PRESSURE TO BE PERFECT
Spotless Sneakers
“They have all learned to deal with it better now,” says another source. “I think it was harder earlier on.”
Still, few outside the family could ever understand the blinding glare that comes with marrying the heir to the throne. “The future queen is a role model to the UK but also to the world, which means all eyes are on you,” says royal etiquette expert Myka Meier, author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy. “The added pressure of having cameras everywhere to catch even the slightest eye movement makes everything she does a conscious effort. From the perfectly poised posture to the way she descends a staircase or gets out of a car – it is all carefully done.”
The global scrutiny means that even her style choices carry enormous weight. “With Meghan gone, the only person who really could provide the glamour factor is Kate,” says Gristwood. “Visually she has always done that within safe parameters.” That expectation extends to her kids as well. “I think the pressure is more about her public image, making sure she is wearing the right brands, showing the kids in less expensive clothing, especially right now,” says an insider. “Small details, but they matter.” Even when she’s off royal duty, she’s polished, with a perfect ponytail or spotless sneakers, aware of the expectation that a duchess never looks undone. “As a woman, you’re going to be pulled apart by every columnist and every
Twitter user – you’re either too thin or the dress you’re wearing is horrid or your eye makeup is too heavy,” says royal biographer Penny Junor. “She has had all of that. It takes a very strong woman to be able to ignore it all.”
Part of her strength lies in her partnership with William, 38. “In one sense hers and William’s was a modern royal marriage, in that it was a love match,” says Gristwood. “But in another it has been old-fashioned, in the sense that Kate didn’t have an established career beforehand, which is unusual for a young woman today.”
Adds Junor: “She’s never trying to outshine him in any way. Charles and Diana looked the part, but Diana was always a star in the making. I think that Kate is a bit like Prince Philip supporting the Queen.”
Indeed, the Duchess of Cambridge has increasingly found her confidence with her royal work. “Catherine is the sort of woman who will take on whatever she needs to,” says the close source. “If she needs to step up to the plate, she does it – and she always has.”
Her ‘5 Big Questions’ early-childhood survey saw her tackle multiple solo stops across the UK earlier this year, and she has earned praise with her Hold Still photography project (see box below).
The past few months have also allowed for ample family bonding. “They still have help at home, but they are doing more,” says the source close to the royal household. “They are doing what we all are – juggling.” As with everything, adds the source, Kate “wants to do a good job”.
He may be television royalty after being crowned king of the jungle on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! in February – but it’s a completely down to earth Miguel Maestre who calls WHO for an animated chat. The conversation is ahead of the return of
The Living Room, the
Channel Ten show he’s co-hosted alongside
Amanda Keller, Barry Du
Bois and his best friend
‘Gringo’ – aka Dr Chris
Brown – since 2012.
“We’re back, baby,”
Maestre, 40, laughs. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the show again.”
How are you, your highness! It’s been quite a crazy year. Absolutely. When I was in the jungle the bushfires were at their worst but we were kind of oblivious to that. So it was a shock to come home and find out how bad they were. Then I came out of the jungle bubble, arrived home and moved into the isolation bubble. It’s been a weird time. But I’ve also enjoyed the time with my family, especially after being away for so long in the jungle. Isolation has been like flatsharing with my three favourite people in the world. Have you been worried about your family in Spain? Yes, I’ve been freaking out about my mum and dad every day. I speak to
them all the time. They have been hiding in the house. My dad is more than 100kg, because my mum is such a good cook, so I’ve been very worried about them.
Did you inherit your cooking talents from your mother?
Yes, I think so. She is one of 20 children and so she had to pitch in with the cooking. When I was a kid, I’d go to lunch at my grandparents’ house and there would be 70 people there – lots of colour, flavour, noise and incredible food. My mum’s paella is out of this world. That influence was very powerful on me. It’s why my restaurants, events – and personality – are really loud. I was born loud!
So is there any chance you and wife Sascha could also have a large family?
No! We have two children [Claudia, 9, and Morgan, 5] but Morgan especially is a little pocket rocket. He feels like five kids, not one. Claudia’s my little princess, she’s so good. I think we’re done. Life as a family of four is already quite busy. Why do you think The Living Room works so well as a show? Because we are genuinely all such good friends and the audience feels really connected to us. Nothing is off limits and me, of course, I’m an open book. We share our lives and our expertise – which is our superpower! – with the audience and we bring them along on the journey. It’s really exciting to refresh the show with a new location house too. Gringo spends most of his time in the pool!
can get pretty emotional too. Are you going to make us cry?
Yes. Every episode is a roller coaster. It’s all so real, we’re working with real people so
I can’t help but get emotional. I cry all the time. I’m like a tap.
Have you been lording your jungle win over Barry, Chris and Amanda?
Of course! They must call me ‘your highness’ or I won’t answer them!
Did you lose a lot of weight in the jungle?
Yes, I lost 11kg but I felt really weak. So when I got home I started a healthy diet. Lots of steak, fish and vegies, plus I walk or run most days.
How are you feeling now?
“I get emotional. I cry all the time.”
– MIGUEL MAESTRE