The Family and Background of the Duchess of Cambridge, the Middletons 1, Until 2022

[Wisteria]

I will forgive "pardon" (by the way that is far worse than saying "pardon me") willingly, the problem is, will the royal circle of friends ever forget it?
As to most of the stories about Carole and Kate being made up, does that mean that Uncle Gary doesn´t exist?

 

[Skydragon]

Did the royal circle of friends ever hear it? The alleged meeting between Carole and HM was denied by Mrs Middleton. So, no meeting, no 'misuse' of any words. IME, some members of the royal circle use words that would make a Sergeant Major blush.

I don't believe William, his friends or the born royals would judge anyone in such a way, nor do I think anyone 'in the know' gave this story to the media!

 

[Wisteria]

Did the royal circle of friends ever hear it? The alleged meeting between Carole and HM was denied by Mrs Middleton. So, no meeting, no 'misuse' of any words. IME, some members of the royal circle use words that would make a Sergeant Major blush.

Especially out hunting

But, she did chew gum at Sandhurst, seen by many and photographed. Uncle Gary is a real person too, I think.

I don´t believe for one second that Carole met HM, but I am sure there were plenty of people to whisper into the ears of people surrounding the circle
who would be more than willing to gossip. She might have used these expressions at the PT meetings of the very posh school her children went to.
They didn´t have to be uttered in THE presence.

 

[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]

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

 

[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.

 

[muriel]

[ 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.

 

[Wisteria]

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

1. Kate´s mother................ is married
2. Her brother.................... William doesn´t seem to be so inclined.
3. Uncle Gary?....................

 

[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.

 

[grace marie]

But, she did chew gum at Sandhurst, seen by many and photographed. Uncle Gary is a real person too, I think.

I don´t believe for one second that Carole met HM, but I am sure there were plenty of people to whisper into the ears of people surrounding the circle
who would be more than willing to gossip. She might have used these expressions at the PT meetings of the very posh school her children went to.
They didn´t have to be uttered in THE presence.

Kate's parents was at Sandhurst and Queen was there too. Didn't Middletons introduced then?

 

[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.

 

[Little_star]

ITA. I don't see the Middletons as particularly discrete either.

In today's media obsessed world it sometimes seems as though just because somebody doesn't overtly seek out the press, like Paris Hilton or Katie Price, then they are viewed as discrete or dignified.

PS- I'm not comparing Kate to the 2 aforementioned ladies, I used them as examples.

 

[bertie5252003]

We all have odd bodes in our families I defy anyone who says otherwise and unfortunately they become the topic of public debate when one puts oneself out there. Am sure the Middletons are no different from any of use in the ordinary world we live in..... but what ever they do and whatever we were to do in their situation would be seen as capitalising on the connections. And this is only IMO but I doubt I would be any different just going about my business supporting my children and family.

 

[Marsel]

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.

James’ pictures where private pictures leaked by some untrustworthy friends: they were supposed to be fun, not cause embarrassment to Kate or anyone. I have a lot of fun pictures with my friends, which I wouldn’t like to see on the front pages of newspapers: I hope that does not make me a bad or indiscreet person.

So far, I haven’t seen any of the Middleton’s enjoying any sort of benefits because of Kate’s relationship with Prince William. True, they might now enjoy prominence which doesn’t correspond to their ‘social status’, but that’s not really their fault, is it? If anything, they have certainly suffered a great deal of discomfort, especially Kate, who has been dubbed anything from ‘waity’ to ‘mattress’ over these years, and as a woman myself, I can only imagine her feelings, and the feelings of her family members, upon reading such ‘nicknames’.

Frankly, it is not their fault the press follows them everywhere. I’d call the Middletons, as well all the friends of the family, very discreet indeed, especially considering the circumstances.

 

[Wisteria]

[

Well Marsel, I would say you are perfectly safe as long as you have no aspirations of being a future Queen of England.
What for a normal person is being discreet, in royal circles perhaps they have other ideas.
As far as perks are concerned, I have a certain picture of Kate´s sister wanting two royal princesses to move up so that she could sit in the front row of a fashion show, a tiny bit presumptious I thought. Obviously they thought so too as they didn´t move up.
So far the only member of that family I could even mention when it comes to discretion is the Middleton pater whom I don´t think I have even seen a photo of.

 

[iowabelle]

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.

Princess Diana's uncle, Lord Fermoy, was boasting about the virginity of his niece. I find that distasteful personally. And then Lord Fermoy obviously had some other problems since he committed suicide while Diana was pregnant with Harry. I'm sure there's stories there that could/did fill tabloids.

 

[Zonk]

I think when Sophie and Edward finally got engaged there were stories about the Rhy Jones family, a sort of this is where she comes from. The same type of stories that were similiar about the Spencer siblings and Jane Ferguson. But let's face it, Sophie's family (particulary her brother and sister in law) weren't young, rich and interesting. Not to slam them, they appear to be hard working individuals. And honestly, the press and the interest of young royals in 2009 (as well as those who in their crowd) is vastly different from 1981, 1986 and 1999.

I think we have all been around long enough to recognize that the press will ignore a nicely dressed man who does good work (Charles, Frederick, Willem Alexanders, Haakon, Felipe) to focus on a young beautiful and nicely dressed woman (Diana, Mary, Maxima, Mary and Letizia) who does good work. Women buy magazines and newspapers devoted to to life style royals as well as fashion magazines. Men typically dont.

Pippa to some is interesting. The same way that Telma and the late Erica Ortiz were/are interesting to the Spanish press. Is Pippa not supposed to go out because the press is angling for a picture? And who says she is angling for a rich man, do we know EVERY man she has dated?

I would agree that asking two royal women to move up so she can sit on the front row of a fashion is a bit of something? But do we know all the facts. How do we know she wasnt told that she could sit in the front row, and then when she got there was told there was not enough room. That has certainly happened to me on occassion and I stand uncomfortably to the side waiting for it to be sorted out.

 

[Sereta]

I wouldn't cry for the Middleton's Marsel. I'm sure the benefits of being linked to Royalty have far outweighed any supposed inconvenience and it certainly hasn't hurt their family business.

One thing I want to address because it keeps coming up is the whole word usage (toilet, pardon me, etc) issue. I think it's all rather trivial and petty and all it does is make the Royal Family and their circle sound snobbish and judgmental which I don't think they are. If William doesn't marry Kate it certainly won't be because of these minor trivial things. I agree with Skydragon that the press made it all up including the so-called gum chewing issue.

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.

I agree, there are other ways of mingling with the press and for the record Carol Middleton gave an interview at the end of last year. And it doesn't matter that she didn't talk specifically about William. When you're linked to royalty the #1 rule is "no talking to the press".
You also make a good point about Sophie. She and Edward also dated a long time and at the time they were the only "couple" in the royal family so the press certainly was interested in her and I'm sure tried to get stuff on her. But Sophie and her family managed to stay out of the press. And it turned out to be a foretelling of who she is because she (and her family) still stay out of the press and haven't caused any scandals or unnecessary gossip.

 

[Zonk]

What interview did Carole Middleton give last year? Can you provide a link?

I am very curious to see what Mrs. Middleton had to say.

 

[iowabelle]

That's not exactly true about Sophie staying out of the press. Remember her Arab sheik comments and her comments about various members of the Royal Family? And denying that her husband is gay??

 

[Mermaid1962]

And there was the HELLO! spread for a children's charity (can't remember the name) that she was hugely criticized for. She was doing PR work for the charity. And there was a high-profile fashion spread at around the same time in which she was in semi-regal poses. Sophie got criticism for trading on her Royal connections long before she was even engaged. Even so, I've liked Sophie all along and thought that she had character.

That's not exactly true about Sophie staying out of the press. Remember her Arab sheik comments and her comments about various members of the Royal Family? And denying that her husband is gay??

 

[Lady Ann]

Kate Middleton’s Mom Talked Up About Impact of Public Scrutiny Zonk I think this is the story that is being refered too. There was more she said but it was over a year ago she made comments about other personal parts of their relaitonship but I can't remember just what she said.