I believe these days we learned a bit more about the position of "wife by his side" - first Prince Harry's interview which was very open about the fact that with the man comes the prince comes the duties of his princess.
And yesterday the new German president was voted for. It was clear who would win the vote, so the media has focused a lot about him - and the woman by his side. So far they are not married but have a long-standing liaison, but she had her job as a leading editor with a serious paper in Nuremburg while he lived in Berlin. But due to his need for a "First Lady" she gave up her career and home in Bavaria and they'll move together into the official home of the Bundespräsident. It was Ms. Schadt's decision to support her lifepartner and spend those years by his side on fulfilling duties for the Federal Republic. And there was no negative comment about that.
Happens all the time in the US. Michelle Obama was an attorney, and worked in universities, but cut down 80% to help with elections, and now totally as first lady (Harvard law grad). Laura Bush was a teacher and librarian, but in her marriage, supported her husband's career and charities as first lady of Texas and the US. Hilary was an attorney with a post graduate degree (first first lady to have one) and was an attorney until the day her husband entered the white house.
Canada, our first ladies are pretty unknown. They usuallt hold some charitable roles, but they don't get the pr that american first ladies do. Other than Margrat Trudeau, for her scandals.
But much different story with kate.
1. Kate did not have a career to give up. People often criticize her for working part time for her parents, so she could cater to William.
2. She hasn't been very quick to jump into any royal duties. She has done minimal, and most people see her shopping more than anything. If she was filling her role as princess, taking on more charities, people would be happier.
The reality is, every princess (married in) will have to give up their former life in some way. Unless they marry further down the line, think the dutch princsses for instance other than Maxima. Its likely why it would be harder for Will and Harry to find an ambitious career girl to marry. People say they'd want Will to marry someone who had a career, but if she was that driven, would she give it all up? I know charity work is fufilling, but royals are mainly cutting ribbons and attending functions, not doing hands on work. It raises a lot of money, but isn't great substance. Would a woman who went through 8 years of med school and was saving lives, really be fufilled cutting ribbons and smiling for the press? Even if she sat on boards of major charities? Some may be, but many wouldn't. Or a lawyer? Architect? Even a teacher? And for what? Not just the ribbon cutting duties? But the press, scrutinyt, royal duties and more?
Kate is likely the perfect choice. She ran in the same circles. She is well educated. But she had no career or ambition to give up.