It’s tough to make Kate Middleton look like a rag, but stranger things have happened. A newly-commissioned portrait of the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge made its debut at the National Portrait Gallery in London on Jan. 11, but the image isn’t exactly getting the royal treatment.

Goss gawkers are downright disturbed by the grainy work of the stylish royal. Parody portraits are already circulating across the Interwebs — and the one-liners are even more biting. British art historian Ben Street was rather matter of fact in his assessment, telling The Independent:

“I don’t think it is particularly successful. It’s quite middle of the road. It has a very soft focus,’70s porn look, which isn’t great.”

Charlotte Higgins of The Guardian was less forgiving, writing:

“Straight from the Twilight franchise. The first thing that strikes you about Middleton’s visage as it looms from the sepulchral gloom of her first official portrait is the dead eyes: a vampiric, malevolent glare beneath heavy lids.”

Was that not direct enough? Well, The Daily Mail’s art critic Robin Simon summed up like this:

“Rotten.”

While the portrait is drawing some criticism online, Kate says she’s pleased with the rendering.
Paul Emsley was chosen by Kate herself to paint the portrait.

“I thought it was brilliant,” the Duchess told reporters at the reception following Friday’s viewing.

Prince William agreed, dubbing the portrait of his wife “absolutely beautiful.”

Yeah…Ok.

Written by Castina on January 11th, 2013 | Tagged as: Kate Middleton,Prince William,Royalty