Kate Middleton Faced Unimaginable Scrutiny After Marrying Into Royal Life
Life changed dramatically for Kate Middleton after marrying Prince William, the Prince of Wales. Beyond leaving behind her privacy and the comforts of a relatively normal life, the now Princess of Wales had to adapt to being scrutinized constantly by the public and media.
Though Kate likely prepared herself for this reality during her long relationship with Prince William, nothing could have truly braced her for the wild conspiracy theories that emerged during her prolonged absence from public life in early 2024.
As speculation about her whereabouts swirled, even celebrities weighed in—some poking fun at her absence. But when it was later revealed that Kate had stepped back from royal duties to undergo treatment for cancer, many of those same celebrities issued public apologies for their earlier remarks.
However, not everyone chose the path of empathy. Controversial commentator Megyn Kelly took a different stance on her podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show. She defended her decision to discuss Kate’s disappearance, arguing that the princess’s public role made her a fair subject for scrutiny.
“[Kate] could have remained a commoner,” Kelly stated. “It comes with the territory. I’m sorry—you want privacy, but that ship sailed when you joined this wacky family. People are going to be interested in you, for better or worse.”
Kelly went on to suggest that the speculation could have been avoided if Kate had been more transparent about her health from the start. While her comments sparked backlash for being harsh, others in the public eye have made even more pointed criticisms.
Morrissey slammed Kate Middleton for an odd reason
Morrissey’s Longstanding Criticism of the Royal Family, Including Kate Middleton
Morrissey, the famously outspoken former frontman of The Smiths, has never hidden his disdain for the British monarchy. Over the years, he has made several controversial statements, including harsh criticism directed at Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, for events largely beyond her control.
In a 2012 appearance on the New Zealand talk show Nightline, Morrissey openly blamed Kate for a tragic incident that followed a prank call made during her hospitalization. At the time, Kate had been admitted to King Edward VII Hospital suffering from severe morning sickness. During her stay, two Australian radio hosts from Hot30 Countdown posed as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles in a prank call to the hospital, which resulted in a nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, inadvertently disclosing private medical information. Tragically, Saldanha later died by suicide.
Despite the global outpouring of sympathy for Saldanha and her family, Morrissey controversially pointed the finger at Kate. As reported by The Independent, he said, “She feels no shame about the death of this woman; she’s saying nothing about the death of this poor woman.” He went on to criticize the royal institution, adding, “The arrogance of the British royals is staggering—absolutely staggering. And why it’s allowed to be, I really don’t know.”
Morrissey also accused Clarence House of creating a pressure-filled environment that may have contributed to Saldanha’s mental distress, suggesting that the palace’s expectations left the nurse feeling overwhelmed after the call.
In addition to his views on the tragic event, Morrissey questioned the severity of Kate’s illness and implied it was exaggerated. In an interview with the Herald Sun that same year, he also criticized her for consuming foie gras—an item he has long opposed due to animal cruelty concerns. According to HuffPost, the singer expressed dismay at Kate’s enjoyment of what he described as “shockingly cruel” food.
Taking his stance a step further, Morrissey’s band even wore T-shirts that read “We Hate William & Kate,” accompanied by an image of the royal couple—an extreme gesture that sparked further backlash.
While Morrissey’s comments have generated headlines, they’ve also fueled debates about public figures’ responsibilities, media influence, and how far criticism should go—especially in times of personal hardship.
Katie Couric and Kelly Osbourne’s remarks about Kate Middleton gave off mean-girl energy
Katie Couric and Kelly Osbourne Faced Backlash for Remarks About Kate Middleton
In 2012, during a Q&A session, veteran journalist Katie Couric expressed admiration for Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, highlighting the grace with which she handled the intense public scrutiny that comes with royal life. Couric mentioned she would love the opportunity to interview Kate, noting her composure under pressure.
However, her comments took a sharp turn when she added, “I think she needs to eat more because she’s so thin,” as reported by HuffPost. Though possibly meant as an offhand observation, the remark drew criticism, especially given the widespread and unfounded speculation at the time about Kate possibly suffering from an eating disorder. Commenting on a woman’s body—especially in the public eye—can easily come across as insensitive, and many considered Couric’s remark both inappropriate and disappointing.
Making matters worse, Couric had recently conducted a rare joint interview with Prince William and Prince Harry just months earlier—an opportunity few journalists receive. Many felt that her later comments undermined the respectful tone she had previously shown.
Couric wasn’t alone in drawing criticism for her remarks about Kate. In 2011, reality TV personality Kelly Osbourne made headlines during her appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for commenting on Kate’s wardrobe. Referring to the Princess’s decision to re-wear an outfit to Zara Tindall’s wedding, Osbourne said that while many praised Kate for being “thrifty,” she personally wouldn’t have made the same choice.
“If I am going to be the future bloody Queen of England,” Osbourne said, “I’m gonna wear that dress once because I’m giving up the rest of my life, all of my privacy—at least I can get a new dress every day.” Her remarks were perceived as tone-deaf by many royal watchers, who viewed Kate’s decision to re-wear clothing as a thoughtful gesture of relatability, rather than a sign of frugality.
Both incidents reflect the intense and often unfair scrutiny that Kate Middleton has faced since joining the royal family. Despite her efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy and grace under pressure, public figures—including celebrities and media personalities—have not always shown the same level of consideration in their commentary.
Vivienne Westwood wasn’t a fan of Kate Middleton’s style
Vivienne Westwood Praised Kate Middleton for Sustainable Fashion—But Had Strong Opinions on Her Style
While some public figures, like Kelly Osbourne, criticized Kate Middleton for re-wearing outfits, legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood offered a very different perspective.
During an interview at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013, Westwood expressed her admiration for the Duchess of Cambridge’s occasional habit of outfit-repeating. “It’s very good for the environment, and it would send out a very nice message,” Westwood said, as reported by Us Weekly. She added that re-wearing flattering pieces would also save the royal time and energy spent searching for new ensembles.
Westwood went further, suggesting there was no need for Kate to change outfits multiple times a day, emphasizing the value of practicality in public appearances.
Kate has indeed repeated several of her most iconic looks, and Westwood noticed. Speaking to Yahoo! Style in 2015, the designer acknowledged that she was pleased to see the Princess of Wales take her advice to heart by re-wearing outfits more regularly.
However, Westwood didn’t hold back when it came to critiquing Kate’s personal styling—especially her makeup. “The line around her eyes makes her look hard, and harsh, and older,” she said, referring to the Duchess’s signature eyeliner. Westwood believed a softer or smudged look would be more flattering.
In an earlier 2011 interview with The Sunday Times, the designer also commented on Kate’s hair, suggesting that she could experiment more with different styles. Westwood encouraged the royal to embrace a more expressive and bold image, rather than adhering strictly to a modest or minimalist aesthetic.
While Westwood’s comments stirred debate among fashion critics and royal watchers, they underscored how every aspect of Kate Middleton’s appearance—no matter how small—is constantly scrutinized in the public eye. Yet, despite differing opinions, the Duchess has remained consistent in developing her own style, often blending elegance with approachability.
Meghan Markle reportedly isn’t too fond of her sister-in-law
Inside the Strained Relationship Between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
In his revealing book Endgame, royal commentator Omid Scobie alleged that Meghan Markle initially hoped to form a strong bond with Kate Middleton. As women who had both married into the royal family and faced intense media scrutiny, Meghan believed they shared a unique experience. However, according to Scobie, the Princess of Wales kept her sister-in-law at a distance—reportedly because she disliked her from the beginning. One insider even claimed, “[Kate] spent more time talking about Meghan than talking to her.”
But according to royal biographer Tom Bower, the tension wasn’t one-sided. In The House of Beckham, Bower suggested that Meghan had mutual misgivings. After receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the public during her first royal tour of Australia, Meghan envisioned a prominent and impactful royal role. However, she quickly learned that no matter how popular she became, royal protocol meant she would always be subordinate to Kate in terms of rank and responsibility. This reportedly left her feeling disappointed and disillusioned.
Their complicated relationship became a major topic of public interest when reports surfaced of a falling-out during the lead-up to Meghan’s 2018 wedding. Rumors swirled that Meghan had made Kate cry over a disagreement involving bridesmaids’ dresses.
However, during her headline-making 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan offered a different version of events. She stated that it was Kate who had made her cry, not the other way around—though she emphasized that her sister-in-law later apologized sincerely and that she had forgiven her.
Even so, the incident didn’t sit well with Kate. Royal expert Katie Nicholl told OK! Magazine that the Princess of Wales was “mortified” to see the issue resurface publicly. “Kate felt it was all sorted, so to have it brought up again was mortifying,” Nicholl explained. “Kate is not in a position to respond, and Meghan and Harry know that.”
Despite any lingering tensions, both women have continued to fulfill their royal and public roles—albeit from vastly different spheres. As Meghan and Harry have stepped away from royal duties and relocated to the U.S., Kate remains a central figure in the monarchy’s future, with her public image rooted in tradition, discretion, and duty.
Some royals are reportedly envious of Kate Middleton’s popularity
Kate Middleton’s Complex Relationships Within the Royal Family
While Kate Middleton is known for her close bond with some members of the royal family, there are others she reportedly keeps at arm’s length. According to a 2016 Daily Mail report, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie may fall into that second category.
One example often cited occurred during a Buckingham Palace tea party. Although both Beatrice and Eugenie were dressed up and in attendance, their presence was reportedly overshadowed by the more high-profile arrival of Kate and Prince William. According to a party attendee, the Prince and Princess of Wales mingled effortlessly with excited guests, while Sarah Ferguson’s daughters were left largely on the sidelines.
The insider suggested the event might have been more enjoyable for the sisters had they been invited to a different gathering—one where they wouldn’t have had to compete with the immense public attention surrounding Kate and William. “Few egos are small enough to cope with this kind of thing,” the source remarked, referencing a photograph that captured Beatrice and Eugenie walking behind Kate with visibly stiff expressions. Over the years, it’s been clear that Kate’s relationship with the York sisters has seen its share of ups and downs.
Her dynamic with Queen Camilla has also reportedly been complicated. In royal biographer Christopher Andersen’s book Game of Crowns, he alleged that Camilla was once envious of Kate’s widespread popularity, particularly considering her commoner background. Andersen even claimed that Camilla played a role in Prince William’s brief breakup with Kate in 2007, believing that her middle-class upbringing made her an unsuitable match for a future king.
In an interview with the Daily Beast, Andersen shared, “Camilla is a product of the aristocracy and the old-school royal mindset. She didn’t see Kate as the right fit initially—and that created early tension.” Though the relationship between the two royal women has evolved over time, these early struggles reflect how complex royal dynamics can be, even behind the palace walls.
