King Charles III has been showing off his intemperate side. During his Proclamation Ceremony on Saturday, the set dressing was awkward and someone had placed an inkwell at the bottom of the table instead of the top. An aide had also placed a tray of pens at the bottom of the table, and the new king motioned to an aide to remove them. It did look like Charles “growled” a little, although I have to admit: that was really awful staff work, from the set up with the table to where the pens and the inkwell were placed, it was just poorly thought out. Speaking of bad staff work, King Charles III had to sign something else in Northern Ireland on Tuesday and the whole thing turned into a big, fussy, inky mess:

What’s going on with your British pens? Was the pen provided by the IRA? And here’s another question: surely Charles carries a pen, right? That’s Charles’s generation, a generation of men who always have a pen tucked away in their breast pocket or suit coat pocket. Why is King Charles III out in the world, without a handy pen, dependent on the aides to provide him a shoddy, leaky peasant pen? I know people are like “see, Charles is the worst” about this. While Charles is absolutely a bad person, I keep coming back to the shoddy staff work. Why are you giving any official a leaky pen? Why aren’t staffers prepared to dress their sets for convenience, so the new king won’t look like an ink-stained a–hole? Speaking of, the new king is going to fire a bunch of people.

Employees from King Charles III’s Clarence House staff have been alerted of potential termination as his and Queen Camilla’s office operations move to Buckingham Palace following Queen Elizabeth’s death, The Guardian reports.

On Monday, dozens of employees including the private secretaries, the communications team, household staff and the finance office from Clarence House were given redundancy notice during a service for the late monarch at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, according to the report. Staff was informed that they could possibly lose their jobs by way of a letter from the King’s top aide, Sir Clive Alderton.

“The change in role for our principals will also mean change for our household … The portfolio of work previously undertaken in this household supporting the former Prince of Wales’s personal interests, former activities and household operations will no longer be carried out, and the household … at Clarence House will be closed down. It is therefore expected that the need for the posts principally based at Clarence House, whose work supports these areas will no longer be needed,” read Alderton’s letter, seen by The Guardian. Alderton added, “I appreciate that this is unsettling news and I wanted to let you know of the support that is available at this point.”

The letter also stated that employees who gave “direct, close, personal support and advice” would remain in their roles. Those who are being let go are expected to be given an increased redundancy payment as well as assistance in finding new jobs.

“Following last week’s accession, the operations of the household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by law, a consultation process has begun,” a Clarence House spokesman told The Guardian. “Our staff have given long and loyal service and, while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest number of staff.”

[From People]

If King Charles’s old Clarence House people were in charge of his first travels and Proclamation Day events, then yes, they’re terrible at their jobs and should be fired. If QEII’s people were in charge, then Charles should fire them and bring in his Clarence House staff to take over. I feel like that’s probably why Charles’s first week has been a bit shambolic, honestly – it’s QEII’s staff in an internal power struggle with the Clarence House staff. I’ve already seen people complaining about the layoffs, but honestly… Charles was already overstaffed, and so was QEII. There *should* be a culling of staff from both BP and CH. What I find hard to believe is that Charles hasn’t already announced widespread layoffs to his mother’s staff, many of whom he dislikes intensely (and many of whom are incompetent).

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

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I feel like we shouldn’t be giving this moment any more oxygen because that’s obviously what he wanted, but people have been talking about it all day so here we are. Last night, Quinta Brunson won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary. Her win for the much-beloved show was well-deserved and also historic: Quinta is only the third Black writer and the second Black female writer to win that award. But, like other Black achievements (see also: Moonlight and Will Smith), there’s an asterisk next to it in the form of Jimmy Kimmel’s prone body. He was one of the presenters for her category and did a bit where he “passed out” after drinking about his own loss. And he didn’t get up when Quinta’s name was announced, making her step over him to accept her award and lying on the stage throughout her speech. Jerk.

Quinta Brunson is officially an Emmy winner!

The 32-year-old writer won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary.

Quinta’s category was presented by Will Arnett and Jimmy Kimmel, who did this bit where Jimmy laid flat on the ground because he had too many “skinny margaritas” after losing his category.

You’d think that he’d end the whole lying-flat-on-the-ground bit and get up once Quinta had won, but nope.

He continued to lie there, like this, throughout her acceptance speech.

Quinta handled it like a pro, even laughing and placing her phone on his body.

But people were not happy, calling Jimmy out for taking attention away from Quinta.

They also called him out for “white male privilege.”

UPDATE: Both Quinta and Jimmy have responded. Quinta told Variety:
“I don’t know. I know Jimmy Kimmel and I felt like the bit didn’t bother me that much. I don’t know what the internet thinks. Jimmy gave me my first late night spot and was one of the first people to see Abbott. I think in that moment, I was really happy that it was Jimmy up there. I kind of consider him one of the comedy godfathers, and I’m a huge fan of Will Arnett, so I was wrapped up in the moment. I don’t know, tomorrow maybe I’ll be mad at him.I’m going to be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. We’ll see what happens.”

And Jimmy told Entertainment Tonight:
“I had my eyes closed, I had no idea where I was. It was one of the weirdest things that’s ever happened to me. She is so unbelievably talented. And I saw her pilot before it came out on ABC, and I wrote to her, and I was like, ‘I don’t know how we got this, but congratulations. You made a pilot that any network would be ecstatic to get.’ She’s a lovely person as well.”

[From Buzzfeed]

Jimmy Kimmel is such a tool and a quick scan of the headlines shows that he is being roundly criticized as such. It was petty and immature and ungracious of him to draw so much attention to himself during a young, Black woman’s big moment. Maybe he would have done the same regardless of the winner, but to do it to Quinta — a first-time winner, a young woman, a young Black woman, a person who seems so kind and thoughtful — was especially douchey. His response was predictably ridiculous: doubling down on the bit, but praising Quinta. Quinta handled it graciously (of course) because she had to (of course), saying it didn’t bother her much, Jimmy has always been supportive, and joked she might punch him when she appears on his show this week. I guess she has to since it’s all in the ABC family. I’m glad Quinta is not letting this detract/distract from her win and I hope her whole appearance on the show isn’t dedicated to his dumb bit. Maybe they can talk instead about how the show donates a portion of its budget to underfunded teachers.

jimmy kimmel laying on the floor while quinta has her moment is extremely irritating

— Connor Perrett (@connorperrett) September 13, 2022

CAN SOMEONE TELL THE HUMAN PERSONIFICATION OF WHITE MALE PRIVILEGE THAT IS @jimmykimmel THAT HE IS NOT ENTITLED TO TAKE UP *ALL* THE SPACE—ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT SPACE BELONGS TO @quintabrunson WHO HAD TO LITERALLY NAVIGATE AROUND HIM TO ACCEPT HER HISTORIC #EMMY

Un. be. lievable. pic.twitter.com/Zj2lvYsX38

— Lizzie Hylton (@Liz_Hylton) September 13, 2022

actually this makes me happier pic.twitter.com/PmlicCFJxF

— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) September 13, 2022

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From what I’ve heard, there will be a historic number of new voters in this year’s miderm elections, and many of them will be single-issue voters. That single issue? Abortion. The right to abortion, the right to bodily autonomy, the right to seek health care, the right to exist as a woman without the state imposing itself on your reproductive system. The Republicans and the Supreme Court have already made it perfectly clear that they view women as incubators for the state’s domestic supply of infants. Clarence Thomas has already told the country that birth control is next. But a funny thing has been happening in the special elections: people are coming out in droves to support abortion rights. Whenever abortion is on the ballot, voters turn out. Before this week, the Republicans have been trying to find a way out of this dilemma. Then on Tuesday, Lindsey Graham decided to lean into it. Senator Graham – Lady G to his close associates – announced that if and when Republicans get a majority in the midterms, he’ll bring a national abortion ban to the floor.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced legislation on Tuesday that would institute a federal ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, reigniting debate on an issue that Republicans have worked to confront before midterm elections in which abortion rights have become a potent issue.

There is no chance that Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, would allow such a bill to receive a vote in the Senate, where his party has been focused on preserving abortion access after the Supreme Court’s ruling in June ending the constitutional right to abortion.

And the proposal quickly divided Republicans, splitting their leaders and reflecting the difficult politics of abortion for the party in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, who has previously said his party was unlikely to pursue an abortion ban, told reporters on Tuesday that he thought the issue should be left up to the states and that most members of his conference agreed. When pressed on the details of Mr. Graham’s bill, Mr. McConnell sought to distance himself, saying, “You’ll have to ask him about it.”

[From The NY Times]

Again, the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade was based on the idea that there’s no federal protection for abortion rights, that regulating or banning abortion is completely up to the states. Which is why some states have already put abortion rights on the ballot, and why voters in those states are coming out to say: actually, we want abortion rights. Now Sen. Graham wants the federal government to ban abortion. So… thanks for the clarity on this, Lady G. Now everyone can vote in the mid-terms knowing exactly what is at stake, and knowing that if Republicans get control of Congress, they’re banning abortion at the federal level.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of VP Kamala Harris and daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, was named an icon by Harper’s Bazaar. Ella is a 21-year-old Parsons School of Design grad who started getting a lot attention for her style after the inauguration in 2021. She landed a IMG modeling contract later that month. Anyway, at the party for Harper’s, Ella spoke exclusively to People about receiving the honor — she’s surprised and flattered because she never really saw herself that way.

Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris and daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, is navigating her new “icon” status.

The 21-year-old spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the 2022 Harper’s Bazaar Icons & Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary party on Friday. Ella was named an icon by the magazine, meaning she is a young person who is making an impact on the world through their ideas and their art.

Emhoff told PEOPLE she is surprised by the honor, and is taking it seriously.

“It’s kind of shocking,” she said. “This is an incredible honor and as someone who doesn’t really think of herself like that it’s nice reassurance. And makes me check myself and the way I perceive myself, so exciting.”

Even so, Emhoff said it isn’t quite sinking in that she is a fashion inspiration.

“I do understand the position and it’s so exciting, and I’m so grateful,” she explained. “But for some reason, I feel like I’m seeing myself from the outside, like it’s a very interesting experience that I will never forget. And it’s exciting. I feel like every day it sinks in a little more. It’s a slow process.”

Emhoff said she wants to work with people she finds inspiring in the moment, saying that she doesn’t have a specific goal for her fashion career.

“So what I like now could be completely different from what I like next season,” Emhoff said. “So I just like the process and the journey of it, and I’ve already got to walk for so many great designers like Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Proenza — those are already above and beyond my lists.”

A graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design, where she studied fine arts with a concentrated focus on apparel and textiles, Emhoff said she is keeping her plans for the future “loose” and “open.” Emhoff said she is making an effort not to put too much pressure on the future, and that avoiding stress is a priority.

“The only way to make it in this industry is to keep a level head, keep expectations level,” she emphasized.

She said she still gets nervous walking for runway shows, even the one she had come from an hour prior.

[From People]

It’s a pretty cool honor for Ella to receive: an icon at only 21-years-old after only being on “the scene” for around two years! Over the weekend, Ella walked in Prabal Gurung’s New York Fashion Week show at UN Plaza and much was made of her bare boob. Whatever, it’s just a boob and it’s fashion. Ella has also already walked for Miu Miu, Balenciaga, and Proenza, and attended the Met Gala last year. Both Ella and her boyfriend were wearing Thom Browne at the anniversary party, and he rather adorably gushed over her to the People reporter. He said that she’s different from other models because she doesn’t cover her tattoos or shave her armpits (or pluck her unibrow), but I think that just makes her very Gen Z? Ella talked about trying to keep a level head and not putting too much pressure on the future, but noted she still gets nervous about walking runway shows. Seems like she a good thing going with the modeling, but she also has her Parsons degree to fall back on.

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I’ve seen the trailers for Blonde with Ana de Armas and I’m intrigued, although I haven’t seen anything to convince me we’re getting a truly different side to Marilyn Monroe’s story. But it’s on Netflix so I will most likely watch it. I want to like it. And I suppose I’ll have to like it, now that I know Marilyn herself was an on-set consultant. At least according to Ana she was. While she was in Venice for the film, Ana said that the ghost of Marilyn visited the set and made its existence known. Most of the time, Marilyn was just a reassuring presence but when the cast or crew got it wrong, she let them know by tearing sh*t off the walls.

Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas teared up when discussing her lead role in Andrew Dominik’s Blonde today in Venice, saying she felt Marilyn Monroe was “very close” to the production during the 2019 shoot.

“All of us feel so much respect and responsibility to do good and to honour her,” said de Armas, speaking at the press conference before the Netflix film’s world premiere this evening. “Everyone knew that we were in her service – doing something bigger than us, more special than just a film about her.

“She was all I thought about, all I dreamed about, all I could talk about. She was with me.
“It was beautiful; she was happy, but she would also throw things off the walls sometimes and get mad when she didn’t like something,” said de Armas of Monroe’s character. “I truly believe she was very close to us, she was with us [during production]. Being in the same places that she was, filming in her house – it was a very strong sensation, there was something in the air. She was approving of what we were doing. I didn’t want to protect myself from that.”

de Armas shed tears when asked about what the role will do to her career. “I did this movie to push myself and because I thought it was a gift to myself; I didn’t do the movie to make other people change their opinion about me,” she responded. “Whatever happens, it’s the experience I take with me. This movie changed my life. It will be what it will be.”

[From Screen Daily]

As you know, we like to give ghosts their page space here at Celebitchy. And Ana isn’t the first one to claim they’ve had eerie encounters while filming. Lily Collins also claims she was visited by the ghosts of Ted Bundy’s victims while filming Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (also a Netflix project – dun Dun DUN!). And apparently, they used as many actual locales as possible for Blonde, including the room in which Marilyn died. Director Andrew Dominik said of Marilyn, “her dust is everywhere in Los Angeles,” which is both profound and creepy. But I get his point and if they were in so many places steeped with Marilyn, that is where she would show up.

So was Marilyn on set with the Blonde folks? I don’t doubt Ana saw her in her dreams, for sure. I’ll bet she ate, drank and prayed Marilyn the whole time she was prepping for the role. That kind of dedication will bleed into sleep, certainly. But you can’t deny something throwing stuff around on set with other people around to witness it. And Ana was sitting on stage in Venice when she said this, it’s not like someone else isn’t going to question her if Ana was making stuff up. I like the idea of Marilyn responding this way, too. How many of these ‘I know the real MM’ movies has she had to watch be made? She’s done being polite, she’ll just trash your set if you muck about with the parts she wants told correctly. Marilyn was notoriously late for set as an actress, I wonder if her ghost was too? Like they had no problem filming until two hours in and then the spectral commentary kicked into high gear, and cameras went flying into the wings.

One thing we can deduce from Marilyn being on set is that she’s fine with the accent or she would’ve let it be known. The ghost has spoken… or rather didn’t.

Photo credit: Cover Images and Avalon Red

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Sheryl Lee Ralph just won Best Supporting actress in a Comedy for her role on Abbott Elementary. Everybody wanted her to win. Not only is she wonderful as Mrs. Howard, she’s been wonderful her whole career and it’s marvelous to see her be recognized for it. Before she got her trophy, though, she gave an interview to NPR, and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about Sheryl’s life. I didn’t know she overcame anorexia, something she developed while starring in Dreamgirls on Broadway. I’d never heard that her son was shot three times after a graduation party and almost died. I also learned that, 15 years ago, Sheryl almost gave up acting. After much success on Broadway, she came to Hollywood where she encountered racism and couldn’t find work. Feeling discouraged with how things were going, Sheryl was thinking about getting out. One day, she bumped into a casting director while they were dropping their kids off at school. In a brief exchange, the casting director helped Sheryl examine her career and refocus.

How one casting director discouraged her: Everybody knows you’re a beautiful, talented Black girl, but what do I do with a beautiful, talented Black girl? Do I put you in a movie with Tom Cruise? Does he kiss you? Who goes to see that movie?’

How another casting director turned her career around: About 15 years ago, things weren’t happening the way that I thought they might. … And then I just happened to have a run-in with a casting director who was dropping her daughter off at the same school my daughter attended. And she said, “What are you doing?” And I said, “Well, actually, I’m not doing too much.” And she basically stopped in her tracks and said, “That must be because you must not want to do too much or you’ve forgotten who you are.” And I was like, “Wow. What a perfect moment.” And it really took that moment to reexamine my career, reexamine who was representing me and get out there and get better representation, which I did with my current manager, Lisa Wright. And what she was able to do, with the trajectory that she was able to put me on, is exactly where I am, exactly where she told me I deserve to be.

[From NPR]

Sometimes you hear the words that swayed a person and think, ‘really, that?’ but “that must be because you must not want to do too much or you’ve forgotten who you are,” is Ted Talk material. It’s also something Mrs. Howard would say, I can’t read those words without hearing it in her voice. As far as reminders go, “Have you forgotten who you are?” is applicable to so many people. Anytime your life is spinning away from you, ask yourself that and you’ll be surprised how many times the answer is yes. Of course, the good news is that Sheryl heard the director and did something with that information. CB covered Sheryl’s triumphant speech at Monday night’s Emmy’s, it spoke to all of us. But watch it again knowing how much it took to get there and see how much more weight it carries.

Next Wednesday brings the return of Abbott Elementary. We finally have the first trailer. I wish I could tell you that I will be right there with you watching the season two premiere, but in an ironic twist of fate, I will be at Back to School Night *womp womp*

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It was a very big deal when Queen Elizabeth II passed away. All of the British media and international media did breaking-news coverage for days. There was a lot of news and new footage over the weekend too, with the Waleses and Sussexes doing a walkabout outside of Windsor Castle, and King Charles III having a televised Accession Council. It was a lot. But even over the weekend, American outlets began phasing out some of the royal coverage. Even the BBC started updating people on Ukraine’s military successes rather than commit to wall-to-wall coverage. That being said, American outlets still sent people to London to cover the lead up to the funeral and the funeral. But again, we aren’t focusing on that full-time. On his show, Howard Stern was complaining about the coverage:

Howard Stern has had enough of Queen Elizabeth II. The outspoken radio personality slammed the wall-to-wall US media coverage of the monarch’s death in a tirade during Monday’s segment of The Howard Stern Show.

“It’s weird traditions and everything and I’m like, ‘Jesus, enough with the Queen!” he told co-host Robin Quivers when her death was brought up. “I mean, it’s America, we don’t have a Queen.”

“I mean, I get it,” he continued. “The Queen was a nice lady, I guess. My whole life the Queen has been the same Queen and there’s a tradition there and she did her duty to her country, I get it, I get it, I get it but we gotta get back to Trump, where those papers are that they found at Mar-A-Lago.”

When Quivers interjected and asked if he didn’t “like the distraction of the Queen,” he shot back, “No, it’s annoying!”

[From Page Six]

Stern was also talking about how Trump needs to be indicted and how the American media needs to keep the focus on how some of the top-secret information Trump stole was about nuclear weapons. Which is true – that should be the bigger focus, especially this week. I get why the American media had so much coverage over the weekend and why we’ll cover everything related to QEII’s funeral, but there should absolutely be more political stuff.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Zendaya & Sydney Sweeney changed into their party dresses after last night’s Emmy Awards. I love Zendaya’s look. [JustJared]
Michelle Williams grew out her pixie and now has a bob. It looks cute! [Tom & Lorenzo]
Before She Was Famous: Quinta Brunson Edition. [Seriously OMG]
I always forget that Fiona Apple is a Virgo Queen too. [Dlisted]
Everyone loves Only Murders in the Building. [LaineyGossip]
Review of Glass Onion. [Pajiba]
Doja Cat does too much, in general. [GFY]
An Emmys joke about how Zendaya is too old for Leo DiCaprio. [Buzzfeed]
Gabrielle Union hints that there could be a Bring It On sequel?! [Towleroad]
Good lord, Megan Fox looks plastic. [Egotastic]
A summary of this year’s terrible Emmys telecast. [Gawker]

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I thought the Duchess of Sussex looked lovely in the flower-walkabout outing in Windsor on Saturday. There were moments where she looked stressed out and downright haunted, but you know, her hair and makeup looked great. She wore cute pink lipstick and wore her hair down and wavy. You could tell that she was wearing makeup but it was done very naturally. I assumed that she did her hair and makeup herself. Now, Kate? Kate wore a lot of makeup and she plopped that bronde wiglet on the back of her head. I could feel Kate’s anger bubbling up because Meghan’s hair was longer than Kate’s Mourning Wig. So, why am I comparing and contrasting the two women’s styling? Because according to NBC’s Daisy McAndrew, the “45-minute delay” for the walkabout was because Meghan needed to do hair and makeup?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal walkabout with Prince William and Kate was delayed by nearly an hour because the Sussexes had to get changed into formal mourning attire, a royal expert claimed on US TV today.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to ‘quickly go and get changed’ to meet mourners with the Prince and Princess of Wales outside Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon, according to NBC’s Daisy McAndrew.

The NBC News royal commentator told the network’s Today show that she believed Meghan needed to have her ‘hair and make-up’ done and that the walkabout had been ‘scheduled to be nearly an hour before they came’.

The new heir to the throne is understood to have invited his brother Harry in a text message to join them in meeting well-wishers outside the castle, which sources said William thought was an ‘important show of unity’.

Ms McAndrew said: ‘Interestingly, the reason that the walkabout was so late – it was scheduled to be nearly an hour before they actually came – was because of course Harry and Meghan had to go and get changed. They weren’t wearing the proper formal mourning attire, so they had to quickly go and get changed – I guess, do hair and makeup for Meghan. So that’s why they were late.’

The claim comes after the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay reported that the walkabout had originally been planned for 4.30pm but was delayed by 45 minutes as the brothers communicated with one another.

[From The Daily Mail]

Well, by William’s own leaks to the Daily Mail, we know that he only texted Harry at the last minute, so of course Harry and Meghan would need to change and get ready. Plus, I feel pretty strongly that Harry was delayed because he was negotiating some sh-t with William, as in “we’ll make you look good but you can’t ignore/harass/smear Meghan.” Anyway, the Mail is just trying to make Meghan sound vain and vapid, as opposed to “oh right, of course she needed to change and apply some makeup quickly to look presentable for a completely unscheduled walkabout which aired live on multiple news channels.” This version also contradicts the dumbf–k theory that Harry and Meghan were going to do the walkabout by themselves only to be stopped by William.

Seriously though, I guess no one wants to talk about Kate’s Mourning Wiglet.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

The atmosphere was already quite heavy around the new Prince and Princess of Wales, even before their awkward reunion with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Saturday. Kate was in the wind – she did not fly to Balmoral at any time, and she was photographed (in what had to be set-up arrangements with royal photographers) in her car, doing the school pickups and dropoffs, wearing QEII’s diamond-and-pearl earrings. Kate did not appear with her husband at the Accession Council either. Then she seemed the odd one out at the “fab four” reunion at Windsor. It’s been said before, but Kate does not have a poker face. You could see her displeasure at having to interact with Meghan. It also seemed like Kate was displeased with having to interact with her husband too.

One of the things I find most curious is the lack – at the moment – of wall-to-wall embiggening stories about Kate in particular. Things are moving very fast and everything has shifted, but it’s actually a very big deal that Kate now has the “Princess of Wales” title. The only piece I saw this weekend was this one, in the Times, called “Catherine is ready to be a very modern Princess of Wales” by Valentine Low. It was written as if “she’s ready to be a modern PoW, all evidence to the contrary.” Curiouser and curiouser. Here are a few highlights I found significant:

Even without the title, the death of the Queen would have heralded Catherine taking a more prominent role. She is now the second most important woman in the royal family, and one whose looks, fashion sense and relative youth mean that the focus will be on her as much as it is on Camilla, or even more.

Catherine, 40, has already demonstrated where her charitable interests lie — in early-years development, mental health, art, sport and addiction — although as her children grow older, and the demands placed on her grow, she is likely to undertake more royal engagements and take on more patronages.

Their third child, Prince Louis, was born in April 2018, fulfilling Catherine’s reported wish that she and William would have “at least” three children so that they could have the same sort of family life that she enjoyed.

Some said that the duchess was slow to embrace royal duties. However, she and William have always made it clear that they wanted to enjoy their children while they were small. And, gradually, Catherine has taken on more. She embarked on solo overseas trips to the Netherlands and Luxembourg and became increasingly self-assured when it came to the nerve-racking business of making speeches.

As her confidence grew, so did her ambition, and she undertook a short national tour to highlight a project on the under-fives. With a team of experts drafted in to advise her on early-years development, she increasingly revealed herself as someone who wanted to make a serious contribution to national life. That, combined with her reserve and lack of ostentation, prompted comparisons with the Queen — and, by extension, inevitable comparisons with the Duchess of Sussex.

As the pendulum of public opinion swung back in favour of the Cambridges, who for a while had been seen as less exciting and, indeed, less modern and progressive than the Sussexes, Catherine increasingly began to be seen as the model of what a modern royal consort should be like. This week, she has moved closer to her destiny.

[From The Times]

“…One whose looks, fashion sense and relative youth…” Ouch. “As her children grow older, and the demands placed on her grow, she is likely to undertake more royal engagements…” Double ouch. Maybe this isn’t so much an embiggening piece as much as it is King Charles III telling his daughter-in-law: get up and do some work. That’s the message I’m getting from this piece more than anything, from the casual mention of “Some said that the duchess was slow to embrace royal duties” to the mention of how all of her kids are now in school. The new king just told his daughter-in-law to stop farting around and get her lazy butt out there. LMAO. Wiglets askance!

A gradual embrace of royal duties had prepared her for this moment. Now she has assumed the evocative title last held by Diana, the spotlight will grow brighter https://t.co/GkUM9o0pSz

— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) September 9, 2022

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.