- Catherine has been a model royal, avoiding the scathing criticism heaped on her sister-in-law Meghan Markle.
- Kate has come under criticism from feminist commentators over her perfectly turned-out appearance
- while Meghan has been targeted by British tabloids for her mixed-race appearance.
Since joining Britain’s most renowned family, the Princess of Wales has been a model royal, making graceful public appearances while avoiding the scathing criticism heaped on her sister-in-law Meghan Markle.
Catherine, who married Prince William, the now-heir to the throne, increased her public appearances while his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, reduced hers.
Unlike her sister-in-law Meghan, who married William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, in 2018, Kate has said little about her experiences as a member of the royal family.
Harry and Meghan made headlines when they abruptly resigned from front-line royal duties and relocated to North America in March 2020, after which they opened up about life behind the palace gates.
Meghan, an American former television actress, told Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 that she received a cold reception and detailed her harassment by the tabloid press.
In 2013, Kate gave birth to Prince George, who will succeed William as the next in line to the throne, followed by Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018.
She has spoken about her struggles with severe morning sickness, saying in a podcast that she was “not the happiest of pregnant people”.
Prince Harry was frequently pictured at occasions with his brother and Kate, appearing relaxed and at ease in their presence.
When Meghan arrived, the couples seemed to get along well, spurring speculations that the foursome would become the face of the new monarchy.
However, rumours of a schism began to circulate soon after Meghan and Harry’s lavish wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2018.
Meghan reportedly made Kate weep at her daughter Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting in November of that year, according to The Sun.
Meghan claimed the opposite in her shocking Oprah appearance, but Kate apologised and gave her flowers.
She did, however, complain that Buckingham Palace never corrected the report.
Critics have accused Britain´s unforgiving tabloids of targeting mixed-race Meghan in a way Kate has not faced — a point not lost on Harry.
In November 2016, soon after their relationship became public, Harry said a “line had been crossed”, accusing comment pieces of having “racial undertones”.
In the aftermath of the couple´s accusation of royal racism, much was made of the contrasting treatment meted out to the two women.
Kate has nonetheless provoked criticism from feminist commentators over her perfectly turned-out appearance, even just hours after giving birth.
To be sure, the fact she did not hide her post-partum bump was welcomed.
But British film star Keira Knightley said Kate´s well-groomed look put pressure on women to “look beautiful” and “hide our pain”.
The novelist Hilary Mantel even accused Kate of resembling a “shop-window mannequin with no personality of her own”.
Kate comes across as passionate when talking about some issues, however, particularly children´s development and early influences.
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