Uncle Gary Goldsmith's Affection for Kate Middleton's Edited Image - Vanity Fair

Written by Erin Vanderhoof

Despite controversy surrounding the edited Mother’s Day photograph shared by Prince William and Kate Middleton, a firm defender of the image has now spoken out. In a recent interaction with Good Morning Britain, Kate’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, praised the authenticity of the photo, irrespective of the digital modifications it underwent.

“To me, the joy on their faces was evidence enough,” Goldsmith expressed. “I found it to be a lovely image.”

Prior to his interaction with Good Morning Britain, Goldsmith was a participant in the ongoing series of Celebrity Big Brother, where he stayed for five nights before being removed from the show. Having hit his fortune in the 2000s as a director of an IT recruitment firm and from selling his share, the self-made millionaire was one of the prime cast members of the season.

Goldsmith refrained from discussing Kate’s latest hiatus from the public eye on the show. “Keeping in touch with Kate isn't easy,” he shared. “She prioritizes her family, which is something I respect and admire.”

Goldsmith revealed he seldom stays in constant contact with Kate during his Good Morning Britain interview. “I’ve not held a conversation with Kate in a long time. Perhaps a year,” he confessed, adding that he mainly encounters her at family weddings and funerals. He admitted to maintaining closer relations with Kate’s siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, and having recently communicated with his sister, Carole Middleton, in January. “I checked on my sister when Kate was hospitalized,” Goldsmith added. He confirmed he hasn’t spoken to any family members since leaving the Celebrity Big Brother show.

Although not typical, it's not unprecedented for a royal family member to make a TV appearance. Notably, Prince Edward was accompanied by Princess Anne and Prince Andrew on The Grand Knockout Tournament in 1987, and Mike Tindall had a popular appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.

Since the early 2000s when Kate and William’s relationship got serious, the Middleton family has been notoriously private about the couple and their connection to the royal family. Kate’s parents, Carole and Micheal Middleton, are reportedly quite close to their son-in-law William. In 2009, Goldsmith gave an insider's perspective to Kate's romance with William which made headlines in the now defunct tabloid News of the World.

As per the tabloid, Goldsmith disclosed to undercover journalists that Kate and William had visited his Ibiza residence, nicknamed “La Maison de Bang Bang”, providing some specific details from their visit. Speaking about the occasion, he said, “My friends were teaching William DJing,” he shared. “He’s a very cordial guy.”

Goldsmith found himself at the center of a controversy again in October 2017 when he was accused of having a late-night disagreement with his former spouse, Julie-Anne Goldsmith, on a London street. The Independent reported that he pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and received a 12-month community sentence. Responding to a question about the incident on Good Morning Britain, he stated, “I am not habitually abusive towards my wife.”

During his stay on Celebrity Big Brother, where he mingled with famous personalities like Sharon Osbourne, Marisha Wallace, and Simon Cowell, he confessed that his fame can be attributed to his niece. “People were curious about me and my connections, but didn't know anything else about me,” he admitted to the show’s hosts, AJ Odudu and Will Best.

He also used the opportunity to address his reputation as the unconventional member of the Middleton family. “With my appearance on the show, I aimed to modify public perception of me,” he voiced. “Being persistently referred to as a ‘bad uncle’ is hurtful. I desired a change.”