Tatler Magazine's Choice of Kate Middleton Portrait Sparks Criticism

Tatler Magazine unveiled its July 2024 cover on Instagram, featuring a portrait of Her Royal Highness Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, crafted by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor. This marks the third royal portrait commissioned by Tatler for its cover in the past three years.

The trend began with Nigerian artist Oluwole Omofemi's portrait in 2022, commemorating Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. The subsequent cover featured a portrait by Trinidadian artist Sarah Knight, depicting the newly crowned King Charles III.

The success of these portraits inspired the establishment of the Akoje Residency, announced earlier this year. Founded by rugby star Maro Itoje and his business partner Khalil Akar in collaboration with the King’s Foundation, the residency aims to provide African, Caribbean, and diasporic artists with a platform to nurture their artistic endeavors at Dumfries House in Scotland.

However, the response to the latest royal portrait, much like the initial reaction to King Charles III's portrait, has been far from positive.

Critics voiced their disappointment on Tatler's Instagram page. One commenter described the portrait as "awful," expressing disbelief that a better artist couldn't have been chosen. Another criticized the portrayal, stating that it failed to capture the Princess of Wales's beauty and elegance. A third commenter questioned the decision-making behind the commissions, deeming the portrait "amateurish" and lacking resemblance to Her Royal Highness.

The portrait features Middleton against a blue backdrop, adorned in the floor-length Jenny Packham cape dress she wore to a State Banquet for the South African President at Buckingham Palace in November 2023, as noted by the fashion and style Instagram account @diet_prada.

In an interview with Tatler, Uzor expressed her admiration for Middleton, praising her dignified, elegant, and graceful demeanor.

Despite Uzor's admiration, the portrait's reception on Instagram highlights the stark contrast between public opinion and artistic intention.