Hilary Mantel: Kate Middleton is a ‘shop window mannequin’

A writer has dismissed the Duchess of Cambridge as being ‘machine-made’ at a lecture

16:01 19 February 2013

 

The author Hilary Mantel has described Kate Middleton as a ‘shop window mannequin’ in her British Museum lecture. The double Booker Prize-winner went on to say that the Duchess of Cambridge had a ‘perfect plastic smile’.

 

During the London Review of Books lecture, Ms. Mantel, who wrote Wolf Hall, dismissed Prince William’s wife as being ‘machine-made’. This is understood to relate to the fact that the Duchess, who is well into her pregnancy, has the role of producing the next heir to the throne.

 

The 60-year-old also wrote that Kate was personality-free. Ms. Mantel, who writes Tudor novels, made comparisons between the Duchess of Cambridge and other female royal family members from the past.

 

This included a reference to the late Princess Diana, who was popularly known as the people’s princess, as well as King Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn.

 

Anne, who was considered to be a powerful lady during her reign as Queen of England in the 16th Century, was also responsible for producing an heir to the throne. Although this function seems to be of an interest to Ms. Mantel, it may have caused a stir with Kate’s fans.

 

Kate, aged 31, will visit Hope House treatment centre in London, on Tuesday, 19th February, 2013. There the Duchess will meet with women who are recovering from addictions, such as alcohol and drug addiction.

 

Hope House is linked with the charity Action on Addiction, which the Princess is patron of.

The visit comes following the Duchess’ return from her Caribbean holiday. News last week also concerned the soon-to-be mum, as pictures were taken of Kate wearing a bikini while she was in Mustique.

 

The news on the royal pregnancy came towards the end of last year after Kate was treated in hospital for morning sickness.