Why Kate Middleton's Podcast Interview Was So Groundbreaking
From the moment the public learned of her relationship with Prince William, Kate Middleton has lived her life in the full glare of the spotlight. Every bit of information available about her, whether about her childhood or after she met her prince, has been amplified, analyzed, and repeated around the world.
Yet despite this, and perhaps somewhat astonishingly, there is so much that has remained a mystery about the life of this future queen. And in almost nine years of being a royal, we have only heard her speak in a handful of short interviews, prepared speeches, and snippets of conversations.
That’s why Kate's interview on the podcast "Happy Mum, Happy Baby," in which she talks for 30 minutes about her childhood and experiences of motherhood, is so fascinating. It is by far the most valuable insight we have had into who she really is, what motivates her, and even just what she sounds like talking at length.
Kate’s struggles with severe morning sickness were well-documented, but this is the first time we have heard her discuss how that felt. It was rumored that she had used hypno-birthing techniques, but now we hear directly that this was something she "wanted to do for myself" and she found it "hugely powerful." We learn that she found appearing on the steps of the Lindo Wing after Prince George was born "slightly terrifying," but that she had "mixed emotions" because she felt sharing her joy with the public was "really important."
Perhaps one of the most remarkable things about the conversation is just how ordinary it seems. Here you have the future queen, bringing up the future king, talking about life inside a palace. But listening to Kate recall playing outdoors, trying to cook sausages on a fire, and cherishing a photograph of her daughter smelling a bluebell, it could be a conversation between any two moms. As host Giovanna Fletcher said, "I remember one moment when we were in there going 'I can’t believe this is happening and I’m trying to act like it’s completely normal, and it’s not!'"
There is no doubt that long one-on-one discussions leave the interviewee exposed, so from that perspective it could be viewed as a brave decision to take part. However, the genre suits Kate’s style and the timing feels right. After eight years of behind-the-scenes research, her substantial knowledge on the early years is evident. Almost a decade after marrying into the royal family, she is confident enough to allow more insight into life behind closed doors. Her unassuming and considered approach lends itself well to a long-form discussion.
At times I was reminded of the tricky line the Duchess is treading as a royal—the balance between being open about universal experiences, while acknowledging that her circumstances are unique. However, the strength of this discussion is in her honesty.
When Kate talks about appreciating the “simple things” it’s a PR dream, but it’s also so clearly a sincerely held belief. Her admission that she feels "mum guilt" and that it was a weight off her shoulders when a "very wise man" made her realize that it’s not totally her responsibility to do everything, leaves you in no doubt just how hands-on a parent she is. When she says she feels "huge responsibility" because of what she has learned and that she wants to hear from families and start a conversation, it’s hard not to buy into her commitment to creating change. As she says, "It’s not just about happy, healthy children. This is for lifelong consequences and outcomes."
The Duchess appeared on "Happy Mum, Happy Baby" to promote her UK-wide survey, "5 Big Questions on the Under 5s," which can be taken at 5bigquestions.org.uk.
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