During a recent visit to Leicester’s Golden Mile and the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu Temple, Kate Middleton joined Holi celebrations with members of the local community. The Princess watched Bollywood dance performances, received a flower garland, sipped chai and sampled spicy snacks while crowds gathered along the route.
As part of temple customs, Kate removed her shoes before entering. Photographers captured close-up images of her walking barefoot across a red carpet inside the temple.
Those photos quickly circulated online. The images showed unpainted toenails, dry skin and ridges on her feet, details that rarely escape scrutiny when royal women are involved.
Yet what stood out most was not the photographs themselves, but the media reaction to them. In many cases, mainstream coverage focused almost entirely on Kate’s warm participation in the cultural event rather than dissecting the images.
That restraint is notable, because royal coverage has not always been so generous. As past reporting shows, the media once devoted significant attention to analysing Meghan Sussex’s feet when she appeared barefoot during cultural ceremonies.
Another Reminder of the Royal Media Double Standard
Past tabloid coverage shows just how differently the media has treated Meghan and Kate when it comes to their appearance.
Royal life with red carpet events and glittering balls certainly seems glamorous, but frequent outings in high heels can take a serious toll on one’s feet. A podiatrist has pointed out that both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are members of the not-so-exclusive bunion-suffering club, along with numerous celebrities. Foot experts have suggested that years of wearing pointed high heels can affect the shape of the toes and arches of the feet. During a royal tour to India and Bhutan several years ago, Kate was photographed barefoot during a visit to the Gandhi Smriti museum. Experts later suggested that years of wearing heels could have contributed to low arches and bunions. Meghan Markle also faced scrutiny during a 2018 royal tour when a small scar on her foot was photographed during a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony in New Zealand. At the time, speculation emerged that the Duchess of Sussex may have previously undergone bunion surgery.
The Sun
The resurfacing of those older stories has led some observers to argue that the public conversation around Kate’s temple visit highlights a familiar media pattern.
When Meghan Sussex appeared barefoot during cultural ceremonies, tabloids and social media dissected her feet. Articles speculated about surgery, scars and bunions, and the commentary never stopped.
Now that photographers have captured Kate barefoot during a temple visit, mainstream coverage has taken a noticeably different tone. Most outlets focused on the cultural engagement and praised the princess for warmly joining the Holi celebrations.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are waity Middleton feet and hands. Dirty! pic.twitter.com/oz5jqdneWb
— Gabriel and I🫚 (@cactusmamos) March 5, 2026
The Internet’s Royal Scrutiny Machine Never Switches Off
That contrast has become part of the online debate. Supporters of the Kate Middleton argue that social media criticism about someone’s feet is petty and unnecessary. Critics, meanwhile, point out that similar scrutiny was widely normalised when Meghan was the target.
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At the end of the day, the story exposes the media dynamic more than anything else. When Meghan Sussex appeared barefoot during ceremonies, tabloids turned her feet into a full-blown news cycle.
Kate Middleton, meanwhile, has enjoyed the luxury of a much softer press. The same publications that once obsessed over Meghan’s feet suddenly rediscover restraint. It turns out the royal commentary machine can switch itself off. It just rarely does when Meghan is involved.
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Thanks Feminegra for the brilliant spotlight on the unkempt feet of Cruella de Grimace😁. Clearly too lazy to pay attention to personal care and grooming🛀
Yet another callous PR stunt, which has failed spectacularly, lol.
i’m hoping those images were ‘doctored’ because her feet and hands look horrible! i’ve always known that her thumbs were not nice looking, but didn’t realize about the other fingers. when one has ridges on their fingers doesn’t that mean there’s some sort of vitamin deficiency?
Seriously, the lack of care [and hygiene?] when all the money in the world is available. I’m 74, have no money but daily take great care of my feet &toes, plus going for a pedicure at least once a month.
Seriously, her feet look repulsive. She has no excuse. Also, she knew she was going to remove her shoes.
And, of course, beyond this is the unfairness at seeing how Meghan has been treated all these years.
Her hands look like mine ~ I’m 71, still earning a modest living, and can be inconsistent with self-care when it comes to the lotions and potions. I wonder if she has as much money as we might think?
As a mere male do I not detect hallux valgus? A bunion will eventually dictate her elegant footwear and may put a painful end to barefeet.