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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kate Middleton is a role model for me?

519 replies

BlueBookBag · 03/10/2021 20:21

I like the way she looks, so pretty and stylish but classic and simple at the same time.

Slim but toned and athletic figure, meanwhile I could lose a few kg.

Her personality seems refined and elegant, you will never catch her sharing controversial opinions or offending views.

She seems to be a supportive wife and mother

Seems overall to live such an elegant life.

AIBU? To want to be more like Kate and see her as a role model?

OP posts:
ellyeth · 04/10/2021 00:31

I wouldn't want her as a role model for me or my grandchild. I can think of many other women who have achieved far more. She may well be an OK person but who's to know.

Vancouverorbust · 04/10/2021 00:36

@Cascais

Kate worked for her parents' business.
When at school

Post uni she had a part tins job as a buyer at jigsaw owned by a family friend who gave her as much time off as she wanted to be Williams girlfriend. She lived with her sister in a flat her parents bought for them

UrbanRambler2 · 04/10/2021 00:40

YANBU to admire KM's qualities, but I think YABU (a bit) to view her as a role model.

I think she performs her role well, as an ambassador for the UK and a patron of various charities, but I also think the RF in general is somewhat archaic and needs an overhaul. Once the Queen has gone, perhaps that overhaul will take place.

Vancouverorbust · 04/10/2021 01:19

@julieca

She is studying early years development, if she didn't know that you are supposed to get down to a child's level, she really would not have learned much. Loads of Disney dads smile warmly at their kids, which proves nothing. She might be a great mother she might not. I do wonder how close their relationship is though when George is being sent to boarding school at 8 years old.
She convened a group. You can’t see who they are on the very secretive website

The ones shown on tv at the summit in Cornwall were all male. Men discussing a female dominated childcare workforce and early years !

Vancouverorbust · 04/10/2021 01:20

@Cascais

*She is not a photographer of merit. Her pictures have improved a lot but the early birthday photos of George were terrible- out of focus etc

What has she done for charity? Specifically?*

Early years foundation, Hold Still, patron of East Anglia Children's hospices

Have you looked into that foundation? Very secretive with almost no detail on the website and seemingly male dominated
julieca · 04/10/2021 01:22

She hasn't even visited a lot of the charities she is a Patron of. She has always had a press reputation for avoiding work. Then she started having children so everyone thought oh okay your children are tiny. But at what point does she actually start working properly?

MeanWeedratStew · 04/10/2021 01:33

It was claimed that Kate's Early Years survey was the culmination of eight years' "work". The survey contained a total of five fairly basic questions, and now Kate is lauded in the media for her "Early Years work".

Then the "insights" that came out of this survey were really nothing new or noteworthy. And now, of course, KP have claimed that an early years research centre will be set up within the palace, but as far as I can tell, nothing has been said about this centre's purpose or goals (or, indeed, how it will be funded). It just looks like smoke and mirrors to me, making it look like Kate has a project and is busy.

She's good at being a royal, but I just don't get why people say she works hard/does so much. She doesn't. None of them do. Theirs is a life of leisure in exchange for showing up, looking good and saying a few words.

Cascais · 04/10/2021 01:37

centreforearlychildhood.org/

MeanWeedratStew · 04/10/2021 01:47

Yes, there's a website, but it's a whole lot of "this is what the research says" and not a lot of "this is what we aim to do and how we will achieve it."

And really, did anyone not know already that the first five years are crucial to brain development?

user1473878824 · 04/10/2021 02:06

@BlueBookBag

On another note I’m leaving Mumsnet soon. Maybe later on today. Or in the early morning hours.
Ok?
Gingerkittykat · 04/10/2021 03:49

@BlueBookBag

On another note I’m leaving Mumsnet soon. Maybe later on today. Or in the early morning hours.
If you want a good flounce you can do it here.
Vancouverorbust · 04/10/2021 03:57

[quote Cascais]centreforearlychildhood.org/[/quote]
As I said no information about who is involved or what they actually do

Any evidence it has helped a single child?
Or just a vanity project?

Vancouverorbust · 04/10/2021 03:58

You can see the all male steering group although non are named

Saoirse82 · 04/10/2021 04:34

Shes nothing more than a social climber. I honestly don't get this adulation of the royals and people fawning all over them. You can be sure hell would freeze over before I'd be one of them.

BadNomad · 04/10/2021 04:43

I really don't see what's to be admired. She is bland. Shows no personality of her own. Went to university (which isn't unexpected for someone with a private education), met a man, then took on a token part-time job for a year while waiting for him to marry her. She hasn't worked for a thing in her life. What about any of that makes her a role model!? She did stay slim through 3 pregnancies. I supposed there's that.

nimbuscloud · 04/10/2021 08:18

She might be a great mother she might not. I do wonder how close their relationship is though when George is being sent to boarding school at 8 years old.

George is not at boarding school. He is still in Thomas Battersea.

WorriedWishingWell · 04/10/2021 08:50

@BlueBookBag

I like the way she looks, so pretty and stylish but classic and simple at the same time.

Slim but toned and athletic figure, meanwhile I could lose a few kg.

Her personality seems refined and elegant, you will never catch her sharing controversial opinions or offending views.

She seems to be a supportive wife and mother

Seems overall to live such an elegant life.

AIBU? To want to be more like Kate and see her as a role model?

You want to be a Stepford Wife?
the80sweregreat · 04/10/2021 09:08

I bet she has a strong personality, but been told to reign it in.
I can't imagine he gets all his own way!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/10/2021 09:12

God, could not imagine anything worse. But I'm a tattooed single mum who likes a vodka and I don't have an ounce of elegance in my body!

knittingaddict · 04/10/2021 09:14

I voted YABU and might as well say why.

I think she is an attractive woman with the perfect personality and upbringing to do the role she married into. I assume she enjoys the lifestyle well enough. I and most other women would hate it and aren't equipped for it. That's really all there is to say and there is nothing about her that I aspire to. The price is too high and I can't admire her for thinking that the price is one worth paying.

Also any personality she has is kept well hidden and how can you have a role model whose true self is a complete mystery?

She's a very attractive, perfectly poised blank page, not really role model material.

Sweetchocolatecandy · 04/10/2021 09:24

Anyone who allows their (then 7 year old) child to go hunting and learn how to kill animals from a young age is no role model to me, sorry.

mustlovegin · 04/10/2021 09:29

Role models are something very personal

But I wish more young women were like her in terms of how she comes across, does her job and is so polished, pristine, well-mannered and never unkempt. The resources she has at her disposal must help, obviously, but she seems to know how to put them to good use

hangrylady · 04/10/2021 09:42

@BlueBookBag

On another note I’m leaving Mumsnet soon. Maybe later on today. Or in the early morning hours.
It's not Heathrow airport, you don't have to announce your departure.
Roussette · 04/10/2021 09:43

You're making her sound like a throwback to Victorian times or Downton Abbey mustlovegin

My DDs work hard, are intelligent and very polite, but I would hate for them to be extolled for looking 'polished and pristine'.

Dreamstate · 04/10/2021 09:45

@mustlovegin

Role models are something very personal

But I wish more young women were like her in terms of how she comes across, does her job and is so polished, pristine, well-mannered and never unkempt. The resources she has at her disposal must help, obviously, but she seems to know how to put them to good use

Most women if not all do not have her resources thats the difference! Not do they have the time what with having to actually go to work and look after children. Its ridiculous to say more women should be like that when it isn't possible unless your in a high paid job and can afford to pay people to come do your hair and make up, pick expensive clothes for you to wear and then a PA to organise your life for you.