Ingrid Seward: Duchess Kate ‘is absolutely terrified of not doing it right’
Ingrid Seward is a prominent editor, writer and royal biographer in the UK. She’s the editor for Majesty Magazine, but she writes for other publications and provides quotes and explanatory interviews for American publications. The last time we mentioned Seward, it was last month. She wrote a SCATHING piece for the Daily Mail following several high-profile misfires and PR bungles from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Seward attacked them openly, calling them “a rich, increasingly spoiled couple growing surprisingly distant.” She attacked their privilege, their tone-deaf PR strategies, their entitlement. It was pretty amazing. But now Will and Kate’s fifth anniversary is coming up (tomorrow) and Seward has been called in to offer analysis of how Kate has fared in her first five years within The Firm. How Kate has done in five years: “I think she’s integrated extremely well. It’s not easy – not a lot of guidance – but of course she has the best teacher in William. I think that’s made a massive difference – having his hand on her hand. She hasn’t made any mistakes which is extraordinary when you think of how difficult it is for her. I suppose the only mistake she’s made is that she’s probably seen not always as particularly interesting but I think she’s absolutely terrified of not doing it right. I think she feels a great responsibility on her slender shoulders to do the right thing and be seen to be doing the right thing.” Whether Kate needs to step up & have a larger voice: “She’s got so long to be there that I don’t think there’s any need for her to be passing her own opinions yet because she’s got years to do it. If she wanted to do, she would, but she obviously doesn’t want to.” Will & Kate are BFFs: “I think she’s probably his best friend and vice versa. You get pretty isolated up there in that ivory tower of royalty.” The “workshy” and “dolittle” criticisms: “The timing was right for a couple of blips to happen. They were so much on top of the pedestal there was only one way and that was down.” [From The Daily Mirror] Well, somebody is back in the good graces of Poor Jason. Even though other outlets are running with the “Kate is terrified” quote like it’s some kind of shade, that quote actually reads as a compliment. As in, Seward thinks Kate has barely made any mistakes in the past five years. Which… really? And here’s the thing: last month, I thought the workshy/dolittle thing was going to blow over too. But the British-media reaction to Will and Kate’s India-Bhutan tour made it clear that the gloves are off with the Cambridges and that (to mix metaphors) a page has been turned. So it will be interesting to see if Poor Jason can work his magic and create some positive headlines around this anniversary… which I assume Will and Kate will be spending “privately.” Probably with Carole. Last thing… Kate added something to her schedule for next week. She’ll be unveiling The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace next Wednesday. Go here to read more. Photos courtesy of PCN, WENN.
