Well, this is not something you see on Prince William every day! And people aren’t too happy about it!
The Prince of Wales will grace the June cover of Tatler for its annual Commonwealth portrait series, but with a fuller head of hair! Yep, the normally bald royal has a new hairline, all thanks to Nigerian artist Oluwole Omofemi! He painted the portrait for the publication, which features a more youthful, hairy version of William in a navy suit and patterned tie against a yellow background! Ch-ch-check it out (below):
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We have all, of course, seen pictures of Prince William. We all know he does NOT have that much hair on his head! So he is now getting ridiculed online for his miraculously “cured” hairline! See some of the reactions (below):
“Why did they put hair on him”
“y’all filled in his hair a little too much but i can understand y’all wanting to kiss up to him”
“Painted hair!”
“Why does he have so much hair?”
“They’ve added hair.”
“They’ve been generous and given him more hair!”
“He’s got more hair on his head now
“
“While some may joke online, other critics take the matter more seriously. They are raising eyebrows at the new depiction of William, feeling the publication is rewriting reality to simply please the royal. A source familiar with the backlash to the portrait explained to RadarOnline on Thursday:
“This isn’t just a flattering portrait – it’s being seen by some as an attempt to rewrite reality. When you smooth over something as visible as William’s baldness, it raises questions about how far these portrayals are meant to go in preserving a certain image. Critics are framing it as overly deferential, almost to the point of a laughably sycophantic and fantastical caricature.”
In critics’ eyes, William’s portrait is also just another example in the royal family’s long history of protecting their image and appearing in a more favorable light, no matter what. And let’s be real, Princess Catherine‘s hubby needs all the help he can get right now after that report of him offering sympathy to alleged sexual assaulter Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid the Epstein scandal. We’ve even seen Omofemi make another royal look more flattering IRL — Queen Elizabeth II. He painted the late monarch in 2022 with similar youthful features and darker hair. See (below):
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It’s nothing new for the royals, but that’s the problem for folks right now! The public, as the insider pointed out, expects a certain level of honesty from the family these days, and not an overly polished and altered portrait:
“There’s an expectation now that public figures, even royals, should be presented with a degree of honesty.”
However, the source noted that “at the same time, portraiture has never been about pure realism – it’s also about symbolism, status, and legacy.” And William apparently wants his legacy topped off with a full head of hair, even if it’s not reality! But again, that’s not necessarily what the public wants. They want more authenticity from public figures.
Ultimately, another insider noted the conversation surrounding William’s portrait just shows the need for a balance when it comes to the royal family’s traditions:
“These images are meant to celebrate and elevate their subjects, but audiences today are more attuned to perceived inauthenticity. When something like a fuller head of hair becomes the focal point, it shows how even small details can shape public perception in a significant way.”
William should’ve just embraced his baldness! People probably would’ve respected him for that decision! Especially if they included the beard! That’s super popular with the folks at the moment! Basically, just be yourself, Willy! It’s what the people want!
Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Share ’em (below)…
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
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