Kids aren't the only ones headed back to class this fall. It seems the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, is also getting a new education of sorts ... at "princess school." (Sounds like something most little girls would give up their iPad time to participate in, huh?) But it's not exactly charm school or lessons on choosing the most regal-looking pair of Louboutins. This private tutoring, which hubby Wills had a hand in setting up, is meant to help the Duchess better understand how the state works and familiarize her better with national institutions. She'll also be learning more about subjects such as the arts, the media, and the government. And she's conducting her own private research. In other words, it sounds like a crash course on becoming both a British and an international public figure.
Surprisingly, this "higher education" wasn't initially part of the post-royal wedding plan.
Kate told friends that the Palace staff thought she "could adapt to being Princess of Wales overnight," and no forethought had been given to her future role when they wed. Eeep! Not that she shouldn't be given credit for being able to transform herself so quickly, but well, there's probably a lot someone who isn't born into royalty can't somehow -- what, by osmosis, or psychically? -- just KNOW about being a working royal!
Princess Diana was never given this valuable "royal training" and probably would have very much appreciated it. (It's pretty much well-known that the Prince's famous "mum" would complain that no one prepared her for her royal duties.) So, it seems like the people in charge of keeping princesses on top of their game realized they should learn from that mistake. But it seems more importantly, William made it clear he didn't want to see Kate have to be thrown from the frying pan into the fire and struggle like Di did. Awww ... what a thoughtful royal spouse! It's definitely good news all around that Kate's getting this extra training!
There's already been confusion and criticism about Kate having so few royal commitments, but obviously, she's staying out of the spotlight for now for a reason. So she can get her bearings and be truly prepared to face her country and the world as the Duchess and perhaps one day queen. She deserves it -- anyone in her position would -- and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she passes her "princess schooling" with flying colors and is ready to take on her senior royal duties and the world.
What do you think about Kate's royal training?
Image via US Mission Canada/Flickr
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Comments 13
i approve. she shouldn't have been expected to magically transform into a seasoned royal who knows how to handle and address various royal duties, appointments, and commitments after "I do."
I'm confused. They've known each other for 10 years. This is the first opportunity for her to "study??" And also, as a British citizen and apparently a reasonably intelligent young woman, shouldn't she ALREADY KNOW how the state and national institutions work? What the hell?
Actually Queen Elizabeth was born into royalty. She didn't marry into it like Kate did.
Whatever she "should" or "shouldn't" know already doesn't matter. How often do people who don't HAVE to research or study actually volunteer to do it in order to better serve their roles?
I think it's wonderful, and that even though she could have married into royalty and sat back comfortably as a duchess, she chose to further her knowledge and be proactive. It's shows motivation and dedication to me. People are constantly updating their knowledge in any field; this is similar.
The reality is that now royals are much more in the spot little than they were 50 yrs. As TV has become more popular and newspapers can afford better cameras, there is little that the world doesn't see. So taking classes and learning is now important, she can't learn on the job like poor Di did. (And she was under a spotlight too). Knowing how the government/institutions run from book learning does not show you the behind the door workings. (The deals and politics you learn by being part of it.)