Prince William & Kate Middleton’s ‘Relatable' Royals Image Is Cracking Under Growing Criticism
Scandal? What royal scandal? That seems to be the message Prince William and Kate Middleton is sending during their public appearances these days — and not everyone is pleased with this “nothing-to-see-here” PR strategy.
The Daily Mail criticized their “tone-deaf roboticism” over the past few weeks in the wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest. They’ve carried on down the red carpet of the BAFTA Awards and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s only been a one-sentence statement about the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
“I can confirm the Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,” the couple’s spokesperson told People on February 9.
Their lack of action isn’t sitting well with many people, including the Daily Mail, which generally features positive coverage of the palace. “William and Kate’s down-with-the-people routine – ordinary, relatable, open and honest about mental health, cancer, being parents – rings hollow when they keep schtum over a senior member of their family behaving badly,” columnist Liz Jones wrote on March 20.
In late February, The Independent reported that the couple was losing the support of Gen A and Gen Z because William is viewed as a “nepo baby.”
“Having grown up amid a cost-of-living crisis, Gen Z and Gen A tend to have little patience for unearned privilege. They do not see William and Kate as the dynamic future of the monarchy, but as beneficiaries of inherited status,” wrote the publication.
In addition to Andrew’s Epstein scandal, the younger generations find the Prince of Wales to be “cold” and “unkind” in his feud with Prince Harry. They feel that the Duke of Sussex has “paid a heavier price for his actions than Andrew did.” The Independent indicated that Gen Z and Gen A are “expecting accountability” from the royal family, but it’s just not happening.
William and Kate have struggled to find the right tone for their future reign as their power continues to grow. Their March 2022 Caribbean tour was a PR disaster after “the optics of the visit has been described by local campaigners as a throwback to colonialism,” per The Guardian.
The royal family can’t afford many missteps with the anti-monarchist group, Republic, disrupting their public appearances as often as they can.
“Republic has called for an inquiry that throws a spotlight on the royal household, its secrecy, spending, influence, and any allegations and accusations that have arisen in the past two decades,” a February 23 statement reads. “This scandal is not just about Andrew; it is about a culture that has allowed the royals to do as they please, knowing there was little chance of repercussions. For that impunity victims of Epstein have likely paid a high price.”
The group, led by Graham Smith, is asking for a “reckoning” because “the silence from the palace is deafening.” For William and Kate, the time to act might be right now.
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Before you go, click here all the biggest royal scandals in the past 50 years.