Duchess of Cambridge: What Now for Catherine? Future Duties, Roles, Responsibilities

[KittyAtlanta]

If childbearing is easy for Kate, we may never again see her in public. If she doesn't want to work outside the home, a constant stream of babies would be the way to get out of it! I can see it now...KATE GOES FOR QUEEN VICTORIA'S CHILDBEARING RECORD.

 

[Dman]

Anyone is entitled to their opinion... I'm nto so devoted and fanatic over her to say that I should be ashamed to not have achieve what she is supposed to ahve achieved...

Catherine just started her royal career within the "Firm" and with the Queen giving Catherine the responsibility of representing her abroad, her royal role is growing. There is so much to come.

The major work really begins when she and William decide to go full time with their royal duties. I think them working part time is what many of us have a problem with. The royals do a great deal behind the scenes but I think the problem is a great deal of that isn't publically highlighted.

 

[miche]

If she did all of that on her own I would agree with you. But she has lot's of help. She doesn't run those charities, she doesn't do the paperwork nor the organisation of all this. Not to say she doesn't do anything... but there are plenty of people who work a lot harder and to say this woman, with her staff and other help, works hard is fairly insulting towards all the people without help. Single parents with jobs and families for instance..

Do you find it insulting when people say others royal who only work 90 days out of the year in the public eye are hardworking

 

[miche]

William will become a full time royal when the Queen wants him too

 

[TLLK]

If childbearing is easy for Kate, we may never again see her in public. If she doesn't want to work outside the home, a constant stream of babies would be the way to get out of it! I can see it now...KATE GOES FOR QUEEN VICTORIA'S CHILDBEARING RECORD.

Hmmm...don't see it happening at her age.

 

[Lumutqueen]

William will become a full time royal when the Queen wants him too

People seem to think this is a valid excuse. It's not The Queen that wants to see William and Catherine; it's the public.

I have no argument with Catherine's illness preventing her from working, that's never been an issue for me. But for both of them; Catherine pre/post pregnancy and William in general they just don't seem bothered at all.
Personally if the monarchy fell, they'd probably be happy. I understand being King is a "burden", but in the end it's family and tradition and you fulfil your duty out of respect if nothing else. William has never IMO looked like he remotely respects or enjoys his role.

 

[TLLK]

At the moment she is pregnant and feeling bad so I won't say anything... If I had hopes that she would take on more duties before the pregnancy was announced now I am convinced that with 2 children there is no way she will be doing more... Let's face it

I believe as we see the other members of the Firm age, that the grandchildren and their spouses will be called upon to join the rank of full time royals. Until then, I believe that they'll continue on as part timers.

 

[GracieGiraffe]

If childbearing is easy for Kate, we may never again see her in public. If she doesn't want to work outside the home, a constant stream of babies would be the way to get out of it! I can see it now...KATE GOES FOR QUEEN VICTORIA'S CHILDBEARING RECORD.

Oh, we are not amused, Kitty!

 

[Jacknch]

Considering that Catherine's current events and fashion threads are is already packed full of pages of discussion and debate, one might be grateful that she does not currently do more duties lest the whole internet crashes! Whether she and William will have any more children after this one I do not know, but I doubt I will cope if they do.

 

[GracieGiraffe]

Considering that Catherine's current events and fashion threads are is already packed full of pages of discussion and debate, one might be grateful that she does not currently do more duties lest the whole internet crashes! Whether she and William will have any more children after this one I do not know, but I doubt I will cope if they do.

Hahahaha, I've mostly stayed off the pregnancy threads for this reason - I just can't go through that again so quickly. It's as bad as a U.S. presidential election year.

 

[windsorgirl]

If childbearing is easy for Kate, we may never again see her in public. If she doesn't want to work outside the home, a constant stream of babies would be the way to get out of it! I can see it now...KATE GOES FOR QUEEN VICTORIA'S CHILDBEARING RECORD.

It will be interesting to see if she has a third child. As sick as she must be now, I wouldn't blame her for stopping at two.

 

[miche]

The public don't want to see them, it the media and people on forums like this that keeps whining about William becoming a full time royal. The media are because William and Catherine makes them more money than any other people. I don't even know why forums do unless they want to talk about Harry. Which makes no sense b/c William and/or Kate usually do more royals duty than Harry but someone how he's hard working and they are lazy.

It is the Queen and Charles who funds them. They, and that includes Harry won't be a full time royal until those two wants them too and start giving them money from their budget.

 

[Dman]

People seem to think this is a valid excuse. It's not The Queen that wants to see William and Catherine; it's the public.

I have no argument with Catherine's illness preventing her from working, that's never been an issue for me. But for both of them; Catherine pre/post pregnancy and William in general they just don't seem bothered at all.
Personally if the monarchy fell, they'd probably be happy. I understand being King is a "burden", but in the end it's family and tradition and you fulfil your duty out of respect if nothing else. William has never IMO looked like he remotely respects or enjoys his role.

I'm not sure they would be the happy campers if the monarchy fell, but I understand what you're saying. I think it's up to the royals to make they're roles enjoyable.

I also think the excuse of the Queen not needing them is pretty tired. I think William & Catherine are needed to work in the "Firm" and the public do want to see them more.

 

[soapstar]

If she did all of that on her own I would agree with you. But she has lot's of help. She doesn't run those charities, she doesn't do the paperwork nor the organisation of all this. Not to say she doesn't do anything... but there are plenty of people who work a lot harder and to say this woman, with her staff and other help, works hard is fairly insulting towards all the people without help. Single parents with jobs and families for instance..

But let's be real. Pretty much none of the royals work hard, yet I see Mary or Letizia (or insert favorite royal), routinely praised for all their hard work. These people do 2 hours of engagements and then they go home to their mansions with their butlers, nannies, cooks and all of their other help. I guess for some reason it makes people feel better to see them out and about daily. It gives the illusion that royals work, but in no way do these people truly know the definition of hard work.

That's why it strikes me as funny when people go on about how lazy William is. At least he has a real job.

 

[Rudolph]

I'm not sure they would be the happy campers if the monarchy fell, but I understand what you're saying. I think it's up to the royals to make they're roles enjoyable.

I also think the excuse of the Queen not needing them is pretty tired. I think William & Catherine are needed to work in the "Firm" and the public do want to see them more.

Why is it an excuse?? Have you spoken with the Queen? I know I haven't so I can only go with the known facts. William takes his orders from the Queen. Full stop. Whether he enjoys being a royal I can't say but at the end of the day he just gets on with it.

I have a question, is it just William who isn't doing the Queen's will? Is there anyone else suffering HM's wrath?

Is Harry doing whats he's told? Is Camilla doing what she's told?

So why is William the only member of the Firm that gets this treatment from a certain segment of the online community.

 

[Dman]

Why is it an excuse?? Have you spoken with the Queen? I know I haven't so I can only go with the known facts. William takes his orders from the Queen. Full stop. Whether he enjoys being a royal I can't say but at the end of the day he just gets on with it.

I have a question, is it just William who isn't doing the Queen's will? Is there anyone else suffering HM's wrath?

Is Harry doing whats he's told? Is Camilla doing what she's told?

So why is William the only member of the Firm that gets this treatment from a certain segment of the online community.

I just think he and Catherine could be doing more. We all understand Catherine's condition but I think it's about time they were given more responsibilities. The Queen sending Catherine to Malta on her behalf was a big step, although, Catherine wasn't well enough to make it. Now William & Catherine is participating in their first UK State Visit. I think the more responsibility handed down to them is for the better. They are needed and I've seen more evidence to support it.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

The public don't want to see them...

The people do want to see them. There has been a great hue and cry from UK folks who have criticized W/K for going off to everywhere but their homeland areas since the birth of George.

I don't even like them much, but I want to see them!!!

 

[GracieGiraffe]

Why is it an excuse?? Have you spoken with the Queen? I know I haven't so I can only go with the known facts. William takes his orders from the Queen. Full stop. Whether he enjoys being a royal I can't say but at the end of the day he just gets on with it.

I have a question, is it just William who isn't doing the Queen's will? Is there anyone else suffering HM's wrath?

Is Harry doing whats he's told? Is Camilla doing what she's told?

So why is William the only member of the Firm that gets this treatment from a certain segment of the online community.

Re: The Queen ordering everyone about: Just because we are told something does not make it a fact. I personally don't believe Will takes orders from the Queen or anyone.

I think that the Queen's will went a lot farther back in the day, but I'm not sure it does anymore.

 

[muriel]

Why is it an excuse?? Have you spoken with the Queen? I know I haven't so I can only go with the known facts. William takes his orders from the Queen. Full stop. Whether he enjoys being a royal I can't say but at the end of the day he just gets on with it.

I have a question, is it just William who isn't doing the Queen's will? Is there anyone else suffering HM's wrath?

Is Harry doing whats he's told? Is Camilla doing what she's told?

So why is William the only member of the Firm that gets this treatment from a certain segment of the online community.

Well put.

The fact is that the media like to see a young, photogenic couple about. Their pictures on the covers of magazines and newspapers sell magazines, hence the litany from certain sections of the medial. Outside of parts of the media and some posters on internet forums, I don't seem to sense a groundswell of popular discontent in the UK about the lack of public engagements by W&C.

If the Queen and the PoW are content with the current level of work W&C do, IMO, who are we to comment?

 

[GracieGiraffe]

But let's be real. Pretty much none of the royals work hard, yet I see Mary or Letizia (or insert favorite royal), routinely praised for all their hard work. These people do 2 hours of engagements and then they go home to their mansions with their butlers, nannies, cooks and all of their other help. I guess for some reason it makes people feel better to see them out and about daily. It gives the illusion that royals work, but in no way do these people truly know the definition of hard work.

Most of them don't work hard, I agree with this. I also agree that for the most part, their "work" is an illusion - they're hardly saddled with any of the obligations most of us have at our jobs.

 

[muriel]

Now William & Catherine is participating in their first UK State Visit. I think the more responsibility handed down to them is for the better. They are needed and I've seen more evidence to support it.

> Prince William participated in the visit of the President of South Korea as well. From memory, he took the President to the unveiling of a memorial statue.

> The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also met with President Obama and his wife when they were in the UK on a state visit in 2011, shortly after the royal wedding.

I think the more responsibility handed down to them is for the better. They are needed and I've seen more evidence to support it.

What evidence might that be?

 

[GracieGiraffe]

Well put.

The fact is that the media like to see a young, photogenic couple about. Their pictures on the covers of magazines and newspapers sell magazines, hence the litany from certain sections of the medial. Outside of parts of the media and some posters on internet forums, I don't seem to sense a groundswell of popular discontent in the UK about the lack of public engagements by W&C.

If the Queen and the PoW are content with the current level of work W&C do, IMO, who are we to comment?

Other than the royal spin machine, how do you know this?

 

[Rudolph]

There are many reasons the Queen is limiting William's engagements. There are first and foremost issues around funding. Charles foots a large chunk of the bill for W&K's public life and money is tight.

Another reason is the Queen may think William should wait his turn, he is after all in the third generation of the Firm.

He is serving his country in a real and tangible way flying an air ambulance.

I know one thing is clear, William respects both his father and his Queen. He has and always will do whatever is required of him and IMO its pretty shabby that he gets thrown under the bus by certain people in order to push their own favourite royal's profile.

 

[bertie5252003]

Quote:
Originally Posted by soapstar
But let's be real. Pretty much none of the royals work hard, yet I see Mary or Letizia (or insert favorite royal), routinely praised for all their hard work. These people do 2 hours of engagements and then they go home to their mansions with their butlers, nannies, cooks and all of their other help. I guess for some reason it makes people feel better to see them out and about daily. It gives the illusion that royals work, but in no way do these people truly know the definition of hard work.

Most of them don't work hard, I agree with this. I also agree that for the most part, their "work" is an illusion - they're hardly saddled with any of the obligations most of us have at our jobs.
__________________
I agree with both of you and I am a royalist I have ot admit that I think you have both put it well in real terms.
Catherine does need to get back to public life and though I am in no doubt the state she fingds herself in at present is not good but really ASAP ... IMO.

 

[royalistbert]

Catherine can't help her health. Well at least its nothing like Queen Victoria not being seen for years in public.

 

[muriel]

Other than the royal spin machine, how do you know this?

I don't. I have had no direct contact with any senior member of the BRF, just as most of the posters on this forum. This is purely conjecture.

However, (and once again, based purely on conjecture) if HM and the PoW did want the couple to carry out more engagements, it can be a reasonable assumption that their command would be carried out. Even a petulant and self-destructive Diana knew she could only push HM so far.

 

[Marty91charmed]

well letizia works pretyt much IMO! We can see her every day! and doing even 3 egagements per day... Yes, she is the queen but she worked a lot even before...

 

[GracieGiraffe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by soapstar
But let's be real. Pretty much none of the royals work hard, yet I see Mary or Letizia (or insert favorite royal), routinely praised for all their hard work. These people do 2 hours of engagements and then they go home to their mansions with their butlers, nannies, cooks and all of their other help. I guess for some reason it makes people feel better to see them out and about daily. It gives the illusion that royals work, but in no way do these people truly know the definition of hard work.

Most of them don't work hard, I agree with this. I also agree that for the most part, their "work" is an illusion - they're hardly saddled with any of the obligations most of us have at our jobs.
__________________
I agree with both of you and I am a royalist I have ot admit that I think you have both put it well in real terms.
Catherine does need to get back to public life and though I am in no doubt the state she fingds herself in at present is not good but really ASAP ... IMO.

I think this is where much of the vitriol lies - the underlying message bandied about is that the royals are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and then when you couple it with the notion that they are hardworking, I think that most of the vitriol against this couple is really directed at their fan base rather than them. Obviously their roles in this world are different than the average pencil pusher - but the celebration of these two as some sort of demi-gods is what starts the backlash.

Obviously, Kate cannot work at the moment, but during those times when she could, she hardly did.

As for the fact that the Firm did not expect the Cambridges to take on a more royal role, I look at the evidence of the readying of KP, then we suddenly had the gap year, then suddenly Will was back to flying. I don't think this was the Firm - I think this was Will. I am not judging Will's decision, but the idea that the Queen and Charles are completely on board with Will's ideas or that the Queen rules the roost is belied by the events of the last 14 months. Even George's christening was a small, subdued affair when compared to other family gatherings - which the Queen is said to love.

 

[Marty91charmed]

I think this is where much of the vitriol lies - the underlying message bandied about is that the royals are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and then when you couple it with the notion that they are hardworking, I think that most of the vitriol against this couple is really directed at their fan base rather than them. Obviously their roles in this world are different than the average pencil pusher - but the celebration of these two as some sort of demi-gods is what starts the backlash.

Obviously, Kate cannot work at the moment, but during those times when she could, she hardly did.

As for the fact that the Firm did not expect the Cambridges to take on a more royal role, I look at the evidence of the readying of KP, then we suddenly had the gap year, then suddenly Will was back to flying. I don't think this was the Firm - I think this was Will. I am not judging Will's decision, but the idea that the Queen and Charles are completely on board with Will's ideas or that the Queen rules the roost is belied by the events of the last 14 months. Even George's christening was a small, subdued affair when compared to other family gatherings - which the Queen is said to love.

very well put! I agree with almost everything

 

[Bine221]

Quote:
Originally Posted by soapstar
But let's be real. Pretty much none of the royals work hard, yet I see Mary or Letizia (or insert favorite royal), routinely praised for all their hard work. These people do 2 hours of engagements and then they go home to their mansions with their butlers, nannies, cooks and all of their other help. I guess for some reason it makes people feel better to see them out and about daily. It gives the illusion that royals work, but in no way do these people truly know the definition of hard work.

Most of them don't work hard, I agree with this. I also agree that for the most part, their "work" is an illusion - they're hardly saddled with any of the obligations most of us have at our jobs.
__________________
I agree with both of you and I am a royalist I have ot admit that I think you have both put it well in real terms.
Catherine does need to get back to public life and though I am in no doubt the state she fingds herself in at present is not good but really ASAP ... IMO.

I tend to disagree..... you only see the number of "pure" Engagements. But: there is much preparation to them - and this is not only a Dress and a coiffure. They Need to learn Details about the upcoming Events in order to "ask the right questions". Apart from that there is a lot of desk work to do as well..... answering tons of letters etc.

But I agree, there seems to be harder and less hard working Royals. Letizia or Maxima or Victoria or Mary surely are harder working ones.....
BYe Bine