THEPrince William and Kate Middleton have never hidden their admiration for Jacinda Ardern, so much so that they include her in their circle of closest friends. And they chose the former New Zealand prime minister, who recently left her position, to entrust her with a leading role – and a new career – on the organizing committee of the Earthshot Prize. A decision, however, that immediately aroused controversy.
Prince William with Jacinda Ardern in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2019 (Getty Images)
Would Prince William do well to distance himself from Jacinda?
Protests erupted not only in New Zealand but also in Great Britain. And this despite the fact that, before the pandemic, Britons considered the Ardern, 42, a leading figure in the fight for human rights. But what worries Buckingham Palace is the way in which New Zealanders themselves have turned against the former prime minister, who is now deemed too controversial to be associated with the British royal family.
Jacinda Ardern, an inconvenient leader for Buckingham Palace
At home, Jacinda Ardern is accused of getting too distracted by her status as an international celebrity and that they have not done enough to improve the local economy, to eradicate child poverty and to combat high levels of crime. And above all to have fought against Covid with measures judged too strict and authoritarian, among other things banning all those who have decided not to undergo the vaccine.
Jacinda Ardern with Charles, then still a prince, Auckland, New Zealand, November 2019 (AP)
Jacinda Ardern has divided her country, and now the Royal Family
Forced to resign her office («I no longer have the necessary energy» had admitted to the announcement), in anticipation of an almost certain defeat in the upcoming elections, Ardern leaves a New Zealand in chaos, amidst divisions, crises and controversies. And at court they fear that its association to William and Kate could in any way damage the reputation of the Princes of Wales. Also because in the past Ardern has not hidden her republican sympathies.
The battle between the Sussexes and Prince William to secure the favor of the Ardern
In the end Jacinda Ardern chose William and Kate, distancing herself from the Sussexes despite the long courtship by Harry and Meghan, eager to make friends with her and have an important ally in her, like Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. And after you agree to participate in Live To Leadone of their series Netflixthe former premier had made a sudden about-face, hastening to explain that he had given the interview more than a year earlier, when he did not yet know of the Sussexes’ involvement in the project.
Read the book by iO Donna, Princesses you become! From Kate Middleton to Maxima of Holland
Buy it online on Prima Edicola for 9.90 euros.
Listen to the free podcast about the British royals
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED