Kate Middleton is admired around the globe for her beauty and elegance, so Britons aren't taking kindly to the July 12, 2012 cover of the U.S.-based New Republic magazine that features their beloved Duchess with yellowed, decaying teeth. The unflatteringly retouched photo superimposes the 30-year-old onto a frayed Union Jack along with the headline, "Something's Rotten. The Last Days of Britain." The special issue, published in the run up to the London Olympics, contains a number of articles on England's decline, including a critique of British soccer.
Reactions from across the pond have ranged from anger over Catherine's
ugly image to disgust with Americans' stereotype of the English as all
having brown, crooked teeth.
"Cheap shot," wrote a reader of the Daily Mail. "They know she will remain dignified and not say a word, allowing them to 'get away with it.'"
"No fan of the royals or Kate either, but its a shameful abuse of
photoshop taking very cheap and nasty shot at the royals, Kate and Brits
in general. I agree with the person who said they should be sued,"
chimed in another.
"Typical misguided stereotype that Americans hold of us in Britain. In
the first week that I visited the USA, I was genuinely asked, 'Do all
you Brits have crooked teeth?' Mine aren't and none of my friends have
crooked teeth. Silly stereotype."
A Mirror reader wrote: "Now how would Americans like it if our political magazines featured obese burger-munching Americans on its front cover? They'd be the first to complain."
However, not everyone is taking offense. "I prefer the photo shopped
picture, it makes her look like a 'normal British person,'"
wrote
another Mirror reader. "Remember us? We are the ones that really have
teeth like that whilst our tax pays for the likes of her to have perfect
teeth."
The Daily Mail
reports that Middleton did have her teeth straightened and whitened by
orthodontist Dr. Didier Fillion before her 2011 wedding to Prince
William. Treatments can cost as much as $15,000. It's speculated that
she wore hidden braces that closed a gap behind her two front teeth.
The image isn't enough to turn off diehard Duchess fans, though. "It's
satire, get over it! I for one think she still looks lovely with rotten
teeth," wrote one reader of the Mail.
I think so.... "She still look beautiful with rotten teeth."
