As the Duchess of Cambridge stood outside the Lindo wing many swung between thinking she is awesome for being able to stand outside and pose for photos less than twelve hours after giving birth to those to berating her suggesting that women do not need that additional pressure to look amazing straight after birth. While, yes I don’t doubt that she had a team inside the private room to help get her ready for that photoshoot. I still feel sad that she is judged. She looked amazing and I feel that she would be berated either way. I have come to expect that of the media but it seems to be other mums on social media that do all the judging. I have seen so many comments on facebook about Kate’s appearance like it should be a topic of conversation. The poor woman is judged on how she holds the baby, what dress she is wearing and the height of her flaming shoes. If she had come out in comfy joggers and hair in a messy bun she would have been slated, yet that is the uniform of choice for many new mums. Instead she stood, smiled and waved, whilst her husband then helped her walk the few steps down to their car. Yet that approach has caused moaning too, suggesting that she is wrong to be a pampered member of royalty. Of course she had a hairdresser and assistants to be there for her. It is part of her role. What do we expect really?
She was probably waving that tide of euphoria anyway along with an adrenalin rush. I know that after having Dylan in the evening I was leaving the hospital before lunchtime the following day and actually took Chloe on to a birthday party for a couple of hours before going home. The tiredness had not yet hit and I wanted to show the world my beautiful new born bundle.
I remember it all so clearly because on the Thursday I had done the playgroup run, had Dylan on the Friday and went to the children’s party on the Saturday. I had had a natural labour, he was feeding well and I was buzzing. The other mums were slightly surprised to see me arrive at the party complete with a baby many did not know I had even delivered. Yet no one judged me, no-one suggested I was a crazy for being out of the house. Social media was not capturing the moment giving all and sundry the right to comment. I was much the same with Erin. I would have loved someone to help prepare me and get some amazing photos to go with the day too.
I do hope that after the media frenzy she was able to get home, kick of those heels, pop on a onesie and snuggle down with her two babies. I bet that was want she wanted to do anyway.
9 Responses
I wholeheartedly agree with this.
Yes she undoubtedly had a team to help her get ready for that moment and let’s be honest, it takes a brave woman to come out less than 12 hours after giving birth to an army of national and international press photographers. Those photos will be shown forever and if I looked as good as she did, I would be dancing down those steps!
Well said! It’s a sad fact of life that many people are judgemental. Personally, I thought she looked amazing and yes, I’m sure she had a team of experts to assist and some reassuring words from her husband before she faced the press. I’m also fairly sure she would have much preferred to exit via the back door, in a disguise!
I had my three babies at home. The second two were born before breakfast and I enjoyed toast and marmite with the midwives, before ringing around to tell everyone the good news and then greeting friends when they arrived at lunch-time with home-made pizza and champagne. I, like you, was euphoric. I didn’t bother going back to bed… I just spent a beautiful day, on each occasion, with those closest to me.
How grateful I am not to be married to a member of the Royal Family. Having to forfeit those precious, private, early moments is very sad. Having to stand on the steps of a hospital, knowing that every single inch of you will be dissected by the media and the public, is truly horrific! Now that their beautiful new baby’s image has been shown around the world, perhaps they can enjoy some privacy.
Exactly – I love that Prince George is kept away from the spotlight and thought it lovely he was still first to see his sister. Much like any other family would do.
Oh I agree with you too Emma. Stuff the bloody lot of the judgers I say. Whatever anyone does as long as they love and take good care of their kids is fine by me x
I couldn’t agree more. I’m not really a royalist but it would have been pretty impossible to miss the footage of them leaving hospital. It felt so wrong to see her tottering out on those heels in full make up and hair but, as you say, she would be judged whatever she did. I couldn’t stop thinking about them that evening and hope that they shut the front door (or doors – it is a palace I suppose!) and got out their joggers and cosy socks. The pressure for new mums to look amazing straight away is so intense these days and you are absolutely right that no one should be judged. Also, your point about adrenalin is so true. I think the second baby is sometimes so different because you are more confident and do feel like you can do pretty much anything in those first post birth hours.
Very well said, of course she has a team behind her, she’s the future queen of England. She cannot be judged as ‘one of us’ as she isn’t. She is a totally separate universe with a completely different life and I think she is doing extremely well in her role. I find her a loving mother and wife, a sweet girl who is intelligent, humble and I bet she’s real good fun to be with.
I say, leave her alone and look inwards to all those negative comments.
Yup, what choice did she have?
I’m totally with you on this! Of course the rest of us would have been in joggers, but she’s royalty for flip’s sake! She will have had someone doing her hair and make-up and helping her into the dress and heels. Which she will no doubt have taken off as soon as she got home! I was like you – I was one of those up and about mums who didn’t need to stop just because I’d given birth. I know plenty of people can’t walk 10 or 12 hours after giving birth, but plenty of us could! Nobody should be judged, whatever they choose to do and whatever they choose to wear when they’re doing it!
Quite and I bet those shoes were off the minute she got in the car!