There has been much debate over the last few days on the fact that Kate will not be attending the St.Patrick’s Day events this year. It will be her first year since joining the Royal family in 2011 that she misses the event where she has traditionally handed out sprigs of shamrocks to members of the Irish Guards.
Of course, the Royal family will not release the reason why Kate has chosen to not attend the events. That did not dampen anyone from talking about it. Speculation was rampant which led to more than a few comments on everything from William & Kate’s work ethic (William defended himself today against comments of “lazy” and “work shy”) as high-ranking Royals to the Duchess’ dedication to her family. The only comment that has come out officially has been from Kensington Palace, which said:
“… The Duchess has very much enjoyed the occasions when she has been able to attend, but the Duke is the Colonel of the Regiment and is looking forward to presenting the Irish Guards with their Shamrock. The Duchess looks forward to marking St.Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards many times in the future.”
So why is Kate not attending? The true and fulsome answer will never be known, but as a mother and avid-Royal watcher, I think the answer is probably much more evident than one might think.
On April 10th, William and Kate will be departing for a week long visit to India and Bhutan, leaving Prince George and Princess Charlotte at home in England. I believe the reason she is not attending the St. Patricks’s day event is that she wants to spend as much time as possible with her children before departing for a week away from them. I know that as I have travelled overseas for work and had to leave my child at home when I do, before I left I make a concerted effort to spend more time with him. It is completely logical to me that she wants to focus on her family in advance of what will likely be the longest she has been away from her kids in their short lives.
Some might argue that she will be back “working” on Friday at a charity shop in Norfolk and could therefore work on Thursday as well. I think it’s great that she will be out and about on Friday – us Kate bloggers always love to see her – but the people arguing that point tend to forget that the shop is in Norfolk, as is William and Kate’s country home. It will be popping out to the event for a few hours and then returning home to her kids.
I felt the urge to write this opinion article – and it is just that, my opinion – because it brings up something that is very much on the top of my mind recently. How women balance so many things in their lives, and the incredible added pressures placed on them when children are added into the mix. Now, I don’t need to tell anyone that Kate leads a very different life than you or I. She has more household help than the vast majority of people, she doesn’t have a “real job” (although we did explore all the things Kate actually does for her duties a while back and it’s not all easy!) and she’s a member of a Royal family. But when it’s all broken down and we strip away privilege and life circumstances, Kate is just like you or I : she’s a woman who balances the professional obligations of her life with her personal ones and tries to do the very best she can.
I, for example, have been criticized for going back to work after the birth of my son. Criticized by family members who can’t understand why I would want to, friends who ask me how I cope with being away from my kid so often when I travel and general strangers who challenge my life choices. The comments I have heard have been hurtful. Mean-spirited and meant to make me feel guilty and shameful for wanting to be a professional woman who also has a family. For trying to find a work-life balance for myself that works.
But Kate? She’s got the eyes of the world on her. Every decision she makes will be criticized. She doesn’t spend enough time with her kids because she’s always working. She spends too much time with her kids and doesn’t work enough. Her engagements aren’t formal enough. Her engagements are too formal. I can only imagine that if Kate had the time to read the comments about her that they would be hurtful. And for that, I am glad that I don’t have to do what Kate does. I don’t have to smile and put on a happy face for the cameras, I get to do things like write articles like these 🙂
So while I think that there are potentially valid points to be made on each side of the “Great St. Patrick’s Day debate”, the real reason for Kate’s absence will likely be her choice to spend time with her children. And that, in my books, is something that can never be criticized.
Maybe she has a teething baby. Cut her some slack for heaven sakes.
Amanda, I completely agree with your opinion. Despite the glamour and perks of her life, when it comes down to it Kate is the mother of two ltitle ones. What is so terrible about wanting to spend as much time as possible with your children? Especially at the ages of George & Charlotte! They’re still little and squishy and snuggly and that won’t last forever. I say good for her relishing this time in their lives.
This doesn’t apply only to Kate because she’s a woman. I think it is fantastic that William appears to also put family time at the top of his priority list. When we consider the loss of his mother, there should be no question as to why William would want to spend as much time as possible with his family. The world knows it could all end at any time but I think when you’ve lived through the horror of a sudden loss, especially as young as he & Harry were at the time, that feeling is even more top of mind.
Finally, I wish people would keep in mind that it’s not likely W&K are doing anything that isn’t OK with Her Majesty. If she wanted either or both of them to do more then it would happen.
Completely agree! Family time is what really matters at the end of the day, and it’s great to see both W&K putting it at the top of their priority lists!
I wholeheartedly agree, Amanda! Your post sums up almost entirely what I posted on mine after the infamous ski holiday photographs. I’m also to be a working mom while my husband opts to try his photography business and care for a child. Already we’re facing criticism. There’s a large part of me that wishes I could choose to be home more often. But I also know that both parents working can be an issue. I also don’t think it’s fair that just because I’m the mom I get to stay home either. Plus, I love working at times. There are too many gender stereotypes out there still and add in too that I think women have dealt with a reversal in the feminist movement. It was about equality to allow women the right to choose. It was never about forcing women to all be working from home. That’s no different than forcing women to stay in the home. Your thoughts are so well put and very well said too I might add.
Love this point, Michelle! There are so many working moms out there and no matter what their “work” is – be it full-time in the private sector or part-time as a working Royal – a mother’s feelings for their child should never be what is questioned 🙂
Definitely! I also really admire the two for always putting family first. After working for years with children and on the importance of childhood with a solid family life, I think it is quite a blessing for them.
Totally agree with Kensington Palace . Children come first . The only other reason could be that she may be in the early stages of pregnancy in which rest is very important . William is CiC of the Irish Guards therefore it is his duty to attend .
Good post, and balances the silly overblown talk on why Kate is not going. One more important point to make is that William will be handing out the shamrocks, and he is the first ever Royal Colonel in history. So he is representing this tradition and it is just right that he does it. They are not snubbing tradition at all.
The soldiers who are marching in the parade perhaps would like to spend more time with their families too. Im not trying to hate on the Duchess, Im a fan, hence why i’m on this site! But its logical to me that there could have been a happy medium where she attended the parade and spent the day with her children. The parade would have lasted a couple of hours at most. Im still an admirer of HRH but Im growing sceptical. Im not entirely sure she has the sense of duty towards her country that HM The Queen does. Im also not sure such a sense of duty can be taught or indeed learned. If she cant prioritise a few hours to go out and honour the men and woman in uniform then she is perhaps lacking in patriotism. The Duchess can do more to show she loves her country. It is defeatist to suggest otherwise. If W&K continue to appear indifferent the public will respond in kind. All things considered I hope the Duchess enjoys her time with her children whilst they are young and long may the sanctity of their family life be protected.
Lori. I totally disagree with you. I am sure Kste loves her country and the men and women who service it. But we as fans do not know the reason why she was not there. William and Kate put their children first which is very new to the royals. I think it is great that they do. Again if William thought it was important that she be there she would have. And if the queen thought it was important then again she would have been there.
So let’s not jump in and think she does not liver her country or that she does not respect the men and women who serve their country.
Lori, I agree with you. She is a privileged woman who has ample personal time to spend with her family.
She could also be needing that day to plan her trip to India and Bhutan. She needs to arrange her wardrobe, be fitted for new clothing, get things repaired/mended, etc. That could be a day that worked for her, her team and any designers/tailors she needed to meet with before the trip.
Good point, there are definitely lots of preparations underway for the upcoming tour!
It’s George’s first St. Patrick’s Day at school–perhaps she wants to participate…I’m sure it would mean a lot to him if they have something planned.
What a great thought, Dotti! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’d love to see Kate participating at the school – I’m sure the other children, and as you said George, would as well!
Oh, I love this thought!
Well stated. It could be something as simple as maybe Prince George attending a friend’s birthday party. He’s getting older & making friends so now HIS calendar factors in.
Thanks for commenting, Lulu! 🙂
She is not going because another member of the RF is. Shall we criticize all the other members of the RF for also not going. Why just Kate? The tradition is that a member of the RF attends. This year it is William, their Colonel. Anne has done it many times in the past. If the reasoning for criticizing Kate is that she has done it in the past then why is Anne not getting the same criticism? Yes, Kate has done it for several years. Well, now it is someone else’s turn and that person is the most obvious one, the Colonel of the Regiment. We might as well criticize Kate for not attending the events the other members are doing and the rest of them for not attending the events that Kate is doing. That is how silly this whole thing is. She isn’t going because she isn’t scheduled to go. End of story. Non-issue.
Thanks for commenting, Macrobug! I agree with your points, and wholeheartedly agree that the “debate” is quite silly. Do we really need to debate her every decision, no matter if we agree with it or not? Perhaps if she had decided to attend, we would be seeing comments about not spending enough time with the kids? ( Doubtful, but who knows with the scrutiny!)
I am sure that if Kate attended instead of William, there would be comments that he, as Colonel, was neglecting his regiment.
Great post. I truly agree with you. I feel if William wanted her there with him she would be there supporting him. But we all know they both put their children first which is more then the royals used to do. I also feel she has the full support of the queen or again she would be there. But people just don’t understand nor do they care too. All they want yo do is pick her apart for every little thing she does or does not do.
Thanks, Pauline! I’m sure as the Palace spokesperson said, that Kate enjoys going, so I’m sure it’s an event we will see her at in the years to come. It must be so disheartening to see every decision debated at such length (on any decision, on any view point!) for Kate – and to a seemingly lesser degree William.