The BBC found itself issuing a rare public apology to Catherine, Princess of Wales, after a correspondent repeatedly called her “Kate Middleton” during live Armistice Day coverage—a breach of royal protocol that ignited social media fury, triggered formal complaints, and forced the broadcaster to acknowledge “errors” just days after two top executives resigned over a separate documentary scandal.
The incident has put Britain’s national broadcaster under unprecedented scrutiny.
The Moment It Went Wrong
During the BBC’s live broadcast from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on November 11, 2025, news correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan repeatedly used the Princess’s maiden name. “We’ll take you to the arboretum in Staffordshire, as we said there, Kate Middleton attending that ceremony.
Let’s have a listen in,” Vaidyanathan stated. The remarks were quickly clipped and shared across social media platforms by eagle-eyed viewers.
Who Is Rajini Vaidyanathan
Rajini Vaidyanathan is a respected BBC news presenter and North America correspondent who has covered major royal events throughout her career. The experienced journalist made the repeated naming errors during hours of live broadcasting from the solemn Armistice Day ceremony.
While mistakes can occur during live coverage, the repeated nature of the error drew particular attention and criticism from viewers watching the coverage.
Social Media Erupts
Viewers immediately took to social media to criticize the BBC for the error. Clips of the broadcast circulated widely on platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Royal commentators and members of the public alike expressed disappointment that the broadcaster failed to use Catherine’s correct title during such a significant national event commemorating those who served in the Armed Forces.
Official Complaints Filed
Following the broadcast, the BBC received numerous formal complaints from viewers who considered the error disrespectful to the royal family.
The complaints specifically highlighted that Catherine has held the title “Princess of Wales” since the accession of King Charles III in September 2022. Many felt the mistake was particularly inappropriate given the solemn nature of Armistice Day commemorations honoring fallen soldiers.
MP Speaks Out
Jim Shannon, Member of Parliament for Strangford in Northern Ireland, publicly criticized the BBC on social media. “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,” Shannon wrote, emphasizing that she ceased being Kate Middleton upon her marriage to Prince William.
BBC’s Official Response
On November 14, 2025, the BBC acknowledged the mistake and issued a formal apology. “During our coverage of memorials to commemorate Armistice Day, we mistakenly referred to Catherine, Princess of Wales, as Kate Middleton; these were errors during hours of live broadcasting for which we apologise,” the statement read.
The broadcaster emphasized that it used correct titles throughout broader coverage of the day’s events.
Understanding Royal Titles
Catherine became “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales” when King Charles III ascended to the throne on September 9, 2022, following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Prior to that, she held the title Duchess of Cambridge from her marriage to Prince William on April 29, 2011. While the public often refers to her as “Kate Middleton,” her official title has undergone significant changes over the years.
Why Titles Matter
Royal titles carry significant constitutional and ceremonial importance in the British monarchy. Using correct titles demonstrates respect for the institution and individuals who serve in royal roles.
The title of Princess of Wales, in particular, holds special significance as it was previously held by the late Princess Diana. Catherine is only the second person to hold this title since the death of Diana in 1997.
The Armistice Day Ceremony
The November 11 ceremony marked Catherine’s appearance at the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum. She observed a two-minute silence at 11 a.m., honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces.
The Princess laid a wreath and participated fully in the solemn commemorations, demonstrating her commitment to royal duties following her recent health challenges and recovery.
Catherine’s Health Journey
The Princess of Wales announced in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventive chemotherapy following abdominal surgery. On September 9, 2024, she announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment.
In January 2025, Catherine revealed she was in remission after visiting The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received treatment, marking a significant milestone in her recovery.
Her Ceremonial Appearance
Catherine wore a black military-style coat by British designer Catherine Walker, adorned with red poppies symbolizing remembrance. The elegant ensemble reflected the somber nature of the occasion while demonstrating support for the British Armed Forces.
Her presence at the ceremony was widely praised by attendees and royal observers who noted her dignified participation during her gradual return to full royal duties.
Public Support for Catherine
Since announcing her cancer diagnosis and subsequent remission, Catherine has received overwhelming public support from across the United Kingdom and internationally. Royal watchers have praised her openness about her health journey and her careful, measured return to public duties.
The backlash against the BBC’s naming error reflected the public’s protective sentiment toward the Princess during her recovery period.
BBC’s Troubled Week
The apology to Princess Catherine came just days after the BBC faced severe criticism over editing errors in a Panorama documentary about Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech.
The documentary allegedly spliced together segments of Trump’s remarks from 50 minutes apart, making it appear he encouraged the Capitol riots while omitting his call for supporters to protest “peacefully and patriotically,” sparking controversy.
Leadership Resignations
Following the Trump documentary controversy, BBC Director General Tim Davie and Chief Executive of News Deborah Turness resigned on November 9, 2025.
The resignations came after a leaked internal memo by former BBC advisor Michael Prescott accused the broadcaster of misleading edits and raised concerns about impartiality. Both executives stated they took ultimate responsibility for editorial mistakes that damaged the broadcaster’s reputation.
Trump’s Legal Threats
President-elect Trump responded to the BBC resignations on Truth Social, stating: “The TOP people in the BBC are all quitting/FIRED, because they were caught ‘doctoring’ my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th.”
He called the journalists “corrupt” and claimed they tried to influence a presidential election. Trump has threatened legal action seeking between $1 billion and $5 billion in damages against the broadcaster.
BBC’s Editorial Standards Under Scrutiny
The dual controversies involving Princess Catherine and Donald Trump have placed BBC editorial standards under intense public scrutiny. Critics argue these incidents reveal systemic issues with fact-checking and editorial oversight during live broadcasting and documentary production.
The broadcaster has pledged to review its procedures to prevent similar errors in the future and restore public confidence in its journalism.
Royal Protocol Standards
The incident highlights ongoing challenges broadcasters face in maintaining proper royal protocol during live programming. While “Kate Middleton” remains a popular name in public discourse, official coverage requires the use of the correct royal titles.
The BBC acknowledged that despite the error, their broader Armistice Day coverage properly referred to Catherine by her official title throughout most broadcasts, with the mistakes occurring during specific live segments.
Media Relations with the Royal Family
The relationship between the British media and the royal family has always required careful navigation of protocol, respect, and public interest. This incident serves as a reminder to broadcasters about the importance of accuracy when covering royal events, particularly during solemn national commemorations.
The swift apology from the BBC demonstrates the broadcaster’s awareness of these sensitivities and commitment to maintaining proper standards.
Moving Forward
The BBC’s apology represents the broadcaster’s commitment to accuracy and respect for royal protocol. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper titles during formal coverage, particularly for live events of national significance.
As Catherine continues her recovery and return to public duties following her cancer remission announcement in January 2025, proper recognition of her official title as Princess of Wales will remain essential in media reporting.