Princess Kate had made the appearance to celebrate the birthday of the king who is also treating cancer.
The Telegraph's article by Allison Pearson, commending Princess Kate Middleton for her public appearance during cancer treatment, has drawn intense backlash and condemnation.
Princess Kate had made the appearance to celebrate the birthday of the king who is also treating cancer.
The article titled, ‘Our Fair Lady: Princess of Wales’s selfless display was the tonic that Britain needed,’ noted that Princess Kate appeared in public “when lesser mortals would have stayed home”.
Pearson wrote, “Two words: Thank you. Thank you Princess of Wales for being an absolute trouper and attending Trooping the Colour on a cold, grey day when lesser mortals with your illness would have stayed home, tucked up in their jim-jams.
“Thank you for sacrificing the privacy that is so much needed to get you back to full health. Thank you for such a show of support for the King, who is not a well man, on his official birthday, and for giving a boost to the wider Royal family – which has sorely lacked star power since you withdrew from public life in January to have major surgery.”
Irked by this statement, a British Nigerian activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbaminu said on X (formerly Twitter), “’Lesser Mortals?’ - I would take thousands of Brits who don’t have the luxury not to show up to work but do in spite of their cancer & those who stay home because of it over & above Catherine, Princess of Wales anytime any day.”
Tweeting further via her official handle on X handle, political & women's rights activist said, “Thousands of British cancer patients suffer long NHS waiting lists, health discrimination, die without treatment, have zero financial/moral/ social support - but Kate Middleton shows up one day epitomising every advantage systemically denied others with cancer & is the ‘tonic Britain needed’?”
“Disrespectfully, piss off. The only lesser mortals here are Allison Pearson & the editor who approved this offensive diatribe to be published.”
Other tweeps also reacted to the article.
For instance, Maddison Wheeldon (@MaddisonW92) wrote, “Wow, that is gross. To demean and belittle all those suffering through cancer and treatment in order to elevate one to a pedestal is a feat only the right can achieve. All lives are equal in value, and every experience is unique and how someone handles that should be respected, ‘lesser mortals’ 🙄🤦🏽♀️.”
Johanna Saunders 🕷🐇 (@JohannaSaunders) wrote, “Both of my parents are living with cancer and they’re worth a thousand of these delusional, over privileged twerps.
“Disgusting “journalism” by a newspaper that deserves oblivion.”
Similarly, Abs (@YoloBkind) wrote, “The woman literally got dolled up, was driven in a carriage, stood on a balcony and waved to her peasants and they called it a “triumphant return”. There is something seriously wrong with royalists.”
TeeMaa (@tma285) wrote: “UK’s a joke. Only white supremacy explains the glorification of this talentless, lazy & vacuous woman who’s achieved nothing despite all her privilege. She’s not the first nor last to have cancer. My boss who had cancer worked up till he was physically unable to. Even Elizabeth 2.”
Ifeanyi Onuoha (@ImIfeanyionuoha) said, “Allison Pearson is an example of privilege and mediocrity, cluelessly ignoring the harsh realities faced by countless cancer patients.
“Her glorification of Catherine Middleton's appearance highlights a stark disconnect from the real struggles of ordinary people.”
Also, Leon Fleming (@leonfleming) wrote, “Allison may see herself as being a "lesser mortal" but I absolutely do not see myself as lesser to those with power stolen on the premise that they are ‘chosen.’”
“The fundamental principle of my being is that I am above no one; and in the same vein, I am below no one either,” Fleming added.
https://x.com/leonfleming/
Dr Isaac MNIM (@zikaay) wrote, “Really sad script: I have patients who despite the prognosis have kept/insisted on continuing working, not wanting to succumb to their condition whilst they could. Nothing against the PoW but the press people who seek every opportunity to diminish other people in their travails.”
Julie Northerner 🍉 (@JulieNorthern2) wrote, “My late mum passed away with cancer. She was no lesser mortal 😡💔what a disgraceful article!”
Stuart Bourne (@stalwartfilms) wrote, “Pearson showing exactly what she is …..’lesser mortals’ is highly offensive . We all know someone struggling with cancer treatment and still having to run a home , go to work and carry on life as best they can. Disgusting article.”