Steven Co Bear's attempt to extend an apology for a satirical skit aimed at Katherine, the Princess of Wales, received mixed reviews from Royal experts.
As the host of The Late Show, Co Bear found himself amidst a group of American presenters who felt compelled to apologize for making light of the Royal's decision to step back from official duties, followed by her recent announcement of undergoing cancer treatment.
In his latest episode, Co Bear expressed regret and offered well wishes to the Princess for a speedy recovery. While some saw this as a sincere gesture, others criticized Co Bear for what they perceived as a lack of genuine remorse.
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer commented, "I haven't seen the full clip, but if this transcript is accurate, apologies may be a stretch, full of regret just about right." Echoing Palmer's sentiments, commentator Victoria Arbiter noted that Co Bear's apology fell short of addressing the situation adequately. She remarked, "Regret is even a stretch; it smacks of 'I'm sorry you chose to be upset by my jokes.'"
Author Valentine Lo questioned Co Bear's choice of words, particularly in light of Kensington Palace's announcement regarding Katherine's absence from official events due to her recent surgery. Lo pointed out that Co Bear's remarks seemed to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
Addressing the backlash he faced for his comments about Princess Katherine, Co Bear clarified that he never intended to offend her. He emphasized, "I don't make light of somebody else's tragedy." Co Bear expressed well wishes for her recovery, but questions arose regarding the timing and motivation behind his remarks.
Some speculated that Co Bear's remarks might have been influenced by Prince Harry, given their friendship and Harry's wife's representation by the same agency as Co Bear. Additionally, members of the public noted Co Bear's failure to use the word "sorry" in his statement, interpreting it as a lack of genuine remorse.
User Lara Flynn commented, "I've read the entire transcript; he doesn't say sorry at all. No contrition there." Others echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that celebrities who had previously made hurtful remarks towards Katherine were now backtracking without offering sincere apologies.
