Prince William and Kate Middleton current events 5: June-August 2008

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Isana

That doesn't sound too nice towards Kate, does it? She makes Kate sound like a booty call for William who has to be available at all times. Why should Kate have had a problem working more than 3 days a week because of her relationship? Wasn't William busy with Sandhurst and the military at the time? He would hardly have had time for her during the week - so why would she not have been able to work 5 days?

I suppose that if he was given a long weekend or a holiday between certain dates, she would be expected to be available.

One of the burdens of dating a Prince perhaps.

[Ella Kay]

Originally Posted by Isana

That doesn't sound too nice towards Kate, does it? She makes Kate sound like a booty call for William who has to be available at all times. Why should Kate have had a problem working more than 3 days a week because of her relationship? Wasn't William busy with Sandhurst and the military at the time? He would hardly have had time for her during the week - so why would she not have been able to work 5 days?

It really doesn't sound good, especially in light of all the reports calling for her to find a career. I'm curious as to what these vague "demands" are on a royal girlfriend, beyond the obvious inconveniences of the paparazzi. If she just needed to be available for parties, vacations, and the like, that doesn't reflect well. It's not like she was needed for official business. It just gives credence to those who claim she is biding her time waiting for a proposal. If I were Kate, I'm not sure I'd be at all happy about that part of the interview.

[Amelia]

Interview with Belle Robinson co-founder of Jigsaw:

"I'm amazed at how much people have made of a very simple thing. I don't know Kate well. Some people asked us if we were happy for Kate and William to go and stay in our holiday house in Mustique with some friends. They're not allowed to pay for it but in return they would make a donation to the local hospital. And I said: 'Yeah, fine.'

Kate's not precious. She mucked in at Jigsaw| Showbiz | This is London

[amad1108]

Originally Posted by Amelia

Interview with Belle Robinson co-founder of Jigsaw:


Kate's not precious. She mucked in at Jigsaw| Showbiz | This is London

to me these is just a PR works why now she say something instead of two years ago.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by amad1108

to me these is just a PR works why now she say something instead of two years ago.

It was an interview she did, for publicity purposes and the questions about Catherine were asked and answered.

[CasiraghiTrio]

This article about Belle R and Kate is very interesting. What does she mean by "political problem with the press"?

Despite what many people believe, Belle says Kate got no official support: "Only if she were a fiancée would she get support. She said she can turn to William's press guy if there's a political problem with the press, but only if it's serious."

i really like Jigsaw by the way. There's one here in Santa Monica on the promenade and the dresses are so lovely.

[Duchess]

so we've finally heard from a source that's actually used their name. this could be bad. if catherine gave them her blessing to speak to the press then it's bad and if they've spoken to the press of their own accord, they may have to forget any royal endorsements they may have received in the future.

[kimebear]

She was just probably trying to help explain Kate's working position. There has been so much criticism about the hours she kept there. I don't think she meant any of it to sound badly. As far as Kate needing to be available, part of the package that comes with dating William is the need to have an easily freed schedule. Would it sound better if William had to re-schedule military or royal duties to accomodate Kate? Then she would be portrayed as a selfish girl with no regard to William's position.

[Ella Kay]

Originally Posted by kimebear

She was just probably trying to help explain Kate's working position. There has been so much criticism about the hours she kept there. I don't think she meant any of it to sound badly. As far as Kate needing to be available, part of the package that comes with dating William is the need to have an easily freed schedule. Would it sound better if William had to re-schedule military or royal duties to accomodate Kate? Then she would be portrayed as a selfish girl with no regard to William's position.

I think it's a no-win situation, just like almost everything surrounding Kate right now. Her fashion choices, her career decisions -- everything is going to be skewed by the press to fit with the portrait of Kate they've chosen to use. But I still think that organizing a job around a boyfriend makes Kate look bad, even if Belle Robinson was just trying to defend Kate. We all know that Kate doesn't need to work to make money, but arranging a job around a significant other's schedule before an engagement will seem a little questionable to some.

[Amelia]

Originally Posted by Ella Kay

........but arranging a job around a significant other's schedule before an engagement will seem a little questionable to some.

I don't know why it would seem questionable, it's a part of life for some couples. If you are dating someone who's life and work isn't a typical structured 9 to 5 one then sacrifices are going to have to be made. If you are serious about your relationship then you are going to do what you can to make it work.

[Ella Kay]

Originally Posted by Amelia

I don't know why it would seem questionable, it's a part of life for some couples. If you are dating someone who's life and work isn't a typical structured 9 to 5 one then sacrifices are going to have to be made. If you are serious about your relationship then you are going to do what you can to make it work.

I agree with you. But I think those who would think it was a questionable choice are those who already believe that Kate is foregoing establishing a life for herself, with a career based on her own ambitions instead of one based on a convenient schedule for seeing her boyfriend, because she's just waiting for a proposal. They'd argue that she's arranging her life solely for the convenience of another person.

It's not the kind of career choice I would make; but then, I'm not dating a royal prince. I'm just saying that I think those already critical to Kate will jump on something like this because it could potentially be read that way.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Ella Kay

I think it's a no-win situation, just like almost everything surrounding Kate right now. Her fashion choices, her career decisions -- everything is going to be skewed by the press to fit with the portrait of Kate they've chosen to use. But I still think that organizing a job around a boyfriend makes Kate look bad, even if Belle Robinson was just trying to defend Kate. We all know that Kate doesn't need to work to make money, but arranging a job around a significant other's schedule before an engagement will seem a little questionable to some.

I don't know. It states at least that Catherine tried to find a job actively even though her time was limited for whatever reasons. She could have said: okay, I don't need to work at all, so am happy to stay at home waiting for his call. Good for her!

But slowly I start to think that he should ask her to marry him and do it soon, as this time of waiting costs Catherine dearly. And once she starts to think that she pays much more than she gets for the relationship, she'll start to follow Diana's path. She could be starting to believe that a Royal position was her due and not her duty, that she has a right to something in return for the love she offers to William and that would be a very dangerous development indeed.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

But slowly I start to think that he should ask her to marry him and do it soon, as this time of waiting costs Catherine dearly. And once she starts to think that she pays much more than she gets for the relationship, she'll start to follow Diana's path. She could be starting to believe that a Royal position was her due and not her duty, that she has a right to something in return for the love she offers to William and that would be a very dangerous development indeed.

The more I see them the more I have an awkward feeling and this has nothing to do with Kate (yes, I am one of those who don't fancy her lifestyle but that's a different story). Somehow it's about William and I can't see him settling down because he really wants to, a decision taken from the bottom of his heart. Firstly, he's the child of his parents who somehow knew from the day of their wedding or even before that their relationship was doomed. Look at Charles, he was kind of bullied into marrying Diana by his family and finally the media and it all went wrong. Secondly, look at his uncles who were either not ready, took the wrong choice or waited for ages before settling down ... it's just my feeling that all this must have and does have consequences on his own life decisions what makes it very, very difficult for Kate or any other girl he will probably marry. I see William very much as an emotional person, like his parents, not being able to separate feelings from duty unlike his "iron" grandparents who put their duty and service for their country above everything, including their personal feelings or emotional situations for the sake of the institution.

[Monika_]

Originally Posted by kimebear

She was just probably trying to help explain Kate's working position. There has been so much criticism about the hours she kept there. I don't think she meant any of it to sound badly. As far as Kate needing to be available, part of the package that comes with dating William is the need to have an easily freed schedule. Would it sound better if William had to re-schedule military or royal duties to accomodate Kate? Then she would be portrayed as a selfish girl with no regard to William's position.

Exactly, kimebear. It's all part of the package of dating a prince. I also agree that what that girl said wasn't so terrible. It sounds as if she was just trying to explain Kate's predicament. I've never thought of Kate as a GF who's lazy and on-call. On the contrary, I think she's mature and she's proving that she can deal with all the restrictions and obligations that may be to come. I also tend to think that her personality gives William the space he needs. (At least that's my opinion about his personality.) If she was selfish and needy, she'd never have been able to make it this long.

[ghost_night554]

^Ya I think they are just friends actually one of the articles on your blog mentions that BP said she wasn't representing William.

[jmg]

I think kate is beautiful but I wish william had dated more girls and I think william and kate got to serious too young . They do make lovely couple

[kimebear]

Posts regarding Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been removed. Please keep to the topic of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

[Amelia]

It's strange, throughout 2007 Kate was accused of using her parents connections with the Robinsons to get the job, now that Belle Robinson has said this isn't true it's now changed and she is accused of using her "Royal Connections" to get the job. Which in all honesty could be said for any job Kate gets really, The Guardian or any other paper can write a similar article for anywhere she works because employing Prince William's girlfriend will bring enormous amounts of publicity to any company.

she likes the press following her all the time

If this were true she would still be in London where they could follow her at all times and not wherever she is now where they haven't been able to. IMO Kate accepts the press in her life, she complained when they got too heavy but for the most part she just carries on with what she is doing and ignores it. Which is probably the way the girlfriend of a high profiled member of the Royal Family should be.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Amelia

It's strange, throughout 2007 Kate was accused of using her parents connections with the Robinsons to get the job, now that Belle Robinson has said this isn't true it's now changed and she is accused of using her "Royal Connections" to get the job. Which in all honesty could be said for any job Kate gets really, The Guardian or any other paper can write a similar article for anywhere she works because employing Prince William's girlfriend will bring enormous amounts of publicity to any company.

The next thing someone, somewhere will say, is that she is working for her parents to get them the publicity or even that she is dating William to get him some publicity!

[Kezza]

From the Guardian dated May the 14th 2006 a few months before Kate Started at Jigsaw in November 2006.

Following last weekend's news that Kate Middleton and Prince William enjoyed a rent-free holiday at the rambling house in Mustique belonging to the owner of the Jigsaw clothing chain, rumours are rife that Middleton is now to sign up as a brand ambassador for the company.

Compare that to what Belle Robinson has to say.

Today she reveals the truth for the first time. "I'm amazed at how much people have made of a very simple thing. I don't know Kate well. Some people asked us if we were happy for Kate and William to go and stay in our holiday house in Mustique with some friends. They're not allowed to pay for it but in return they would make a donation to the local hospital. And I said: 'Yeah, fine.'

"Through that, as a thank-you to us, Kate supported a couple of Jigsaw events we did. Then she rang me up one day and said: 'Could I come and talk to you about work?' She genuinely wanted a job but she needed an element of flexibility to continue the relationship with a very high-profile man and a life that she can't dictate.

Also Belle claiming she and her husband didn't know the Middleton's all much.

From the Metro Dated January 2007.

Just the ticket for Kate Middleton | Metro.co.uk

Before starting her job seven weeks ago, secured for her by her mum Carole, she had not found work since graduating from St Andrews University in June 2005.
Carole Middleton helps design the Jigsaw Junior website and is friends with company owners John and Belle Robinson.

Also from this little snippet from No Alcohol and Lots of Control

Kate's parents know John and Belle Robinson, the owners of Jigsaw. But it was Kate herself who approached the Robinsons and succeeded in landing a job as an assistant buyer for the chain's junior accessories line.

I think Kate worked for the company in exchange for freebie Holidays for her and her boyfriend. I think she was told to quit the job, because either her parents were worried it would get out she was exploiting her connections, or the Palace did because they were worried how William might look if it got out that he and his girlfriend were getting freebie holidays from someone his girlfriend and her family know so well.