Amanda Platell, a columnist for the Daily Mail, has apologised for recent criticisms of Catherine, Princess of Wales, saying she was wrong to question the princess’s public role after learning of the royal’s schedule for President Donald Trump’s two-day state visit to Britain.
In a column published Saturday, Platell said she had been "so disgusted" with herself for a "cruel thing" she previously wrote about Kate and that she was now "choking on my words" after seeing the full itinerary for the state visit, which begins Wednesday. Platell wrote that the Princess of Wales would be "front and centre" of several diplomatic events and described her activities over the two days, crediting Kate as a "valuable asset" to the royal family.
Platell outlined the engagements she said Kate would attend, including a welcome at Windsor Castle with the Prince and Princess of Wales introducing President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to King Charles and Queen Camilla, a horse-drawn carriage procession through Windsor Great Park, and lunch with the Trumps in the state dining room. The columnist also noted a planned viewing of works from the Royal Collection and a traditional white-tie state banquet. On the second day, Platell said, the princess was scheduled to join Melania Trump in Frogmore Gardens for a presentation on the Scouts Squirrels programme for young children.
Platell’s change of tone came after she had earlier criticised Kate and William for what she described as a lower public profile during Prince Harry’s recent visits to Britain and the alleged rapprochement between Harry and his father, King Charles. In the new column, Platell said she regretted having overlooked the demands of royal diplomatic work and paid particular attention to the preparations and public-facing roles such duties require.
The column also revisited Platell’s criticisms of Prince Harry’s recent visit and public remarks. She suggested the trip had been an attempt to restore public standing and cited figures she attributed to the aftermath of the couple’s BBC interview. Those assessments were presented as Platell’s commentary. The Daily Mail column included other pointed language about Harry and his public statements, which Platell framed as part of the broader context for royal coverage.
A spokesman for the Royal Household typically does not comment on advance media coverage of private schedules beyond confirming public engagements. The organisers of state events said in past visits that details of royal and presidential programmes are confirmed with the relevant households and offices in advance and may include cultural and charitable elements intended to showcase national institutions.
The state visit comes amid sustained public and media attention on the royal family, including recent high-profile visits and broadcasts featuring members of the family. Royal watchers and press coverage have focused on constitutional and ceremonial roles played by senior royals during such visits, as well as the optics of participation by individual members.
Platell’s column appeared in the Daily Mail’s opinion pages and was posted online. The article contained personal commentary and the columnist’s own appraisal of recent royal events and personalities. The Princess of Wales’s public schedule for the state visit was widely previewed in British media in the days leading up to the official arrival of President Trump and the First Lady.