To say YABU if you think Kate deserves no sympathy because 'she knew what she was getting into!'

[ChipperChapper]

It sounds like the sort of people use to say (and often still do), if a younger mother dared complain if she was drained - All because 'she knew what she was getting into' when she decided to have a baby, and that 'she knew the dad probably wouldn't stick around, she knew babies aren't dolls'

^The above is no reflection of all or even most young mums! I am one.

Anyway, moving on... Isn't it quite tactless and a bit lacking in compassion to say "She knew what she was getting into!"

I don't know her personally, but Will, and her three children, are just that to her. Not Royal figures for show.

I understand she may be feeling a million dollars, though. I suffered with HG and felt like going to the Ritz after my DC's birth. Sadly, I neglected to pack a dress and was quite disappointed I was going home in leggings and a top

He has the perks of being royal without the biggest disadvantage of press intrusion

Well, the press were all over him after the Hello debacle and they were all over him again when it turned out his firm's fee was twice the amount generated for charity which had been the purpose of the exercise. Personally I suspect he has been strongly advised to wind his neck in and complied. So far.

I don't feel sympathy for Kate - not one jolt. If there was any hardship on the steps, it was all pre-planned and self-inflicted for the benefit of other people to gasp and admire Kate.

Why are people so mean? Kate looked lovely and most people were happy to see them. I thought Princess Charlotte stole the show earlier, though.
It's not mean to have an opinion other than "aren't they lovely" on the royal family. They're no more lovely than any other family. For people to go on about how lovely they are sounds fawning and rather forelock tugging. But so what if Kate did look nice, of what relevance is that to anyone. What the hell does it matter.

I felt fine after childbirth, in fact I popped into the co-op on my way home, 6hrs after delivery. I could’ve easily have got glammed up (but not that hideous Handmaid’s Tale type of dress) for a 1 minute photo shoot, had anyone been interested.

Some women just find it a bit easier.

I think they seem like a lovely, happy couple - and I’m a staunch republican!

I don't understand this thread. I cannot imagine that Catherine is either expecting sympathy or looking for any. Why does the op presume that she is or does?

I mean, it's be like saying 'user123 deserves no sympathy for that difficult birth - she knew what she was getting into'.

Yes we may choose to get pregnant - and therefore accept the risks that come along with that, but it doesn't mean someone doesnt deserve some sympathy anyway.

Or, 'My friend doesn't deserve sympathy for having a shit day at work. She chose the job, she knew what she was getting into'. That doesn't mean sometimes she doesn't need a sympathetic ear.

Kate chose to get married to a man she loved, who happened to be a Royal, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve sympathy for having to be glamorous and happy just a few hours after birth.

Idk why this is a debate really.

This thread is obviously just fake concern as an excuse to slag her off.

Do all those who felt pity for her standing on steps for a few minutes holding a baby feel sorry for women who have actual hardships

I remember a time when DS 1 was 5 and DS 2 was almost a year, and I had only £12.00 in my pocket to buy food for the week and £2.00 of lecky on the meter, AND I had to buy nappies! I have always struggled. I can't comprehend luxury, I really can't. However, I don't automatically blame people for having privilege. No one gets to choose their birth. Some hit the jackpot, others pull the short straw. I only hold privilege against people who make zero effort to understand or acknowledge the lives of those less fortunate than themselves, especially in this country, and squander their wealth. That's criminal in my book and not excusable. I do not like structural privilege, it is a massive problem in a country where class is so firmly entrenched, and a large part of why there is no true equality- you see it reflected even in the law. So I agree notionally with the idea of abolishing the monarchy.

I think a rich woman is entitled to the same amount of privacy and comfort post child-birth as a poor one. I don't think you should have to be required to stand in front of a line of intrusive photographers, and strangers wearing heels and smiling to 'pay' for your privilege. It's the principle.

But the point you seem to be missing Hadron that she quite possibly wanted to show the baby off.

She did choose this life for hersef- and she seems delighted with it from the look on her face.

Why waste time trying to make up reasons to feel sorry for her?

Nobody should “blame” her for her privilege. She’s having a lovely time (I think? Who knows?) and very good for her. She seems like a lovely woman (as far as I can tell from someone I’ve never met). It’s possible to envy someone’s privilege and still like them. I have loads of friends who have lovely lives which are enviable; great jobs, lovely homes etc. But I still love my friends. I don’t begrudge her what she has at all.

But I still don’t feel sorry for her and find it a bit strange when people wheel out the sad faces on here and irl about her life. It’s patronising for one thing.

The photo of her breasts which was published in Italian papers was pretty intrusive though. I thought the way that photo was take was horrible and a massive invasion of privacy. I was annoyed on her behalf for that one, as I would be if it had happened to anyone just minding their own business when some twunt of a paparazzo zoomed in on their privates and sold it to a paper. Horrid.

She seems happy. There are many upsides to her life. Lots of people I feel sorry for but I think she is probably very happy

That’s not to say her life would suit us all.... I would hate it but lots of people would trade places in a heart beat.

I think a rich woman is entitled to the same amount of privacy and comfort post child-birth as a poor one. I don't think you should have to be required to stand in front of a line of intrusive photographers, and strangers wearing heels and smiling to 'pay' for your privilege. It's the principle.

Why do you assume she was forced?

She leads a fairly private existence. She is very rarely in the papers. As others have mentioned, this is pretty clearly a quid pro quo arrangement with the press; they allow periodic glimpses into their lives; in return, they largely control the output.

I'm sure she's determined to get that first picture over with as quickly as possible so she can get on with her own version of maternity leave. If she didn't do it in the immediate aftermath, there would be a feeding frenzy.

@littlepill he says three times the worry, not problems. Any parent can empathise with that.

Why do you assume she was forced

Because people dont usually jump up from their delivery bed (unless they're the sort of desperate for attention celeb wannabes) and rush to take their newborn out for press photos. There is undoubtably a strong indirect pressure to show oneself and ones newborn, to the world. Call it a strong social and institutional pressure.

It's not about 'feeling sorry for her' hah! She has a £250,000 nanny! its about a woman being made to parade to the cameras hours after birth so the public can be appeased. As part of that public I think that's terrible. For any woman. Yes she may 'want' to do it, but only within the culture of an establishment and wider social construct where it is pretty much expected because she's perceived as privileged and owing something.

I wonder what would have happened if William had brought the baby out on his own? I reckon that would have been a PR triumph considering what a low bar is set for being a “fantastic, hands on dad”,

Then Catherine could have shown she was OK with a quick wave on the way to the car.

Where is that nanny salary data coming from?...

@DoubleRamsey He says "Thrice the worry". Well don't do it then! It's not like the world needs extra people.

People should stop worrying about her now. I'm sure her and her new baby are being very well looked after by a huge army of staff. Awful though it was to think of her having to stand on those steps for a few minutes, she's being hugely rewarded. I wish that was all i'd have to do to keep the millions rolling in. So little for so much.

250,000 for a nanny! blimey, i wished i had taken up that profession and done some ' norland nanny ' training.
I read that the footmen and women at the palace are on a pittance - not the same as rearing other people's children i know, but even so. thats a huge amount ( if its right)

Yeah me too The80s.

I read that too The80s ie about the other staff being in little more than minimum wage. I have to say I’d be very bitter if I was working for them and going home struggling to pay basic bills and not having enough to give my children basic treats whilst watching the royals enjoying their lavish lifestyle.

I don't know, a lot of royal jobs are live-in, meals provided etc. I imagine it's more interesting than most minimum wage jobs and the training will mean someone starting out could go on to highly paid jobs in the private sectors eventually.

And almost all will involve no responsibility for helpibg to raise the future king.

There is no way the nanny is on £250K.

How convenent for the stingy queen though having that as an excuse.