The Duchess of Cambridge, on her first royal tour, visiting Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kate has been criticized yet again. Girlfriend better get a tough skin, or at least prove her mettle to offset the complaints.
Author Hilary Mantel famously criticized Kate and the Royal family during a recent lecture. Now Sandi Toksvig, a radio host on BBC Radio 4, takes her turn.
“Kate Middleton is not enough for me,” she said, speaking to the Observer Magazine.
“We used to admire women who got their place in life through marriage and having children, but I like to think we’ve grown up a bit.
“I can’t think of a single opinion [the Duchess] holds – it’s very Jane Austen.” said Toksvig.
This follows Mantel’s remarks that Kate is a “shop-window mannequin, with no personality of her own, entirely defined by what she wore.” Mantel said that she does not regret her statements.
The mature people of the world immediately attacked their appearances with cruel remarks, because obviously beauty trumps reason! Why should these women be castigated for their comments, completely within the bounds of free speech and common sense? Did anyone actually stop to listen to the content of what they were saying?
Before you get the idea that I dislike Kate, I don’t. She is fairly unremarkable, however – at least for the moment.
I think what Mantel and Toksvig are saying is that we don’t know Kate, by the Duchess’ own design and the wishes of the Palace. We don’t really know what the Duchess is made of, we just see a work-shy young girl who married a prince, and is now known for smiling prettily and flipping her hair out of her face.
Kate needs to step forward and show herself. Then again, the Palace does not want another scene-hogging Diana, so a quieter person such as Kate is ideal for them. Case in point, neither Kate nor the Palace is doing her any favors by making her a blank slate.
Take note, Palace – until the caterpillar emerges from the chrysalis, the comments will continue.
Where it all started: 
Katie, Queen of Wags
Hilary Mantel was blasted for describing the Duchess of Cambridge as a “shop window mannequin”, so I can only imagine the backlash that writer Joan Smith will receive for calling Kate “Queen Wag”.
Oh, hai.
In the book, Smith says that “By the age of 30, the new Duchess had done little since leaving university except play a supporting role to her boyfriend, marry him with great pomp and ceremony and get pregnant.”
Smith bitingly describes Kate as “unambitious, uncontroversial and bland”, dubbing her Queen Wag – shorthand for “Wives And Girlfriends” who are usually the companions of football players. They are characterized by heavy makeup, lack of ambition other than being famous, and seem to live only for shopping and luxury. In other words, you couldn’t be more shallow if you tried. Ouch.
You can say Smith is accomplished, perhaps even ambitious. Like Hilary Mantel, she certainly can make a statement. Are her statements to be taken seriously? Some Kate fans may not think so and dismiss it all out of hand as mere jealousy. An older, republican-minded woman? Surely she cannot touch the golden duchess.
To me, you cannot dismiss these statements. However, the real upset comes when people who support the monarchy and who generally like Kate start to question her. I am one such person. As I said before, Kate is probably a nice person, but her distinct lack of work experience – but plenty of club and party experience – has given her a reputation. The Duchess must shine through all of this, rather than being just a hair and clothes girl. Especially when she is poised to become a future queen consort whose title will put her on par with educated and professional European Crown Princesses and queens. Palace, take note.
Kate, don’t let the Brits down!
What will people say to this? Will there be a series of personal attacks on Smith’s appearance, as with Mantel? What is your reaction?