08 March 2024 , 17:30
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Celebrity Big Brother's hundreds of cameras aren't the only thing keeping an eye on Gary Goldsmith while he's starring on the ITV reality show.
While Princess Kate's 'bad uncle' may claim he didn't need her approval to step foot into the house, Buckingham Palace will be keeping a "watchful eye" on everything he says and does - however brief his stay may be. Despite that, it's unlikely that officials will respond to his antics unless he says something "completely outrageous," royal expert Jennie Bond tells the Mirror.
Since making his TV debut on Monday, Gary has controversially discussed a number of topics after previously insisting that he wouldn't embarrass Kate or his family whilst appearing on the show. As well as responding to questions about the Princess of Wales' health - following social media speculation on her whereabouts after undergoing abdominal surgery earlier this year - he branded Meghan a "stick in the spokes" and claimed she is creating drama. He also said that he had spoken to Kate's mum Carole and was told she was "getting the best care in the world".
"I think they'll completely ignore it unless he says something so completely outrageous that they feel they've been goaded into responding to a reality show," Jennie tells us of the Palace's response to his comments. "I hope [William and Kate] aren't investing their precious time into something that will be deeply upsetting to watch. He thinks being in there he's a knight in shining armour, but the Palace will be keeping a watchful eye."
Buckingham Palace won't be commenting but will be keeping an eye on Gary Goldsmith (ITV)Jennie suggests that while Gary may not have bad intentions - all of his remarks about Kate so far have either been sympathetic or positive - his appearance on the show is not a good thing for the royals. "I think it comes from a good place in his heart - he wants to protect, defend his niece. I think he is absolutely pro Catherine - I think he was always going to be very positive about Catherine and thinking it would do a good turn. But in the end I think it will hinder [William and Kate] and it will cause a family rift.
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"We've heard enough about the royals not getting on. I think they're trying to portray the image of unity - Harry's gone his way and we've even seen Andrew has been accepted on the odd family occasion. They are not just a monarchy, it is a royal family and they've tried to show that they are a loving and affectionate family. So having a potential rift now between Catherine and Carole is not a good look."
Princess Kate is recovering from abdominal surgery (Getty Images)Explaining that "every word he speaks can be misinterpreted", Jennie points out that you need to be very careful and not forget you're on TV. "There are times when you get involved in conversation and there's a huge danger of Gary Goldsmith [forgetting about cameras] which he sort of did when he talked about [Kate's] health," she says. "What he said about her getting the "best care", which was certainly reassuring but she doesn't want anything said about her health. William and Catherine have worked very, very hard and they're in control of her communications, like Harry and Meghan in a way, and they have to be very careful about who says what when. And to have GG - or 'Uncle G' - going on free range is absolute bizarre scenes and not what they want."
While Jennie points out that he likely doesn't have a particularly close relationship with Kate or is part of the "inner circle", she says that his appearance on the show is likely very distressing for the Princess of Wales at a time when she's recovering. "I think he's very much a freelancer, doing what he wants. I think clearly, whatever's happened to Catherine, she's probably feeling fragile - mentally as well," she says. "To have a serious setback like this at the prime of your life, it must knock your confidence and so she'll be fragile at this stage in her recovery and to have this thrown at her... she must just be thinking, 'Why, why, why did Uncle Gary have to do this?' I imagine she's thoroughly depressed about it."
She adds: "If Carole knew I'm sure she would have read him the riot act. So I think he almost certainly has gone against his family and their better judgement - and for what?"
The Mirror has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.