At the end of last month, the tabloids were full of criticism for England and Manchester City player Raheem Sterling, after he showed off a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.
This is despite the footballer pointing out that the gun symbolises his vow to choose football over gang violence. He explained on Instagram, ‘When I was 2 my father died from being gunned down to death I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my life time, I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning.’
Over the weekend, however, the tabloids also celebrated these adorable snaps of Prince George and Princess Charlotte playing at a Polo match.
The four year-old Prince is seen with a toy set that includes handcuffs, a knife, a walkie-talkie and a gun. He was seen playing with the toy gun, even pointing at his mother’s face.
A debate has now struck up about how we, as society and as the media, have dealt with the pictures of Prince George, versus how we deal with other people sporting gun paraphernalia.
We collectively cooed over cute little Prince George, ignoring his toys, while we've come down so hard on others that they've had to retreat from the internet in shame or issue apologies.
Obviously, there is already much discussion on whether young boys should be exposed to these types of toys.
Considering issues with toxic masculinity and gun violence in our society, many consider that giving symbols of violence to children encourages the wrong kind of behaviour in them from a young age. However, others have pointed out that, as a mum and a Duchess, Kate Middleton has bigger fish to fry and that it's her right to choose how she brings up her children.
Others still, pointed out the difference in approaches when it comes to viewing young white boys playing with gun toys, versus young black boys. With increasing frequency, young black boys are warned off playing with toy guns because of how it can be perceived in the press and in society. Particularly prevalently, people will remember that 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by a police officer, as the young boy's toy gun was seemingly mistaken for the real thing.
Similarly, footballer Sterling has been abused for his gun tattoo to the point he fears leaving his house, and even singer Lily Allen was called out by Piers Morgan for her 20 year-old gun necklace.
Is it not true that, if we consider images or symbols of guns to be unacceptable, then they are unacceptable for everyone, no matter the context? And we can't make exceptions for royalty, no matter how cute.
Is this harmless fun or privileged hypocrisy?
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
