Portuguese magazine apologizes for calling Princess Catharina-Amalia ‘plus size’

Caras magazine has issued an apology following a published cover that referred to Princess Catharina-Amalia as ‘plus-size.’

The weekly magazine, which is published in Lisbon, Portugal, featured a photo of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands with her 16-year-old daughter, Catharina-Amalia.

But the issue received immediate backlash for the corresponding headline, which when translated to English, read, “Maxima's oldest daughter proudly wears her ‘plus-size’ look.”

Instagram users immediately took to the comments upon the publication’s post of the cover, defending the teenage heir to the throne and condemning the headline as “dangerous” and “shameful.”

The magazine quickly released a statement from its director, Liliana Castaño, who initially stood by Caras’ choice, which included the subhead: “The harassed heir to the throne of the Netherlands faces criticism with force and with the support of her parents. A princess who goes through puberty without taboos and defends her figure of ‘real woman.’”

Castaño first took to Instagram: “Reading the whole text will greatly help a constructive debate.” The director also defended Caras’ choice, noting that it was the magazine’s “intention” for the story to be an “inspiring” account about overcoming bullying.

However, as the Daily Mail reported, it is not thought that Princess Catharina-Amalia had contributed to Caras’ story or even commented on her image publicly.

The magazine then issued an official apology from Castaño on its site that noted the cover had “provoked the least desired controversy by our publication.”

“And we believe that it may be the opportunity to create a healthy space for reflection,” she continued. “We live in a time of deconstruction of stereotypes. The media are also mirrors of society. And of the changes that are transforming the world. We are all learning, the media too,” the apology read.

“We recognize our responsibility in this deconstruction and feel that we are part of it. We understand that even without malicious intent we made a mistake,” Castaño added, later concluding, “I offer my sincere apologies to all those who have felt aggrieved.”

This isn't the first time a Portuguese publication has been criticized for its messaging. Earlier this month, Vogue Portugal apologized after releasing “The Madness Issue,” which featured a stereotypical and outdated portrayal of mental illness on its cover. The Vogue cover has since been pulled.