Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, has found herself at the center of yet another controversial image, as a composite portrait featured on the July 2024 cover of Tatler magazine has sparked a wave of backlash from her fans online. The portrait, created by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, was intended to recognize the future queen's "strength and courage" in light of her ongoing cancer battle and recent video message to the nation.
Uzor's work, inspired by a real-life photo of Princess Kate at King Charles III's first state banquet as reigning monarch in November 2022, depicts the royal in a floor-length white Jenny Packham evening gown adorned with sparkling shoulder details, complemented by the iconic Lover's Knot Tiara, famously worn by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. However, many of the princess's fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the portrait, claiming that it bears little resemblance to the beloved royal.
One commenter on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote, "Doesn't look like Catherine at all. If she wasn't wearing that dress, I'd have no clue as to who it's meant to be." The sentiment was echoed by numerous others, with comments ranging from "Are you kidding me?" to "Oh heck, I know art is subjective, but it looks nothing like the Princess of Wales."
When asked by Tatler if Princess Kate's cancer battle factored into her artistry, Uzor responded, "Without a doubt. All my portraits are made up of layers of a personality, constructed from everything I can find about them." The artist added that Kate's video depicted "a moment of dealing with something difficult, speaking from the heart, having the courage to tackle it head-on."
Uzor also praised the princess, stating, "She has really risen up to her role - she was born for this. She carries herself with such dignity, elegance and grace."
This controversy follows a previous scandal involving a heavily edited U.K. Mother's Day image released by the princess earlier this year, which led to a public apology from the royal. The doctored picture was part of the "Where's Kate?" online hashtag of conspiracies that circulated in the early part of the year, prompting the princess to release a video discussing her struggles with cancer in an effort to "silence the madness" of the "smear campaigns," according to a royal insider.
As Princess Kate continues to battle cancer, undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment and recovering from abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace has confirmed that she is not expected to return to work for the time being. The palace's statement to The Evening Standard and BBC on Tuesday has further fueled discussions about the princess's health and her ability to carry out her royal duties.
The backlash surrounding Uzor's portrait has not been limited to social media, with some critics drawing comparisons to the recently released portrait of King Charles III, which was also heavily panned for its progressive style and rich, ruby red backgrounds and hues that led many online royal followers to compare it to "bloodshed."
As the controversies surrounding the royal portraits continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how the palace will address the growing concerns of the public and the media. With Princess Kate's health at the forefront of the nation's mind, the focus will likely remain on her recovery and the support she receives from her family and the public during this challenging time.
