The Duchess of Cambridge: Family, Wealth and Background

[camelot23ca]

Originally Posted by muriel

What is wrong with Carole Middleton writing an article to promote her business? The business was there a lot longer than her daughters relationship with the royal family.

Exactly. Writing articles like this is what many business owners do - it's great publicity for their company. Carol is writing about something in which she has actual expertise and which predates her daughter's marriage.

[Curryong]

Just an observation. The Middletons are not a popular family in Britain and the news (disclosed in widely-read tabloids) that Carole is flogging her business and products in two upmarket magazines is unlikely to enhance the family's popularity.

People shouldn't associate members of the royal family (in this case, the Cambridges) with commercial enterprises IMO, and Kate's family (especially Pippa) do receive criticism for drawing publicity to themselves, whatever the feelings of posters on this thread.

And I don't particularly agree with shops associated with Charles and the Queen selling a lot of tat, either.

[XeniaCasaraghi]

The Middleton's had this business long before William and they shouldn't allow him to change how they run it. The British MEDIA are going to hate the Middleton's no matter what because they have the audacity to not stay working class. I applaud them for not letting jealousy and resentment dictate their lives. They have jobs to do and they are going to do them whether you approve or not.

[Rudolph]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Just an observation. The Middletons are not a popular family in Britain and the news (disclosed in widely-read tabloids) that Carole is flogging her business and products in two upmarket magazines is unlikely to enhance the family's popularity.

People shouldn't associate members of the royal family (in this case, the Cambridges) with commercial enterprises IMO, and Kate's family (especially Pippa) do receive criticism for drawing publicity to themselves, whatever the feelings of posters on this thread.

And I don't particularly agree with shops associated with Charles and the Queen selling a lot of tat, either.

The Middletons aren't a popular family in Britain. Says who Curryong, you? Maybe you've lived in Australia too long. What is not too like about the Middletons. The fact they don't claim benefits or the fact they sent all three of their children to public school and are self-made millionaires long before William came on the scene.

Just because a small minority of Mail Online comments hate on the family doesn't translate into the Middletons not being popular.

[cepe]

and Curryong

I dont agree with the idea that the British media dislike the Middletons. This story hasnt been on TV or Radio and a one news paper has flogged it to death and a couple of royal-focused mags have mentioned it. So it is not the sum of British media. Also the Middletons not being popular is drawn from the same poisoned chalice.

The Middletons have been in business for years and a probably leaders in their field - which is middle of the road, self catering style parties. Good for them and they are entitled to continue making their way in the world.

Both Philips children live in the commercial world, as does Lord& Lady Frederick Windsor. That's the way it is and many of you have stated on here that the BRF will get smaller and members will have to earn a living. I get confused when people say this and then dont expect the Middletons to do the same.

As for products sold by HMQ and PoW - the profit goes to support the royal properties that HMQ is responsible for and charitable causes in the case of PoW. I have no problem with this - the alternative is that the taxpayer would be paying.

The World of Windsor is changing - perhaps as followers we need to re-think our expectations.

[Curryong]

Never seen that much criticism directed by either public or media at Mike (who, by the way, came from a middleclass background) and only in a minor way towards James. It's Carole who draws the ire of most, followed by Pippa, who seems to be regarded as a bit of a publicity hound.

I'm well aware that the people (royal or not) who are the subject of these threads are going to get on with their lives whether ANY of us approve or not. However, this is an opinion-based forum is it not? In the end, I'm giving my opinion.

[Isabella]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Just an observation. The Middletons are not a popular family in Britain and the news (disclosed in widely-read tabloids) that Carole is flogging her business and products in two upmarket magazines is unlikely to enhance the family's popularity.

People shouldn't associate members of the royal family (in this case, the Cambridges) with commercial enterprises IMO, and Kate's family (especially Pippa) do receive criticism for drawing publicity to themselves, whatever the feelings of posters on this thread.

And I don't particularly agree with shops associated with Charles and the Queen selling a lot of tat, either.

The situation isn't a perfect one as, yes, things would certainly be easier if members of the royal family had no association with businesses or anything that could appear to be a conflict of interest. However, the simple fact is that Middletons make their living from their business and businesses do have to be promoted. I don't think it's really an option for them to give up working or to find another line of work. And I actually think the Middletons seem to have done quite a good job at drawing the line between the business and the personal. Carole in particular gets a lot of negative press, but I think she's handled things just fine - sure, she might write a harmless little article about party supplies, but she's been quite discreet in the sense of not even giving the smallest anecdote about the royal family or anything like that (and I would imagine she's been offered plenty of opportunities to do so). There are certainly plenty of times that royal in-laws or even royals themselves have been quite shameless about the royal family to promote their work or even just to make some additional money, so while it may not be ideal that the Middletons have products to sell, the certainly seem to be very cautious in the way they go about handling things.

[Curryong]

I go over to Britain quite a bit, and talk to British people while I'm there. My extended family is also there. I don't 'bash' the Middletons.

[Rudolph]

When Zara is selling her story to the glossy mags no one seems to have an issue. When Mike Tindall goes on Bear Grylls' reality tv show no one seems to have a problem.

The Middletons employ over 30 people who pay taxes and contribute to society. People receive knighthoods for less.

[Princess of Durham]

Let's call a spade a spade here. The main reason Carole draws the negativity that she does (from a particular few) is, IMO, due to the fact that this is a class issue. Carole has miners in her background. Michael Middleton does not draw the negative comments because he is perceived, by some, to be "more deserving" because his background is more middle class. This is how I see it and it would take an awful lot of very good reasoning to convince me otherwise. Catherine was also taking the "doors to manual" jibs way back in University, again likely from classists snobs. The Middleton's can probably buy and sell some of these people and it really makes them angry. I have to say that I find their work ethic and success quite commendable. For some reason these qualities have not always been looked upon with favor in the UK. It's fine if you're born to it, but heaven help the person who earns their way. Oh BUT we reserved the right to bash the toffs who've had everything given to them. What a catch 22!

[Frelinghighness]

Let's not forget that bullies like to pick on women too, easier targets.
The middle tons made their own way before Camilla's son was out of school. To say that he would have got as far as he had without those connections is really dreaming! There are so many who are talented but few get through and get to let their light shine

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by cepe

The Middletons have been in business for years and a probably leaders in their field - which is middle of the road, self catering style parties. Good for them and they are entitled to continue making their way in the world.

Agree. I don't understand the disapproval.

Also, after reading all this I called up a British acquaintance (ex-pat) who lives near-by and she said she doesn't see it that way. Everyone is fine with the Middletons (she says). But there are still class issues for some people. So that's what I'm being told: if the Middletons are criticized it's usually to do with class issues. My friend tells me that if the Queen did not approve, Carole would not do it. In her view, whatever the Middletons do, passes muster with the Queen, ever before it's done. That's her view. One view from a British ex-pat.

[Zonk]

I agree with a lot of the comments already stated.

To say that they are pretty unpopular family in Britain...when the population of the United Kingdom is 64 million people...I gotta ask..has a survey been done that we must have missed to prove how unpopular the Middleton's are

There are a lot of [to use a phrase I hate] haters out there who hate the Middleton's for a variety of reasons...a lot of them not legitimate IMO. Who dislike them for not knowing their place, for being financial secure, for being business owners, etc. Carole is an easy target because she clearly has forgotten her roots. The whole situation reminds me of something Amy Pholer said to Ben Affleck when hosting the Golden Globes. Something along the lines of I'm from Boston to....and you aren't better than me. I think a lot of the haters hate on the Midlleton because in their eyes, she isn't better than them. And she isn't...just richer than most.

I find the concept that they should not sell products that they have sold prior to their daughter's marriage or not taking advantage of publicizing their business because it looks bad on their daughter, well to be blunt......pretty ridiculous.

IMO if that the case....if we hold them to a higher stand that the PoW or the Queen....and they can't sell Princess party plates for example because goodness gracious...their granddaughter is a Princess....and they are clearly captalizing on their relationship....than they should be compensated for loss revenue.

[Sun Lion]

Royal reporter Rob Jobson was on TV in Oz this moring talking about the Royals at the Chelsea Flower Show.

He had a chat with the Queen's grand-daughter Zara, and said she was there "flogging someone's lawn-mower".

Another example that Mrs Middleton's new endeavour is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[Queen Camilla]

The issue I have with Carole's writing career, is she is suppose to be writing for the publication but instead there was no article. It was just a few sentences and links to websites mostly hers. The pictures had little to do with the text.

If Carole had actually written an article, it would be a different story.

I see no problem with a party supply store selling princess related items.

I also see no problem, if she was interviewed for an article about her company and they provided a link to her website.

[royal rob]

Originally Posted by Queen Camilla

The issue I have with Carole's writing career, is she is suppose to be writing for the publication but instead there was no article. It was just a few sentences and links to websites mostly hers. The pictures had little to do with the text.

If Carole had actually written an article, it would be a different story.

I see no problem with a party supply store selling princess related items.

I also see no problem, if she was interviewed for an article about her company and they provided a link to her website.

So Carole isn't supposed to advertise her product like every other person that runs a business does. As someone else said she had it long before Will was on the scene so to say how she can run it now is just plain rude. None of our golly business.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

[Rudolph]

Originally Posted by Sun Lion

Royal reporter Rob Jobson was on TV in Oz this moring talking about the Royals at the Chelsea Flower Show.

He had a chat with the Queen's grand-daughter Zara, and said she was there "flogging someone's lawn-mower".

Another example that Mrs Middleton's new endeavour is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Both Peter and Zara were being paid to attend the flower show. Just two of many examples of the Queen's immediate blood relatives making a commercial living but the Middletons are not allowed to do the same apparently.

[Dman]

Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary to Mr & Mrs Michael Middleton!!!

[Dman]

They can sea the finish line! Pippa and James Middleton complete the 54-mile London to Brighton bike ride-
Pippa and James Middleton complete the 54-mile London to Brighton bike ride | Daily Mail Online

[Marty91charmed]

They are not part of the british royal family but I hope Michael and Carole have spent a wonderful anniversary together...