75 thoughts on “Duchess Kate visits EACH to launch hospice appeal (updated)”

1. I’m so underwhelmed by this appearance. At least the option of writing the foreword saves us from hearing her stammer her way through a speech. I’m going to go watch Godzilla vs. Mothra, much more exciting.

   1. I’ve been so underwhelmed a lot lately. I was looking at some old photos of her circa 2011, and I really like a lot of the clothes she wore then. She seems to have lost the fun in picking out her clothes. Her choices now are so uninspired and just plain boring. Whereas she had a number of fun outfits in 2011, and into 2012.

      1. Could be a combination of Charles tightening the purse strings, HM laying down the law and William letting her know he really doesn’t care what she wears. When your reason for being doesn’t care any more you tend to lose your focus. Especially if that’s all you’ve been focused on for most of your adult life.

         1. She still spends a crap ton on clothing. But I could see it if Will didn’t care about what she wears or about her in general, that she would kind of give up and stop caring, too. Maybe that’s why she’s leaving the clothes picking up to Tash more these days. And maybe because Tash has more of a say in Kate’s wardrobe, that’s why I don’t like most of her pieces now, I just don’t like Tash’s style apparently.

2. +1 for her hairstyle!

3. Thanks for the great post KMR! This is a wonderful organization and any attention that can be brought to it is great. I read in the DM that Kate met with a mother who lost her baby to a rare heart condition, apparently Kate hugged her and did shed some tears. I can only imagine that as a mother and currently pregnant that must have been tough on Kate.

   I thought Kate looked nice today,so glad she wore her hair up! However, I thought her eye makeup was pretty heavy today. I’ve noticed that she hasn’t worn her $6000 watch lately, she wore it constantly earlier in the year, I hope it’s not broke.

   Lastly, I truly wish she would quit walking with her hands clasped in front. IMO it makes her look insecure and rather self conscious. Plus, it’s giving her a hunched look, not attractive on anyone.

   1. We must always praise her when she wears her hair up. Good catch re the watch. I don’t think she’s worn it to an appearance since August. Huh, she hardly ever took that thing off before then.

      According to the mother, Leigh Smith, Kate was tearing up after Smith’s speech. I’ve updated the post to include Smith’s quotes.

      1. Maybe she threw the watch back in William’s face after a heated argument, lol!

         1. OMG I would pay to see that! I would make a GIF of that and keep it running on a loop at all times.

4. A great cause – OK, this may seem harsh, but just what is the problem with her actually speaking for heavens sake? I appreciate Ms Deacon’s ‘forward’, and indeed this may be perfectly acceptable, but putting a bit of time and effort into actually saying what is written….she isn’t dumbstruck surely?OK having a rant about this…sorry folks.. on the plus side love the hair up do, thank goodness we haven’t to grapple with that awful neck full of sausage roll curls…UGH – posture is dreadful and please stop holding hands over your front like that….no I’m not having a bad day..maybe I should join Lisa and go watch Godzilla..

   1. Hi Ferryman, I so agree with you, when will Kate actually start talking about all these charities that she is so “passionate ” about. Also, I’ve wondered why she only spent an hour and a half at this event. Three hours spent at an event for such a worthwhile organization isn’t asking to much.

      1. Especially when she doesn’t have anywhere else to be. If she had another engagement to get to, then I would understand leaving early, but she didn’t have anywhere to go.

   2. I agree this would have been a perfect opportunity to make a speech saying how much good work the organization does and how much needed the new hospice is.

      1. Since she’s not taking the perfect opportunity, Kate must be extremely resistant to public speaking. What a shame that she’s refusing to take on a function that’s so elemental to being a royal in the public eye and a sponsor to her charities. She’s letting Rebecca Deacon be her “mouthpiece” in crafting her written statements instead.

         1. The thing about public speaking is that it can be terrifying in the beginning but you need practice to become better. When I started doing 1 hour guided tours I was a nervous wreck. Luckily, one of the museums did a professional workshop and I practiced my speechifying on my friends before I did the guided tours. Regular practice did wonders for my abilities and my confidence.

            Kate needs to practice her public speaking, not just in private but also in public. She won’t get better unless she does and the longer she shies away from it the harder it becomes because the nervousness and anxiety builds up.

            1. I’m a docent at a historic house and yes, the key is like the old saying about how to get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice. The first tours I gave were embarrassingly bad. I’ve done them regularly for seven years now, so they’re definitely more polished. Also Kate’s aging super fast from not doing things but taking vacations in warm climates.

            2. Seth,
               Out of curiosity, which house? I love old country houses and visiting places like Castle Howard was one of the perks when I studied in England.
               I worked a summer as a guide at the Royal Reception Rooms at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen. It was a lot of fun, and I got to see the Queen when she held audiences ans State Councils.

            3. The Susan B. Anthony House and Museum in Rochester, N.Y.

5. Lisa, Ferryman both of you are so right! Halia.

6. Kate looked good. Now, all she has to do is repeat this at least 300 times in the coming year, and I can like her.

   1. And if she actually makes speeches and stays for more than half the event.

   2. Lex, Seth: Agreed.

      1. Agree that a speech is a must- and a convincing one where she doesn’t fidget with her hair or sound like a schoolgirl or a recording, but rather like *she is damn happy to be there*. And stays for most of the event.

7. I can’t believe people actually think Kate writes these forwards. She probably just approves them and her staff writes them like you said KMR.

   1. On another site, the sugars are smugly noting the “work” Waity did to write, edit and polish the forward, the personal letter written to the grieving mum (she only signed it)’ and the fact that she has (ludicrously) been credited as helping to design the pottery. See, you ugly jealous haters, she works plenty. Y’all must feel pretty stupid now, dontcha. Also, the 80 min spent at the event included lunch. She sat with four other people, one of whom was Rebecca.

      1. I saw that too on another site. Which I don’t understand why that proves she is working. I highly doubt she wrote the forward or the letter. And the pottery I have a feeling her contribution was saying what color the butterflies should be, lol. And you are right, she was only there for 80 min of a 3 hour event. Ridiculous!

      2. I think the people who think Kate is spending the time writing these forewords and such are kidding themselves. Rebecca Deacon is Kate’s private secretary, it’s what she’s paid to do.

8. The dress looks like something I made in Home-Ec class forty years ago. It looks cheap. Hurray for the hair, though. The style looks good and is out of her face.

   1. I agree it looks cheap and ill-fitting. Maybe she bought it thinking she’d wear it again during her pregnancy and wanted room to grow? KP told the reporters at first that Kate was wearing a Catherine Walker dress, then changed to say Katherine Hooker. Maybe this was a last minute decision and the dress was supposed to be for later in the pregnancy? That’s the only thing I can think to account it.

9. Agree with you KMR, glad to see hair in a ponytail! It crossed my mind that she’s seen all the kudos we’ve given Leti for style and copied by wearing red. Still wishing she would get an interesting stylist because this dress is boring but safe, and the jewelry! Am I the only one that wishes she would bling up just a little bigger? Some very nice pics of her connecting so good event, and I want some of that pottery!

   1. Lol, she’s totally copying Leti! She even wore her hair up just like Leti! I totally agree re the jewelry. I wish Kate would wear some bigger pieces. Or at least some more interesting pieces. She usually just sticks to basic pearls or stones without any flare or personality at all. She could have so much more fun and she just doesn’t.

      1. Some of her jewellery is quite expensive. If she’s shelling out serious money on jewellery then why buy such insipid pieces. Says the jewellery connoisseur. *sigh*

10. The bar is set so low for her that we get ecstatic when her hair is off her face or she wears a bright color or if she’s wearing her dress at an acceptable length. But she always misses the mark, doesn’t she? A nicely patterned scarf would have looked beautiful with the dress if she didn’t want to wear a statement necklace. Kate spends quite a lot of money on her jewelry, but I don’t think any of her pieces worn today are worth the amount she pays. They’re small, minimal and looks like items that I have in my jewelry box, but certainly not at that amount. Nothing special about them for the exorbitant price, even the earrings.

    1. I completely agree– was surprised when KMR reported how much the pieces cost; I saw a nice-sized amethyst necklace at Zales not long ago cheaper than the necklace she wore that would look great with a cute dress. Kate should take your idea about the scarf. She could wear different types and start a trend. Would be nice to see her step out and become her own woman.

       1. Lol, Kate would totally be copying Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg if she always wore scarves. Steph wears her scarves like Kate wears her hair: as a security blanket.

    2. Oh you are right, a nice scarf would look great with the neckline of this dress. Plus it would have been perfect for this event.

       I so agree with you about her jewelry. I cannot believe how much her items cost for what she is getting. You can find similarly nice pieces on Ebay for way less )

    3. I completely agree on the jewelry. Her pieces are so boring, and in my opinion, totally overpriced. Kiki McDonough actually has some fun pieces on her website, but of course Kate chose the most boring ones to buy.

11. Stay the entire time of the event! What a priveledge to arrive late and leave before it ends. Pathetic.

12. Were Tash and Amanda Cooke Tucker away on the day of this outing? I ask this question as there were no sausage curls and no fashion mish-matches. Kate almost got it right, but she couldn’t avoid this event as it’s close to Anmer Hall. As this is meant to be the Cambridges full time home then Kate couldn’t dodge this one saying it was too far to travel while pregnant. Why couldn’t she stay for the whole 180 minutes? Is 80 minutes her limit?

    1. It’s not even like Kate had anywhere to go. She could have gotten there on time and stayed for the entire event.

13. About this i just say:

    Matthew 6 New International Version (NIV)

    Giving to the Needy

    6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

    2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

    1. I understand what that is saying, but in the case with the royals, it’s not just about them going good deeds, it’s about bringing awareness to causes. So it must be public for that reason.

       1. Agree KMR, it is their job to do charitable works in the full light of day.

          If it was personal time or personal giving, that would be different. Interesting to note that it was “accidentally” made known that they donated £5000 to the flood efforts (last year?) — only after they were caught on vacation again.

          1. Yeah, all of their “private” donations and visits are used for PR by somehow being “leaked” to the press. The donation you mentioned, any time Will ever saved anyone while with the RAF in Wales, anytime Kate makes a private visit somewhere. That’s why I don’t believe people when they say Kate makes a ton of private visits. If she did, KP would have leaked it to get her good PR.

14. Have you noticed that the comments in dm changed, previously only criticism, with this appearance only praise and green arrows, strange how people change quickly !!!

    1. Comment

15. People are trying to be fair to Kate and give her positive feedback because Someone is taking note of all our criticisms and making so.e changes. Having said that, there’s a long way to go,and the essential point is, does Kate have a personality or is she permanently a dress up Barbie?

    1. Yes, she still needs to step up her game, like with her speeches. This was a perfect event to give a speech about the organization and the specific appeal. Such a waste that she didn’t.

16. I give up when it comes to Kate’s jewelry choices. How do gold and green earrings and a white gold necklace coordinate with a red dress? If you want an up-close look at the jewelry then visit WhatKateWore. She should buy stud earrings in all colors, red studs or even black studs would’ve been very nice with this dress.

    1. She seems to prefer drop earrings. I don’t mind that as I too prefer drop earrings. Kate’s problem is she buys super expensive jewelry that is minimal at best and lacking any sort of personality. I wish she’d have more fun with her jewelry choices.

       1. I prefer studs because they work well with an outfit in the daytime. I work with children under the age of 5 wearing jeans and a t-shirt and so I don’t need fussy earrings that they can pull on lol.

          It depends on the styling of the drop earrings otherwise when you wear them it’ll make your outfit look like evening wear.

          I forgot about red hoop earrings that would’ve worked as well for Kate without looking like she was going to an evening event.

          1. lol, yeah you wouldn’t want to wear anything grabable when working with kids. I have a lot of drop earrings that are perfect for daytime, but yes it depends on the styling.

             Did you mean these red earrings? http://www.dianasjewels.net/C_Earrings/royal_pick_kate_middleton_2.jpg

             1. Those would work perfectly without that gold fringe.

       2. KMR your comment about Kate’s jewelry is also like Kate herself…. super expensive that’s minimal at best and lacking any sort of personality :). Or so that is how she comes across.

17. Kate looked lovely! IMO, she got the dress right, the shoes and the hair. She knows she still needs to work on giving speeches so Rebecca Deacon writing the foreword message is a great substitute, until she is ready. She really needs to stay for the entire event. I don’t understand why she has to leave early, its rude. Concerning the jewelry the pieces are beautiful, but I agree they don’t go together. I would trade misses on the jewelry, clothes, shoes and hair if she would stay for the entire event and eventually give speeches on behalf of all of her charities.

    1. If she gave a speech and gave it well, then I too would forgive fashion misses. She really needs to work on her speech-giving skills. I know she gets lots of criticism for her speeches so she doesn’t like doing them, but the only way for her to get better is if she gives more speeches. Also, someone needs to hire her a speech coach, STAT.

       1. I worry that she believes she gives great speeches. The only criticism she receives are in the comments section on sites. But the media always praises her speeches and comments on how well she does. So I am afraid she actually thinks she is a natural. Sadly I doubt that her people really tell her the truth 🙁

    2. Completely agree CrazyAMG

       I thought Kate looked appropriate and the forwards are nice for now. Like KMR said she needs a speech coach and then she needs some practice. It’s nice to see that she’s making steps in the right direction though. Now she needs to attend entire events and take on more engagements. I hope for her sake she does.

18. I wondered if she left early because she was upset – she had clearly been crying – Mark Stewart photographer had a close up of her eyes leaving and there were tear marks where her liner had run.

    I think she’s got a long way to go to earn our respect, but it’s understandable to leave of she’s upset hearing about baby Beatrice. She’s pregnant, so hormones are running high – perhaps she felt she couldn’t control her emotions any longer?

    I wouldn’t want to cry on camera – remember the furore it created when Diana cried (blue dress).

    I’ll give her a break this time – I remember being pregnant very well, and it can be emotionally raw.

    1. Did Beatrice’s mother leave early? She has more right to feel upset as it was HER baby who died.

       1. I wasn’t insinuating in any way that Kate had more right to be upset than Leigh Smith (Beatrices mother).

          I was just offering up an alternative, personal view as to why Kate may have left.

    2. She could have stepped into the restroom to compose herself and then come back out and stayed for the rest of the event. There was no reason for her to leave early. It’s not like she had anywhere else to be.

       Sophie cried during a speech she gave earlier this year at the hospital that saved her life when she gave birth to Louise. The photographers stopped taking pictures until she composed herself. It was nice of them. But then she did compose herself and continued with her speech.

19. Oh my gosh, I want to munch that baby!! George is just too cute!! I think he looks very much like a Middleton. I’ve seen pics comparing him to William, but I just don’t see it…

    1. George is my favorite Cambridge. He’s the one with the most personality and I love it.

       1. I hope he keeps some of that personality has he gets older!!

          Happy Thanksgiving!

          1. I hope Will and Kate don’t beat that personality out of him. Stay strong, George!

             Happy Thanksgiving to you to!

20. Dear KMR,
    Did you read the article in the DM that says Kate has been voted one of 50 most influential women of all time, including Madame Currie, Florence Nightingale and Margaret Thatcher? I was pretty blown away by this, once I stopped laughing,and what a slap in the face to princess Anne and the Queen, the hardest working royals around.

    1. Influential in what? Baring her bum?

       1. Her hard work for charities:). Sorry it’s hard to say (or type) with a straight face

          1. DM=Big time bootlickers. Any journalist there that actually cares about what they do should quit immediately after that completely bull article

    2. Bawahahaha!!! Comparable to Madame Curie??? I am not going to read this article Lauri.

    3. I saw it, but I rolled my eyes and wandered away, because it’s super dumb and done only to promote a tv show. We all know Kate’s not influential in any way and does not deserve to be on a list with Marie Curie and Margaret Thatcher. And even though Princess Anne works her butt off, I wouldn’t call her influential, and especially not one of the most influential women ever. Honestly, there are a lot of people on that list that I would not have put on that list.

21. Whattt???
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2850181/As-Duchess-Cambridge-named-alongside-Florence-Nightingale-Marie-Curie-woman-changed-world-FEMAIL-explores-charitable-side.html#article-2850181

22. ya she always look excited when, smiling and waving at people, that is all she thinks is about being Royal and a new outfit always, ya shes BORINGGGGGGG!!

23. Wow. Regarding the Cambridge Family photo, doesn’t it look as if William was just “dropped into” that photo? He doesn’t seem to be a part of the Mom/George thing and he is the Future King, after all!
    KMR, I love all you write. Love the photo of Kate at the table as she is passing her clutch to her assistant. Ugh, wouldn’t you just hate working for her? She really seems to think she’s Numero Uno. And, she does so little to merit such praise, as others have said.
    The woman who lost her little girl is the brave one. How much she must have suffered and how her loss will be with her ever more. She appears so very young in the photo and her courage trumps anything else that happened during Kate’s brief stay. Granted, as others have said, Kate is surely “hormonal,” but her tears pale in comparison to the mother who suffered the loss. God bless her.

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