Did Carole Middleton really “engineer” William and Catherine’s relationship?

[TheRealGossipGirl]

I came across a thread on Reddit where people were discussing the idea that Carole Middleton deliberately put Catherine in William’s path and essentially made the relationship happen. I don’t really see it that way. I also find that a lot of the more negative commentary about William and Catherine on Reddit tends to come from Harry and Meghan supporters, which makes it quite hard to have a fair or nuanced discussion there.

From what I’ve read, William had already announced he would be taking a gap year before starting at St Andrews, while Catherine was originally due to attend the University of Edinburgh. It’s often suggested that once William’s plans became public, Carole encouraged Catherine to take a gap year too and reapply to St Andrews so they would start in the same year. It’s also widely reported that people in Catherine’s circle were surprised by the sudden change, as she’d never previously shown interest in going to St Andrews.

I can accept that this could have happened. Carole may have encouraged Catherine to apply to St Andrews once she knew William would be there, as a way of putting her in his path. Even so, it was still a gamble with no guarantees - simply attending the same university doesn’t automatically lead to friendships or relationships.

In fact, by most accounts, William didn’t become friends with Catherine straight away, and they were both dating other people. It’s often reported that they began talking more after Catherine stepped in at a party to move on a girl who wouldn’t leave William alone, with his interest really sparked later at the now-famous charity fashion show where Catherine walked the catwalk.

That’s why I struggle with the idea that Carole “engineered” the entire relationship. At most, she could have encouraged a gap year and a different university choice - but she wasn’t there telling Catherine who to speak to, what to say, or how to create chemistry. A ten-year relationship doesn’t happen because of a mother’s planning alone. Ultimately, William had to feel something for Catherine, choose to be with her for a decade, and then decide to marry her.

I can imagine Carole offering fairly typical motherly advice - how to stay calm, what to say, and how not to come across as overly keen - but that’s very different from actively forcing a relationship to happen.

That’s just my take, but I’d be interested to hear what others think.

'Catherine stepped in at a party to move on a girl who wouldn’t leave William alone'

Then proceeded to never ever leave William alone.

God knows.

But if she did she would seem to have done the RF a massive favour.

Perhaps they should put her in charge of HR at the Firm

Their peers usually will do the job for you, so good school - or socially ambitious one, stable home with present parents - job done.

Catherine would be far more clever & subtle than that, if she had designs.

I’ve never expected or wanted mine to be “compliant”. She met her now-husband online and he’s a lovely bloke. I can’t imagine engineering dates for a grown woman.

Well, quite, but was responding to a PP who said all Mums engineered one way or other. I think it used to happen more but young woman today tend to be more opinionated & independent.

Nah, I think it was mainly Waity’s work, with Carole and Mike pushing the “normal middle class family” thing. It helped that none of the aristocrats W reportedly chased after university actually wanted him.

I would thrust any female member of my family in the same direction of any eilible decent bloke, but wither they complied or not is up to them...free will and all that.

Its ok your mum saying "go st A you may meet Prince William..." but the chances of them meeting, getting together lasting the distance and her now becoming a very successful member of the royal family were surely slim!!

It seems improbable to me that someone could be a genius level mastermind social manipulator, and settle for marrying into that family.

It’s an awful life to choose for your dd. Would you not pick a nice billionaire, that hasn’t generations of inbreeding behind him?

Anyone with a passing knowledge of history must know that being royal attracts all sorts of threats, that your gc will be denied a normal life, and basic privacy. Obviously I’d support dd 100% but if I had this mysterious power to guide her, I’d want to steer her towards a more stable future.

I think H had same problem. Who would willingly sign up for that scrutiny when you’ll marry a toff anyway?

????????

Hear Hear.

It's a shame The Windsors isn't on any more. They could do an episode with a flashback to Carole with a copy of Witchcraft for Dummies and two dolls making a Gypsy spell to bring W & C together. 😂

100% this.

But even with that, I doubt she's the only girl there that who tried. Regardless of what SHE wanted, unless she's a witch she couldn't make him fall for her. We only know her story because she ended up with him

Haha this. There's only really two criticisms I see launched at her.
The first is the Waity Kaity stuff about her basically keeping her ife on HD for years until he popped a ring on it. Risky as it's only her that would have come out of it worse off but plenty of people wait years for their DP to propose, put their career on hold for their spouses work etc. So it's only notable herbaceous the press are intrusive.

The other is that she doesn't work hard enough but she's essentially done the "important" work - an heir, a spare and extra back up. She's picked a few causes which match her skill set and she clearly enjoys being with her kids.

Her family have made a few fauz pas but nothing as bad as Williams family.

The siblings have towed the respectable line, married well and not drawn any intention.

Fri ma PR perspective, I don't think therrs much better they could have picked. Maybe the Queen actually had the voodoo dolls to secure her legacy!!

Excellent. :) I can hear the music now…

Hopefully all the Middletons roared with laughter at the show. Although if Carole I’d have been miffed with the portrayal of the executive home though. Very suburban. ;)

Anyone who married PW would have retrospectively been said as having their eye on him. Changing university to get near him to marry him and become Queen is a very long shot but, as Mrs Bennett would have said, it throws the girls into the path of other rich men.

How awful for the poor Mountbatten-Windsors, who have only ever made marriage decisions independently, based on true love, and subject to no pressure or family interference.

Yeah I know. I just thought that part sounded quite funny.

I guess you could interpret what I said in that way.

But what I was meaning was more that many mothers guide their daughters to be the best person they can, and instil in them similar morals and values as themselves. I know I do, whilst still allowing them to be individuals.

I guess the “moulding her into what she wanted her to be” only relates to my perception of Carole Middleton (which may well be wrong, I don’t know her personally), as opposed to most or many mothers.

So you are correct in pointing out that is probably not true, it was not the point I was trying to make.

OP, why is it always the non royal women that people come for? Andrew is front page in most papers on all fours over a very small woman, but today you're thinking about Carole Middleton? Make it make sense.

Certainly didn’t intend to suggest bitchy gossip. Openly known, more like there was nothing secret about it, everyone knew about it.

Berkshire is home counties, not Midlands surely.

I know right? The internalised misogyny on this board sometimes.

Parents throwing parties for their teenagers and young adult children to socialise with members of the opposite sex is common in Caribbean culture - is that manipulative, pushy social engineering as well?