Anyone for Tennis?
When you think of a quintessentially British Summer what springs to mind? Ascot, strawberries and cream, Pimms and picnics on riverbanks and parks and of course tennis! Wimbledon is one of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. The event combines style, sport and history making it the ultimate 'see and be seen' destination in London. However, I for one thought that the media's obsession with one particular royal far outweighed the gravitas of the tournament itself this year.
Personally, I thought that the media's focus on Kate Middleton was somewhat over the top. The obsession with her appearance came across as both excessive and repetitive. It also seemed to distract from the athletes themselves on occasions. Every outfit along with her weight was spoken about at length every day she made an appearance at the tournament.
It's a fact that Kate's fashion style has always been iconic and much talked about in the media. Kate's outfits are dissected in every newspaper, and glossy magazine to the last detail. The public are always curious to see what she's wearing whether it's a bespoke designer dress or an affordable high street piece. Media outlets then follow these trends. Kate has been known to wear dresses form high street brand Reiss and they sell like hot cakes within hours!
We know that Kate is an avid tennis fan, and her attendance at Wimbledon is seen as a sign of support for British athletes and the sport itself. She speaks to the winners and has chats with her husband Prince William and her children; solidifying her connection to the event.
Unlike other royals Kate wasn't born into nobility. She's seen as someone who can balance royal experience while still coming across as approachable, which giver her more media traction. She's known to connect with the public and people enjoy seeing her at Wimbledon; whether it's for the tennis or just to catch a glimpse of a member of the royal family in a casual setting.
While Kate is a public figure, there's a fine line between healthy media attention and overstepping privacy boundaries. I for one feel that the media should focus less on her appearance in order to give her the time to heal and find the balance she's craving post cancer. The media's obsession with her might even be contributing to the pressures she faces as she resumes her role as a royal and finds her place in the world as a cancer survivor.
