Kate Middleton already has one infamously controversial portrait; but it seems like her latest portrait, which appears on the front cover of the latest issue of Tatler magazine, might just beat it!
If you’ll recall, Kate’s first official portrait by Paul Emsley (below) was slammed by fans when it was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery back in 2013, as they thought it was quite unflattering and didn’t depict the then Duchess of Cambridge in the best light. And it seems like Kate herself wasn’t a huge fan of the portrait either, as it has since quietly disappeared from public view. Reports claimed that it was unlikely to have been removed without the Princess of Wales’ permission, which suggests that she may have asked to have it taken down.
Kate Middleton's New Portrait Causes A Stir On Social Media
The mom-of-three's latest portrait – which was commissioned by Tatler and therefore isn't classed as an official royal portrait – has actually caused even more controversy than the 2013 one, with fans insisting it looks absolutely nothing like her!
The striking painting is the work of British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, who is reportedly based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It shows the Princess of Wales at the first state banquet of King Charles III's reign back in 2022, where the monarch welcomed the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, to the U.K.
The Princess of Wales wore a dreamy Jenny Packham evening dress with a floor-length cape for the highly-glamorous and sophisticated occasion, teamed with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, which is deemed to be her favorite based on how many times she has worn it. In the portrait, Kate is wearing the dress and tiara, and is striking an elegant pose with her hands clasped together resting in front of her body.
Uzor said she was inspired by Kate's "strength and courage" in her cancer diagnosis confession video when working on the project. She told Tatler: "It's really important to capture the soul of the person. It's been really interesting for me to get a sense of who she is. This particular outfit that I chose was particularly striking, it made her look very regal and very confident."
See the full feature in the July issue of Tatler, available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday May 30th.
Social Media Reactions
Unfortunately, the portrait didn't get a great reaction on social media. "That doesn't even remotely look like Kate Middleton. The arms & the hands look like bad AI. Someone was paid for this?!" asked one confused fan on a May 22nd X post of the Tatler cover. "Seems the Princess of Wales has been MIA so long, the artist forgot what she looks like," quipped another, followed by a crying laughing emoji, as a third wrote: "Seriously, THAT was the best artist they could afford? They apparently really do hate her." "#KensingtonPalace is straight up trolling now," commented another.
"That portrait on the cover is horrid! It's an insult to HRH Catherine Princess of Wales," wrote another X user in a separate post. "I absolutely agree," replied one X user, adding: "It's an insult." The same user also said: "The portrait is an abomination."
"Looks like a grade school art project," criticized another X user, as another added: "I was horrified. Nothing like the Princess. Apart from the poor technique and styling, Princess Catherine has such warmth and softness in her face, as well as being a stunning beauty." "Bears no resemblance to her at all. Does her no justice," concurred another. "I’m sorry, but this is downright awful. (I’m an art teacher.) I’d be embarrassed to display that anywhere," commented another.
Things weren't any better on Instagram. Commenting on a side by side picture of Kate's Tatler cover and Kate at the banquet in 2022, one user exclaimed: "Maybe the royal family is finally on a budget! Hiring the Craigslist artists!" "Terrible portrait of the Princess," slammed another, as another critical user said: "Doesn't resemble her at all. It should be removed and commission another artist. The shape of face, the color of the face, hair, waistline, etc. The wax museum would do a better job."
"The painting on its own isn't terrible, but it bears no resemblance to the Princess," wrote another. "That is horrible! It doesn't do her justice and looks nothing like her! They need to redo it!" insisted another, followed by the eye rolling emoji.
Other users were a little harsher with their words, with one asking: "Was it done by a child? Terrible!" "Did her child draw that or did they order from Temu?" questioned another, in agreement, as another echoed: "Looks like my kids drew it!" "If it were a portrait done by a 13-year-old, it'd be fantastic but it's not befitting of a duchess who is also strikingly beautiful," noted another Instagram user. "Come on… it's terrible, where did they find the artist?" asked another.
