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19th Oct 2021

Richard Madeley under fire for comments about Kate Middleton’s waist

Katy Brennan

“He immediately trivialises the moment, objectifies her, and belittles her contribution.”

Richard Madely is getting a lot of backlash following comments he made on Good Morning Britain about Kate Middleton at the Earthshot Prize Awards.

The Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband Prince William for the ceremony on Sunday, which honoured people trying to save the planet. Kate and William donated £1 million to five winners.

The presenter discussed the Awards with his co-host Susann Reid. Commenting on Kate’s figure, he remarked “She’s so slim isn’t she, Kate”, before adding that she had a “tiny, tiny waist.”

“She looks absolutely terrific,” Susanna responded.

The comments did not go down well with viewers, as many took to social media to express their frustration at Richard drawing attention to her body, rather than focusing on the prestigious Earthshot Prize.

“GMB show a video round-up of last night’s Earthshot Prize featuring lots of innovative ideas for saving the planet. Richard Madeley‘s only response? ‘Hasn’t she [Duchess of Cambridge] got a skinny waist?’” one user wrote.

“I cannot believe you employ Richard Madeley whose only comment about Earthshot was about the size of The Duchess of Cambridge’s Waist. What an embarrassment,” a second user said.

“The Duchess of Cambridge gives an impassioned speech for Earthshot and all Richard Madeley can say is how tiny her waist is. He immediately trivialises the moment, objectifies her and belittles her contribution. Where’s the anger that was directed at Piers Morgan?” a third wrote.

Others considered the presenter’s comments an act of body shaming.

“Richard Madeley body shaming Kate Middleton/Duchess of Cambridge? First of all she’s healthy, second of all, shut up..?” one user wrote.

“Wait. What? Are we still body-shaming people? Are men still commenting on women’s bodies? Have we not moved on at all? What gives Richard Madeley the right to comment on #KateMiddleton the #DuchessofCambridge‘s body? Shameful. #ITV need to sort this out,” another added.

The presenter returned to Good Morning Britain in June 2021, following former presenter Piers Morgan’s dramatic resignation from the show.