| | |  | Kate Middleton News & Gossip
|
|
| | Duchess Kate 'has a fear of public speaking,' that's why she's so 'silent' | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
The Duchess of Cambridge isn?t much for public speaking. We learned that the hard way, because the very, very few public speeches she?s made have been? um, bad. Hair-tossing, fidgeting, staring blankly at her notes for seconds, no eye contact with the audience, awkward silences, etc. Not everyone is cut out for public speaking, but it?s the kind of thing you can practice and rehearse, especially if your job requires smart media relations and the ability to communicate, which is exactly what royals are supposed to do. Even if Kate still struggled with making public speeches, the answer would then be ?just do a few one-on-one TV interviews.? William and Harry do TV interviews several times a year, but not Kate. Well, anyway, The Daily Beast?s royal gossip guy has an interesting piece about Kate and how silent she is.
Kate Middleton has a fear of public speaking, sources say, which may go some way to explain why she has not made so much as a squeak in public since the birth of her baby daughter Charlotte in May this year. Despite being an excellent communicator in private, she is reluctant to put herself forward for more public speaking or interviews, and the palace, wisely knowing the game they are playing is very, very long, are not pushing her to do so.
Kate herself actually confessed, ?I find giving speeches nerve-wracking? to a guest who attended her first ever public speech, at a children?s hospice in 2012. That first speech of her princess-hood was not made for almost a year after her wedding, a delay that was widely attributed to her nerves. And it seems that the passage of time has not eased her anxiety, despite access to the finest media trainers money can buy.
Oddly, Prince Harry also shares Kate?s fear of public speaking, a secret he revealed in support of World AIDS Day last year. Kate was not always a shy and retiring type, and does not appear to have suffered stage fright as a kid. She starred in a prep school production of My Fair Lady when she was 12 and famously won the attentions of Prince William when she walked?in a negligee?in a University fashion show. But since becoming a princess of the United Kingdom, Kate has not engaged much with the media-facing side of the job.
Hard as it is may be to believe, given her media ubiquity, Kate has done just one in-depth television interview in her life?and that was shortly after she and William got engaged back in 2011. Watching this video four years later the first thing one notices is how remarkably posh Kate?s voice is. Weirdly, it?s slightly posher than William?s. But watching that cosy chat with the hindsight of a few years, it?s also noticeable how open Kate is. One might have expected, on the basis of that interview, that Kate would regularly be speaking to the media, but it?s been a long time now since we heard Kate talk in public at any length.
Even public speeches on behalf of her charitable causes have been few and far between–and have often seemed painful for her to deliver. There has been nothing from Kate compared to the kinds of interviews that William and Harry have done in recent years, being interviewed at length about their life and causes. Even the Queen has been more forthcoming than Kate on camera.
But who can blame her? Friends of Kate have always said that she is nervous about public speaking, notwithstanding her early dramatic career, and the truth is, she is not exactly a natural at it. After her visible nerves during the 2012 hospice speech, another public speech did not follow until almost a year later, when in April 2013, she recorded a message at Clarence House in support of Children?s Hospice Week. Her delivery was stilted and at times a little wooden.
However, her nerves were most evident when she made a brief speech at the National Portrait Gallery in 2014, and repeatedly stumbled on different words, before ending with a hastily garbled ?sorry about that? as she crumbled into embarrassed laughter and fled the podium.
Part of the problem is that Kensington Palace has a strict policy of not allowing anything other than broadcast interviews (to prevent misinterpretations). A few broadsheet interviews with friendly outlets might just go a long way to easing her nerves. In the meantime, we will just have to continue to wait, with baited breath, for the day when Kate actually speaks.
[From The Daily Beast]
The fact that she was happy enough to perform on stage as a kid, and model lingerie as a college student, and sit down for an engagement-announcement interview shows that she?s quite comfortable in the spotlight, I think. She fine with being photographed, she?s fine with being seen, she?s fine with being a public figure (perhaps there’s even an exhibitionist streak in Kate). It?s just the ?making speeches? part of her job (and actually showing up for work events, but that?s another discussion entirely). I still think it?s something she could easily master if only she put some effort into it. Practice, be familiar with the words of your speech, rehearse your speech in front of your communications people, and yes, maybe hire a professional to help. In the meantime, spare us the PR puff pieces about how Kate does “more” than just smile & nod at these events.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Duchess Kate repeats a grey Orla Kiely for charity visit: lovely or dull? | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Here are some brand new photos of the Duchess of Cambridge actually making a charity visit. It?s sort of amazing how much she?s been working the past three weeks or so. We get next to nothing for months ? like, two ?fun? outings in three months? time ? and then BAM, she actually starts scheduling stuff back-to-back. For Kate (and William), ?back-to-back? engagements mean ?one appearance for an hour? once a day. But Kate has been doing so many events, it?s like someone (Poor Jason) put the fear of God into her. Did someone put their foot down about the much-anticipated Mustique vacation next month?
Anyway, Kate traveled to a Chance UK program in London to ?meet children and mentors? from the program that aims to improve the lives of kids in danger of falling through the cracks, or kids at an increased risk for developing criminal behavior. Kate and William recently did a joint appearance at another program similar to Chance UK.
Kate finally wore a repeat ? this dress is by Orla Kiely and we saw it on her for the first time in 2012, during an appearance with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. I kind of thought it was too fussy back then, but after three years, I like it a little bit more. Maybe that?s because she wore it today with a jaunty ponytail and it reads as ?cute.? She looks like a cute school teacher here, which is appropriate for the outing.
Kate?s also due to appear at the 100 Women In Hedge Funds dinner tonight. Back to back events for the second day in a row! SHOCKING! Seriously, I?m very surprised. Let?s give Kate a slow clap (before she heads off for a three-week vacation in Mustique!).
Photos courtesy of WENN.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Prince William, Kate Middleton & Prince Harry: 'spectre' Premiere Pals | | Added 9 years ago | Source: Celebrity Gossip |
|
|
|
|
|
Kicking off the week with an action/adventure flick, Kate Middleton accompanied her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry to the World Premiere of the brand new James Bond 007 film ?Spectre? in London last night (October 27).
The beautiful Duchess selected a sheer, light blue gown by Jenny Packham featuring an open back as she strolled around outside Royal Albert Hall escorted by the Duke of Cambridge in a snazzy tuxedo.
?Spectre? is slated to hit theaters November 6th. Per the synopsis, ?A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.?
More Photos Here
    |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Prince William, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton Converge at BAFTA | | Added 9 years ago | Source: Celebrity Gossip |
|
|
|
|
|
It was a royal circus on Picadilly in London today (October 26) as Prince William and Kate Middleton paid a visit to BAFTA along with Prince Harry for a charity screening of ?Shaun the Sheep.?
The Duchess of Cambridge attracted plenty of attention in her gorgeous printed Tabitha Webb dress paired with back suede pumps and a square clutch.
Meanwhile, William and Harry complemented Mrs. Middleton quite nicely in their tailored suits. All three royal stunners are also expected to take in a screening of the latest James Bond film ?Spectre? at Royal Albert Hall this evening.
More Photos Here
    |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Duchess Kate's 'aura reminds me of Princess Diana very much' says one mom | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
I saw some comments about Duchess Kate?s royal work yesterday, something about how she showed up late to the Anna Freud Centre? I haven?t seen any report corroborating that though. If she showed up later than expected, it probably wasn?t by that much time? Like, some people said she was an hour late, but I suspect that would have made it into the British media reports.
Which isn?t to say Kate?s royal work was completely without fault. Almost immediately, people noted Kate?s inability to avoid exposing various body parts, this time with a seemingly altered Ralph Lauren shirtdress that seemed to have some buttons removed so Kate could flash some thigh? for the children. The hair was also a mess, because it was flying everywhere and there always seems to be so much of it (I?m providing a photo of the back of her head for those of you on Wiglet Watch). All in all, I?m guessing that #PoorJason the press secretary was putting out PR fires for hours. Which might explain this People Magazine story, in which someone says that Kate is basically the second coming of Princess Diana because she awkwardly shook hands with a few kids before escaping after an hour for some much needed retail therapy.
Kate Middleton high-fived youngsters, wore 3-D goggles, played a motion game in heels and called to mind another princess who had a special way with children during a visit on Thursday to a school for kids with mental health issues. Diving into FitLights, part of a Smart Gym “brain-training system” with 12-year-old Kai, who copes with ADHD and an emotional disorder, she tested her reactions and impressed his watching mother, Chantel. (The center preferred that last names remain private.)
“She’s a fantastic woman,” Chantel tells PEOPLE of meeting Kate, 33. “Her aura reminds me of Princess Diana very much, which to me is a very warm feeling.”
After the game, Kate jokingly told Kai, “I’ve pulled down your average! Well done. It was very well explained. Thank you very much for looking after me.”
Chantel was also impressed with Kate’s well-proven agility in heels. “Considering she’s in high heels, she did extremely well,” she says. “She’s a very active, fit young mother and hands up to her. She’s very warming. It’s just in her nature. Its not someone who’s high up there, as the children said, she’s very welcoming.”
One of those, Capone, 12, who worked on the neuro-tracker with Kate, says, “She was really good. She wasn’t that competitive because I’m a little boy. But she was working with me, rather than try to beat me. She is a very nice woman, gentle with her words but down to earth. She spoke nice and calm.
Charity CEO Peter Fonagy told PEOPLE that Kate was “extremely knowledgeable” about children’s mental health. “She was a delight to speak to and spoke delightfully.”
[From People]
There are more quotes from other people in that article, but it was pretty sugary. In my mind, Poor Jason is handing out pre-written scripts for people to read out to the journalists. ?Oh, Princess Kate?s hair was so shiny, my favorite part of the visit was when she leaned over and her skirt blew up, I mean, she
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Duchess Kate & Prince George come out to watch a charity polo match | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Prince William and Prince Harry played a charity polo match on Sunday at the Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury. It was the Gigaset Charity Polo Match. Surprisingly, Duchess Kate and Prince George made an appearance! I wonder if this counts as a royal event? Hm. Anyway, this was a pretty great ?just like us? moment for the Cambridges, reminiscent of giving an expensive toy to a child and they just want to play with the box. George was surrounded by family, horses and tons of other kids to play with and all he wanted to do was slide down a grassy hill repeatedly. Classic! To her credit, Kate just let George be George, and she played with him on the hill and let him have fun.
It really was a big royal showing at this event too ? Harry and Will were playing, as I said, and Prince Charles came out to see his sons. Zara Phillips and her daughter Mia Tindall were there. Zara?s brother Peter Phillips was there with his wife Autumn and their two kids, Savannah and Isla. According to one photographer, George saw his second cousins playing on that grassy hill and he wanted to do it too.
Photographer James Whatling says, “[George] was playing on the bank. He was walking up the steps and then tried sliding down the bank. The older ones like Savannah was doing it so he wanted to do it too. He was sliding down and Kate joined him, trying to support him as he did.”
The lively toddler also tried his hand at picking up a polo mallet and trying to hit a polo ball, and when he spotted a white ball, he kicked it. At one point, as he dashed out to the ball, Kate ran after him as he was getting close to the polo ground.
[From People]
Do you think someone finally got through to Kate that people really want to see George and not just every nine months during a tour in another country? I mean, I get that Will and Kate don?t want their children front and center all the time and that?s fine. But George and Charlotte ARE royal children, supported by taxpayers. While I hope that we?ll be seeing more of George now that he?s getting older, I do worry that this weekend will be the last we see of him in, like, eight months? time.
Also: George was thankfully not dressed as Little Lord Fauntleroy in knee-high socks and ruffles. Kate must have put him in his play clothes, which consisted of shorts, a sassy cardigan and CROCS!!
View image | gettyimages.com
View image | gettyimages.com
View image | gettyimages.com
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Getty.
More Photos Here
    |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Kate Middleton Checks In at Ben Ainslie Racing Headquarters | | Added 9 years ago | Source: Celebrity Gossip |
|
|
|
|
|
Staying busy with royal responsibilities, Kate Middleton took a trip south to Portsmouth, England on Thursday (February 12).
The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was in the harbor town to visit the construction site for the new Ben Ainslie Racing Headquarters and Visitor Centre and she looked to be enjoying herself as she mingled with the locals.
On Tuesday (February 10) Kate was in Beckenham, Kent where she bonded with the children and staff at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School. Middleton even took a quick ukulele lesson from one of the kids. Headmaster John Ivens told press, ?She kept up with them. There?s a career there!?
More Photos Here
    |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Duchess Kate in white Max Mara in Portsmouth: lovely or poorly styled? | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Duchess Kate is working her fingers to the bone! Poor Kate. All she wants to do is get her hair done and maybe spend a few days on some marathon shopping excursions, but the new press secretary is hellbent on proving that Kate is a charitable workhorse. So Kate was sent out to attend a reception for the 1851 Trust, which is about sailing and getting kids involved in sailing and the America?s Cup. She had to go all the way to Portsmouth and spend time with Sir Ben Ainslie. Poor thing.
Kate is around six to seven months pregnant right now ? people keep saying she?s due in April, so the math is right. She?s carrying well, it seems. If anything, I think she looks smaller during this pregnancy than with her first. Maybe that?s just the effect of a decent coat though. This white coat with a belted higher waist is from Max Mara Studio Gilles. It costs 810, or about $1400. I actually like this look a lot, and that?s saying something. Do I wish I could tweak the styling a little bit? Sure. I?m not completely sold on that tiny little belt but I like that she went with navy accents all around (shoes, sapphires and clutch). Very nautical. I also think it?s obvious that this coat was originally very BUTTONY, but she had the buttons taken off ? you can still see the indentations. That?s bad.
And here?s a Classic Kate thing: she was spending time with kids painting a mural. So of course she wore a white coat, thus limiting her ability to interact with the paint-covered youth. You can read more about the trip here.
Also: the dress under the coat was just a basic-looking polka-dotted maternity dress.
The Duchess of Cambridge meets members of the local sailing community in the @SpinnakerTower in #Portsmouth pic.twitter.com/rPTvjdOzwl
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 12, 2015
More Photos Here
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Duchess Kate, William & George arrive in Mustique for two-week family vacay | | Added 9 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
This ^^ is not a new cover. This Hello cover is from Duchess Kate and Prince George?s Mustique trip last year around this time. The cover was actually a ?scandal? because Kate and the Middletons pretty much set up this photo-op on the tarmac in Mustique, and when the British press people were like, ?Oh, so now we can photograph George?? the royals fell all over themselves trying to explain why this kind of paparazzi shot was allowed (hint: it was allowed because Kate set it up). Anyway, I bring this up again because Kate and George have once again traveled to Mustique for the Middletons? annual tropical holiday. Only this year, Prince William joined them, instead of heading off for a much-needed holiday with Jecca Craig (which is what he did last year).
The Duchess of Cambridge, ne Kate Middleton, has arrived in Mustique with Prince William and Prince George for the annual Middleton family holiday. They are believed to have joined Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton, along with her siblings James and Pippa Middleton for the getaway on the Caribbean island.
Kate, who is six months pregnant with her and William’s second child, will be able to enjoy some rest and relaxation on the trip after a busy month which has seen her carry out a series of public engagements and celebrate her 33rd birthday on 9 January. The family will also continue the birthday celebrations when Carole turns 60 on 31 January.
The family are reported to be staying at the stunning $20,000-a-week Aurora Villa on the island, which features a private swimming pool and sun deck, plus a butler, chef and housekeeper to cater to their every need. The 45 foot swimming pool will also be perfect for Prince George to practice his swimming skills. The tot started weekly swimming lessons in the pool at Buckingham Palace ahead of his first birthday and is said to love splashing around in the water.
Mustique has long been a favourite holiday destination for the Middleton family. The island was the destination for Prince George’s first holiday abroad in 2014, although Prince William was unable to attend as he was busy studying for his agricultural studies exams.
[From Hello Magazine]
The Daily Mirror says that the vacation is supposed to last two weeks (or more) and it?s possible that William will only stay for a short time because of his pilot exams. William hasn?t been seen since Christmas in Sandringham, by the way. He hasn?t done any royal work this year and the excuse given was ?he?s studying!!? But he can still find time to go on holiday, apparently. Anyway, we totally knew this was coming, but I have to give Kate (and the new American press guy) some credit this year: Kate managed to put in some royal work before her holidays. So, at least we can say she ?earned? this holiday, I guess. We cannot say the same for William.
Also, I have some theories/questions. Do you think William came to Mustique this year because he was ordered to stop vacationing separately from his wife and child? Do you think the Queen or Charles even said anything to him about his trip last year with Jecca Craig? Or do you think William came this year so he could SHUT IT DOWN if Kate tried to set up another photoshoot with George?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Kate Middleton Is Charming at Kensington Aldridge Academy Opening | | Added 9 years ago | Source: Celebrity Gossip |
|
|
|
|
|
Kicking off her week with some charitable fun, Kate Middleton attended the formal opening of the Kensington Aldridge Academy on Monday morning (January 19) in London.
As always, the Duchess of Cambridge showed off her trendsetting maternity style in a matching dress and coat from Seraphine
Kate also spent a portion of the morning chatting with administrators and volunteers at a coffee mixer at the Family Friends charity. Family Friends provides year-long mentoring programs for vulnerable families that are struggling to cope with any number of challenging circumstances.
More Photos Here
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | 5.508.973
Photos Online+ 5.904 past week
2.146
Users Online | | |
| | | | | | | | We Salute
Paris Hilton
Photos of Paris Hilton will not count in your daily view limit, if you are a registered member
Tribute ends in
4 days | | |
| | | | | |
|
