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AIBU?

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Original poster

New photos of the Duchess of Cambridge

73 replies

IReallyLikeCrows · 10/01/2022 16:44

I can't believe I'm even posting about this but here I am. This is not a post to lay into her but I saw the photos in various places yesterday and today - today on the Vogue website - and if I hadn't been told that they were photos of her I wouldn't have known who they were of rather than an attractive woman wearing some very elegant ballgown type things.

I was going to put this in chat but then realised that I wanted to know if it was just me who thought that she looked very different to how she usually does. This is so deeply unimportant that I'm half cringing while typing but it's been bugging me and I'm wondering why I think she looks so different.

YABU - she looks no different to usual
YANBU - I think she looks a bit different to usual too.

OP posts:
givethatbabyaname · 10/01/2022 17:12

They’re lovely photographs, and I think the reason she looks different is because there’s “less” of what we normally see her with. Less obvious hair, less obvious make up, lower colour contrast. That’s why they look casual but still ridiculously uncasual

Winniewonka · 10/01/2022 17:12

She's definitely had a 'makeover', perhaps with a new stylist. Her hair style is different than usual. I don't think she has had work done but I do think (if I am allowed to say it on Mumsnet) that she has gained weight and so her face doesn't look so thin. I've often thought she looks under weight. One of the photos looks like it's a reverse image.

zebrarobot · 10/01/2022 17:12

It's the forehead I think. She usually has a fringey bit

GrimDamnFanjo · 10/01/2022 17:18

I think it's lighting, styling and being photographed at flattering angles.

Like most women in the public eye she may have had work done but not specifically for this shoot.

I had photos taken by a pro about 18 months ago. I look bloody amazing in them Grin I look about 15 yrs younger but all down to a very skilled photographer!

WeDontTalkAboutBruno · 10/01/2022 17:51

I showed them to DH yesterday and asked him who it was and he didn't recognise her either.

Stunning photos though.

Wotsitsits · 10/01/2022 17:55

Photoshopped to hell. So bizarre. The second one is literally soft focus on most of her face Confused weird.

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 10/01/2022 17:57

I don't think they're nice photos at all. There are thousands upon thousands of photos of her where she looks so much better. I'd want a refund if I were her.

DeepaBeesKit · 10/01/2022 17:57

I just always thinks she looks very thin. In the red dress her waist looks very tiny. I think it must be hard everyone constantly focussing on your appearance.

OvaHere · 10/01/2022 18:07

It's the lack of eyeliner I think. We're so used it she doesn't look like her.

I wouldn't rule out photoshop wizardry either. They're nice enough photos but tbh I've seen better pap shots of her.

Original poster
IReallyLikeCrows · 10/01/2022 18:07

Argh, sorry I had a quick look and couldn't find any threads on the subject. I didn't even know we had a royal family folder. I've been here for years, what on earth is wrong with me!

Anyway, phew! I'm not the only one who thought that she looked very different. I think it was because in all the places I was seeing these photos there was no mention that she didn't look like herself and I wondered if I was going a bit mad in the eyes.

OP posts:
Theballoonsinthesky · 10/01/2022 18:09

I think because of her hair her forehead looks bigger and her face longer. They aren't the best photos of her at all and the side on photo looks like an old painting.

JustWonderingIfYou · 10/01/2022 18:15

I think its just make up artist trickery.

We see her with very much the same look all the time. This is a very different look.

In these photos she has much less eyeliner under her eyes than normal. Thicker brows and, I think, lip liner to shape her cupids bow more.

PaintYourDreams · 10/01/2022 18:41

The photographer talked about taking away rather than adding to his photographed subjects. So removing unnecessary layers such as perhaps the usual make-up that she wears etc.

But yes she is a natural beauty with or without makeup.

LadyinRead · 10/01/2022 18:46

@WoodSageandSeasalt

She seems to be wearing much less make-up especially eyeliner, I think that makes a difference. Lovely photos but I prefer her more casual - sure she couldn’t care less what I think though!
Yes, the eyeliner makes the biggest difference.
cherrypie66 · 10/01/2022 18:46

I didn't recognise her atall. Do you think she's had surgery

MumW · 10/01/2022 19:19

I, too, didn't recognise her at first glance but I actually think that she looks more like her graduation photo in the colour shot.

CPL593H · 10/01/2022 19:38

I've become a bit of a DoC fan over the years and also think that she is lovely looking. The side profile in the white dress is to me very reminiscent in style of several portraits Cecil Beaton took of the Queen Mother decades ago. I like that and the the red dress one very much, but the head and shoulders is so soft focus that she is unrecognisable, IMO.

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 10/01/2022 19:44

It’s the way she’s been photographed- like a fashion model, perfectly posed, expertly lit and retouched and the odd skin tone style, makes her look very different. Doubt she’s had work done that obvious that wouldn’t show in paparazzi photos.

She looks stunning.

PicaK · 10/01/2022 19:44

It's the hair - plus photoshop. She doesn't look herself but manipulated.

mediumbrownmug · 10/01/2022 19:51

I saw them on social media not realizing it was her birthday, and just thought nice enough pics. Admittedly I’m an American and haven’t given it any more thought. They didn’t look stunning or horrible to me at first glance. I would guess they’re retouched, but the RF have been doing that since at least Queen Alexandra. Interesting takes on here. I’ll have to go back and have a good look this time!

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 10/01/2022 19:52

She looks nice but I prefer her James Bond pics - should have just released another one of them and saved herself (and ultimately us) the cash!

These pics have been everywhere over the last 48hrs and the more I see them, the more I just think - really Kate? Is this the right moment to wheel out all the vestiges of your enormous hereditary wealth?

Am such a Scrooge when it comes to the royals- I'm prepared to fawn over her with everyone else to a certain extent but after the 27382748th time, I lose my enthusiasm.

Anyway, sorry I digress- don't think it looks like her but that's this photographers style - almost like daguerreotypes. Love the sidey-on one.

5128gap · 10/01/2022 20:02

In the red dress photograph her cheek filler is more apparent than usual, either because the big smile is pushing it up or because she's had a bit extra.(I know this because it happens to me when I have a big smile!)

StormBaby · 10/01/2022 20:14

She’s changed her eyebrows. It will make a huge difference to anyone’s face.

Sparklybanana · 10/01/2022 20:22

The photos don't do her justice. Dressed up properly she can easily be the most stunning woman in the room even when Hollywood are there. She's also adept at looking comfortable and happy in candid shots but these almost are like someone has dressed her up and posed her like a doll. Very strange.

blubberyboo · 10/01/2022 20:23

At first glance in the red dress I thought signourney weaver in ghostbusters but only for a second lol