Disney fans have been left up in arms after it emerged the new live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid seemingly contains a “pointed dig” at the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.
The new film, based on the classic cartoon released in 1989, seemed to wade into the Megxit drama and contains veiled allusions to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
But it takes things a step further with a “dig” at Kate Middleton, one critic has claimed.
READ MORE: Matilda star Mara Wilson was sent ‘inappropriate’ messages and targeted by porn aged 12
According to Page Six, one reviewer who saw an early screening of the flick said the film contains numerous jabs aimed at the Royal Family.
The critic told the publication that the film draws “a number of subtle yet plausible comparisons” between Meghan and Harry and lead characters Ariel – played by Halle Bailey – and Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King).
It’s the first time the mermaid will be played by a black actress, while a white actor portrays Eric.
The unnamed reviewer went on to explain that the film doesn’t stop there, and appears to take a jab at Kate.
They said: “Ariel has sacrificed her voice in order to get to the surface and [meet] Prince Eric. She can’t speak so he tries to guess her name.
(Image: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
“His first guess is Diana. His second guess is Catherine, but after [Ariel gives a disgusted] reaction, he [concludes] ‘OK, definitely not Catherine.’”
The source added: “Disney would be disingenuous to imply those name choices were coincidental.”
It comes after Meghan Markle herself confessed to identifying with Ariel, admitting during her interview with Oprah Winfrey: “I was sitting in Nottingham Cottage and The Little Mermaid came on.
“And who as an adult really watches The Little Mermaid? But it came on and I was like, ‘Well I’m here all the time I might as well watch this.’
(Image: AP)
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
“I went, ‘Oh my God, she falls in love with the prince and because of that she loses her voice’.”
She added: “But in the end she gets her voice back.”
Oprah replied: “And this is what happened here. You feel like you got your voice back,” as Meghan agreed: “Yeah.”
Meghan also confessed her love story with Harry was “greater than any fairytale you’ve ever read” during the 2021 interview.
Daily Star has contacted Disney for comment.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
