In a move aimed at honoring the late Princess of Wales, Tatler magazine’s latest edition was set to feature a brand new portrait of the iconic royal.

However, what was intended as a tribute to her courage and dignity has instead sparked a wave of criticism and disbelief from royal fans, who have described the depiction as “absolutely dreadful.”

The artwork in question, created by British-Zambian artist Hannah Oer, was inspired by a video message from the Princess of Wales about her cancer diagnosis.

The image portrays the princess at the first State banquet of the king’s reign in 2022, during the South Africa State visit.

She is depicted standing composed and facing forward in a regal caped white Jenny Packham floor-length evening dress, adorned with sparkling details on her shoulder, and wearing her go-to tiara, the Lovers Knot.

However, despite the artist’s intentions and inspiration, the portrait has faced a backlash online, with many royal fans questioning its likeness to the Princess of Wales. Comments on a post of the magazine cover ranged from expressing disappointment to outright confusion, with one commenter noting, “Sorry, as much as I love that you have her on the cover, art is subjective, but it looks nothing like the Princess of Wales. If she wasn’t wearing that dress, I’d have no clue who it was meant to be.”

The royal family is no stranger to making waves in the media, but this latest controversy has left many baffled by the portrayal of the beloved princess. Despite the criticism, the princess appeared blissful in her last public engagement, a walk to the church, which took on a poignant significance as her final official outing before her passing.

Hannah Oer defended her work, explaining that the image on the magazine cover is set against a blue-green background as a nod to the princess’s eye color and her love of rowing. She expressed admiration for the princess’s dignity, elegance, and grace, especially as she stepped back from public duties to focus on her chemotherapy treatment.

In the midst of this debate, another royal portrait has been unveiled, this time of King Charles, the first official one since his coronation. Painted by Jonathan Yao, the portrait captures the king with a butterfly on his shoulder, symbolizing his love for nature and his transformation from prince to monarch.

These portraits, while stirring mixed reactions, aim to capture the complex personalities and roles of the royal family members, offering new perspectives on their lives and duties. Yao described it as a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned to paint this portrait, which evolved alongside the king’s role in public life.

As the debate over the portrayal of the Princess of Wales continues, it underscores the challenges of capturing the essence of such iconic figures in art, and the varied interpretations that can arise from such endeavors.