BBC face criticism from royal fans for referring to Princess Kate at Armistice Day in 'disrespectful' way

BBC Newsreader Rajini Vaidyanathan referred to the royal as "Kate Middleton" as opposed to her royal title during a live broadcast of the event.

Royal fans have taken to social media to express their backlash at the way the mother-of-three was mentioned.

One fan wrote on X: "Shame the BBC News referred to her as 'Kate Middleton' while announcing her arrival."

Another commenter said it "sounded terribly disrespectful" for the Princess of Wales to be mentioned that wat, with a third agreeing it was "disrespectful to use her maiden name and had previously asked that her name, Catherine, be used".

A fourth user noted: "May I respectfully remind you that she is not a Middleton and hasn't been so since she married Prince William of Wales."

Other viewers said it was "sad" that the mishap happened "at a moment we were honouring fallen soldiers".

Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, said: "A reminder to BBCNews to educate its broadcasters that the Princess of Wales has not been 'Kate Middleton' since 2011. Her correct title is Catherine, Princess of Wales. Get it right."

Kate was initially granted the title of Duchess of Cambridge by the late Queen Elizabeth II when she married Prince William in 2011.

She held the role for more than a decade before inheriting the Princess of Wales title following King Charles' accession to the throne.

Kate has since been referred to as Catherine, Princess of Wales.

While attending the service, the royal left a member of the public "shaking" with excitement.

It was the first time that the princess had attended the service held at the Armed Forces Memorial.

She was seen standing silently and still in a military-style black coat, accompanied by a wide-brimmed black hat with a bow, and two poppies.

Before leaving the arboretum, Kate greeted crowds and spoke to Josephine Bradburn, who celebrated her 72nd birthday on Friday, saying it was a "fantastic present" to meet her.

She said: "I got to shake her hand. She said what a lovely place it was and what an honour it was to be asked to come here today. She asked us where we were from."

Mrs Bradburn revealed that she also asked the princess how she was, and commented that the arboretum was a lovely place.

She said the interaction with Kate left her "shaking".

Mrs Bradburn explained: "I'm absolutely blown away by it. It's an amazing birthday present, I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Kate was also handed a wreath to lay at the centre of the memorial as she stood alongside serving personnel and families, observing the two-minute silence.

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