity dinners.

As an aside: It’s interesting that William has been allowed to pursue a career as a SAR pilot, but apparently no-one figured out that his helicopter could be easily tracked. I do wonder what century the RF PR people are living in.

There’s a lot of work needing to be done to assess the effects of coastal erosion and the increase in sea level on the flora/fauna/fish stocks and so on; and Kate-in-a-wetsuit getting involved in some of that would highlight those issues. It could well be that that’s what she would like to do, but I shouldn’t think that the RF PR people would agree to that. It’s not what Royal women should be doing.

republic.org.uk/

To be fair Eliza she probably does more for British business wearing a Reiss dress or LK Bennett shoes than she would paying for an Open Water course in the UK

Wish I could afford shoes and dresses as above!

Is no-one else surprised it's taken this long? How old is she now - 28, 30? Haven't most wealthy and society 20 somethings got their PADI long before?

I don't care that she has it, and think it making the news is ridiculous, btw.

eliza - but what Kate seems to be defined as is mostly the wearer of shoes and dresses (and producing an heir). In contrast, I'd define you as a woman who has empowered her daughter to achieve. I think your lineage is of more value to this country.

Aww thanks Wanda. That is the point. Being independent and confident in contributing to the world is all I want for my DCs.

Cabrinha, she was busy chasing and catching her prince in her 20s, she's only just had time to focus on other stuff recently!

I'm amazed at the lack of awareness that the royal family's PR machine seems to have wrt Kate and Will's reputation and general unpopularity.

If this non-story has been released to illustrate that Kate can do more than chase princes and have children* then the palace couldn't have chosen a stupider story to illustrate what exactly it is that Kate gets up to during her infinite spare time... Not being funny but isn't a scuba diving certificate that is done 'for fun' and for no discernible reason other than a hobby something that kids up and down the country have been doing for years?

Of course In Kate's case it's also been another excuse to head over to Mustique.

If Kate had done a PhD or a masters fair enough, I'd be suitably impressed even though I finished a masters three years ago while holding down a demanding job, running a household and looking after two young children

Honestly the woman is like a child playing 'dress up'.

(*Before I get flamed I appreciate having children is hard work etc and I acknowledge the wonderful job that mothers up and down the country are doing juggling demands of everyday life with raising offspring effectively)

I like the royals, particularly Kate and William, and even I pointed out to H this morning that this wasn't news. I'm not going to get into an argument with the majority on this thread who seem to be republican royal dislikers about why I like them though.

Most of us support the royal family in the UK.
Two of my children did that PADI ("put another dollar in" (joking)) thing - expensive although presumably there are some kind of levels of it so not sure how far they reached. It is certainly nicer diving in warm waters with lovely tropical fish around. I

"Most of us support the royal family in the UK."

Financially, do you mean? That's certainly true.....

It's gone up in the last 20 years though - much much less republicanism to such a point that Jeremy Corbyn has had to make it very very clear he will not rush to abolish the royal family (otherwise he would not have a hope in hell of any support).

Prince Charles is brilliant - someone who rejected the tough male Gordonstoun stuff, grows things, cares about plants, has rejected the older royal stiff upper lip stuff - he's been really good and not afraid to speak his mind.

"William strikes me as the kind of guy who'd be happy walking in the Lakes for a weekend, staying in a Youth Hostel and popping down the pub afterwards. Or even camping in Wales for a week."

What on earth are you basing this on????????

You know, I usually support the royals by way of being irritated with the seemingly senseless vitriol posted about them. Here I am again.

I never know anything about their derring do, until up pops a thread about them. Then, because I am nosy, I have a read and there you are: a post started purely for the purpose of spleen venting.

I know, opening such posts makes me as bad as those who read the original story in the redtop or rag of their choice. But really, isn't there something else we all could be doing? Like saving the world, inventing a cure for cancer... all those things you seem to demand 'Kate' should be doing!

What I don't like is people who enjoy pouring their vitriol over others. Marry into the Royal Family and you totally lose your freedom. The poor woman can't even fart, let alone express an opinion without being pounced upon. It's all very well thinking the notion of a Royal Family is a waste of public money, I agree with that, but another thing altogether to get pleasure out of being a bitch about another human being.

I have a right to object if I don't think I am getting value for money, surely? I am not "pouring vitriol" over Waitrose if I tell them their hummus isn't up to scratch........

DH and I used to love diving in exotic places.

Can't do it now though as we have a toddler and a baby, and when we're on holiday we need to look after them and want to see them.

Lucky that Kate doesn't have small children ... oh, wait...

Pouring vitriol: vitriol = sulphuric acid (or other sulfate)

So it's not such an odd metaphor, is it?

And, as far as I can see, you are the only person to have used it here.

What's PADI?

Pay
Alot
Die
Immediately

Typical! I type that, scan previous posts one more time, hit post and then see it...

Still not a bizarre phrase though!