For many of us, our lives seem pretty imperfect compared to Kate’s. I know my own is full of embarrassing moments, Pinterest-fail attempts at adulthood (one of which inspired this post), and bad hair days. It’s rare to hear about these things happening to Kate. But it’s important (although difficult) to remember that the Duchess, as well as those seemingly-perfect Instagram stars and celebrities, are only human. They just have the benefit of teams of people to make them look flawless all the time. But the rest of us have the equally appealing benefit of not having our every move photographed. (And it makes that coffee-stained shirt and lipstick on the teeth much easier to deal with.) This also means that every once in awhile we see a less-than-perfect glimpse of Kate. And since she has admirable manners, there must be a few tips we can learn from her. What would Kate do in dealing with a potentially embarrassing situation?
Evaluate the Situation
There are big deals and there are small deals. It’s important to know the difference. It may have been embarrassing and awkward when Kate got her heel stuck in a grate, but she kept her cool, kept a smile on her face throughout, and accepted the help of those around her. However, when the paparazzi invade the royal family’s privacy or break the law doing so, it is a big deal and they act according. Evaluate the situation and know the difference before reacting.
Learn From the Past
Wind happens. Double-stick tape fails. Zippers break. These things are unavoidable. But they can also help us learn for the future. Since the wind got the better of Kate’s yellow dress in Canada, she’s worn longer hemlines or fitted-skirt dresses, especially in occasions when the weather might be a factor. Because she learned from what happened. (She’s also probably a lot more careful walking over a grate in heels these days!) When you can, plan ahead and learn from your mistakes. That button-up shirt that’s always gaping in all the wrong places? Bring along a safety pin or two next time. Wearing a bold lipstick? Keep a mirror on hand to correct any smudges.
Don’t Over Apologize
Sometimes you get busted. Like when Kate was captured on film with that epic eye roll after being told to “keep wrapping.” She was likely not thrilled that this went viral and became an Internet meme, but it made us relate to her that much more because it made her human. Kate was probably aware of the existence of this meme but she didn’t acknowledge it or drawn more attention to it. If something happens that, in the long run, isn’t a big deal, don’t draw attention to it and don’t apologize if it isn’t necessary. In a social-media world, people forget quickly and drawing attention to a minor infraction will only make it last longer.
No One’s Perfect
When in doubt, don’t sweat it. Everyone makes mistakes and they will pass. When photos of Kate wrangling children at her sister’s wedding appeared, they could have easily been construed as pictures of an angry Kate yelling at her brood. Instead, everyone loved seeing a glimpse of Kate taking a backseat to Pippa and acting like a real mom, something many people could relate to. We admire her all the more for her flaws because they’re what make her (and all of us) human. So don’t apologize for your flaws or faux pas unless it’s necessary; they make us what we are.
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