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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think seeing an older lady curtesy to KM is sad to see

375 replies

Julia2016 · 20/05/2016 13:05

Just saw a photo of an older lady curtesying to Kate Middleton, I felt so sad to see it. Sad as to why anyone would feel the need to bow down to another human being.

Every day I shake my head with who people admire in this world and how the general public swallow all these pr machines. 😒

OP posts:
WallisSimpson11 · 23/05/2016 12:17

derxa

I mean the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.
I agree Michael Middleton is good looking.

derxa · 23/05/2016 12:20

I mean the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. They're a 'mixed bunch' I'll agree. Grin

fascicle · 23/05/2016 13:18

Quim
Travelling all over the world having your picture taken next to landmarks is what most people call a holiday. Oh to be able to go in holiday several times a year and call it 'work'.

How is it a holiday to spend time with lots of people you don't really know and may not even like, with an obligation to be polite, sociable, interested; be subject to compulsory photographs and media scrutiny; have little if any privacy/relaxation?

bolleauxnouveau · 23/05/2016 13:42

I like to think of Carole Middleton as a latter day Mrs Bennet, and fair play to her. Does that make James Middleton a Lydia, a Kitty or a Mary?

GhostofFrankGrimes · 23/05/2016 13:46

YANBU - elitist hogwash.

QuimWilde · 23/05/2016 13:46

How is it a holiday to spend time with lots of people you don't really know and may not even like, with an obligation to be polite, sociable, interested; be subject to compulsory photographs and media scrutiny; have little if any privacy/relaxation?

Apart from the media scrutiny, sounds like a lot of holidays I've been on Grin

Seriously though, if having to shake a few hands and have the Daily Mail talk about my dress was the price I had to pay for a lifetime of luxury free holidays, I'm not sure I'd complain. Seems a pretty good deal to me. Are you actually expecting me to feel sorry for their hardship?!

acasualobserver · 23/05/2016 13:47

be subject to compulsory photographs

Poor woman! Mind you, if you worked in, say, a factory or sewage works you might think that wasn't such a bad gig.

acasualobserver · 23/05/2016 13:48

X-post!

Just5minswithDacre · 23/05/2016 13:52

be subject to compulsory photographs

Poor woman! Mind you, if you worked in, say, a factory or sewage works you might think that wasn't such a bad gig.

All that buttock flashing she does is probably a protest. Princesses aren't even allowed to unionise, poor things Sad

chilipepper20 · 23/05/2016 13:56

How is it a holiday to spend time with lots of people you don't really know and may not even like, with an obligation to be polite, sociable, interested; be subject to compulsory photographs and media scrutiny; have little if any privacy/relaxation?

My resume is ready. Where do I send it?

WallisSimpson11 · 23/05/2016 14:18

James Middleton got on the pink bus to Australia. Who can blame him? Grin

LikeDylanInTheMovies · 23/05/2016 16:46

if you worked in, say, a factory or sewage works you might think that wasn't such a bad gig.

Yeah I worked in a sewage works, I didn't enjoy it very much, I was only going through the motions.

sleeponeday · 23/05/2016 16:59

I don't see the distinction you are making. My impression is her job is to look good and appear to do good, and it is on that basis that she is being criticized.

People saying she "flashed her boobs" and how demeaning and lacking in dignity that was are talking about photos stolen by someone from literally miles away, taken when she was alone with her husband on private property. Slut-shaming a woman who has been the victim of a sexual offence (which, in this country, that is) and citing it as evidence she's an exhibitionist would, in my view, cross the line over fair criticism into demonising someone for mere existence. She wasn't on duty, and her crime appears to be that she had a body, with boobs attached. Somehow, this makes her a tart (and that's before getting into how unsavoury that attitude is, all by itself). Similarly, the media capturing and disseminating split seconds where the wind blows her skirt up at airports, showing her legs - something that happens to all women in that situation - is not, that I can see, evidence of anything negative either. Your view may of course be that this is entirely fair. It isn't one I can share. I think it's evidence of nasty misogyny, and little else.

As to the rest - I can't speak for monarchists. I agree that it seems really odd to say you're a monarchist and then be surprised that you don't like what the genetic lottery you support has thrown up, but it does make a lot more sense to me than a republican doing it, because surely if you're a republican the worth and value of individuals in the system is an irrelevance, and reacting to media agendas on them just nitpicking gossip? The system is bonkers, anyway. A monarchist can at least claim to be seeking to hold their chosen representative to some sort of popularity contested account.

Quim - thank you, and exactly.

How is it a holiday to spend time with lots of people you don't really know and may not even like, with an obligation to be polite, sociable, interested; be subject to compulsory photographs and media scrutiny; have little if any privacy/relaxation?

That's most workplaces, generally with the exception of the media scrutiny (though very rarely at that pay level - there's usually scrutiny then), tbh. It's just that most workplaces don't involve palaces and tourist-destination overseas tours serving as the office.

loubielou2 · 23/05/2016 17:15

To correct the reference to 'Kate Middleton' or 'KM'. She lost that title the minute she married William and is now ' HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, Princess William of Wales' and married to the Heir Presmptive, is future Queen Consort and mother of the future King of England. She is hardly workshy. I wonder what job PP expect her to take on with all the additional security this would require? You don't have to bow or curtsey. I personally would if I met her and to The Queen and The Prince of Wales but no other royal. This country would, frankly, be dull without a monarchy. I love the royal family! Do we really want a president?

squoosh · 23/05/2016 17:16

I'll stick with calling her Kate Middleton

squoosh · 23/05/2016 17:17

This country would, frankly, be dull without a monarchy

Grin

But they're all so bloody BEIGE. It's not like they bring any glamour or pizzazz to the country!

squoosh · 23/05/2016 17:20

Has anyone ever said 'oh that Prince Edward, he's so suave, so alluring'?

No they have not.

blindsider · 23/05/2016 17:21

Squoosh

Has anyone ever said 'oh that Prince Edward, he's so suave, so alluring'?

I did a Royal Marine course with him at Lympstone, every time he did a press up he got a nosebleed. He was never going to make it.

Bettercallsaul1 · 23/05/2016 17:22

I think most people will always think of her, and call her, Kate Middleton because that name represents how most people will always think of her.

Floisme · 23/05/2016 17:23

To be honest, I would not enjoy that lifestyle. The insane wealth, I guess I could tolerate but being cut off from the world? Scrutinised wherever you go? Holidays at Balmoral? No thanks.

But that just supports the argument that the monarchy isn't good for anyone - not even the royal family. Time to move on.

squoosh · 23/05/2016 17:24

Oh blindsider poor Prince Edward Grin

I don't think the SAS will be trying to recruit him in that case!

Bettercallsaul1 · 23/05/2016 17:33

I would much prefer a president. Much more fitting for a democracy than an outmoded institution that, in its very nature, represents inequality.

fascicle · 23/05/2016 17:41

Quim
Seriously though, if having to shake a few hands and have the Daily Mail talk about my dress was the price I had to pay for a lifetime of luxury free holidays, I'm not sure I'd complain. Seems a pretty good deal to me.

The fact that it's 'free' and luxurious can't make up for the downsides. It's the antithesis of a holiday, in terms of what people actually want from one.

Are you actually expecting me to feel sorry for their hardship?!

No, I just disagree with your definition of a holiday.

sleeponeday
That's most workplaces, generally with the exception of the media scrutiny (though very rarely at that pay level - there's usually scrutiny then), tbh. It's just that most workplaces don't involve palaces and tourist-destination overseas tours serving as the office.

Exactly. For many people, part of the joy of a holiday is escaping the constraints of a workplace.

Bettercallsaul1 · 23/05/2016 17:47

However you try to spin it, fascicle, it's a pretty good job compared to the vast majority of the population and Kate Middleton definitely wanted it, to put it very mildly!

bolleauxnouveau · 23/05/2016 17:54

Many people might consider it a holiday never having to worry about paying the bills, doing the housework,looking after the children and their education, looking after your own health and accessing medical care. This is what the majority of people need à holiday from.