There’s just something about Kate Middleton – now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. 

The tabloids follow her everywhere, her wedding was internationally televised, and heaven forbid her and her new husband should be allowed to go to the grocery store without a camera flash – because famous people buying milk and deli meat is entertainment. 

Somehow through all this she has a wide smile, impossibly flawless hair and never speaks to the media. Is that why everyone is so fascinated by her?

I have to say I am caught looking through tabloid news sites at pictures of her and Wills too, even though I have always been a Harry fan (there’s just something about those gingery locks, and I’m convinced he’s much more fun than his older brother).

I think it’s the fashion, her shoes and the ever-present fascinator that I enjoy. I remember when Diana died, and the resurgence of the monarchy’s popularity since the royal wedding has been interesting. 

Great Britain has not governed us for many years, and our attachment to them is purely figurative, but we’re certainly willing to drop everything and host  royal tours. 

I have been reading cries of, “Would somebody please think of the tax dollars!” and to a point I agree – why are we spending all this money on their honeymoon? If I ever get married, I have to spend my own money on my own trip. Where’s my piece of the pie, Mr. Harper? Where’s my Stampede parade float? 

Really, I – and I’m sure many of us – am just jealous that the beautiful duchess has achieved the life little girls dream of. 

Princess Kate’s carriage may not have been hot pink and gold like the one my Barbies took to their wedding when I was a little girl, but her Queen-like wave and the balcony kiss were spot on. The designer gown, military fly-by and second wedding gown were extras that, should I go back in time, I would add in. 

When I think of the life little girls dream of, I wonder if that included the intense media scrutiny, people who’s job it is to follow you around, a complete forfeiture of privacy, private nuptials broadcasted to millions worldwide and an instant celebrity status whether you like it or not. 

When Kate was little, did she dream of all these things? 

There’s been so much media coverage of the couple’s decision not to hire any staff for their household. It’s 2011; why was everyone so shocked? I get by just fine without a team of people taking care of me (however, if I could hire a personal chef and a maid to clean up my disaster of a room, and perhaps do a turn-down service after making my bed in the morning, I think life would be just peachy), and it seems odd that the world would ever wonder why a pair of 20-something-year-olds wouldn’t want the same.

I’ll take my private life, and the ability to grocery shop in peace. If you’ve ever seen me shop, even if I was a duchess, photographers would lose interest in me within minutes. Yes I buy milk and occasionally some turkey for sandwiches, but it takes me hours of labouring over every purchase and my hair is anything but flawless. 

After all this thought about Kate, I’m still jealous, and still going to enjoy her fashion choices, because really, one lowly Canadian journalist swearing off tabloid searches won’t make a difference. Even if you all jump on my pro-Kate bandwagon – we’d be a small army, but no English paparazzi will lose sleep over us. 

So welcome to Canada, Kate and Will. I hope you enjoy your tax payer-funded media blitz, but also get a chance to go off the beaten path a bit and see what this country truly has to offer.

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writer’s own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.