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

[Skydragon]

Sky, now I'm really interested in your theory on how British tycoon Sir Richard Branson and Miss Catherine Middleton could have crossed paths if it wasn't through her connections involving Prince William

Simple really, many of THE nightclubs are frequented by rich young men and women, (they also let in those who are not so rich as well), therefore it is quite possible to strike up a conversation, followed by friendship with those of a lesser/better class. There is nothing to say that Kate wouldn't have met one of the Branson children whilst they were both at the same club. A titled friend boasts a refuse collector as one of his closest friends!

 

[Ella Kay]

At some point it was rumoured that she would work with Mario Testino, in some art exhibition.

I think Testino himself debunked that rumor.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I am looking for a new job, and I am reaching out to people that I know...those I know very well and those I have had a passing acquaintance with...does that make me a bad person too?

Nobody is a bad person because of making use of connection, rather a clever person but because of who Kate is and her history in the papers it nurtures the social climer image she and her family have been given by the media. It's too late to win a popularity contest for Kate as commoner anyway but pictures with Sir Richard certainly won't help to improve public opinion about her.

skydragon Simple really, many of THE nightclubs are frequented by rich young men and women, (they also let in those who are not so rich as well), therefore it is quite possible to strike up a conversation, followed by friendship with those of a lesser/better class. There is nothing to say that Kate wouldn't have met one of the Branson children whilst they were both at the same club. A titled friend boasts a refuse collector as one of his closest friends!

Let's agree to disagree, I doubt that Kate would have gotten anywhere near the Branson kids if it wasn't for the circles surrounding William. Whether making use of her connections is a good thing or not is a different question, see above

 

[Little_star]

Actually I still think it is two. She worked at Jigsaw and then for her parents. Anything else is just speculation by the media.

She was photographed arrivng/leaving a gallery for a job interview, so it is clear that at some point she did have intentions of pursuing an art career.

 

[Skydragon]

She was photographed arrivng/leaving a gallery for a job interview, so it is clear that at some point she did have intentions of pursuing an art career.

Do you have anything to say it was a job interview, or was that simply the story in the media?

 

[Little_star]

It was reported as a job interview for a gallery, I cannot remember which although for some reason I do think it was in the Marylebone area.

 

[Myself1995]

Huh. I have a feeling of deja vu with this article, but it says it was published yesterday, and I don't see it posted here, so I'll go ahead and post it anyhow. Maybe it's that they're repeating stuff they've already said on a slow news day.
Kate Middleton goes the extra furlong for Prince William - Telegraph

 

[Ella Kay]

I think the "new" part is the small interview with Bruce Fogle, where he discusses what a horse allergy actually does to the body.

It's a very slow news cycle indeed!

 

[christinacg]

They certainly suggest that the Middletons are social climbers, but don't most people hang out with people in their same social circle?

They were never in that social circle until Kate started dating William.

 

[Zonk]

Let's agree to disagree. Really no one is in the same social circle as William or the rest of the British Royal Family Except perhaps other royal families.

Prior to Kate dating William she at least ran in the same circles as some in the British aristocracy. She did attend what I assume to be a posh boarding school and university right? But will we ever know? No one really knows the true facts on Kate Middleton

 

[Wisteria]

Let's agree to disagree. Really no one is in the same social circle as William or the rest of the British Royal Family Except perhaps other royal families.

Prior to Kate dating William she at least ran in the same circles as some in the British aristocracy. She did attend what I assume to be a posh boarding school and university right? But will we ever know? No one really knows the true facts on Kate Middleton

I disagree, a social circle is different from the royal circle, it consists of persons and families who have a degree of friendship with the royal family. The Middleton family have never belonged to that circle and I believe they still
don´t, although her sister is making good use of the entrée her sister has given her to this elite and hard to enter group.
If the Middletons are thought of as social climbers well if they are accepted in the inner circle they have climbed that high they must feel dizzy.
Kate on the other hand, and her brother and sister I presume were sent to the best schools which gave them an entrée to a higher social circle than they would normally have been able to mix with and when Kate attracted a royal beau well she was immediately able to rise very high indeed.
The Middletons are social climbers and so far they have done their climbing very well.

 

[Zonk]

Again we can agree to disagree.

But let's be clear, in your opinion you consider the Middletons to be social climbers. And you are certainly entitled to believe that opinion.

I am not sure if one can prove someone is a social climber. As if there were a criteria that one must fulfill in order to be considered that the Middletons are.

But we are getting off topic, we can continue this discussion http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f34/kate-middleton-family-wealth-and-background-5991-22.html .

 

[muriel]

Kate on the other hand, and her brother and sister I presume were sent to the best schools which gave them an entrée to a higher social circle than they would normally have been able to mix with and when Kate attracted a royal beau well she was immediately able to rise very high indeed.

... or do you think it was because the girls were sent to Marlbrough as it was one of the best schools in the South West, and their parents could afford it? Most parents I know would do their best to send their children to a school like that.

The Middleton family have never belonged to that circle and I believe they still
don´t, although her sister is making good use of the entrée her sister has given her to this elite and hard to enter group.
If the Middletons are thought of as social climbers well if they are accepted in the inner circle they have climbed that high they must feel dizzy.

Most young people tend to socialise (to start with) with people they studied or worked with. Whats wrong with the Middleton girls socialising with their peers from school and college?NOt sure that is social climbing.

 

[Wisteria]

Misunderstanding. By Middletons being social climbers I meant the parents, more the wife than the husband. The girls are up there now, thanks to their education and their school friends and of course Prince William.
I don´t know why the parents sent their children to Marlborough, they had enough money that is certainly an important reason, but it has also taken the next generation up a step(or actually many steps), and there is nothing wrong with that, but in my opinion wanting to have their daughter a Queen consort is aiming just a tad bit high. But these days anything can happen as we have seen in other places, but for some reason I have always felt that the BRF would not take an unequal marriage as complacently as some royal families have.

 

[Skydragon]

Should you have seen Kate Middleton's most recent evening dress in a shop window, your thoughts might have gone something like this: 'Wow! Which quietly elegant creature is going to wear that full-length, gunmetal gown?

'A sophisticated, stylish, well-heeled middle-aged woman on her way to a party, perhaps?' And what about the shiny, coral-coloured mini-dress in which her mother flashed acres of toned, tanned flesh?

Read more: If I had legs like Kate's mum, I'd flaunt them too . . . but does her daughter (and Her Maj) approve? | Mail Online

If you've got it, flaunt it!

 

[grace marie]

I agree with article. Colour of Kate dress is horrible and make her older and too monumental. I would prefer this dress from Boxing Day or sth. She looks lovely then. And about her mum... that wasn't meeting with the Queen so I don't suppose she should wear sth else. Honestly, on some photos she looks better than her daughters.

 

[Lady Ann]

I disagree, Kate always looks like a respectable young woman. If she had wore a something, like lets say her mother, she would have been underdressed and showing to much skin. I honestly dont think she can win no matter what she wears .... IMO any way ..... I would have liked to seen her hair in an updo. but that is besides the point ....Happy posting

 

[Lumutqueen]

Misunderstanding. By Middletons being social climbers I meant the parents, more the wife than the husband. The girls are up there now, thanks to their education and their school friends and of course Prince William.
I don´t know why the parents sent their children to Marlborough, they had enough money that is certainly an important reason, but it has also taken the next generation up a step(or actually many steps), and there is nothing wrong with that, but in my opinion wanting to have their daughter a Queen consort is aiming just a tad bit high. But these days anything can happen as we have seen in other places, but for some reason I have always felt that the BRF would not take an unequal marriage as complacently as some royal families have.

I am pretty sure that the middletons never thought about Kate becoming Queen Consort before she attended St Andrews. But if my daughter was in Kate's position (dating the prince) I would certainly do anything I could to keep her their if that made her happy. Kate attended Marlborough college, because her parents could afford it and it offered what she wanted to do, if she made friends in another aristocratic circle, it had nothing to getting her to the "top"


She's a wonderful girl, i don't think she's pushy or snobby, i just don't think she is right for william.

 

[iowabelle]

I liked Kate's dress, although it was too low-cut for me, not that she appeared to be in danger of popping out. Mom's dress was too youthful IMO and just not attractive, although she does have a good figure (and I'm jealous).

 

[Wisteria]

Actually we are saying almost the same thing. But, if Kate hadn´t gone to the school she went to, let us say she went to the school her mother attended, she would never have met the first circle of friends that led to the next higher up social circle. I too
don´t think she is right for William´, but then I am not sure William is right for King.
I find it interesting that you think that Kate went to Marlborough college because it offered her the chance of doing what she wants to do, as so far we have had no sign of what she wants to do except date William.

 

[Zonk]

All posts regarding Kate Middleton's fashion choices should be posted http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...nd-style-part-1-september-2005-a-7409-18.html .

Thank you!

Zonk
British Forums Moderator

 

[Westminster]

You all are very kind with this woman (Carole Middleton) what you dont are with other people.

For my taste this woman with a resemblence to Angelica Huston in roles as witches looks terrible disgusting and ridiculous. Yes, she has good legs, but came nearly naked to this gala! I like Kate very much but her mother really looks like a pushy mum and social climber to me! My opinion, I don't need to discuss it. I always thought britain is the land of good taste, but such a lady as possible mother in law to a king drives me mad.

 

[Dierna23]

Good point! I get more and more under the impression that Kate could be right for William, I mean after so many years there must be something what really unites them. But I asked myself too - is William right for King?

I watched this documentary about Wills and Kate a few weeks ago and "insiders" said, that Kate was only sent to Marlborough to make lots of new social contacts and to find an adaquate guy... I don't know.

 

[Westminster]

However I found it great to see Kate, she is a beautiful! I really think William and she will marry some day!

 

[iowabelle]

Westminster, you don't think the Spencers were social climbers?? They made an industry out of sucking up to the Windsors for employment and advantages of all sorts.

 

[Westminster]

iowabelle. Tricky, but at least Diana's father was an Earl.

 

[iowabelle]

So it's okay for an earl (and a countess) to be a social climber but not the common folk?

Pardon me for sounding antagonistic, don't mean to be, but I've become rather intrigued with the idea of class lately. (I discovered this when I told someone I didn't want a Kennedy family member to succeed Senator Kennedy... despite being interested in royals, I seem to have grown a distaste for inherited privilege lately, and I just don't know how to draw the line.)

 

[Dierna23]

I would agree with you Iowabelle, I always had a distaste for inherited privilege (I know, inconsistent for a royal watcher). But what Westwister possible wanted to point out, is part of the silly rules of the old world, you know. People like the Middletons will be called more often parvenu, social climber or whatever names they will give it, than people with an aristocratic background. Its my supposition and how I've seen it. There are the social castes, people say that they are still very "popular" in England. As I don't live in this country I can't speak for it, but actually here in Germany they are still felt.

 

[iowabelle]

I was talking to one of my friends about my inconsistent philosophies. Of course, being Americans we're going to have a prejudice toward self-achievement (hence, I can applaud the Middletons for accumulating wealth, running a business, etc.) But my friend lacks my interest in royals. He blames my year-long sojourn in Canada when I was 5-6 years old. And he finds it amusing that I'm pro-royalty... so long as they live in some other country. (Sort of like the line from Fiddler on the Roof... May the Lord bless and keep the Czar.... far away from us!)

 

[muriel]

Misunderstanding. By Middletons being social climbers I meant the parents, more the wife than the husband.

How are the parents or the wife demonstrating themselves to be social climbers? They / she is a successful entrepreneur, and her wealth allows her access to all sorts of events / venues that she may not otherwise have. If that is social climbing, I am all for it. Why should she not enjoy the benefits of what she has earned?

But these days anything can happen as we have seen in other places, but for some reason I have always felt that the BRF would not take an unequal marriage as complacently as some royal families have.

When was the last time the royal family had a not "unequal marriage"? Diana, Sarah, Sophie, Mark, Tim, Tony A-J, Philip, the QM,..... Mary of Teck?