Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Boxer Conlan apologises for liking tweet critical of Kate at Wimbledon

The former world amateur champion said he had liked the message accidentally.

Jonathan McCambridge
Monday 17 July 2023 12:09 BST
Northern Irish boxer Michael Conlan has apologised for liking a tweet that was critical of the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon (Victoria Jones/PA)
Northern Irish boxer Michael Conlan has apologised for liking a tweet that was critical of the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Northern Irish boxer Michael Conlan has apologised for liking a tweet that was critical of the Princess of Wales.

The Twitter post on Sunday was scathing about Kate’s appearance at Wimbledon, where she watched the men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

The tweet, which featured a photograph of Kate holding hands with Princess Charlotte at the match, described her as a “prim, anaemic and vacuous woman”.

It also called her “talentless” and “bony”.

Conlan, from Belfast, issued a tweet on Monday stating that he had liked the original message accidentally.

He said: “Yesterday when scrolling Twitter, I unknowingly liked a tweet that appeared on my feed by someone I don’t follow.

“I deleted the accidental like as soon as I was made aware of it I and apologise for any offence caused.”

The 31-year-old former world amateur champion has twice challenged unsuccessfully for a world title in the professional ranks.

In May he was stopped by Mexican fighter Luis Alberto Lopez when challenging for the IBF world featherweight title.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the men’s final at Wimbledon on Sunday along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Kate is the patron of All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and presented the winner’s trophy to Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic in a thrilling five-set encounter.

In 2019, Conlan, a former Olympic medallist, apologised after a song used in his ring walk prior to a bout on St Patrick’s Day in New York contained a pro-IRA lyric.

Before the fight, the Wolfe Tones’ Celtic Symphony – which contains the lyric “Ooh, Ah, Up The Ra” – was blared around the venue, prompting a backlash from unionist politicians.

At the time Conlan said he had meant no offence and that he would not use the music again.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in