Kate Middleton's controversial moments - From topless photos to 'heated' text messages with Meghan Markle
Kate Middleton and Prince William fought the leak of the topless photosKate Middleton is one of the best-behaved royals, but even she’s managed to endure some controversies during her time in the monarchy – from topless photos being circulated to her family being on reality TV.
She is often voted as the most popular royal out of them all, even beating her husband and future king Prince William.
Her marriage to the Prince of Wales has weathered a lot, and the duo have suffered a ‘brutal year’ over the past 12 months following her cancer diagnosis. Despite it all, Kate Middleton has remained one of the most beloved members of the family.
But there have certainly been some ups and downs over the years after tying the knot in 2011.
Here’s a look back at Kate Middleton’s biggest-ever controversies since joining the royal family, from topless photos the palace fought to ban and her feud with Meghan Markle…
Kate Middleton’s topless photos were leaked
Arguably one of the biggest scandals to hit Kate Middleton during her time as a royal was when topless photos were published without her permission in 2012.
The images, which appeared in French tabloids, showed Kate sunbathing on a private estate.
Kate and Will sued Closer magazine and newspaper La Provence and won thousands in damages.
“The clandestine way in which these photographs were taken was particularly shocking to us as it breached our privacy,” Prince William said at the time.
“My wife and I thought that we could go to France for a few days in a secluded villa owned by a member of my family, and thus enjoy our privacy.”
Royal expert Rebecca English was with Prince William as part of the press team when he was on a tour in Malaysia when the pictures were leaked of Kate Middleton topless. She said she had never seen the future king “so angry”, and he “could barely contain his fury”.
She wrote: “His anger was completely understandable: the instinctive reaction of a man whose wife was violated by the paparazzi, a hurtful re-imagining of the harassment he believes his late mother endlessly endured.”
Donald Trump criticised Kate Middleton sunbathing topless
After Closer Magazine leaked photos of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless from her private holiday with her husband, Donald Trump chimed in.
At the time, he tweeted on X: “Who wouldn’t take Kate’s picture and make lots of money if she does the nude sunbathing thing. Come on Kate!”
The President implied the Princess was to blame for the incident and received backlash.
However, the duo then were forced to meet face-to-face when the late Queen invited him on a state visit to the UK in 2019.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased that the court has found in their favour and the matter is now closed,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said at the time.
“This incident was a serious breach of privacy, and Their Royal Highnesses felt it essential to pursue all legal remedies. They wished to make the point strongly that this kind of unjustified intrusion should not happen.”
Wardrobe malfunction at royal event
Poor Kate became the victim of bad weather during her royal tour in Canada.
The incident happened in July 2011, when the wind sent a gust that picked up her yellow dress and almost exposed her underwear to onlookers at Calgary airport.
Designer Jenny Packham told the Evening Standard at the time: “I didn’t know it was going to be worn on a windy runway. But I did think maybe in future I will put in more weighting, just in case.”
Kate Middleton’s uncle was arrested
Gary Goldsmith is Kate’s uncle, he’s the younger brother of her mum, Carole Middleton.
Sadly for Kate, the millionaire hasn’t always been on what could be called his best behaviour.
The 56 year old was arrested in 2017 following a blazing row with his wife Julie-Ann.
A witness alleged seeing Gary knock Julie-Ann to the ground. As a result, an ambulance was called and the police later intervened.
Gary was charged with assault over the incident and was fined £5,000.
Then he signed up for the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother in 2024, during the time where there was speculation over Kate’s absence following abdominal surgery. He spoke about the royal family and called out Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, making headlines around the world.
It didn’t follow The Firm’s sacred rule of ‘Don’t complain. Don’t explain’.
Read more: The hatred people feel towards Meghan Markle could lead to catastrophe in Kate Middleton’s future
Kate Middleton’s Photoshop blunder
In 2024, Kensington Palace announced at the beginning of the year that the princess was undergoing planned abdominal surgery. It was around the same time King Charles was heading to The London Clinic to undergo a procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Weeks later, the monarch revealed he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and the Princess of Wales was still recovering at home.
However, her absence from royal life sparked cruel conspiracy theories that overtook social media and worldwide news. Everyone was asking – Where is Kate?
On Mother’s Day in the UK, she posted a photo with her children, Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte. But within hours, the fire had erupted to something worse. Photo agencies pulled the picture claiming they were investigating the nature of the photo as it appeared to be doctored.
The spotlight grew on the future queen.
She was forced to come clean and admit she had Photoshopped the picture, explaining as a keen amateur photographer, she edits her photos.
But the speculation did not stop there. Days later, Kate released an emotional video where she revealed she had been diagnosed with a form of cancer. Months of treatment and care from her medical team, she revealed she is now in remission.
Kate Middleton criticised over post-birth appearances
Members of the royal family are expected to bring their baby out of the hospital for their first showing to the world.
However, Kate took the unusual step of doing this very quickly after giving birth. So quickly in fact, that Kate emerged from the hospital with Charlotte and Louis just hours after they were born.
This proved controversial, with some women suggesting that Kate had set “unrealistic expectations” for new mums.
Even Hollywood star Keira Knightley weighed in on the controversy.
In an essay, she wrote: “Hide. Hide our pain, our bodies splitting, our breasts leaking, our hormones raging. Look beautiful. Look stylish, don’t show your battleground, Kate.
“Seven hours after your fight with life and death, seven hours after your body breaks open, and bloody, screaming life comes out. Don’t show. Don’t tell. Stand there with your girl and be shot by a pack of male photographers.”
Meghan Markle vs Kate Middleton
The feud that has raged on behind the scenes for several years. There were tabloid stories claiming that Meghan Markle made Kate cry before her royal wedding.
After months of speculation, Meghan revealed the truth during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, and it proved damaging for Kate.
“The narrative with Kate, which didn’t happen, was really, really difficult,” said Meghan.
“No. [I didn’t make Kate cry],” she said. “No, no, the reverse happened. And I don’t say that to be disparaging to anyone. It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something.
“But she owned it, and she apologised, and she brought me flowers and a note apologising. She did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone. To just take accountability for it,” added Meghan.
Read more: Important reason Kate Middleton never revealed what type of cancer she had after her diagnosis
Prince Harry releases the text messages
In his bombshell memoir Spare, released in 2022, Prince Harry went one step further and released alleged text messages that Kate Middleton exchanged with Meghan Markle over the incident.
The tense chain is said to take place ahead of the Sussexes’ wedding in May 2018.
It was a disagreement over Princess Charlotte’s dress, with Kate allegedly demanding all the dresses be remade after her daughter cried when trying hers on.
The Duke of Sussex said he found Meghan crying on the floor after the heated row. He then claimed Kate came round, brought flowers and a card to apologise.
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