The TV presenter sparks outrage with remarks about the Princess of Wales’ appearance, prompting an apology after facing criticism online.

Narinder Kaur, the former Big Brother star and current TV presenter for Good Morning Britain and GB News, has been at the centre of a social media storm after making a controversial remark about Kate Middleton’s appearance. The comment, made on social media platform X, has ignited widespread backlash and forced Kaur to issue a public apology.

The remark, which read, “Genuine question – why has Kate aged so much? Isn’t she only 42? Is she a smoker? It’s the only explanation,” was met with outrage from social media users, many of whom condemned the comment as “disgusting.” Kaur’s question about the Princess of Wales’ appearance came amid her return to royal duties after completing chemotherapy.

On Remembrance Sunday, Kate Middleton made a poignant appearance on the balcony above The Cenotaph war memorial in London, marking her return to public life. After stepping back from her royal engagements earlier in the year due to cancer treatment, the Princess has gradually resumed her duties, a move welcomed by the public as she continues to recover.

However, Kaur’s social media post, which questioned the impact of Kate’s age and suggested that smoking may have contributed to her appearance, was met with swift condemnation. Many took to Twitter to express their anger at the TV presenter’s insensitive comment, accusing her of crossing the line by focusing on Kate’s looks rather than her remarkable resilience.

In response to the outcry, Kaur issued a video apology, acknowledging the harm caused by her tweet. “I thought I’d do a quick video instead of tweet after tweet because it becomes pretty ridiculous – as if it wasn’t ridiculous enough already. I put out a stupid tweet. That wasn’t my intention, my intention was not to be malicious or nasty or anything. I’m not like that, anybody who knows me,” Kaur said, admitting that the comment was a mistake. She explained that her question about ageing had nothing to do with Kate’s cancer treatment but rather was a reflection on the toll of working long hours and the pressures of royal life.

Kaur further clarified that her remarks were not intended to be disrespectful to those affected by cancer, noting that her own brother had passed away from the disease after enduring chemotherapy. “I’m not excusing my tweet but I’m saying you’re all mad at me,” Kaur said in the video, adding that the public backlash had been disproportionate compared to the criticism she had received from other users asking similar questions.

In a more heated response, Kaur suggested that the backlash was partly rooted in racial prejudice, claiming that some critics were using her comment as a way to pit Kate Middleton against Meghan Markle. “You exposed that what this was all about was I as a brown woman, an Indian, had the gall to criticise Kate’s appearance,” she stated. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving the country. I’m going to continue. You can keep cancelling me as much as you like, but you will not silence my voice just because I’m a grown woman, and it is that, and you will never convince me otherwise.”

Kaur’s remarks have sparked a broader discussion about the role of social media in public life, and the scrutiny that public figures, especially women, often face regarding their appearance. While some have defended Kaur’s right to ask questions and express her opinions, many others have called for greater sensitivity and respect for the challenges faced by those dealing with serious health issues.

As the controversy continues to unfold, Kaur’s apology appears to have somewhat quelled the storm, but her comments remain a hot topic of debate online. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between free speech and respect for others, particularly when addressing sensitive matters like health and appearance.