The sudden unusual turn on Princess Kate

[Whatt]

Today, I wanted to share something thought-provoking that has caught my attention recently - a noticeable change in the way the media portrays Kate Middleton.

Some publications that previously showed favor towards Kate (DM cough, cough) have started publishing stories that present her in a more critical light. It's an interesting shift.

Firstly, there's a story circulating about an encounter between Kate and a convicted murderer at a charity event. Additionally, there's talk of the taxpayer potentially providing support for her family's struggling business. This raises questions about the circumstances surrounding their business venture and the implications it may have for public funds.

What's intriguing is the parallel being drawn between Kate's current media treatment and the scrutiny faced by Meghan Markle in the past. It's worth discussing whether there's a connection or simply a coincidence.

Furthermore, there's some buzz on Twitter suggesting that Kate may have unintentionally upstaged the King during the Chelsea Flower Show. While it may seem like harmless gossip, it's interesting to consider the impact of such events on the monarchy's reputation. Some even speculate that Camilla might have been involved in the leak of these stories, adding an extra layer to the intrigue.

Taking a step back, it's worth pondering whether the monarchy should be concerned about being upstaged in this day and age. Are we witnessing a shift in priorities and expectations?

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the point was that criticising Camilla for aging (as we all hopefully will!) is unfair, since Diana is eternally frozen in time as a beautiful 36 year old because she had the opportunity to age taken from her? If Diana had lived she would be 62 now.

@Iwantcakeeveryday - yes, it's not fair to accuse her of being a neglectful parent, I do think she was hands on. However, I also remember that last summer and she was criticised for not spending time with her sons when they were home from boarding school, instead holidaying with her boyfriend. Not the whole story of course, but those criticisms abruptly ended with her death.

And yet the late Queen Elizabeth us being heavily criticised on another thread !
Yet more double standards.

@upinaballoon I agree with your post, I obviously have no idea whether William has or has not had an affair. If he has, then they as a couple appear to have worked through whatever issues and appear very strong together. (I have close friends who have done exactly the same). Their marriage - their choice.

On the balance of probabilities I don't think he has, purely because if there was any proof at all then the Press would have ran with it. And someone always talks - that's how we know about Camilla, and about Diana's many affairs. Nothing with such high profile people ever stays fully hidden.

Could well be proved wrong though and if I am then I'll gladly admit it.

And I agree - those who gossip and spread rumours about someone else's marriage and possible affairs are saying far more about themselves.

After everything we know about the monarchy nowadays, it is interesting to me why people are still so invested in the fairy tale.

I am a Republican but I like PW and PK and think they are doing a better job than most of the RF. I feel desperately sorry for their dc though.

Unless PW makes some terrible blunder, or behaves appallingly like Prince Andrew, I doubt any of us will ever know about his true marital status, as those within the Crown’s inner circle enjoy a degree of respect and protection from the press. A degree of protection incidentally which Prince Harry being lower down the rankings, does not enjoy. And PW so far to be fair seems to be doing his job reasonably well and seems to be a reasonable person.

Trying to look at it objectively, imho, PW has grown up in a family and in a social class and milieu where infidelity is pretty standard; where many members of his family, friends and acquaintances have the money, means and opportunity to have affairs and frankly, it’s a world where the patriarchy still dominates, so what is deemed perfectly acceptable for the goose is forbidden for the gander, and the stigma of infidelity isn’t nearly as great as it would be in a middle class setting for example. And of course PW’s most significant male role model, his father, had an enduring extra marital affair.

Therefore, although none of us know for sure, I think it’s a bit naïve to assume it could never be a possibility.

Katherine is an intelligent and professional woman with strong family support who wouldn’t have gone in to this relationship without her eyes fully open.

The time line of her trips that last summer is well documented.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g4401/princess-diana-summer-1997-timeline/

It included a trip with the Fayeds with Wills and Harry before she returned on her last infamous trip with Dodi. It also included several charity trips including a private trip to Sarajevo with her land mine charity but no one mentions that!

And her private secretary said in his book that the accusations about Diana not seeing her boys enough were totally unfair, largely because she was always complaining that she did not have enough time with them in between boarding school, visits to their father, family visits to the royal estates, and their official duties. He also said that she found it increasingly difficult to take the boys anywhere that had sufficient protection from the press, hence the Fayed connection.

As Patrick Jephson’s stated, I think there is a more sustained and targeted campaign against her though Maireas that’s still going on to this day, and it is that I am addressing.

And no one in reality describes Diana as a saint. She definitely wasn’t that and according to Jephson, did not describe herself like that either. What was the origin of her “sanctification”? Imho it was was created by tabloids in order to sell newspapers and to facilitate their usual building up in order to bring down.

He also said that she found it increasingly difficult to take the boys anywhere that had sufficient protection from the press, hence the Fayed connection

It’s a shame that Al Fayed and the Harrods’ spokesman was making sure the press knew exactly where Diana and his son was on their cruises on his yacht, then, isn’t it!

Diana’s last summer actually wasn’t typical of her usual holidays, but also it was the first in a while where she wasn’t in a relationship with Haznat Khan, and she was likely (and understandably) taking advantage of the various invitations made to her.

Her sons would be protected wherever they went, as they had full-time Met protection - she took up Mohammed Al Fayed’s offer for them all to stay at his villa against the clear advice of a few of her friends (Rosa Monckton and Derek Deane among them). It is quite possible she wanted to demonstrate to the British establishment that she was her own woman in doing do. And then, utterly tragically, a holiday she had planned to take with a friend in the US was cancelled at the last minute when the friend’s brother died suddenly. Dodi said that if she was at a loose end, why not join him on the Al Fayed yacht once again. And as a result of that, they both lost their lives. It’s awful looking back at all the “Sliding Doors” moments like that.

Clearly Diana had no idea what was going to happen. If she had known it was to be her last summer, she doubtless would have prioritised spending time with her sons. But, like all of us, she didn’t know what was coming and so enjoyed what with hindsight can be painted as a hedonistic few months hanging out on yachts in the Mediterranean (aside form the family trip to Al Fayed’s villa she had two trips with Dodi on his yacht, and another week with Rosa Monckton on hers). That is unfortunate, as it wasn’t the whole picture - she also attended Gianni Versace’s funeral, went to Sarajevo and New York - it definitely wasn’t all holidays.

Possibly, @Toujoursla896 , but I have seen people take this on, memorials created, myths perpetuated. At the time of the Coronation there were some awful threads on here which were anti Camilla, claiming all manner of special abilities and characteristics of Diana. Some of them were livid that Diana couldn't be crowned.
I do think it's part of the virgin/whore dichotomy though.

Good points, @Serenster about that fateful last summer.
Many of the tabloids ran with the "neglectful mother" trope of course.

"After everything we know about the monarchy nowadays, it is interesting to me why people are still so invested in the fairy tale.". (Nobody is talking about a fairy tale though. People are talking about making up a rumor about people you don't know.)

"I doubt any of us will ever know about his true marital status (of course we don't know and that is as it should be. But there is also no evidence of any affair or unhappiness), as those within the Crown’s inner circle enjoy a degree of respect and protection from the press. (LOL Tell that to then Prince Charles, Camilla, Diana, Ann, Fergie and others. Media reported every scandal (affairs and other things) about them, even tapped phone conversations) A degree of protection incidentally which Prince Harry being lower down the rankings, does not enjoy." (LOL None of them have protection. If media can make money of them they will. They don't care who it is)

Trying to look at it objectively, imho, PW has grown up in a family and in a social class and milieu where infidelity is pretty standard; (correct but that was fifty years ago when those people in those classes had arranged marriages. Now a days they marry for love. They evolved just like rest of society. Of course there is infidelity now a days just like there is in working class couples. But is just not standard) where many members of his family, friends and acquaintances have the money, means and opportunity to have affairs and frankly, it’s a world where the patriarchy still dominates, so what is deemed perfectly acceptable for the goose is forbidden for the gander, (Bunch of nonsense. For example Diana had many affairs during her marriage to Charles. Some even with married men.) and the stigma of infidelity isn’t nearly as great as it would be in a middle class setting for example. (Except for William it would be because he would be judged by the middle class just like his father was. Public have never really forgiven him and Camilla for his affair.) And of course PW’s most significant male role model, his father, had an enduring extra marital affair. (So because his father had an extra marital affair he also will have one. LOL).

Therefore, although none of us know for sure, I think it’s a bit naïve to assume it could never be a possibility. (Nobody said it isn't a possibility but there is to date no evidence of one. Not a source, picture, video, text or newspaper who have touched it.)

Indeed no, @RYGO - it would be hard to believe that William hasn't learned lessons from the behaviour of both his parents.

I’ve always thought the recent experiences of William’s immediate family rather rebuts the line that “of course” William has affairs and Kate just puts up with it “because that’s what they do” in those circles. Whereas, in reality, Mark Phillips was a philanderer and Anne divorced him. Both Charles and Diana had affairs, and the Queen told them to divorce. Fergie had an affair and Andrew divorced her. The dial had already shifted on expectations of fidelity for the generation ahead of William and Kate, let alone their own one.

Toujoursla896

it’s a world where the patriarchy still dominates, so what is deemed perfectly acceptable for the goose is forbidden for the gander

I know what you're getting at (although I don't necessarily agree) but I think you've got your geese and ganders mixed up.

Also, @Serenster William is known to have valued and appreciated the friendship and support of the Middletons, and witnessed a long term marriage and the impact of a happy home. One would think he would want that for his own children.

i haven’t time to address all of your post but I stand by my three central points that:

~ the most powerful members of the RF eg KC, KC and PW and PK definitely enjoy a slight bubble of reverence when it comes to the press. They have a great deal
of soft power and influence which trickles down to newspaper editors and media moguls (why do you think the honours system still exists?) and we all know about their Faustian pacts with the press and how they leak one story in order to swerve another.

~ it’s of no surprise to me that no one will touch this story because the stakes are so high. If PW’s marriage ever failed, everyone knows that that would profoundly threaten the stability of institution. And of course the establishment is focused on protecting the status quo at all costs as it has served them very well over the years thank you very much! There’s also the question mark over whether Harry was sacrificed on the altar of “everyone look away now”. Let’s face it, the timing would be right.

~ I don’t think it’s remotely laughable to suggest that if your father deemed it acceptable to make a marriage of convenience and you were the product of that marriage, then your attitude towards the institution of marriage might be slightly skewed and cynical. We all know that children of unfaithful parents are more likely to cheat. Look up the figures in the UK Office of National Statistics if you don’t believe me!

So I have LaMarschallin 😄

I blame my lunch time glass of white!

I blame my lunch time glass of white!

Jealous, now.
I'd happily get mine muddled up too for a nice glass (or two...) of wine.
I'm diabetic so I ration myself more than is fun

~ the most powerful members of the RF eg KC, KC and PW and PK definitely enjoy a slight bubble of reverence when it comes to the press.

(Except they don't enjoy a slight bubble of reverence when it comes to the press. For example Charles his affair. His spidermemo's. His cash for access scandal from last year. Etc.)

They have a great deal of soft power and influence which trickles down to newspaper editors and media moguls (why do you think the honours system still exists?)

(Honors are not from royals here is the link Q&A: Who decides honours? - BBC News Does the Queen/King decide who gets an honour?
No. In line with the Monarch's other duties, she/he acts on the advice of her/his ministers, who present her/him with a list of nominees each year for her/his approval. The Monarch's power to decide disappeared in the 18th and 19th Century, as government by a cabinet of ministers headed by a prime minister developed.

and we all know about their Faustian pacts with the press and how they leak one story in order to swerve another.

LOL People just make this excuse that there has to be a pact or that royals are leaking to swerve another story to justify the fact that media haven't reported on a story they believe to be true. If any of this was true all those examples I have given above would have never seen the light of day.

~ it’s of no surprise to me that no one will touch this story because the stakes are so high. If PW’s marriage ever failed, everyone knows that that would profoundly threaten the stability of institution.

That's true. I believe also that if PW's marriage would fail that it will threaten the stability of institution. But were we differ is that is that I think that it will be a short disruption of stability. Just like it was when Charles and Diana divorced.

And of course the establishment is focused on protecting the status quo at all costs as it has served them very well over the years thank you very much!

But for example the Guardian would never look away. They are anti monarchy and anti establishment. And even they haven't touched the story. And they would in a heart beat.

There’s also the question mark over whether Harry was sacrificed on the altar of “everyone look away now”. Let’s face it, the timing would be right.

Except that almost everything media reported has been true about Harry and Meghan. Because Harry confirmed everything in his book. In his own words.

~ I don’t think it’s remotely laughable to suggest that if your father deemed it acceptable to make a marriage of convenience and you were the product of that marriage, then your attitude towards the institution of marriage might be slightly skewed and cynical. We all know that children of unfaithful parents are more likely to cheat. Look up the figures in the UK Office of National Statistics if you don’t believe me!

But still that doesn't mean that William cheated. He also could have looked up to Middleton parents and their marriage and home life for the last twenty years. And he could have wanted to have the same as them.

I love a good kafkatrap. The fact there is no evidence of an affair proves that an affair has been covered up.

Is it generally accepted that Prince Philip had an ongoing affair with Penny ? I thought was generally accepted yet is there any proof of this?

Would the late Queen have invited her to PP’s funeral ( remembering the Covid restrictions) if her beloved husband had been having an affair ? I doubt it . As is so often said on MN , it is perfectly possible for a man and woman to be simply friends . Philip was a huge comfort to Penny when her daughter died and encouraged her to take up carriage driving and supported her charity work.

Oh I think she would definitely have been invited as it would have been Philip’s wish.

I really doubt the Queen wax one for tantrums and jealousy either.

I think perhaps that previous generations of the aristocracy were more accepting of affairs?

I saw a old Balmoral summer holiday shot today (showing PW in his boyhood wearing a kilt - something he's not been spotted doing in adulthood)

I also noted that Fergie was there with the DC but without her then husband. They spent very little time together for much of the marriage (naval career) and even though she must have had staff to ease the logistics, that's still not an easy set up. I'm not surprised the marriage crumbled

They separated in 1992.

Andrew did not leave active duty with the Royal Navy until 2001

So that's 9 years during which, if Fergie hadn't been happy to have an estate cottage, the York princesses might have had neither parent on hand during the summer holidays. I think Fergie was putting her DDs first by not making them choose between time with all their paternal cousins and wider family, and seeing something of a parent