Of Consent, Sexism and Kate Middleton’s ‘Marilyn Moment’

How social media outraged over the undue attention given to Kate Middleton’s billowing skirt

Marilyn Monroe vs Kate Middleton in the media (Photo courtesy: Twitter screengrabs)

Marilyn Monroe strangely started trending on Tuesday morning, thanks to the Duchess of Cambridge, her dress and the wind blowing through the capital city.

This morning, Times of India’s front page ran a picture of Kate Middleton and Prince William laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, but what got people on social media agitated was that the entire focus of the photograph was on Middleton’s billowing skirt. The publication called it as “Kate’s Marilyn Moment at India Gate”. Comments on sexism and consent were thrown about. You see, Marilyn Monroe purposefully posed for that iconic shot from The Seven Year Itch, while Middleton was gracefully fighting down an unfortunately windy day.

(Photo courtesy: @EOnlineUK)

Here’s are a few Twitter reactions to TOI’s misplaced enthusiasm about the levity of the Duchess’ skirt.

What’s interesting is that international media platforms like Vanity Fair, New York Post and Us Weekly too were taken up by the ‘Marilyn moment’ of William and Kate’s visit to the India Gate:

So are desi Twitterati selectively outraging over TOI’s sexism?

But more importantly why did the very same media miss out on Prince William’s ‘reveal all’?

And we save the best for the last: