Royalty Thread #16: the best of times, the worst of times

[once_upon]

I thought Kate looked thinner than before, but that didn't surprise me. One loses a lot of weight with chemo treatments.

She must be exhausted from all the activities this weekend.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

And don't forget the aftereffects of major abdominal surgery, too. With all that, I wasn't expecting her to look as close to her old self as she did. It's going to be hard work for the conspiracy crowd to keep up the body double nonsense now.

That's a sweet Father's Day photo. What a gorgeous beach!

 

[Sparks]

This is getting a lot of blowback and rightfully so

x.com

x.com

'When lesser mortals would have stayed at home, Catherine proved that the show goes on' | Writes
@AllisonPearson
Read the comment in full here

https://telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/06/15/our-fair-lady-princess-of-wales-trooping-the-colour/

 

[once_upon]

This is getting a lot of blowback and rightfully so

x.com

x.com

'When lesser mortals would have stayed at home, Catherine proved that the show goes on' | Writes
@AllisonPearson
Read the comment in full here

https://telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/06/15/our-fair-lady-princess-of-wales-trooping-the-colour/

Certainly not the best writing. So many people with cancer who are courageous and don't have the luxury of not working or worry about medical bills or access to care.

 

[overedge]

Certainly not the best writing. So many people with cancer who are courageous and don't have the luxury of not working or worry about medical bills or access to care.

And when they do go out, they don't have makeup artists, stylists, personal assistants, drivers, aides, etc to help them get ready and get there and back.
I don't disagree that it must have been a big event for Catherine, and quite stressful and tiring for her, but a writer can say that without insulting "lesser mortals" facing the same kinds of health challenges.

 

[Sparks]

This lesser mortal agrees

 

[Vagabond]

The King and Queen of the Netherlands were in New York recently.

A Royal Visit to the City That Was Once Called New Amsterdam

They did not arrive in the United States the way many couples do — the husband, who has a pilot’s license, was in the cockpit of the Boeing 737 jet, serving as the co-pilot for at least part of the flight from Europe.

Still, on their outing in New York City today, the pair, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, will do what many tourists do. They will stroll along the High Line and go to a museum.

This brought up memories of a restaurant I went to in Buenos Aires back in November. The friend I had dinner with gave me a clipping from an interview with the proprietor.

Internet translation:

–Is there any diner that you especially remember?

–Marco Antonio Solís recently came, in the middle of his tour. But perhaps the visit that surprised me the most was that of Máxima Zorreguieta. Suddenly I see a woman, sitting, alone, waiting for her family. It wasn't announced or anything, it was just like she was “passing by.” When we recognized her we couldn't believe it. And from that, the number of Dutch people who visit us is notable.

I had to do a little ?️‍ to figure out who Máxima Zorreguieta was.

 

[puglover]

My grandmother died of cancer when my mother was aged 4 with a younger sister 2 and brother 8 and sister 11. The family had just immigrated to Canada from the northeast of England and my grandfather was barely able to keep the two youngest ones. Her loss has been felt in the family for generations. Rich and priviledged or poor and struggling those three children standing with their ailing mother clearly show this disease is no respecter of persons.

 

[canbelto]

My grandmother died of cancer when my mother was aged 4 with a younger sister 2 and brother 8 and sister 11. The family had just immigrated to Canada from the northeast of England and my grandfather was barely able to keep the two youngest ones. Her loss has been felt in the family for generations. Rich and priviledged or poor and struggling those three children standing with their ailing mother clearly show this disease is no respecter of persons.

Yeah but I'm sure your grandmother didn't have nannies, housekeepers, cooks, assistants, free health care, free transportation, unlimited income, and a flexible enough job just to go on a 6 month leave of absence.

 

[once_upon]

My grandmother died of cancer when my mother was aged 4 with a younger sister 2 and brother 8 and sister 11. The family had just immigrated to Canada from the northeast of England and my grandfather was barely able to keep the two youngest ones. Her loss has been felt in the family for generations. Rich and priviledged or poor and struggling those three children standing with their ailing mother clearly show this disease is no respecter of persons.

I don't think any of us are denying the devastation of a cancer victim and how it affects their family.

What the writer of the article did was to say "lesser mortals" would not have the courage Kate has displayed.

If anyone is being criticized here - it's the author of the article and her poor choice of words. Which leads to the "lesser mortals" feelings of disrespect. It's the author.

 

[MLIS]

Yes, I disliked all the "brave Kate" language around her appearance on the weekend (she's brave, sure, but she's not more brave than anyone else), and this whole "lesser mortals" thing is offensive and ridiculous. Cancer devastates everyone regardless of wealth or rank, for sure, but she has a lot of privileges and supports that most people don't have while going through the same battle. I expect, honestly, she would be the first to acknowledge that, and would be horrified by the language used in that article (which I admit I haven't read, I've just seen the headline/discourse).

 

[once_upon]

Yes.

One of those lesser mortals I worked...had to go to work as she was sole support. The cancer radiation left big open sores in her mouth and everyone knew she had a gastronomy button feeding tube to get nutrition as she couldn't eat or drink. She was exhausted all the time with other side effects.

Yes, British subjects expect to see Kate. They demand much from her. But she is no more courageous than any other cancer patient.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Allison Pearson, the author, seems to be quite the interesting character.

Allison Pearson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[canbelto]

Also I understand there's a lot of unhappiness with the NHS right now. Kate got to have state-of-the-art private care, instead of waiting for medical procedures.

 

[Karen-W]

Cancer cares not if you're a princess or a pauper. There are trade-offs with regard to each's station in life. Yes, Kate is very lucky to have access to state-of-the-art cancer treatments and private medical care, plus no worries about paying for any of it and being able to pay for support staff to take care of the daily house chores, chauffeuring, etc on the days she's feeling poorly and I have no doubt that anyone who doesn't have the means to those resources would welcome them gladly but I'd bet you they also would not want to be in her unique position as the Princess of Wales and deal with all of the social media sharks and trolls who are tearing her down and criticizing her for disappearing from public life to take care of her health right now. I don't know that I consider her necessarily braver than some "lesser mortal" and that's a really poor turn of phrase from the author, but I do think it takes a certain mettle and steadfast character to put oneself on public display the way Kate did this past Saturday. She is, very much, in a no-win situation and I'm sure there are times when she probably wishes she was married to someone like Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and she could go through this in relative anonymity and certainly without the scrutiny that some members of the public believe they're entitled to give her because she is the Princess of Wales. But, no, no one wants to face down cancer, irrespective of age, wealth, or public person status.

 

[puglover]

No question, any personal trial or tragedy can be made somewhat better or worse based on your personal circumstances, especially support and/or removal of other challenging and demanding responsibilities and worries. Just to know your children are in loving and capable hands while you are dealing with the effects of chemo is no doubt immense.

Just seeing Princess Catherine standing with her children made me feel she is not so different than any other young mother facing a serious life threatening condition all with the same hope and prayer that they are able to recover and meet the needs of their family.

 

[puglover]

I am sure careful consideration went into the decision for Princess Catherine to be there but frankly it would have been a rather dull balcony shot without her. No more adorable babies for now and Louis needs a younger cousin to hand off the cheeky title to. This is all just my thoughts but Prince William alone with the children could have made the whole thing sad. Princess Beatrice and Eugenie have found their style and become interesting young mothers/career women but then Prince Andrew is a huge problem and word out of London is that he and King Charles are still disagreeing about the use of Royal Lodge. Of course, there is Princess Anne and family and Prince Edward and family but they are a bit too removed from the throne. I can't help but wonder how Prince Harry feels watching it as we all remember him in Diana's arms sticking out his tongue at Trooping of the Colours. Maybe he is glad his family isn't there.

 

[once_upon]

Again. I doubt that anyone is wishing bad for Kate, William and the children.

It's the "lesser mortals" BS.

 

[Wyliefan]

Louis needs a younger cousin to hand off the cheeky title to

They can have that title when they pry it out of his cold dead hands.

 

[overedge]

I am sure careful consideration went into the decision for Princess Catherine to be there but frankly it would have been a rather dull balcony shot without her. No more adorable babies for now and Louis needs a younger cousin to hand off the cheeky title to. This is all just my thoughts but Prince William alone with the children could have made the whole thing sad.

It would have been sad, but it also would have been an acknowledgement that chemo is an intensive course of treatment and affects people's ability to do their jobs.

I hope that Catherine genuinely felt well enough to be there, and wasn't persuaded to go just for the sake of a nice photo op. I also hope that she had the opportunity afterwards to rest for as long as she needed.

 

[kwanfan1818]

But, no, no one wants to face down cancer, irrespective of age, wealth, or public person status.

Which makes her no better or worse than anyone else facing cancer. The criticism is about a romance novelist who claimed that she was better than everyone else, despite advantages she had in fighting it. It’s pretty simple.

 

[taf2002]

The original word was that Catherine was receiving "preventative chemo". If true that's a far cry from someone with metastatic cancer who is receiving a lot more than just preventative chemo. Also if true there was no bravery in appearing in public. She hasn't even lost her hair. What I find brave in this situation are all the bald women who go to work or take care of their families or both while dealing with loss of their identity. But what there was was the physical fortitude to stand on the balcony when she probably felt sick & weak. I admire her for that but not more than any other woman.

 

[canbelto]

The original word was that Catherine was receiving "preventative chemo". If true that's a far cry from someone with metastatic cancer who is receiving a lot more than just preventative chemo. Also if true there was no bravery in appearing in public. She hasn't even lost her hair. What I find brave in this situation are all the bald women who go to work or take care of their families or both while dealing with loss of their identity. But what there was was the physical fortitude to stand on the balcony when she probably felt sick & weak. I admire her for that but not more than any other woman.

Well technically we don't know if she lost her hair or not. She certainly has the funds to style a wig (or a bunch of wigs) that look like her actual hair.

 

[MsZem]

Hair loss isn't a universal side effect of chemo, whether preventative or otherwise - and assuming that someone is having an easier time because they haven't experienced hair loss means that some people won't get the support and understanding they need. An example that comes to mind is colorectal cancer; most of the chemo used to treat that does not cause hair loss but it's certainly not easy to deal with (and often on top of abdominal surgery).

I think Kate was very brave to put herself in the public eye like this. Lots of people work while dealing with cancer, but few people have to be in such a public-facing role while doing so.

 

[canbelto]

Hair loss isn't a universal side effect of chemo, whether preventative or otherwise - and assuming that someone is having an easier time because they haven't experienced hair loss means that some people won't get the support and understanding they need. An example that comes to mind is colorectal cancer; most of the chemo used to treat that does not cause hair loss but it's certainly not easy to deal with (and often on top of abdominal surgery).

I think Kate was very brave to put herself in the public eye like this. Lots of people work while dealing with cancer, but few people have to be in such a public-facing role while doing so.

Colorectal cancer is also the cancer I've seen most often theorized as Kate's cancer based on her abdominal surgery and recovery time ...

 

[taf2002]

I know every woman doesn't lose her hair but the ones who do most often lose their eyebrows & lashes too. That is a huge loss of identity as is the loss of one or both breasts. It's not ego or vanity. It's not being able to recognize yourself as the way you've always been. It's a constant reminder of the trauma, pain, & fear. I always say that I had a relatively easy time of it but then there's survivor's guilt as well.

 

[Badams]

I'm not trying to downplay anyone's trauma, or over sensationalize anyone's. Cancer is scary, no matter what your circumstances or who you are. You can look at Kate and think she is blessed, because of her circumstances and the perks she receives. Or you can look at Kate and feel for her, because her situation sucks. I have known too many humans who have lost the cancer battle. I choose to see Kate as a shining light to those who have had that scary diagnosis. And they see her struggling, but coming out to the other side. There's nothing wrong with optimism.

 

[MsZem]

I'm not trying to downplay anyone's trauma, or over sensationalize anyone's. Cancer is scary, no matter what your circumstances or who you are. You can look at Kate and think she is blessed, because of her circumstances and the perks she receives. Or you can look at Kate and feel for her, because her situation sucks. I have known too many humans who have lost the cancer battle. I choose to see Kate as a shining light to those who have had that scary diagnosis. And they see her struggling, but coming out to the other side. There's nothing wrong with optimism.

Yes indeed. We don't know what's under the clothes and the makeup; what scars, both physical and emotional, Kate carries. She's shared a little about her experience, and choosing to make herself very publicly visible while still undergoing treatment isn't an obvious choice. Personally, I find it admirable.

 

[Winnipeg]

I think it would be very difficult to be on the public stage when ill. Close ups, everyone trying to see you and see if they can detect a change, people speculating about this or that, etc etc
It would be bad enough to have cancer but then to be on the public stage with it...........I would not wish that on anyone

 

[taf2002]

I'm not trying to downplay anyone's trauma, or over sensationalize anyone's. Cancer is scary, no matter what your circumstances or who you are. You can look at Kate and think she is blessed, because of her circumstances and the perks she receives. Or you can look at Kate and feel for her, because her situation sucks. I have known too many humans who have lost the cancer battle. I choose to see Kate as a shining light to those who have had that scary diagnosis. And they see her struggling, but coming out to the other side. There's nothing wrong with optimism.

I'm not trying to downplay Kate's trauma. I can't relate because I was older & I didn't have small children at home. Wondering who will raise my children IF must be agonizing. I do think she's missing a great opportunity here by being so secretive. I remember how Betty Ford made breast cancer a mainstream condition to talk about & the fact that she survived because of early detection caused millions of women to get mammograms. But maybe Kate is just not ready to open up & that's ok too. I know that my 2nd cancer was mentally much harder to face than the 1st. It took me several months to even decide how to treat it because of unwillingness to believe it was real.