# What do the dopers think of the Kate Middleton brouhaha **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723 "2024-03-11T23:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/281 "2024-03-19T16:14:42Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Those people are famous _everywhere_. But “American celebrity” and “A celebrity in America” aren’t synonymous to me. I would have characterized them as American celebrity, Chilean celebrity (maybe Chilean/American), Irish celebrity and Australian celebrity. Though at least 3 of them spend most/all of their time in LA. That’s the critical point with respect to the OP (very vaguely at least, still a big sidetrack 🙂 ) Meagan and Harry are still definitely the target of paparazzi attention, but when you live next surrounded by the cream of the A list celebrities you are going to get far less attention. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/282 "2024-03-19T16:16:52Z")
Kate had a rather leviathan tattoo done on her midriff that reads, simply, # “BRING MEGHAN HOME!” There. Now, I’ve spoilt it for all who wondered. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/283 "2024-03-19T16:41:04Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Meagan and Harry are still definitely the target of paparazzi attention, but when you live next surrounded by the cream of the A list celebrities you are going to get far less attention. They live like eight miles away from me as the crow flies. The Santa Barbara area is very well known among celebs for us not giving a shit about them and Montecito even more so. That’s why they like coming here but they aren’t going to get their ass kissed either. They are going to wait in line like the rest of us and if the reservations are full, they aren’t getting a table. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/284 "2024-03-19T16:49:04Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I have to inform my employer when I can’t come into work for medical reasons and to the extent the British Royal Family are _de facto_ goverment employees I feel it is entirely reasonable for them to inform the government/the public that they will not be performing their job duties for X number of days due to a medical problem. IIRC when Kate went in for surgery they announced she wouldn’t resume her duties until Easter. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/285 "2024-03-19T17:41:29Z")
Yes, I remember that, too. Entirely appropriate given that Kate has public duties. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/286 "2024-03-19T18:07:38Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > If you believe some people the publics curiosity over Diana is exactly what killed her. Well, mostly that, [but also a speeding intoxicated driver going 80mph through a concrete tunnel, and Diana not wearing a seatbelt. The only survivor was belted in the passenger seat (aka “the death seat”) and not coincidentally, the only belted occupant.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/belts0903.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/287 "2024-03-19T18:27:43Z")
As I said, “if you believe some people” I’ve never read the police report. I don’t think the French police ever said Diana and the guy were _not_ belted. All is neither here nor there. Everyone thinks/knows/believes the wreck was caused by photographers wanting pictures. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/288 "2024-03-19T18:36:42Z")
I noticed in that video clip from _The Sun_ they mentioned that the farm shop was in Windsor. So, mostly likely it was daddy’s shop. When I was in Cornwall, I stayed at a B&B on a farm near Redruth. The wife ran a farm shop, but it was just a small shed with fruits and veg. Not like that fancy schmancy place in Bamford. ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/289 "2024-03-19T18:58:55Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve never read the police report. I don’t think the French police ever said Diana and the guy were _not_ belted. [nitpick] Actually, the French and the British investigations both concluded that none of the four people in the car was wearing a seat belt. The French speculated that Trevor Rees-Jones might had been trying to put his on at the moment of impact, but the British thought that unlikely. The issue was discussed at p. 421 of [the British report](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/news/nol/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/14_12_06_diana_report.pdf). [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/290 "2024-03-19T19:10:55Z")
I believe you. I just never read or paid very much attention to official reports on the wreck. It still doesn’t matter. The paparazzi on motorcycles were chasing them, the driver chose to try(whatever reason) and out run them. They wrecked and are dead. I think the Duke boys might blame the press. Or so I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/291 "2024-03-19T19:39:45Z")
And the driver was drunk, too. But he’s dead, Al-Fayed who employed him is dead, and over-aggressive pursuit of stories is the only thing left to blame. Sadly, that over-aggressive nosyness is probably a permanent feature of human nature (see the phone hacking scandals and indeed all the obsessive conspiracy theories). ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/292 "2024-03-19T19:42:45Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > It is a huge industry in the Cape Town Wine lands, here in South Africa. Wine farms have diversified into local produce, extremely high class restaurants, kid’s play areas, horse riding, small zoos, museums and more. Hmm. That reminds me of how [Knott’s Berry Farm](https://www.knotts.com/) started. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Your definition of “American” must be quite broad 🙂 You’d better not be bloviating about how big my backside is. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/293 "2024-03-19T19:44:07Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > No, it doesn’t. There are several American celebrities who have managed to maintain their private lives. Vin Diesel springs to mind, as do Pedro Pascal, Cillian Murphy, and Margot Robbie. Even Dolly Parton; millions of Americans worship the ground she walks on but we know almost nothing about her private affairs. Supposedly, Thomas Pynchon has successfully avoided photographers and reporters. (He was on _The Simpsons,_ though.) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/294 "2024-03-19T19:58:47Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@griffin1977](#): > > > > Meagan and Harry are still definitely the target of paparazzi attention, but when you live next surrounded by the cream of the A list celebrities you are going to get far less attention. > > They live like eight miles away from me as the crow flies. The Santa Barbara area is very well known among celebs for us not giving a shit about them and Montecito even more so. That’s why they like coming here but they aren’t going to get their ass kissed either. They are going to wait in line like the rest of us and if the reservations are full, they aren’t getting a table. In the US the reporter celebrity relationship seems to be more symbiotic most of the time. That is until the celebrity gets raised up to a level of public frenzy that is mostly hard to predict. A lot of celebrities like living in NYC because no one gives a fuck who they are. They walk on the streets and are sometimes stopped by tourists but that’s about it. Right before the tree came down this year we went into the city to walk around and then catch a show at the Comedy Cellar. While we were waiting in the line to get in Matthew Gray Gubler (_Criminal Minds_) walked by. A couple of people on line talked to him then he just walked away. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/295 "2024-03-19T20:04:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > A lot of celebrities like living in NYC because no one gives a fuck who they are. David Bowie’s technique was to carry around a Greek newspaper. Then he could take the subway or whatever and nobody bothered him. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/296 "2024-03-19T20:36:58Z")
John and Yoko. Same. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/297 "2024-03-19T20:58:39Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Supposedly, Thomas Pynchon has successfully avoided photographers and reporters. (He was on _The Simpsons,_ though.) With a paper bag over his head with a question mark on it, as I remember. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/298 "2024-03-19T23:14:42Z")
> [@Stanislaus](#): > > As far as I can tell, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley is not a person of public interest. Except insofar as she provides an unfortunately irresistible excuse to recite the immortal verse > [@](#): > > A young man called Cholmondeley Colquhoun > Kept as a pet a babolquhoun. > His mother said, “Cholmondeley, > Do you think it quite colmondeley > To feed your babolquhoun with a spolquhoun?” > [@Alessan](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > Marchioness. Ms. Chumley has been through enough without being demoted straight past countess and viscountess. > > Those white people sure are good at making up titles for themselves, aren’t they? > [@Johanna](#): > > It isn’t just white. The Malaysian monarchy is headed by the Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong. > > It’s monarchy what does that, guv’nor. Any self-respecting small-r republican would be too embarrassed to put on such airs. Tons of that going on all the way back as far as [Biblical monarchical societies,](https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14411-titles-of-honor) of course: > [@](#): > > The title “adon” = “lord” was given to the owner of property and slaves […] The representative of the people was a “melek” = “leader,” or in some cases “king.” Next in rank was the “aluf” = “duke” or “chieftain.” Each of the dukes of Esau was the ruler of a family or clan (_ib._ xxxvi. 15), and was probably subject to the head of the whole tribe. The king appointed a viceroy termed “mishneh”=“second.” […] > > The civil administration was conducted by judges who had the title of “prince,” “ruler” (“sar,” “sarim”) over certain divisions of the people, comprising thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (Ex. xviii. 21). […] > > The title “kohanim”= “priests,” applied to all descendants of Aaron, and that of “Lewiyim”=“Levites,” to the rest of the tribe of Levi, carried with them privileges with regard to tithes and certain duties in connection with the administration of religious services in the Temple […] Titles of nobility not connected with the tribe of Levi, but recognized by the people or conferred by the king as distinctions of ancient and noble stock, high descent, and gentility, were the following: “aẓil,” “ḥor” = “freeman”; and “nasik,” “rozen,” or “razon” (Prov. xiv. 28) = “prince.” Titles of civil officers chosen by the people were: “aluf,” “nasi,” “nagid,” “ḳaẓin,” and “rosh” = “chief.” Titles of officers connected with the royal palacewere: “abi ha-melek” (the father of the king, _i.e._ , prime minister); “saris” (eunuch, chamberlain, the king’s friend; I Kings iv. 57); “rab ha-ṭabbaḥim” (executioner); “yoresh 'eẓer” (crown prince); “mishneh” (viceroy); “shalish” (third in rank, chief of staff); “niẓẓab” or “neẓib” (tribal governor; I Kings iv. 7); “peḥah,” “sagan” (lieutenant and deputy; Jer. li. 23); “abir,” “addir” (knight and hero); “kereti” and “peleti” (royal couriers and headsmen forming the body-guard of David); “seren” (satrap of the Philistines); “ṭifsar” (a military prefect); “partam,” “'aḥashdarpan” (satrap under the Persian government); “sarek” (overseer; Dan. vi. 3); “rab,” “rabreban” (chief, chieftain); “mazkir” (recorder). > [@Babale](#): > > Maybe our monarchies just didn’t last long enough, but the fanciest they got was naming themselves High Priests as well as kings. See above. You just haven’t been paying attention to all the various ancient titles of nobility that make the hierarchy of modern British aristocracy look relatively streamlined by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/299 "2024-03-19T23:20:47Z")
Them funny Nazis liked their titles. (Well, ranks. I guess) ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723/300 "2024-03-20T12:09:30Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think the Duke boys might blame the press. Not Boss Hogg for once? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-dopers-think-of-the-kate-middleton-brouhaha/998723.md?page=16)