Why “OK! Magazine” is Apologizing to Kate Middleton and Women Everywhere

As the Duchess of Cambridge descended the steps of the Lindo wing, carrying her gorgeous newborn in her arms, OK! Magazine was hitting the supermarket shelves, with the headline 'Kate's Post-Baby Weight Loss Regime.'

In it, they ran interviews with a Royal 'expert,' a trainer, and a former school mate of Kate's (who describes training with her waaaaay back in 2007).

The feature (in particular the cover) has caused an uproar in the UK, with celebrities leading a boycott of the magazine. TV presenter Katy Hill urged women not to buy OK!, and posted a picture of her own post-baby curvy tummy on Twitter. Social media users have been infuriated by the expectations placed upon women in the public eye - particularly after they have just given birth - and are demanding that Kate be left alone.

Meanwhile a spokeswoman for Northern and Shell, the parent company of OK! magazine, issued an apology last night, for any distress the cover may have caused:

"Kate is one of the great beauties of our age and OK! readers love her. Like the rest of the world, we were very moved by her radiance as she and William introduced the Prince of Cambridge to the world. We would not dream of being critical of her appearance. If that was misunderstood on our cover it was not intended."

The editor of the U.K. edition, mother-of-two Kirsty Tyler, has been met with serious criticism online. People are asking why magazines intended for women, actually hate women so much.

The main complaint is that many TV and film stars feel rushed to get back into their skinny jeans practically as soon as they jump out of the birthing pool. This creates the myth that it is easy to ping back into shape after having a baby and that the quicker you do it, the greater the achievement! But the rush to get back 'in shape' in an absurdly short amount of time is far from being positive. It is the last thing a new mum should be thinking about.

Related: 7 things you should NEVER say to the mom of a newborn

I'm guilty of feeling this pressure myself; when I had my son in 2006 I had to get back on screen within 3 months, and I stressed and worried about losing the baby weight in time. New mums have so much to cope with: lack of sleep, the challenges of breastfeeding, coping with a new baby, etc. The last thing they need is to be worrying about their lack of a 6-pack!

As long as magazines run headlines like this, we are all being sold a stupid, unachievable ideal.

Personally, I applaud Katy Hill and her lack of vanity - unafraid to show the effects of pregnancy on a woman's body. It is photos like the one of Katy below that should be gracing magazine covers, making us all feel much more normal.

What do you think?

The OK! Magazine Headline

It caused an uproar here in the UK - so much so that an apology has been issued. Do you think headlines like this are acceptable? That we should pore over photos of women's bodies, post-birth, excited to see who has lost the baby weight the quickest?

Headline Inside the Magazine


The article details Royal expert Jennie Bond saying, "I'm sure she'll be back to her pre-baby shape in no time!" Jennie also doesn't think Kate will need to diet, predicting in a couple of weeks Kate will be as svelte as ever.

No pressure there Kate, or anything!

TV Presenter Katy Hill

Katy Hill tweeted: "New Mums. If the @OK_Magazine #Kate cover has made you feel bad, here's me 2 months post baby. YOU MADE A HUMAN!"

TV presenter Katy urged a boycott of OK! Magazine, and so far, the above has been re-tweeted over 2,600 times!

Kate introducing her son George to the world, the day after giving birth

Er... she gave birth the DAY BEFORE. It took 9 months to make the baby, and as we all know, it takes at least 9 months for your body to recover from a birth.

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard, speaking to the Telegraph newspaper, said Kate was a role model for real mums. "In a couple of minutes on the steps of the Lindo Wing, Kate has done more for new mums' self-esteem than any other role model."

"Sadly, too many celebrities often have ultra-fast tummy tucks or strap themselves down to emerge in tiny, size six jeans, leaving everyone else feeling inadequate. Kate shows what a real mum looks like - and natural is beautiful."

Kate, when she isn't pregnant or post birth.

Will the press be watching Kate's figure, reporting on her every move? Or will the OK! magazine backlash encourage the media to focus less on how a woman's body develops post pregnancy?

Basically, will they cut all us Moms some slack?

-By Suzanne Cowie

For 14 more of the most controversial magazine covers - EVER, visit Babble!


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