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The royal family

Kate's birthday video "Mother Nature"

559 replies

FloridaCheese · 09/01/2026 13:30

The PR machine is pushing Catherine as being the Queen of Nature, so wholesome and pure, and ending the video with "Mother Nature" just seems so forced to me.

I'm not really sure why she would release a 90 second video of this nature. Anyone else?

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10
BigAnne · 10/01/2026 12:24

I fully acknowledged that PC is entitled to privacy regarding her health but I think it would've been a good thing if she said more about the type of cancer she had. I'm thinking Jade Goody and the effect she had on encouraging women to have regular smear tests. Instead we're being treated to these tone deaf videos.

MrsLeonFarrell · 10/01/2026 12:27

FloridaCheese · 10/01/2026 12:20

she said she had an operation <to remove something> and some cancerous cells were found in what was removed. No cancer remained. But she was having preventative chemo anyway.

They found cancer, she had cancer. They gave her preventative chemotherapy to stop the cancer coming back or cells they missed spreading.

I really don't understand the narrative that tries to downplay her illness. I also thought that narrative had been played out last year.

We don't have to support the monarchy, or Catherine's nature videos but surely,in common humanity, this seeking to somehow suggest she isn't a cancer survivor needs to stop.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/01/2026 12:30

Ohpleeeease · 10/01/2026 08:58

Who would have believed a 90 second video would enrage people so much. It is a bit soppy, but it’s harmless. And it’s obviously well meant.

She’s not trying to sell or promote anything, she’s not whining about her misfortunes, she’s just inviting people to share the restorative benefits of being in Nature on her birthday.

The comments on this thread have nothing to do with republicanism and it’s an insult to genuine republicans to pretend they do.

With a slight caveat over whether it really is well meant or just more cynical PR I completely agree, Ohpleeeese

The actual video isn't to my taste, but there's nothing malign, spiteful or actively ridiculous about it. Yes she has opportunities closed to most of us, but then so do many of the very rich and I'll stick my neck out to guess she'd trade a lot of the material things if it meant she could have dodged this

Her own family don't get much of a mention on the subject either. I've often wondered just how it must feel to raise a daughter (relatively) normally then see her up there on the balcony and in every paper, but it won't have changed the horror of the news she had to break to them and I feel for them in that

BemusedAmerican · 10/01/2026 12:52

Yes, our current mayor is trying to build housing on a much loved garden despite viable alternative sites and the extreme lack of green space in that neighborhood.

We are being told that affordable housing is more important than green space. I'm assuming that William is building over green space for his affordable housing in Cornwall.

redmangyfox · 10/01/2026 12:54

@BemusedAmericanit's a matter of National Policy here in the UK not local.

Passthepicklesplease · 10/01/2026 12:55

AbsolutelyWeCan · 10/01/2026 00:13

There are some sycophants who should look at themselves. Maybe they and the Royals should read the room and the mood in the country

I have quite a privileged life, I’m financially well off and live in the countryside BUT maybe some people do feel rightly pissed off when they’re struggling for money, struggling for time, struggling to even buy food, struggling to rent a 2 bed house, they’re working more than full time, paying tax on a small income when William doesn’t have to pay tax on £20 million income from the duchy etc and then they this video of a very out of touch privileged woman, paid for by the taxpayer making a video like this. It’s not jealousy as I don’t think most people would want their lives, but it’s an annoyance that this family get to live the life they do at taxpayers expense and then put out videos that feel out of reach and out of touch with the majority of the public.

Its more ‘what the fuck is she banging on about’ and 🙄🙄🙄

Edited

I completely agree with this^^. Extraordinary that some posters are accusing those who don’t respond well to the video of jealousy! I live and work in the countryside surrounded by nature and I wouldn’t want the life of a royal thanks. I have completely different reasons for objecting to it and people are allowed to post their honest opinions about it.

Primarily, I think it’s terribly misguided I’m afraid! Who is advising them?

The nature is stunningly beautiful of course and I have no doubt Catherine genuinely feels very grateful, but it’s so out of step with what the UK public are going through currently, such as my family member’s NHS operation being cancelled for the third time.

It’s not a life-saving operation, only a minor repair after breast cancer, but the skin near my relative’s underarm has been left damaged post radiotherapy and the quality of her daily life would be considerably improved by the op, as she can only lift her arm part of the way up to brush her hair, or to pull on clothing. And yet she has been waiting for just over two years. This last time she actually got as far as being admitted for pre-meds before it was cancelled. And each time she has booked time off work and employed a cat-sitter.

I’m afraid the video comes across as being rather smug. I am not saying Catherine is like that in reality, but the video gives that impression. I also found the narration rather patronising too.

Not everyone has time to pause and reflect in nature when money is tight. Did they think of single mothers on low incomes juggling work and parenthood when they made it?

I almost laughed out loud at the shot with the hand in the water with the massive ring I’m afraid. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to her personally, but seriously, what were she and her PR team thinking? And tbh, I thought she was more intelligent and switched on than that.

I acknowledge that it must be fiendishly difficult to find your own voice within the RF when you probably are given very fixed parameters as to the areas you can focus on on and how, so you aren’t seen to be over-shadowing anyone else? Maybe that’s why she did it?

In a nutshell though, as others have said, it’s far too self indulgent. She’s already popular; she doesn’t need extra PR films! I’m genuinely glad she’s recovering but in her position she needs to be seen to be far more aware of people having a very different experience of cancer treatment on the NHS and not great outcomes either.

If she wants to express her gratitude to nature, then go out and climb a mountain for charity or take a pack of scouts camping. Let your actions do the talking,

This film I’m afraid smacks a little too much of her being there as this perfect role model, whom we should all follow, or aspire to be, rather than getting to grips with the concept of proper service and doing a bit of honest graft for the people! Princess Anne needs to have a word!

The only thing that made me stop and pause was when the word “memory” came up on the screen, in large caps, which I thought was rather odd. If she isn’t recovering and the outcome is bleak and time shoet, then I take it all back! She can say what she wants, how she wants. But she has stated that she is recovering so my comments above are taking that at face value.

NotReadyForChristmas2025 · 10/01/2026 12:57

I like it.

bluegreygreen · 10/01/2026 13:09

MrsLeonFarrell · 10/01/2026 12:27

They found cancer, she had cancer. They gave her preventative chemotherapy to stop the cancer coming back or cells they missed spreading.

I really don't understand the narrative that tries to downplay her illness. I also thought that narrative had been played out last year.

We don't have to support the monarchy, or Catherine's nature videos but surely,in common humanity, this seeking to somehow suggest she isn't a cancer survivor needs to stop.

Agree with this.

Having been treated for cancer over the last year, there are two types of chemotherapy: preventative (where the cancer is present, then often removed with surgery, and treated with the aim of cure) and palliative (where the cancer is present, removed as much as possible, and treated but cure is unlikely). Some cancers do not respond to chemotherapy so radiotherapy is used instead.

That Catherine's chemotherapy was called preventative doesn't change the fact that she had cancer - it's how the two general groups are categorised.

Justdancevance · 10/01/2026 13:13

Aethelredtheunsteady · 10/01/2026 11:27

Worse than Andrew? Because if something had happened to Charles pre-1982 (say polo accident etc) then we'd have him as King - but no election to do something about it...

One had dodgy dealings with a tenant, one was unable to string a sentence and the others skills seem limited to an ability to do some keepie uppies (not sure if that’s how you spell it)

Charles is far better than that three of them. Many of the U.K. politicians aren’t much better than our choices in Ireland.

jumpingthehighjump · 10/01/2026 13:14

Passthepicklesplease · 10/01/2026 12:55

I completely agree with this^^. Extraordinary that some posters are accusing those who don’t respond well to the video of jealousy! I live and work in the countryside surrounded by nature and I wouldn’t want the life of a royal thanks. I have completely different reasons for objecting to it and people are allowed to post their honest opinions about it.

Primarily, I think it’s terribly misguided I’m afraid! Who is advising them?

The nature is stunningly beautiful of course and I have no doubt Catherine genuinely feels very grateful, but it’s so out of step with what the UK public are going through currently, such as my family member’s NHS operation being cancelled for the third time.

It’s not a life-saving operation, only a minor repair after breast cancer, but the skin near my relative’s underarm has been left damaged post radiotherapy and the quality of her daily life would be considerably improved by the op, as she can only lift her arm part of the way up to brush her hair, or to pull on clothing. And yet she has been waiting for just over two years. This last time she actually got as far as being admitted for pre-meds before it was cancelled. And each time she has booked time off work and employed a cat-sitter.

I’m afraid the video comes across as being rather smug. I am not saying Catherine is like that in reality, but the video gives that impression. I also found the narration rather patronising too.

Not everyone has time to pause and reflect in nature when money is tight. Did they think of single mothers on low incomes juggling work and parenthood when they made it?

I almost laughed out loud at the shot with the hand in the water with the massive ring I’m afraid. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to her personally, but seriously, what were she and her PR team thinking? And tbh, I thought she was more intelligent and switched on than that.

I acknowledge that it must be fiendishly difficult to find your own voice within the RF when you probably are given very fixed parameters as to the areas you can focus on on and how, so you aren’t seen to be over-shadowing anyone else? Maybe that’s why she did it?

In a nutshell though, as others have said, it’s far too self indulgent. She’s already popular; she doesn’t need extra PR films! I’m genuinely glad she’s recovering but in her position she needs to be seen to be far more aware of people having a very different experience of cancer treatment on the NHS and not great outcomes either.

If she wants to express her gratitude to nature, then go out and climb a mountain for charity or take a pack of scouts camping. Let your actions do the talking,

This film I’m afraid smacks a little too much of her being there as this perfect role model, whom we should all follow, or aspire to be, rather than getting to grips with the concept of proper service and doing a bit of honest graft for the people! Princess Anne needs to have a word!

The only thing that made me stop and pause was when the word “memory” came up on the screen, in large caps, which I thought was rather odd. If she isn’t recovering and the outcome is bleak and time shoet, then I take it all back! She can say what she wants, how she wants. But she has stated that she is recovering so my comments above are taking that at face value.

Well said.
Are these videos her idea - if so, she needs some advice somewhere. I can't imagine her thinking, everyone is going to love this. Hiring probably a top notch cinematographer, getting out the baker boy hat and skedaddling off to a Royal Estate for filming.
Are her advisers so thick they would not realise that this really will not land well with a lot of the general public? Because people are genuinely struggling and we really don't need Kate reminding us to get out and touch the flowers, if people had the time and energy, they would be doing that. Are they so up their arses and out of touch?

Let just hope this is the end of these nonsense videos, we can but hope

Dora33 · 10/01/2026 13:23

Video is cringy . I find the slow speaking voice over patronising, and don't recall any of the words once video is over. The main thing i recall from it, is her hand with her ring in the stream.
I think kate & her staff must be totally out of touch to do this video.
Would must rather her taking an active philanthropist style role linked to charities that are relevant to the season. Such helping homeless in wintertime.
Otherwise her words & video come across self indulgence.
She might as well get together with meghan and have their own charity greeting card company. Kate can take the pictures for cover. Meghan can then do the writing with her nice calligraphy writing. They both can come up with the phrases.

Aethelredtheunsteady · 10/01/2026 13:27

Justdancevance · 10/01/2026 13:13

One had dodgy dealings with a tenant, one was unable to string a sentence and the others skills seem limited to an ability to do some keepie uppies (not sure if that’s how you spell it)

Charles is far better than that three of them. Many of the U.K. politicians aren’t much better than our choices in Ireland.

But you had a choice - you could choose to vote for one or none of them. Spoil your ballot. Don’t like the current person doing the job? Don’t vote for them at the next election. There is none of that with a hereditary royal family. You get who you get and you’re stuck with them - regardless of their intellect, talent or character.

And Charles has plenty of dodgy dealings in his closet…

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 10/01/2026 13:35

Making this video seems an odd choice. Trying to think why her team felt it was necessary. it must be her idea.

BemusedAmerican · 10/01/2026 13:35

Im not sure what you meant by national policy. However, there has been a real push in NYC to provide parks and playgrounds and even pocket green spaces for people even in poorer neighborhoods. Some of the schools are putting in raised beds for kids to grow vegetables, and we also have community gardens.

I was involved in a program several years ago to encourage people to grow 1 square foot of plants for pollinators, with ideas about how people could do It in an urban area, inexpensively, etc. It would benefit both people and pollinators.

Once again, I really wonder why people in the UK don't push harder on their elected officials to provide more parks and green spaces.

jumpingthehighjump · 10/01/2026 13:46

The EU provided lots of money for these sort of initiatives. We benefited even in the tiny place I live in. Wonderful for us.
Then there was Brexit, and all that went by the board.
Lottery money is used towards green areas, so that helps, but the benefits all over the country from the EU is lost.

Councils are very strapped for cash so it is not top of the agenda.

Ohpleeeease · 10/01/2026 13:57

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/01/2026 12:30

With a slight caveat over whether it really is well meant or just more cynical PR I completely agree, Ohpleeeese

The actual video isn't to my taste, but there's nothing malign, spiteful or actively ridiculous about it. Yes she has opportunities closed to most of us, but then so do many of the very rich and I'll stick my neck out to guess she'd trade a lot of the material things if it meant she could have dodged this

Her own family don't get much of a mention on the subject either. I've often wondered just how it must feel to raise a daughter (relatively) normally then see her up there on the balcony and in every paper, but it won't have changed the horror of the news she had to break to them and I feel for them in that

Thank you @Puzzledandpissedoff. I’ve been on these threads for ever, I can spot the Republicans with whom it’s possible to have a reasonable debate and even some points of agreement. I also know which supporters of the royal family (who are not necessarily monarchists and don’t label themselves as such) have misgivings and reservations about aspects of how royalty is lived and presented even if they broadly support a constitutional monarchy.

Some of the comments on this thread are just poisonous. They don’t represent reasoned debate at all.

FWIW, I don’t love the videos. I think Catherine has successfully kept people out of her private thoughts and feelings. I’m all for her promoting the benefits of Nature but I don’t think this was the best vehicle.

RainbowBagels · 10/01/2026 14:53

I acknowledge that it must be fiendishly difficult to find your own voice within the RF when you probably are given very fixed parameters as to the areas you can focus on on and how, so you aren’t seen to be over-shadowing anyone else? Maybe that’s why she did it?
To be honest I think the older Royals- Charles and Camilla are far better at showing empathy even when they are talking about themselves. For eg when Charles talks about cancer it seems to be to highlight treatment and early diagnosis and Camilla talking about her assault but mostly talking about other victims of assault. I think with these videos they all seem to be ' Im so glad Im in remission. Look how great it is that Im wandering around the woods' .Especially talking about the ' simpler things in life' when everyone knows she spent taxpayers money pulling out 2 kitchens at her first ' forever home' becausecshe changed her mind about something and had a tennis court ripped out and moved a few feet, and is about to renovate another 'forever home', including cordoning of another few acres of parkland for her familys exclusive use. Are people really thinking 'Oh there's a park down my road. It never occurred to me to take my kids there but now I've seen Kate in some woods Im going to do it'? Of course not. The whole thing is a PR exercise, and solely aimed at Monarchists and to gain favourable press coverage for the RF.

BoxingHare · 10/01/2026 15:02

I think Catherine has successfully kept people out of her private thoughts and feelings.

Now we know why, she's completely vacuous.

Ohpleeeease · 10/01/2026 15:12

BoxingHare · 10/01/2026 15:02

I think Catherine has successfully kept people out of her private thoughts and feelings.

Now we know why, she's completely vacuous.

Just, what’s the point in that comment?

APintofBitterPleaseLandlord · 10/01/2026 15:33

BoxingHare · 10/01/2026 15:02

I think Catherine has successfully kept people out of her private thoughts and feelings.

Now we know why, she's completely vacuous.

What a silly comment.

Ohpleeeease · 10/01/2026 15:33

Especially talking about the ' simpler things in life' when everyone knows she spent taxpayers money pulling out 2 kitchens at her first ' forever home' becausecshe changed her mind about something and had a tennis court ripped out and moved a few feet,

Sorry but you’re misinformed. She didn’t change her mind about something, a second kitchen was built for family use as the main kitchen was used by staff. KP had previously been used as offices and some changes were necessary to return it to domestic use. Obviously with small children around they were going to need a family kitchen of their own.

And the tennis court was relocated in the course of maintenance of overdue maintenance work as the existing court had fallen into disrepair.

Complain about the cost of these changes if you like but get your facts right about why they happened.

andIsaid · 10/01/2026 15:44

redmangyfox · 10/01/2026 10:28

I suppose this begs the question then - did this help prepare her for her role? To understand that the role she plays is a difficult one - let's contrast with Meghan who came from a totally different background and failed at this unless she had never intended to stay? The outcry that this video has created - can you imagine if it were Meghan doing it but only talking about herself? I can't imagine. She really is Marie Antoinette.

let's contrast with Meghan

Let's not?

You have tenacity, I will give you that!

Tell me you know you are losing the argument without telling me you know you are losing the argument. 😂

LadyKenya · 10/01/2026 15:47

andIsaid · 10/01/2026 15:44

let's contrast with Meghan

Let's not?

You have tenacity, I will give you that!

Tell me you know you are losing the argument without telling me you know you are losing the argument. 😂

Agree. Some people just have to drag Meghan into everything, it is so tedious.

RainbowBagels · 10/01/2026 15:56

Sorry but you’re misinformed. She didn’t change her mind about something, a second kitchen was built for family use as the main kitchen was used by staff. KP had previously been used as offices and some changes were necessary to return it to domestic use. Obviously with small children around they were going to need a family kitchen of their own.
This was at one of their other homes. Not KP. They are on their 4th renovation now of yet another home to make it suitable for their family to grow in! George is only 12! Not really the ' simple things in life'! and why are there so many properties on Crown Estate land in such a state of disrepair that they have to be fully renovated every time a Royal fancies a change? If they can't maintain properties properly despite their obligation to do so, they need to rent them out.

andIsaid · 10/01/2026 15:59

MrsLeonFarrell · 10/01/2026 12:27

They found cancer, she had cancer. They gave her preventative chemotherapy to stop the cancer coming back or cells they missed spreading.

I really don't understand the narrative that tries to downplay her illness. I also thought that narrative had been played out last year.

We don't have to support the monarchy, or Catherine's nature videos but surely,in common humanity, this seeking to somehow suggest she isn't a cancer survivor needs to stop.

I don't think people are trying to downplay anything.

We are giving her the dignity if taking her at her word.

That is, listening to her.

On the other hand, many on this thread think that what she said is not enough and try to up- play her illness.