Duchess Kate gave her first on-camera ‘interview’ in years to CNN in Pakistan

Duchess of Cambridge plays cricket

The Duchess of Cambridge spoke during the Pakistan trip! We knew that she gave a little speech at the visit to the SOS Children’s Village, but we did not know that she and William also spoke on camera to CNN International during that event too. Kate rarely speaks on camera, and if she does, she’s giving prepared and rehearsed remarks. She did the engagement interview in 2010, and in the first year of marriage, I remember Kate and William giving an off-the-cuff interview in the middle of a charity stop and it didn’t go very well for Kate (she just sounded unprepared and like she was talking nonsense). Ever since then, she tends to avoid the whole “interview” thing. But she really did it this week! Here’s the video (you can also see the video here at CNN).

Kate says, in part:

“It was amazing seeing some of the geography yesterday, but then to see some of the community activities today has been really special… William and I really wanted to come and see an SOS Children’s Village like this. There’s so many vulnerable women here but they’ve really used their positivity and the support that the Village here provides them … to support and protect the next generation of children in their care and give them the best possible start to their future lives.”

[From CNN]

It’s fine. She knew the question was coming and she had prepared an answer and she did it. And it was fine! Now she’ll have to spend the next eight years figuring out how to speak off-the-cuff to reporters and giving them a quote or soundbyte which pops. Also: in motion, you can really see how Kate overdoes her eye makeup. That’s my only complaint, otherwise this whole thing is – you guessed it – fine.

Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visit Pakistan

Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visit Pakistan

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

105 Responses to “Duchess Kate gave her first on-camera ‘interview’ in years to CNN in Pakistan”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Valiantly Varnished says:

    Whatever. I can’t stand her or her husband and I’ll be so happy when this fashion show tour is over. They are terrible people

    • Ela says:

      Agree, dislike them too. Huge, big advocates of mental health but not an iota of compassion for their sister in law being shredded to pieces. Heartless hypocrites.

      • Andrea says:

        Agreed—she turns a blind eye to his cheating ways and always has done so to catch the “prize”. I find her to be a poor role model for young women. I understand that sometimes we can forgive cheating, but his chronic cheating I find unacceptable. He appears to be a petulant child at times too, who hasn’t gotten his way since Meghan came onto the scene.

      • horseandhound says:

        I find her lovely. I don’t know what you expect her to do. what can she do to stop the press from being mean to meghan? also, about the cheating… she is in a pretty bad situation there. if she divorced him she would have to go against a really big enemy. she would be really vulnerable. I hate it when women stay with shitty men, but I don’t think things are easy for her and, unlike meghan who gets love from everybody on this site, kate gets support from nobody. I don’t think kate is a bad person at all. I might be wrong since I don’t know her and I am certainly not a fan of hers or of any royal, but I don’t understand why she’s seen as some villain as if she was the mastermind behind all royal decisions.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        I have no animosity for Cathy. It is Cathy’s husband, Normal Bill Cambridge, that sets off my Fibromyalgia to the point that I have to re-watch at least two episodes of Million Dollar American Princesses while having three glasses of wine to calm my nerves down.

      • blue36 says:

        @horsehound – Kate has the support of the entire British Press – from RRs to talk show hosts, not to mention – the courtiers and the royal family. Meghan doesn’t have any of that. This is probably the only website out of thousands that actually supports Meghan, everyone else loves Kate.

    • swirlmamad says:

      I really used to like them and was so excited to watch their wedding, but now….after this whole Harry and Meghan mess and their nonexistent show of support to their own FAMILY, I can’t be bothered with them anymore. Also, until I came to this site I never really recognized how lazy and NOT charismatic they are….but it’s now as clear as day and doesn’t help my new opinion of them either.

      • Jodi says:

        Agree agree agree. I cannot stand these two. They’ve done absolutely next to nothing for years. They haven’t supported their own family. And this sudden act of SOMETHING in the public eye, right after the Africa tour, to me, is just another way to try to alienate Harry and Megan. It’s mean. And I see right through them. These are not good people.

      • February Pisces says:

        I agree, I used to really like the Cambridge’s but my opinion has changed completely. I legit thought they were going to be really nice and welcoming to Meghan, and that they were going to make a nice foursome, but boy was I wrong. I did think Kate might be a little bit jealous but that atleast William would be nice and warm to her, especially knowing that the older royals might be a bit cold and distant. I surprised how shockingly bad his behaviour has been, and he seems to be getting worse. Harry knows Kate’s gold digging history and I heard he did used to call her limpet, but he never ever publicly trashed her or tried to destroy their image. He always supported them, even though he looked like a third wheel. When William got married and had baby George everyone celebrated, myself included, but he couldn’t let harry have his moment and enjoy this special time in his life. I hope William realises his petty jealousy has cost him one brother, and nephew who he will never have a proper relationship with.

    • Guest says:

      Upvote. The damn bar is set so low for them its pathetic

    • yinyang says:

      I second that, tired of these millions of poses and pictures and undeserved overpraising.

      • chiamuffin says:

        Do they do anything besides photo ops? At least she’s wearing appropriate shoes when pretend-playing cricket.

    • Linda says:

      @Valiantly Varnished
      As a fellow black woman from an African country, I find your comment describing the tour as “a fashion tour” really sad. Pakistani’s on this blog have repeatedly explained what this tour means to them and how they feel about this tour but you have repeatedly chosen to discredit their views. You as a black and Muslim woman know first hand how extremely hurtful it is to have your voice drowned and people disbelieve you. I don’t care one way or the other about the Cambridge’s but I care when people choose to drown the voices of minorities.

      • Valiantly Varnished says:

        @Linda I have not disparaged or disagreed with anyone who spoke about how Pakistanis feel about this trip. So your assessment is incorrect. I am calling this a fashion show tour because that is LITERALLY the only thing that has been talked about in depth in regards to Kate. I haven’t read a single piece that talked in detail about what she or Will did while on it. Perhaps that is to do with how it’s being covered- which only circles back to my point. My comment isn’t a commentary on the Pakistani POV but a commentary on the COVERAGE of this tour and how Kate is being written about. And my point stands.

      • Yes the coverage has been fashion … HERE. If you care to look there are many different viewpoints from the tour. But sure, in this echo chamber it’s been all about the clothing. We all seek that which validates.

      • Nova says:

        Well said Linda

      • MrsBump says:

        @Linda
        I agree. I understand that people are frustrated by the treatment meted out to meghan by the tabloids but somehow i feel like all this anger and frustration are being focalised and unfairly directed onto Kate by belittling their very successful tour.
        Various pakistanis have repeatedly explained how important this tour was for them to show the world that they were more than just a terrorist hotspot. Frankly that in itself is far more important than the royals themselves. It is sad that some of the commentors here, cannot see beyond their own bias. Meghan’s issues with the racist press, while legitimate are not more important than the pakistani’s initiatives to redeem their country’s standing in the world

      • Chelle says:

        @Valiantly Varnished – one of the reasons I don’t too much comment on Kate, now and historically, is because she is often reduced to her clothing. That is in part because of the media but it’s also in part because she has either chosen or have been told to take a passive role. Not wanting to be eclipsed by M/H has really helped W/K to more sharply define themselves. It’s definitely helped Kate to step up and find an entry point for herself.

        As far as the Pakistan tour, not to disparage it but it looked to me to be a tour that was staged to announce that the country is open for British business and tourism. That, of course, is no small thing. However, that did seem like subtext in the face of the endless parade of average outfits. And to give Kate credit and to say the trip was a success because she smiled and looked okay in the ethnic/religious clothing of the country she’s visiting is a stone trip. SMH. The bar that’s set for her is truly somewhere below sea level.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      Wrong place

  2. ShazBot says:

    I would love to see her speak like this without William beside her. I feel like she’s more nervous in front of him.
    I bet if she did interviews at some of her sporty engagements, she’d do just fine.
    She also needs tips on what to do with her hands when she speaks because omg are those distracting

    • ChillyWilly says:

      He really does make her nervous, it’s obvious. He is such a dullard.

    • Elisa says:

      I noticed that too, she is constantly looking at him for validation. Anyways, SOS Children`s Villages is a great cause, so I’m glad they are raising awareness for this NGO.

      • Andrea says:

        Her sense of self seems to exclusively revolve around him, something I find very sad. She only seems to come alive when she is doing something rather sporty, but clearly she herself is not THAT sporty anymore, for she would have bigger muscles and a more muscular frame in general.

      • Ido Pointcarefully says:

        If he divorces her then she is … down.
        No career.
        No Grand Princess like Diana.

        Same for Meghan, btw.

      • Lady D says:

        I would bet money that Meghan will have a great career post divorce, should it happen. Kate, well what would Kate do after a divorce? I think the first thing she would do is find out who her friends really are, but as for a career or volunteer work, I just don’t see that in Kate’s future. Once George becomes King, she might find herself back in the palace, but what would she do for all those intervening years?

      • Some chick says:

        If they split, the kids all go to The Firm. The BRF owns them. (Apparently this has to do with line of succession stuff.)

        It must haven been unbelievably painful for Diana not to be able to keep her kids, post divorce.

    • gregoria says:

      what are you talking about, he is standing right next to her, she’s doing fine.

      • Lorelei says:

        I also think her remarks here are fine, but William generally looks completely mortified whenever she speaks publicly. He always looks like he can’t wait for it to be over. He never looks proud or supportive. This is on him, not Kate.

    • BeanieBean says:

      Argghh. I do that hand thing, too, when doing public speaking. Anybody got any ideas on how to change that behavior?

      • Lady D says:

        Hold them behind your back?

      • ShazBot says:

        It’s a tough habit to break! I used to do it a lot, so I started holding something (a paper or folder) that would flap more when I moved my hands which reminded me to steady them, or interlacing my fingers in front of me. I do think it just takes conscious practice though.

  3. Abby says:

    How has it been EIGHT years since her last on camera interview?

    I really would like the phrase “will be king and queen one day” to be retired for a minute. Please.

    • Lorelei says:

      I wouldn’t really even call that an “interview” — she only answered one question, right? She did fine, but it’s not as if we learned anything about her as a person, which are customarily why interviews are conducted in the first place!

    • Lexa says:

      It hasn’t been eight years. She just did on camera interviews for the garden and she did that sit down interview about Wimbledon a few years back.

  4. ELLA says:

    Hip, Hip Hurray!!!! Kate got interviewed. what a great feat !
    Now can we PLEASE focus our spotlight on people who actually work ? thank you.

    …and oh yes, do tell me when this fashion show is over.

    • Jen says:

      This week is about celebrating the mediocre white people for doing the least.

    • Ina says:

      Ha, tell me about it! If not for Meghan (I know people will yell for the comparison), that interview would not have happened. Amazing what competition does. Regardless, Kate doesn’t hold a candle to Meghan in work ethic and experience. Doubt she ever will.

  5. Rea says:

    Is she pregnant?

    • undergalaxy says:

      We the British taxpayer will be PO’d if she is.

      • escondista says:

        ZR, It is plenty okay for British citizens to want their tax dollars funneled into NHS or Retirement rather than this growing family; 3 children is plenty.

        That said, do we even need to speculate about her health? If she is she will announce it when she wants to.

  6. kerwood says:

    Well, she didn’t embarrass herself. But it’s amazing that this woman can do the absolute bare minimum and some people want to hand her a Nobel prize.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      I know. It’s embarrassing how so many people were giving her so much for doing what she always does: wearing expensive clothing and pasting a big grin on her face. Her “speech” from the other day was embarrassing and you could see William holding back laughter at one point.

      • gregoria says:

        i thought it was an excellent speech and he looked impressed and proud. you’re projecting.

      • Beach Dreams says:

        Lol. If him looking away from her in boredom for half the speech and pursing his lips unpleasantly is supposed to be “impressed and proud” then I think you need a reality check.

      • Coz' says:

        @Beach Dream I know SOS extremely well and her speech was really good in the sense that it perfectly highlighted and captured the very unique work the organisation does. And I know for sure it meant a lot to the social workers, SOS mothers and children to whom it was adressed. And this interview might not mean anything to you but it means a lot to SOS Children Villages Pakistan.
        So no need for saracastic quotes.

    • Vava says:

      Yes, hopefully the days of all the flashing are behind us. But yeah, these two do the minimum possible. Her speech was nothing. Her brief few sentences with CNN are hardly news worthy.
      It was an expensive fashion show. I rather enjoyed some of the outfits, though. The ones from the British designers though, meh. How many Jenny Packham beaded gowns does one duchess need? And yet another coat from Walker.
      If Kate and William had an ounce of charisma, they might be sort of interesting. I’m beginning to believe that William is rather evil and there will be no coming back from that. Good luck with him Kate, you’re going to need it.

      • Nic919 says:

        If William can send threatening letters to shut down talk of an affair but cannot say a word to denounce the racism of that same media, well that says it all for me.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        Nic it was the threatening letter to the press to stop the story of Kate having Botox that convinced me Will is a huge hypocrite.

  7. S808 says:

    I hope she’s continuing to take public speaking lessons. The awkward pause when she was turning the notecard was so cringe. If she’s not going to rehearse her speeches at least know the first few words on the next card to make the transition is smoother. William did not even look like he was even pretending to listen to her. It came across as rude and unsupportive to me.

    • swirlmamad says:

      It’s like night and day seeing Will and Harry interact with their wives. Harry always looks as though the sun rises and sets on Meghan’s face, which is heartwarming to see. Will, on the other hand, looks as though he barely registers if Kate is next to him. I don’t think I’ve seen one photo from this tour where they are directly interacting with each other. And I don’t buy any “they’ve been married for years, the excitement is gone” excuses. No looks, glances, smiles of encouragement and support? He always looks like he’s meh about whether she’s there or not and I feel like she’s always looking to him for some kind of acknowledgment. Maybe that’s how their relationship has always been, but there’s just an air of sadness about it all to me.

      • S808 says:

        Honestly if I were either one of them I wouldn’t deal with the other much more than I had to. Whatever they have going on seems to work for them for the most part. I just think in that moment he could’ve looked a bit more engaged and attentive.

      • BeanieBean says:

        That’s interesting. Because one thing I’ve noticed on their tours is they tend to interact more with each other than with the people they’ve come to meet.
        Superficial note: Kaiser noticed her eye makeup in action, but I noticed her eyebrows. That left one really goes up high, which is especially noticeable given that between-the-eyes botox keeps the inner part of the brows down.

      • Andrea says:

        Why he chronically cheats—clearly there is something amiss between them and there always has been. I wonder if it is the worship syndrome that Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale had. Gwen worshiped Gavin, yet he cheated on her left, right, and center.

      • swirlmamad says:

        My previous comment got eaten, but here’s the general gist:

        @chunkyla, I’m sure there ARE plenty of photos out there of them talking/interacting — no one’s saying they out-and-out hate each other — but in general there is a standoffishness to their overall body language when they are together.

        And FWIW, the Twitter bio of that last photo link you posted is, interesting to say the least…..clear Meghan hater right there 😒

      • Lady D says:

        William looks more like he’s grimacing in the second link as opposed to smiling, but it is a bit of a difficult angle to tell.

      • Nic919 says:

        The question to ask is “would you want to be treated by a partner the same way William treats his spouse?” If people are honest they would say no. When you have to conduct searches to discover a few photos where there may possibly be some interaction then it’s an issue. There doesn’t need to be constant handholding, but if you look at most happily married couples that have been married for a long time, they don’t act like that. A great example are the Obamas. They have been together longer than Kate and William and they have interacted at formal events and yet you do not feel awkwardness between them. You see the respect each has for the other. It’s obvious in the same way that you see the absence of it with these two.

      • bamaborn says:

        Agree…those two always seem like they are just going through the motions. At the garden, no pics of them looking at each other. She may have gotten the “prize’, but seems like it was a huge cost.

      • Carolind says:

        Not a fan of these two but there are photos of them interacting and he is looking at her kindly. Some of these photos are at the top of this article so obviously you are writing complete drivel. Regarding his affairs, I know what has been written about Rose and why. I know we don’t always hear everything in the British press. I would love more detail about the other affairs though so please give some proof or all shut up.

      • Olenna says:

        That last link of the Keens, LOL! A stalking catfisher account? No shame.

  8. Rach says:

    This trip was well executed & highlighted Pakistan’s beautiful history & heritage. Normally only the suffering, poverty is showcased. This one was different, may help tourism.

    I have nothing against the Cambridge’s, I don’t know them. What’s reported is mostly tabloid which may well be just gossip. They did a good job here, looked like they really enjoyed the trip.

  9. Beach Dreams says:

    Absolutely pathetic. Hope they enjoyed their little holiday. One of many for the year…

    • undergalaxy says:

      Watch them either get pregnant (to avoid work) or go to Mustique (to avoid work)

    • Senator Fan says:

      You must not have read or heard the same as I or others did. This tour was a success and accomplished what it was suppose to. Many Pakistanis have come on here and told us so. Do you not believe them?

  10. Catherine says:

    Speaking in Urdu was impressive, imo. She was great and very well received in Pakistan. The comments out of Pakistan, and from people with Pakistani heritage have been really wonderful. These tours work, it makes people interested in Pakistan, it’s culture, and the people. Brought another perspective to the world at large. I liked it!

  11. Marie says:

    I strongly dislike these two. When they were asked about Archie after he was born, they gave such odd answers “ spring is a good time to have babies!” And “Welcome to the sleep deprived club” . They could have said that they will make great parents and to ask the press to ease up on them. They would have received such good press for that. They just benefited from Meghan’s pain. They are awful.

    • Vava says:

      Agreed. I dislike them as well. I’m only here to see the clothes because the two of them are hugely overrated in the personality department.

    • swirlmamad says:

      Yes, I remember that and I agree — it was such an impersonal response to your brother and sister-in-law’s new baby. Like a response you’d give about a coworker or something.

    • Jen says:

      Will needed Meghan to be dragged through the mud to distract from his time spent in Rose’s garden.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        I am so glad that I am not the only person to bring up “Rose Who” now and then! LOL!

    • Senator Fan says:

      Why bring this up now on this thread?

  12. Earthbound says:

    Idk shes got a nice vibe. Seems kind.

    • horseandhound says:

      I agree. her energy is very soft. a bit too soft. she seems very lovely, but something about it makes her seem like an easy target. I hope she’s treated nicely by her folks. and hope her husband especially. although I doubt it because his energy is super douche.

  13. kerwood says:

    Is THIS what’s passing for ‘regal’ nowadays?

  14. Justanothersarah says:

    Kate is completely outshining William on this whole tour. Wherever they go she seems engaged and lively and perfectly styled and he…stands with a blank look on his face looking like he suddenly appeared there in whatever business casual clothes he was already wearing when he was plucked from thin air and magically transported onto this trip.

    • Silas says:

      Yes but he’s the blood royal. It’s like Zuckerberg and his dumb hoodie. The person with the actual power doesn’t have to make the effort. I think thats why William can often look so tense at engagements and hates working. He doesn’t want to do things for other people.

      If he’s enjoying himself or he’s around children, he relaxes.

    • Lowrider says:

      Will is a a dud. He reeks of insecurity and nastiness.

      Kate should wake up and realize he needs her more than she needs him.

  15. Andrea says:

    Her eye makeup is a touch too heavy imo.

    • Agenbiter says:

      Is she wearing false eyelashes? Either that or many layers of mascara. Must be uncomfortable either way

  16. Anne says:

    She is still nervous, which is really ok, but she has improved tremendously. I noticed that she started to work on that when Meghan first came into the family. Meghan is a great public speaker, perhaps she helped her a bit. And I always had a strong feeling that she is actually quite smart, much smarter than William but for some reason, she always holds back. It’s a shame. She should let herself shine.

  17. Genessee says:

    I’m sorry, but why does she sound so weird? She sounds like she’s wearing a retainer. Is this her “normal” speaking voice?

    • Anne says:

      No, it’s not, She is trying to do an extremely posh accent and it comes put weird like she has marbles in her mouth. Actually, she sounds much better now, she toned it down significantly. She went reeeally overboard with it after she first got married.

  18. Lene Malan says:

    Get over yourselves

  19. Angie says:

    I don’t like her either bc of Meghan and their treatment of her and Harry and I also think she sounds very weird. It’s not that hard to talk. She sounds super forced.

  20. Suze says:

    She really has a lovely voice. Maybe her accent is a bit put on, but she sounded interested and invested in the work that SOS and the community does.

  21. Ellen2 says:

    Interview? That brief exchange was an interview? More of a soundbite if you ask me, but I suppose it’s par for the course when we’re talking about Kate.

  22. RoyalBlue says:

    Wow. Took her only 8 years to do this. Thanks Meghan!

    • Skydome says:

      But she didn’t do anything – calling that brief commentary an interview is like calling a hooker a hostess. Sorry if that sounds crass but the bar is set so low for this woman. Meghan has accomplished so much more & displayed so much passion & commitment for her duties in such a short time…

      • RoyalBlue says:

        Yup. 100% agreed. But you know how Kate is competitive and does not like to be shown up. It only took her biracial, pants-wearing, educated, comes with powerful friends, millionIre, commands the love of multitudes, gorgeous penmanship, charismatic, fosterer of dogs, instagram breaker, hard working, confident, openly affectionate, sweet, gorgeous, comfortable in front of the camera and solutions-focussed sister-in-law to bring this out in her. Otherwise she would have kept being that lady of leisure. It’s time she learns that model of being royalty is fast becoming extinct.

  23. Mrs.Krabapple says:

    That statement was . . . weird. I can’t figure out what’s even happening there. She said the “vulnerable women” use the “support” the Village provides them, to “support” the next generation of children. So are the women supporting the children, or is the Village supporting the children? What does the “next generation” of children mean — are those children NOT the vulnerable women’s own children, but a generation later?

    She used a lot of words, but they seem to be obscuring, rather than enhancing, her message. If the meaning is that the Village provides valuable support to vulnerable women and children, then just say that. I hope her speech writers know they don’t need to add in superfluous words to try to make her sound more intelligent, and that it actually has the opposite effect.

    • aka says:

      The way she said it is right. The children are orphans and they live in the village until reaching adulthood. They are looked after by women who have nowhere to go and are provided support by the actual organisation SOS village.

  24. Bc says:

    First off, i love her accent. I love the British accent and how they enunciate their words.

    Having said that, took her long enough to get to talking. 8years, is it? Its really nice to see the effect Meghan is having on everyone. Some feel so challenged, they actually might start to do what theyve always been too lazy to do: working! Gasp! I cant believe shes being congratulated for this and after so long. Must be nice to have the bar so low.

  25. Autumn says:

    It’s bad enough listening to her fake accent but those hands and her arms are a distraction…everything about her is fake and her family too. And I wish she would stop trying and copying Princess Diana fashion. She’s no Lady Diana not even on the same level not by a long shot. It’s not a love match- I still think his horrible in law family have something on William.

  26. Hmm says:

    Kate looked FABULOUS on this trip!! She’s getting back some of the fullness of her face. She was so thin and pale for a while, it had me worried.