From bullying victim to future Queen
A quote from a childhood friend of Kate Middleton describes many victims of school bullying: “The girls there were horrible,” Jessica Hay told Middleton biographer Sean Smith. “She was picked on because she was perfect, well turned out and a lovely person. She was not the type of person to stick up for herself. They saw something that they could pick on and gangs of girls can be very nasty.”*
Kate was 13 years-old when she started at Downe House School in England. After one year, her parents transferred her to the co-ed Marlborough College where she thrived. While at Downe’s, Kate was picked on because she was seen as perfect – a nice person who dressed well, but was gangly and soft-spoken. She was called names, had her books stolen and was often times left alone at a table at lunchtime.
Kate at age 13
Once at Marlborough College and later at St. Andrew’s University, Kate came into her own. Intelligent, confident and no longer a gangly figure, she attracted the attention of classmate, Prince William. An on-again, off-again relationship over nine years led to their royal wedding on April 29, 2011. Kate and William, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, asked that wedding guests donate to their listed charities. One of them is London-based Beatbullying.org.
William’s father is Prince Charles, age 62, who is next in line to become King of England when his mother, 85 year-old Queen Elizabeth II, passes away. When Prince Charles dies, William and Kate will be crowned the King and Queen of England.
Obviously, Kate’s bullies did not have the final word. She survived and became her own lady – one that supports anti-bullying programs. Beatbullying has a unique program called Cyber Mentors where young people are trained to provide support to their peers. Find out more about the Cyber Mentors program here.
The Royal Kiss, April 29, 2011
* “Kate” by Sean Smith (2011) Non Basic Stock Line Publisher.
Princess Kate has walked the walk. I am sure that is part of the reason why she is such a great princess.
That’s an inspiring story. A lot of young people are the victims of bullying everyday. Kate is one person who did not let the experience define her once she reached adulthood.
Its interesting….even funny to think that someone glamourous (and for the past few months possitively doused in lace) could have been bullied. I think too many teens feel alone in their afflictions. Eating lunch alone. Fighting to belong. Teens feel the same presure and the same hurt everywhere. It is incredibly important to realize that school is not all there is in life. It’s especially fun to see the future queen, and Diana’s lovely successor (as a prety and poised princess) having overcome the troubles of bullying.
Dear Sierra: You are absolutely correct – bullying is an international issue affecting teens and tweens throughout the world. Realizing that the bully is the one with issues and that the bullied is not alone is an important step when dealing with a bully. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.