2013 hasn't been the best year for Kate Middleton so far. First, she missed out on the Radio 4 power list, now award-winning author Hilary Mantel's called her a dead eyed mannequin. Ouch.
In a recent lecture the Wolf Hall writer claimed that the Duchess had "no personality of her own" and was "entirely defined by what she wore".
Continuing with her rather scathing, analysis Hilary deemed to Kate's smile to be "plastic" and argued she'd been "selected for her role of princess" because she was "irreproachable: as painfully thin as anyone could wish, without quirks, without oddities, without the risk of the emergence of character”. Eeek!
The author's hour-long 'Royal Bodies' speech for the London Review of Books also touched upon K-Middy's seamless transition from "perfect bride to perfect mother, with no messy deviation”.
Hilary also called the pregnant Duchess “a jointed doll on which certain rags are hung” and remarked that these days, she was seen as “a mother-to-be, and draped in another set of threadbare attributions”.
And if that wasn't enough the Man Booker Prize winner said Kate's official portrait, which was unveiled in January, gave her “dead eyes” and a “strained smile”. The author argued the Duchess’s pre-Royal life meant nothing and “her only point and purpose being to give birth”. Yeeesh!
Duchess of Cambridge portrait unveiled
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet artist Paul Emsley after viewing his new portrait of the Duchess, during a private viewing at the National Portrait Gallery in central London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Jessica Ennis after the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge walks out to present Lord Sebastian Coe with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and David Beckham during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL London.
Kate opens Natural History Museum gallery
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives to officially open the new Treasures gallery at the Natural History Museum, in central London.
Duchess of Cambridge portrait unveiled
The Duchess of Cambridge after viewing a new portrait by Paul Emsley of herself at the National Portrait Gallery in central London.
Duchess of Cambridge portrait unveiled
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the National Portrait Gallery in London today to view a newly commissioned portrait of the Duchess by Paul Emsley.
Duchess of Cambridge portrait unveiled
Paul Emsley by his new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge after its unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in central London.
Duchess of Cambridge visits East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Duchess of Cambridge plants a tree as she leaves after her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.
Duchess of Cambridge visits East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.
Duchess of Cambridge visits East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Tilly Jennings as she leaves after her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.
Duchess of Cambridge expecting
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the King Edward VII hospital in London where the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted with severe morning sickness.
Duchess of Cambridge expecting
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the King Edward VII hospital in London where the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted with severe morning sickness.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers from Caitlin Rock during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Royal visit to Cambridgeshire
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Guildhall in Cambridge.
Royal visit to Cambridgeshire
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Guildhall in Cambridge.
Royal visit to Cambridgeshire
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire as they arrive at Cambridge station.
Royal visit to Cambridgeshire
The Duchess of Cambridge greets well wishers during a walkabout in Cambridge.
Kate opens Natural History Museum gallery
RETRANSMITTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Duchess of Cambridge views a plate from Audubon's Birds of America alongside Director of the Natural History Museum Doctor Michael Dixon (left) and Special Collections Manager Judith Magee (right) during a visit to officially open the new Treasures Gallery, at the Natural History Museum, in central London.
University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal reception
Duchess of Cambridge and Sir Ming Campbell (right) attend a reception and dinner in aid of the University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal at Middle Temple Treasury, London.
University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal reception
The Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception and dinner in aid of the University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal at Middle Temple Treasury, London.
Royal Visit To North East
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Elswick Park, Newcastle- upon-Tyne on October 10, 2012.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge view the swimming pool during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play a reaction game in the new gym during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to St George's Park
RETRANSMITTED CORRECTING BYLINEThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meets (left to right) manager Roy Hodgson, assistant manager Ray Lewington, and goalkeeper coach Dave Watson after the training session during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the England training session during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent.
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars
The Duchess of Cambridge visits Middle Temple in London, England. The Duke, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London.
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship recipients Kerri-Anne Ferdinando and Steven Kennedy as they visit Middle Temple Inn, London.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
NOTE ALTERNATE CROP.The Duchess of Cambridge is carried from a boat to the plane in Marau in Guadacanal Province, Solomon Islands, before departing for Tuvalu during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge departs from Honiara airport, Solomon Islands, ahead of flying to Tuvalu, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are carried from the plane to a welcoming ceremony during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, part of a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Nauti Primary School in Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, part of a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge gets into costume with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge gets into costume with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge gets into costume with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge departs from Honiara airport, Solomon Islands, ahead of flying to Tuvalu, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Honiara airport, Solomon Islands, after flying from Marau, before immediately departing for Tuvalu, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Tuvanipupu Island on their Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East in Honiara, Guadalcanal Island.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Tavanipupu Island on their Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East in Honiara, Guadalcanal Island.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Marau, Guadacanal Province on their way to Tivanipupu during a visit to the Solomon Islands, on a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Cultural Village in the Solomon Islands, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
What's your verdict? Is Hilary justified in her remarks? Or do you reckon she came down too hard on the Duchess?
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Previewing Your Comment.
This comment has not yet been postedIt hasn't been a bad month for the Duchess at all.
She's young, healthy and in love. What's more, she is expecting her first child.
This is the happiest time of her life.
Any fat, ugly and spiteful old woman who finds fault with her is to be pitied.
So let's have no more "poor Kate" stories ... if she doesn't like it there are a few million women who would gladly exchange places with her.
Ignore her Kate.. she certainly does not speak for all of us. I would have thought that she should have at least met you and spoken to you before she passed those sort of judgement.
Shame on you Ms Mantel. What a nice person you are.... NOT