Kate Middleton: Family, Wealth and Background

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by windsorgirl

I don't understand the reference to her saying "pardon me" at some previous engagement as though it were a faux pas. Can anyone enlighten me there?

I am afraid that this is a British "thing" it is considered very low class to use "pardon me" or just "pardon" when the correct form is "Excuse me" this only applies to people living in, England and would never count as a faux pas or even be noticed if said by someone from another country. In Carole´s case the use of this, the use of the word toilet, and chewing gum at Sandhurst branded her as common, and this was before her brother Gary appeared on the scene.
Among the kind of people who surround the BRF the use of this phrase would cause, I am afraid, a snigger.
Before any foreigners or British users of these words shout "snob" remember I am just telling you the way it is - good or bad.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Wisteria

I am afraid that this is a British "thing" it is considered very low class to use "pardon me" or just "pardon" when the correct form is "Excuse me"

We don't use excuse me unless trying to pass someone, we just say 'what' or 'what did you say'! The Carol Middleton story regarding the use of the 'wrong' words was, IMO, invented by the press.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Westminster

does anybody know what he works? Sorry, but I really don't know. In the end he seems to be one of the most likable members of the Middleton-family in my eyes because I don't see and hear much of him.

As I was under the impression that 'Party Pieces' was a family business I have always assumed that he worked at that along with his wife and children.

[Zonk]

Good points Lady Ann!

Its also worth noting that Sophie has a similar background to Kate and she has adapted very well. Although one should point out that she is married to the third son, so Edward doesn't have the pressure as Charles.

William and Kate dating for a long time is a good thing iMO. At least William knows that Kate can handle the pressure of the press (although it will be ten times worst if they get engaged and married). Truth be told, if Charles and Diana had dated for a longer time, they might have had a better understanding of each other or either broken up before getting married.

[Zonk]

It wouldn't surprise me is a lot of the Carole/Kate Middleton stories were created by the press.

Let's face it...the press was particulary spoiled during the Diana years. Someone who was willing to talk to them (off the record of course). More importantly, there were tons of scandalous stories to talk about and make up!

[Elspeth]

I'm still not clear what difference it would make if it was found that Mrs Middleton was a descendant of William the Conqueror or Henry I. Would the people who shudder at lower-middle-class or working-class habits, or social-climber pretensions, be more inclined to look favourably on her if it was found that she had a royal ancestor a thousand years ago?

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

I'm still not clear what difference it would make if it was found that Mrs Middleton was a descendant of William the Conqueror or Henry I. Would the people who shudder at lower-middle-class or working-class habits, or social-climber pretensions, be more inclined to look favourably on her if it was found that she had a royal ancestor a thousand years ago?

Of course not. It is nothing to do with origins, it is the whiff of being common that is a major sin for anyone with social climbing pretensions.

[Elspeth]

I think in some ways part of the problem with the perception of the Middletons is that Kate and William met at university, before she'd had a chance to strike out on her own. To me, her background isn't that different from Sophie's (Sophie's ancient royal connection notwithstanding) but Sophie had spent some years away from home and had carved out her own identity separate from her family, so her family was less of an issue. I just wonder, if Sophie and Edward had started dating when Sophie was still living at home and only just out of school, whether more would have been made of her retired-salesman father who'd given himself a double-barrelled name because it sounded posher than just Jones.

[Wisteria]

[ I agree, it did make it harder. But it has been years now of neither here nor there.
Sophie had a another advantage, the Queen seemed to take to her very quickly and has shown that she is very fond of her since Prince Edward first started dating her.
And of course we haven´t seen her uncles

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Wisteria

[ I agree, it did make it harder. But it has been years now of neither here nor there.
Sophie had a another advantage, the Queen seemed to take to her very quickly and has shown that she is very fond of her since Prince Edward first started dating her.
And of course we haven´t seen her uncles

.... and nor have we seen Kate bare breasted as we saw pictures of Sophie topless!

I do think it is a fair point that the focus on the tabloids on the Middleton family is because they have little else to whinge about in this context.

[Wisteria]

We did see her parading in underwear though, and that was when she first, it is said, attracted the attention of Prince William......
Also Sophie´s family have stayed very much in the background, if her mother chews gum no one knows it, if she has a brother who likes to dress up as a woman and have his picture taken, we just don´t know.
Discretion if a very big asset when aspiring to join the BRF, at least as a close relative. Being classy helps too.

[Warren]

If William chooses to marry Kate's mother, or her brother, or her uncle, you'll have something to worry about then.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Wisteria

We did see her parading in underwear though, and that was when she first, it is said, attracted the attention of Prince William......
Also Sophie´s family have stayed very much in the background, if her mother chews gum no one knows it, if she has a brother who likes to dress up as a woman and have his picture taken, we just don´t know.
Discretion if a very big asset when aspiring to join the BRF, at least as a close relative. Being classy helps too.

There is a difference between posing topless for pictures on the beach (Sophie) and a student fashion show for charity.

[Odette]

Would it also be that Prince Edward, although being a son of the Monarch has very scant chances of ever reigning, while William's choice will be someday Queen of England?

[udyusa]

A very good point, obviously, Odette! I would think that has a big advantage.... Just IMHO, of course. :)

[Dierna23]

Ahem. Well, for me the Middleton-family really doesn't seem discrete. If Kate is different from them or not, I do see that this could be a problem in the future, but JMO.

[Patra]

Warren you are too funny! LOL Smiles : )

[Zonk]

How are the Middleton family not discrete? Can someone provide the sources where Kate's family gave an interview regarding her relationship with Prince William?

Does chewing gum in public make you discrete? I would hardly list the chewing of gum as a serious offence. Bad judgement but hardly something that makes ones family unsuitable.

[queenofthelight]

Kate Middleton's cover of a new magazine (12/10/2009).

The special girl in Simon's life attends his 50th and at home with Jo Wood only in HELLO!

[Westminster]

Not to go to the press and say "I'm Kate Middleton and I'm in love with Prince William" is not everything to be discrete! Depends on what definition you have. A uncle who talks in private to more or less strangers and says yes, my niece will be maybe some day Queen of England and Prince William was here in my house, is indiscrete and showy as well. No manners in my opinion and acting just like a parvenu does. The Middletons have become some sort of celebrities, I don't know anybody of the Rhys-Jones-Family. Gum chewing Carole, Uncle Gary with the drugs, sister Pippa who's on the search for a wealthy guy, uncle James in woman clothes... Yes, I think they are predestined to fill the tabloids.