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

I remember just after having my first dc, someone was saying how sorry they felt for her. I think, although it would suck to have no choice in the matter, I would have bloody loved someone to come and do my hair for me and sort a nice outfit for leaving hospital. A quick showing off the baby session and a drive home where I might have all the help I could wish for. So much nicer than dh and me struggling (clueless we were) with a newborn in our freezing flat on Christmas Day of all days. It was one of the most difficult days of my life and a wee hair do plus loads of people who I could choose to help if I wanted would have been bliss.

That said, the reason I think people feel sorry for her is because she doesn’t really get a say in the matter I think. No matter what you’re signing up for, you never really appreciate it till you’ve done it and children change everything. She may not feel the same now as she did when they got married pre-dc.

Actually😂😂😂at the poster who said she looked a lot plumper this time. Catty much. Woman has just had a baby and all you can think of is her size. Ffs where's the sisterhood

I feel sorry for her as you will always have some soulless person proclaim royals are a waste of space. Imagine being so lacking in humanity that you decide someone is a waste of a life simply by dint of birth or marriage.
I don't see the royal family as special or monarchy being necessary. But I still recognise their humanity.
The royal fans are just as bad, all voyeuristic treating them as dolls to be gawped at in a shop window.
I feel sorry for them as they don't seem to be considered people by a lot of otherwise normal seeming adults.

I'm with the 'she's lucky and I guess she knows it'.

Probably a little less likely to feel shit after birth after being danced attendance upon presumably by multiple midwives in a luxurious setting throughout labour. (Not jealous, I had great care for all my births)

Wagging - there's a trade-off (or cost) to everything, and the cost of the extremely privileged lifestyle they have is that they are, to some extent (and a lot less so than in days gone by), public property. The privilege is the wage of their role, if you like. I'm fine with that.

I always wonder whether there is an argument to say that actually, she loves Will and whether or not she knew what she was doing is irrelevant, because she felt she had to do it because she loved him.
And so it is something she deals with because of their relationship.

I imagine that she probably does go home and change into something comfier and the faff is probably worth it for all the good stuff!

FFS there are people in this country with actual problems. She lives an extravagant lifestyle and hasn't had a real job in her life. So boo hoo she had to face the press. She called the shots- she could have stayed in hospital for an extra day if she wanted to. She was in front of the press for 5 minutes, had a stylist and a makeup artist and didn't have to answer any questions. She then went straight home.

She also does not strike me as someone who is uncomfortable with press intrusion and the press are usually pretty kind to her.

Maybe spare your sympathy for someone who deserves it.

I think Kate has exactly what she wanted- and went into it with her eyes open.
She is a social climber and loves her Royal position and pomp.

It was all calculated on her part.

I feel sorry for her as you will always have some soulless person proclaim royals are a waste of space. Imagine being so lacking in humanity that you decide someone is a waste of a life simply by dint of birth or marriage

You do realise that those wanting to abolish the monarchy don't literally want to kill them, right?

Imagine being so lacking in humanity that they decide that it's okay to make mothers claiming tax credits for a third child prove they were raped before they get a meagre handout, yet dance in the street when a millionaire family has a third child and proclaim it to be the best thing ever.

I am hoping Charles will fuck things up so bad when he becomes king that even the dumbest royalists will see what an absolutely idiotic and archaic institution this is. He certainly looks set to and no, he will not hand the crown to William. No chance.

We had this rubbish with the last two babies as well. “Oh, let’s all show solidarity with Kate by pretending to care that she’s “forced” to have her hair done and pose in heels when she must be worrying about lochia dribbling down her legs”.

I really can’t see the point of a royal family these days, but if we’re going to have them then they must do their bit - and Kate does. She seemed to take genuine delight in showing off her baby boy & I think that’s rather nice. She doesn’t need anyone to “feel sorry for her” and it’s patronising and presumptuous to assume she does.

Where exactly did Kate complain?

Also agree it’s quite patronising.

Kate did not complain, at least not on MN that we know of/

There were/are dozens of posters offended on her behalf. Some did go searching for her maternity pad.

I reached peak-republican when, after one of the babies mumsnetters were cooing about her being "just like us" and having had to rush to get herself and the baby ready to go out because somebody claimed to have seen dry shampoo not properly brushed out of her hair.......

What are we meant to be sympathising over? I didn't know she was in need of any it

I see that she's once again chosen to go along with protocol and walk out of a maternity unit posing for the press looking as if she's about to out to a posh dinner. Personally I think it sends a message that may not be too helpful for some women (if she can do it why can't you/why can't I, ect.) That's about as far as my feelings on it all goes.

I would have been able to do what she did after each of births. I expect that she went home and the shoes came off as soon as she walked through the door and I seriously doubt she spent the even in her dress, she most likely did get straight into more comfortable clothes.

Bear in mind she might be Royal but she has 2 other children who it would appear she spends a lot of time with. Sweet as they are when they’re in public they are small children and most likely prone to exactly the same behaviours and whining and messing about as other 3 & 4 year olds and she most likely wanted to get back to them as soon as she could. We don’t know that Charlotte won’t go to sleep unless she’s lying next to her or that George isn’t afraid of monsters under the bed and whilst she has a nanny just sometimes nobody but mummy will do and she was probably aware of that

No, I didn't think Kate had been complaining.

Sometimes I think people just need an excuse to have a good old go at Kate. (And the Royals in general.)

Makes them feel better about themselves somehow.

I've always thought she was a bit robotic to be honest, until I saw the footage of her at a hospital event when she caught sight of the midwife who delivered one of the children. She genuinely beamed and dashed over to give her a hug. Made me realise she's human after all.

I think she's a very lucky and privileged mum whose children are never going to want for anything and will have status like few others.

I don't see the issue- they are under no pressure to leave - if she had wanted to stay in and rest she would have- they tell the press when and where they will be, not the other way round.

I am anti-monarchy, but as an institution. It's not personal. I actually feel quite sorry for those born into those roles, who have no choice over the course and direction of their lives, and I think the press intrusion must be hellish. I can't understand anyone who would want to marry into it, personally, but it seems to make some women happy.

If only there was another work instead of 'feeling sorry for' or pity or sympathy/compassion , but whatever people say you have to admit having people watch you when down there has been torn apart by a baby and your boobs are leaking away is tough for anyone, privledged or not. For those comparing it to feeling sorry for a homeless person or the like, it's not, but she still deserves a fair dues and well done as anyone would

And good point above, it's not like you hear of her complaining about it, it's the general public who take issue

I do think the children are not protected enough. I love tack, and a few months ago I was up Oxford Street and there's a big souvenir shop, not far from the H&M on the corner of the 'circle'. So I popped in there to have a browse while DP popped into Clarks. I gravitated towards the cups - love a tacky I ❤ London cup. Anyway, as I reached up I saw the Royal Family cups, and pulled one down, it was one with Will, Kate and George. There was another one I think with just George on and I was suddenly struck by the complete inappropriateness of the children being plastered on tacky dinnerware (or anything) for purchase by god knows whom, for use in houses across the entire world.

I would never allow someone to use my children's images for any use other than family, who love them, hell I don't even post pictures of my kids on facebook etc, never have. Now imagine they have no choice in this, the children have no choice just because of something they cannot control - their birth, they grow up knowing complete strangers have use of their images.

Secondly, I dont I don't think the children need be papped going to/coming from school. Everytime one sees George he looks uncomfortable with the cameras around. And Charlotte waving at the camera is seen as cute, I think its sad.

As for Kate having to hoist herself out of bed post birth, whilst bleeding and undoubtably sore to stand in front of paps, why are we doing this to any woman? The baby is a few hours old and already papped.

Yes they have a privileged existence, but they're also human beings.

I don’t feel sorry for her because she took this on when she agreed to marry the future king. And I think she wants anyone to feel sorry for her she looks happy. I think she’s a lovely girl but I don’t feel sorry for her.

Argh I Don’t think