Kate Middleton, one of our favourite members of the royal family has a lot going on for her. The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with her third royal tot so Prince George and Princess Charlotte will soon have a brother or sister joining their brood this spring. Along the momentous occassion, she will also be welcoming Meghan Markle into the royal family. It's a busy time to be Kate Middleton and little did she know that something as simple as stepping out for an awards function would only add to the furor.
Last night, Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the BAFTA 2018 awards. While the duke wore a classic black suit with a bowtie, the duchess chose a dark green Jenny Packham gown with a ribbon empire waist, matching clutch and diamond necklace with emeralds. Sounds appropriate enough for a glitzy awards night, right? Not according to the social media vigilante.
Image Courtesy: AFP
Most male and female attendees at the BAFTAs stuck to the dress code of all black, on everything from trouser suits to gowns. This was in continuation to the blackout followed at previous award functions like the Golden Globes, which was carried out in solidarity with the Time's Up initiative against sexual harassment. Amongst the sea of black at the BAFTAs, Kate's forest green ensemble stood out noticeably which garnered mixed reactions on social media. This awards season, going all out in ebony has been a symbol of support against harassment so some were disappointed that she chose not to visibly show hers. This further fanned the flames of outfit-shaming and even comparison to late Princess Diana.
Shame on you #KateMiddleton. I bet #PrincessDiana would have worn black. #BAFTAs2018#TIMESUP
— Carolyn Ordonez (@CarolynOrdonez) February 19, 2018
Kate Middleton Hits the Red Carpet in Deep Green Amid BAFTA's Time's Up All-Black Dress Code https://t.co/oci0N2R2jL via @people
Dear #KateMiddleton your time is up! A black belt? Seriously? We're ready for our new role model in Meghan Markle! #BAFTAs2018
— Sal (@httpsxlmx) February 18, 2018
Disappointed in #KateMiddleton#DuchessofCambridge not wearing black to the #EEBAFTAs It's not a political thing. Its a woman thing! #TimesUp#StandTogether
— Nikki Long (@Nikki_L87) February 18, 2018
However, an opposing set of opinions shot this down saying that, it wasn't her place to make political statements as it goes against royal protocol and she had every right to wear whatever she liked.
Ahhh nice to see the feminists out in full force tonight criticising Kate Middleton for having the cheek to CHOOSE whatever she wants to wear tonight! I think she looks gorgeous, this movement doesn't give you a right to dictate how people dress #Katemiddleton
— Siobhan Bennett (@shivversss) February 18, 2018
Don't get why everyone's hating #KateMiddleton for not wearing black at the #BAFTAs - Royals are not allowed to get involved in political statements. I think she's dressed beautifully as always.
— Anna (@Baroquechick86) February 18, 2018
Others went yet one step further to claim that the emeralds adorning her neck were a subtle nod to the movement as the gemstone is a symbol of hope.
Everyone criticising #KateMiddleton for her choice to not wear black should maybe look at the #emeralds she is wearing. The emerald is a symbol of hope. She is standing up and showing that there is hope for this movement even if we do not wear black. #BAFTAs#TimesUp#BAFTA2018
— Hollie Adams (@CutieandCrumpet) February 19, 2018
Never in her wildest dreams would Kate have expected a reaction of this magnitude to her lovely green dress. At the Golden Globes 2018 too, Meher Tatna and Blanca Blanco wore fiery red even though the majority was black, each for their own reasons. However, shaming for a choice of dress colour goes against what the movement stands for.
CommentsIn the case of the Duchess of Cambridge's outfit choices, royal protocol is known to be strict and political statements are a complete no-no. Even though she may not have shown her visible support at an awards function through a dress code, as long as Kate Middleton keeps up her charitable work for women and children, we're satisfied.
