Hilary Mantel makes a good point

[juneau]

She shouldn't have said it, since it's bitchy and uncalled for (and I actually find HM rather odd, if I'm honest), but after a good couple of years in the media spotlight I struggle to think of one thing the Duchess of Cambridge thinks or believes in. She never gives an opinion, she barely speaks, she just looks pretty and smiles.

HM gets her 'right' to comment on KM as she has gained recognition as one of the finest writers of our time, with a huge knowledge of both historical context, acute observational skills on human nature and society and a searing literary talent which will be recognised for centuries to come. Millyad.

Funnyperson, I disagree with you with regards to 'emotion'. She doesn't drench her prose in emotive language - but she makes me feel a huge breadth of emotions with the clarity and precision of her words.

no, of course not Millydad, but she isn't just any mother-to-be or any woman. We are encouraged to invest in the monarchy, which many of us don't, for good reason.

I'd too be outraged by a personal comment made by by my dd's mum when she was pregnant. But this is nothing like that. HM's analysis was about the train of 'suitable' women as childen-providers, not even specific to KM, in a powerful political and constitutional dynamic that has lasted for centuries.

When I am King, I may post differently.

Ah yes, good point seeker, I've fallen for the propaganda. She's a 'faux-gel', a bit like a show-girl but with less sequins and leg kicking. Same ambition though!

Mind you, she has got the legs for the kicking and sequins.

She does indeed, great middle class pins, posh pins are shaped more for country pursuits and tweed skirts. She had a lucky escape.

She's got lousy legs. Way too thin. Missing the 'country pursuits' element for my liking....but hey. It ain't going to happen.

Yes, pofaced she makes you feel the emotion- not just the books but with this article- but the writing itself is emotionless. Very powerful.

scottishmummy - Millyad what are you on about man?It's like phil Mitchell with iPad

Waaaa! Rofl!

Well I feel sorry for mantel. She has been lambasted by people who haven't even bothered to read the full article. And anyone on here commenting on her looks and weight have really shocked me.

I know someone v high up in one of the charities Kate 'chose' to be patron of. They were delighted when Kate chose the charity but since the announcement they have seen very little of her. In fact they have been quietly told that duchess Doolittle is unlikely to visit them at all in the next 18 months. Kate really needs to try and look a bit busier and her support of these charities means so so much to them. HM makes some very correct and viable points in her article.

Yes v powerful funnyperson :)

Just finished slugging my way through wolf hall. Couldn t get over the fact that she seems to anoint Thomas Cromwell, who was after all a giant bully. I haven t read her talk I just heard an excerpt on radio 4. Now I won t get personal about mantel (even though she doesn't t mind getting personal about others) but I think she should remember that there is a real person behind the public figure. Yes maybe the double booker has gone to her head and she now feels invulnerable, officially so smart she can say anything.

Well, Yes Bakingnovice often the best/worst critic of women are other women, even and sometimes especially when what they say makes other women feel got at, when the intent wasn't designed with that intent.

overuse of 'intent' there.

Mantel is absolutely terrific. KM is a cipher. The End.

That was like a rozzer, oi stop getting verbal you're giving me intent

Perhaps it would be better for those in line to the throne if they sat in the house of Lords then they might get a better understanding of the way the country runs and be able to have their say and express opinions and so on. It doesnt solve the issue of what Kate should be doing or saying or, indeed whether the media or the public or Mantel have any right to dictate what Kate should be doing or saying but it might help with this constant issue of relevance. And yes, I am aware that hereditary peers have only just been abolished. Perhaps there needs to be a constitutional rethink. Perhaps Britain needs a constitution.

Well, really, speaking as a bit of a pacifist myself, we should line them up against a wall and shoot them. Pointless bloody creatures.

And leave the field for Mantel to write a few more magnificent novels.

Well a bit like that sm...

MI just why the f**k didn't you post that earlier. It would have saved an awful lot of mither.

funnyperson, we have a constitution, it just isn't written down. Maybe it should be.
Whataboutbob, I agree. I have read the full lecture and am still not sure whether Mantel was trying to be insulting or make a point about how we and the media view and depict Kate (in which case it was a bit of a home goal). I agree that she should have given more thought to fact Kate Middleton is a real person and not a character from a dusty history book or just material for her writing.
Motherinferior, agree Mantel a terrific writer, beautifully written piece, but I do think she was unnecessarily harsh on Kate.

Millyad - are you trying out the next 'from the message boards' in private eye on us??!
All that's missing from your post is the immortal phrase "if that HM comes near my kids I swear I'll do time"

HM makes a very compelling case and is a fine and thoughtful writer.

Are you all circumspect before opining on anyone in public eye thinking,theyre a human being
I've never met Kate Middleton,never will.This in no way inhibits my ability to opine about her
have never met Dave Cameron but certainly do have vociferous not complimentary opinion that I don't plan to moderate on basis of he's human you know

Funny and so weirdly close (same hairdresser!!)

I can take it as I can answer back, albeit a text but in real terms it was a scathing unprovoked attack on Kate and why I ask, because of the media hype, arrogance or I don't know, if she's articulately brilliant she shouldn't need to express her views in this way, even if it ended with 'we should leave her alone'....

You lot are touchy though, like it!

Even upon scouring what she says I still fail to see the her choice of wording and personal reference to a knowingly indefensible high profile (and dare I say pregnant) woman, what really was HM's point then...

Perhaps ask around your mates and see who has borrowed your braincell?

Well, not touchy ( which is gender-potent so I'd be careful there), just seeing a bigger political and intelligent picture of how females in monarchy exist, of which KM is another item. It isn't personal, just a wide-sweep view, which many people agree with.