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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you think of Kate Middleton?

637 replies

Teadrinker11 · 22/03/2022 20:27

Interested to hear some opinions. What do you think of her? I was just reading a Dailymail article where she and William are in Belize and people are complaining about them flaunting their lives and all that. People struggling and Ukraine on fire, etc and Kate and William are rubbing it in people's faces. What do you think? Yes, they definitely have it better than a lot of people but in one sense I also feel that she has to thread on eggshells being in the public eye so much. Say one thing she'll be crucified but if she says something else it will be the same, she can't win regardless of what she says or do. If she acknowledges and openly says that she's got it easy with her luxury lifestyle people will scream down her neck about that too. What do you think? What's your view on Kate?

OP posts:
UnashamedLabelHo · 22/03/2022 21:08

I did look up where Belize was on the map yesterday and I had no idea they have a barrier reef so their visit highlighted something to me as an individual. I know what the Belize flag colours are too! The RF do manage to bring attention to things just by being Royal. I haven’t met her personally so no idea otherwise. I met Prince Edward once and in that 30 seconds chat I thought he was a smiley man who was very good at pretending to be interested in my answers to his question or was genuinely interested (charity thing).

ThankYouSir · 22/03/2022 21:08

I couldn't care less, I spend zero time thinking about her.

Movingonup22 · 22/03/2022 21:09

I think she is exceptional in her role.

I very much don’t think her role should exist. But if it has to I think she will do an excellent job and will not actively cause harm and will probably do a bit of good.

TheBigDilemma · 22/03/2022 21:09

I think she is perfect for the role, she doesn’t express any personal opinions, in fact she very rarely speaks. So unless you find nice smiley people offensive she will fade in the background.

The big problem with travelling is to properly read the culture and sensitivities, I thought a couple of dresses she wore on this trip were a bit OTT considering what their hosts were wearing in the same events so I guess the blame goes to the stylist and the embassy, I doubt she chooses her own clothes.

And also, she looks like a model so you can send her out with a dress from New Look and she would still look amazing.

MasterBeth · 22/03/2022 21:10

I have no view on Kate Middleton. I find people’s fascination with the royal family both incomprehensible and damaging to our national psyche.

Frollop · 22/03/2022 21:10

I think once the Queen passes we should phase the Royal family out. Many people can't relate to them and don't appreciate them. Keep them If we must but let them pay for themselves.
The Queen appears nice but the other generations can't match her.

Gotajobthrunepotism · 22/03/2022 21:11

I don’t think of her a lot and don’t have a strong opinion of her. She looks very pretty and elegant and a proper lady. But other than that, don’t feel one way or the other about her

LBFseBrom · 22/03/2022 21:11

A lot of people in Belize are loving having the Cambridges there and want them to return! The press like to make a big deal out of nothing. If you think about it, if they did not go it would make no difference to the population of Belize and they do not deliberately 'flaunt their lifestyle'! They have 'things' and privileges, so what? They are not alone in that and there are plenty in the world who are far more 'flash'. Every person on this earth will experience bad times, regardless of wealth or status.

When Kate and William meet people, they are informal, dress appropriately, are warm, friendly and 'ordinary' with them. It seems they can't win but I don't think they are doing anything wrong.

Frollop · 22/03/2022 21:12

Kate is likeable but you could pick many woman off the Street who could match her... she's a normal woman.

Brefugee · 22/03/2022 21:13

If we didn’t have a royal family, we would have to have a president instead of a prime minister? I didn’t know that

We wouldn't. Why would we? It would be like France or Germany not the USA where the executive power lies with the head of state. In France and Germany there is a president and a prime minister (President and Chancellor in Germany). The presidents in Germany have all been ex-politicians up to now, but i am ever hopeful.

In the UK you'd get a bland head of state and if you show a bit of imagination and don't trot out the boring ol Johnson/Blair/May idiocy you could have someone really good and engaging like Floella Benjamin or Tanni Grey Thompson.

As for Katherine Middleton - many women don't change their name on marriage. And as a republican i CBA with all the Duke/Duchess waste of time titles Grin

Fairislefandango · 22/03/2022 21:13

I think she's a very attractive, very wealthy woman. I also think that anyone who gets over-invested in the lives of famous people, or who believes they really know anything much about what they are really like, is naïve and a bit dim. I don't care what she's like. I'd get rid of the monarchy altogether though.

PurplePansy05 · 22/03/2022 21:13

I don't support the monarchy at all, they are outdated and tone deaf, without exception. I won't even comment on PA because that's not relevant to Catherine, but there's a special place in hell waiting for him.

Catherine is bland and every time I see her public appearances I can't help but think there's a smiley facade there and a very unhappy woman there IRL. It's just my instinct. I can't see how her or William can continue to pull off this farce for another 50 years if I'm honest and they don't seem to have a plan for it either.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 22/03/2022 21:14

I think we have the right to an opinion of her. We pay for her lifestyle. The fact that she's been careful to be bland and boring tells us that she knows we have the right to an opinion of her too.

I don't like the monarchy, it should be streamlined to just William and Kate's immediate family now. The rest can carry on intermarrying like all other toffs, but shouldn't take any money from the public purse or have 'duties'. All relatives of Prince Andrew should retreat from public life in embarrassment.

Winkydink · 22/03/2022 21:14

I don’t know her and so therefore can’t offer a proper opinion. I am, however, influenced by a family member who has worked with her in a professional capacity (and other senior royals and HM the Queen) and he was astounded by her lack of work ethic compared to the other royals he’d worked with. Eg rescheduling visits that had been months/years in the planning to spend more time with her children. Which is lovely of course - I would like to spend more time with my children too but I don’t dick around with everyone’s schedules to do it! This was a few years ago though, obviously no children with her in Belize now. Though I think it must be galling for Princess Anne to do so much more work and get a fraction of the press coverage.

Mackmama · 22/03/2022 21:14

She seems okay, think I’d probably chat to her at the school gate although I doubt she’d understand my fairly strong regional accent. She and William annoy me when they start spouting off about stuff I don’t want or need to hear them talking about, if I want advice on mental health etc…I’d go to somebody qualified to give it.

ClemFandangoo · 22/03/2022 21:14

Her name isn’t Kate Middleton anymore, that was her maiden name, she’s now married.

SunshinePie · 22/03/2022 21:17

She seems absolutely boring. Just looking at her makes me want to yawn.

Babyroobs · 22/03/2022 21:18

Must admit I was surprised to see them scuba diving. That does seem to be flaunting it a bit. I do like her and William generally though, it can't be easy being in the public eye all the time.

RosesAndHellebores · 22/03/2022 21:18

She appears dignified, beautiful, discreet and a credit to her parents and the Royal family. Whether she's a member of the Royal family or not, I don't understand the bitterness and the sniping.

inmyslippers · 22/03/2022 21:19

Bland and inoffensive. which I imagine is the reason the royal family picker her

oakleaffy · 22/03/2022 21:19

@Crabjuice

I think she's a complete mug, given the amount of affairs her husband has had, that are constantly hidden by the UK press.

That aside, no other opinion.

Prove it.. Oh, you can’t??

Quelle suprise!

Nothinglikeachocolatebrownie · 22/03/2022 21:20

I think she seems dedicated and a good person doing the best she can.

I am not in favour of the monarchy as a structure though. But I don't think people should trash KM personally.

BoodleBug51 · 22/03/2022 21:22

She always looks pained and unhappy to me. I always get the impression that she's not comfortable and would rather be anywhere else.

She must love William to live life in a goldfish bowl but I can't even begin to imagine needing security around yourself and your kids 24/7.

oakleaffy · 22/03/2022 21:22

@Fairislefandango

I think she's a very attractive, very wealthy woman. I also think that anyone who gets over-invested in the lives of famous people, or who believes they really know anything much about what they are really like, is naïve and a bit dim. I don't care what she's like. I'd get rid of the monarchy altogether though.
Ditto. Let them self fund.
Crikeyalmighty · 22/03/2022 21:23

I can’t offer an opinion as I don’t know her. I am not keen on monarchy as we have it in the UK — prefer the way the Dutch /Danes do it. — however I think William and Kate would make ideal understated monarchs —

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