Kate
Middleton-Cult of the Celebrity
Assignment
1-4-4
The
devotion of Princess Kate in the media follows a trend that was started with
Princess Diana. Photographers and the
paparazzi followed her in everything she did. In September 2012 nude pictures were published
of Princess Kate while she and Prince William were vacationing on a relative’s
private estate (Winfield, 2012). The
blurry photo’s showed Princess Kate wearing skimpy bathing suit bottom and
rubbing suntan lotion on the Princess William’s shoulders (Winfield, 2012). The
news that these pictures were going to be published initiated a torrent of
internet interest.
The
Italian gossip magazine Chi that chose to publish the photos, defending themselves
by saying “She’s not our future queen” the photo storm that was predicted, caused
a backlash of negative media towards the Chi (Winfield, 2012). . The
British royal family looked at options of filing a lawsuit against the magazine
for violation of privacy.
In the 19thcentury
“The cult of celebrity” began because of the industrial revolution, people
suddenly had time on their hands. Opera
singers were the first to be followed by the society pages and gossip columns
of newspapers. (Chance, n.d.) When a person grabs a magazine to read
the latest exploits of Princess Kate they are joining a club that dates back a
hundred years.
The world wants
more and more photos of the Princess Kate.
Since the photos have been released Prince William has been very
displeased with the invasion of privacy of his wife stating that “he was
angered and disbelief that they had crossed the red line” (English, 2012). Unfortunately this incident was reminiscent
of the press and paparazzi during Princess Diana’s life. Even the royals should have an expectation of
privacy while visiting a relative’s house.
Reference
Chance, M. (n.d) The Dawning of the
Cult of Celebrity, Wonders & Marvels.
Retrieved on October 16,
celebrity.html
English, R. (2012, September 14).
Tea and Sympathy for Kate as she puts on a brave smile but grim-faced
William shows his anger after topless
photo outrage, Mail Online. Retrieved
on October 18, 2012,
Cambridge-puts-brave-smile-outrage.html
Winfield, N. (2012, September 15). Kate
Middleton Topless Photos Spread To Irish Tabloid, Italian
Magazine HUffPost Media.
Retrieved on October 18, 2012, from,
This is good information. I also think the Kate shows signs of being a hero because of her charisma and level headedness. I think that she will do great things in her years in the spotlight!
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