we don't know whether Kate takes an avid interest in cultural affairs, we don't know how many languages she speaks and it seems that because we don't know, people prefer to believe that she has no such qualities.
I chose to believe she doesn't because there isn't the slightest hint that she does.
If she had been fluent in foreign languages it would have been mentioned in one of those glowing Hello style reports that were the norm at the beginning (and still are, in Hello obviously).
I mean, we know she was good in sports at school, that she was bullied, what she did on a gap year, etc. but she somehow manages to be multilingual without anybody noticing? I don't think so.
As for cultural interests, I will repeat the same thing as I have said about William: show me a single picture of Kate anywhere near a cultural institution. The only instance I ever heard about her doing something high-brow was a sighting of her giggling wildly during a Pinter play (that old comic genius).
She may have managed to visit museums and theatres and enjoy the bursting London cultural scene incognito on a regular basis without ever being caught in the many years she lived there but then the supposed paparazzi harassment has been grossly overstated (or alternatively, it's the proof that she can be left alone when she doesn't frequent paps magnets places like Boujis, take your pick).
Did we know, at the start that JO had any qualities?
Yes. Within their social circles the Bouvier sisters were notorious for their intelligence and sophistication. They even published a very witty book relating their stay in Paris when still in their twenties, so yeah it was known they were worldly and spoke fluent French (Jackie also spoke Spanish).
everyone presumes that it is William calling the shots, it could be Kate wanting to hang on to the freedom she has for a few more years, that I can certainly understand!
What you call freedom I call a rot personally.
She is very soon to be a 30 year-old-woman with a hardly any accomplishments to claim her own, whose options are very limited (mostly because of the choices she made), with no formal commitment (a private promise can always be broken, it wouldn't be the first time in history) and who is increasingly the object of public ridicule. Considering she stays in the relationship regardless, it's pretty clear where the balance of power lies in this relationship imo.
Comparing Jackie Kennedy to Kate Middleton is pointless imho because you are comparing 2 very different women from 2 very different time periods.
Indeed, but so is the idea of a monarchy. The requirements for a royal bride haven't changed that much in 50 years, unlike the situation of the average woman.
This is definitely not a feminist position, just look at Leticia in Spain or any other royal consort.
When Jackie married JFK it was the done thing for women of her class, social circle etc to marry well. That's essentially what she was reared to do.
Those things haven't changed much in some social circles. The major difference is that in addition to social graces, these women are expected to have careers and achievements of their own (at least until motherhood).
We have very different opinions on Kate, you choose to believe she loves William, IMO she loves his position much more....
My opinion also.