This Royal's portrait sparks citizens' outrage: 'You must be joking!'
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Portraiture has long been a tradition in Royal circles, capturing the poise and grandeur of those who wear the crown or stand beside it.
However, the latest artistic endeavour to encapsulate the essence of the Princess of Wales sparked criticism and disbelief among royal enthusiasts and the general public.
Princess Catherine of Wales' portrait, which graced the front cover of Tatler, was intended to portray her 'strength and dignity', particularly highlighting her presence at the King's first state banquet in South Africa in 2022.
The artist, Hannah Uzor, depicted the Princess in a regal, caped white Jenny Packham gown adorned with sparkling embellishments and the iconic Lover's Knot tiara, famously worn by Princess Diana.
Despite the noble intentions and rich history, the final product was met with public disapproval.
'This is just plain weird, looks nothing like her,' one user lamented.
'What have they done to her face?' another asked.
'She 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,' a third said.
The criticism didn't stop there—some compared the artwork to a child's creation, while others humorously suggested that the artist might benefit from an eye test.
Another commenter said, in disappointment, 'It's absolutely dreadful and should never have seen the light of day, let alone appeared on the cover.'
In the face of such backlash, Hannah Uzor explained the challenges of painting someone without meeting them in person.
'When you can't meet the sitter in person, you have to look at everything you can find and piece together the subtle human moments revealed in different photographs: do they have a particular way of standing or holding their head or hands? Do they have a recurrent gesture?'
Uzor is the third artist to receive a commission from Tatler for royal portraiture.
Her predecessors include Sarah Knights, who painted King Charles for the magazine's July 2023 cover, and Oluwole Omofemi, who crafted a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for the circulation's Platinum Jubilee issue in 2022.
The controversy over Kate's portrait followed the unveiling of King Charles III's new portrait by Jonathan Yeo.
This portrait, which depicted the monarch in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, was met with strong reactions on social media, as some comments described it as 'creepy'.
Art is subjective by nature. However, royal portraiture carries the weight of public expectation and historical significance.
While some may see a masterpiece, others may see a misstep.
The uproar over Princess Kate's latest portrait reminds us that the royal image is not just a personal likeness but a symbol of national identity and pride.
What do you think of this artwork? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
However, the latest artistic endeavour to encapsulate the essence of the Princess of Wales sparked criticism and disbelief among royal enthusiasts and the general public.
Princess Catherine of Wales' portrait, which graced the front cover of Tatler, was intended to portray her 'strength and dignity', particularly highlighting her presence at the King's first state banquet in South Africa in 2022.
The artist, Hannah Uzor, depicted the Princess in a regal, caped white Jenny Packham gown adorned with sparkling embellishments and the iconic Lover's Knot tiara, famously worn by Princess Diana.
Despite the noble intentions and rich history, the final product was met with public disapproval.
Princess Catherine of Wales’ portrait was featured on the latest issue of Tatler. Image Credits: Kate Middleton Style, Tatler
'This is just plain weird, looks nothing like her,' one user lamented.
'What have they done to her face?' another asked.
'She 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,' a third said.
The criticism didn't stop there—some compared the artwork to a child's creation, while others humorously suggested that the artist might benefit from an eye test.
Another commenter said, in disappointment, 'It's absolutely dreadful and should never have seen the light of day, let alone appeared on the cover.'
In the face of such backlash, Hannah Uzor explained the challenges of painting someone without meeting them in person.
'When you can't meet the sitter in person, you have to look at everything you can find and piece together the subtle human moments revealed in different photographs: do they have a particular way of standing or holding their head or hands? Do they have a recurrent gesture?'
Uzor is the third artist to receive a commission from Tatler for royal portraiture.
Her predecessors include Sarah Knights, who painted King Charles for the magazine's July 2023 cover, and Oluwole Omofemi, who crafted a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for the circulation's Platinum Jubilee issue in 2022.
The controversy over Kate's portrait followed the unveiling of King Charles III's new portrait by Jonathan Yeo.
This portrait, which depicted the monarch in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, was met with strong reactions on social media, as some comments described it as 'creepy'.
Art is subjective by nature. However, royal portraiture carries the weight of public expectation and historical significance.
While some may see a masterpiece, others may see a misstep.
The uproar over Princess Kate's latest portrait reminds us that the royal image is not just a personal likeness but a symbol of national identity and pride.
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