Feel free to look away if you’re totally unmoved by news of The Duchess of Cambridge’s second pregnancy.
Kate Middleton’s pregnant again. Fast work, some might say, as her son, Prince George, is just about a year old. But when her job is basically to produce heirs to the throne – she did give up her day job so she could be a full-time Duchess – it’s little wonder.
Though it’s not quite clear when she’s expecting, the news has been announced just as the Queen’s on every cover of the paper begging to not be the last Queen of Scotland. See, in case you’ve missed the referendum campaign (don’t worry, everyone in England and Wales basically hasn’t noticed until it appears to be too late), Scotland is looking to become independent from England, which could mean all sorts of things for both economies.
Just for some context, the campaign to keep Scotland on side is branded ‘Better Together’
That still doesn’t seem to legitimise this sort of joke going around:
This isn't the only sexist reaction to Kate’s pregnancy. Here's another:
And as well as the cascade of mentions of 'miscarriage' on Twitter, so much so that it's a suggested search term – which isn't quite sexist so much as invasive and, clearly, false – with every Tweet wishing for Kate to be gestating a Princess, people are casting aspirations and desires on to a foetus that could be no bigger than a thumb.
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Do we really want to say that a literal bundle of nerves (they don't even have skeletons until three months is) is going to be a ‘style icon?' Maybe it will be, or maybe it'll be just like its dad and dress in purposefully distressed boot-cut jeans and wide-lapelled shirts. But it’s not even born yet, let alone able to wear Mini Boden booties or decide on a career.
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As exciting as the news is, it could be just as exciting to live with our anticipation for a bit. Because using an unborn baby as an excuse to outlet dickheadish attitudes towards women, or suggesting there’s only one future for a princess? Not cool. Haven’t these people heard of Frozen?
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.