Good Morning America presenter Lara Spencer has apologized after being met with fury from British viewers for mocking Prince George for taking ballet lessons.
The TV host was inundated with complaints from British and American viewers alike after laughing and stifling giggles while presenting a segment about the young royal’s new school curriculum on Thursday.
In the segment, she chuckled: ‘The future king of England will be putting down the Playdoh to take on Religious Studies, computer programming poetry and ballet among other things.
After the audience erupted with laughter, Laura held back her own giggles as she added: ‘Prince William says George absolutely loves ballet, I have news for you Prince William – we’ll see how long that lasts.’
Outraged viewers jumped to Prince George’s defense after presenter Lara Spencer appeared to poke fun at his love for ballet. He is seen visiting the Lindo Wing to meet Prince Louis last year
Spencer apologized for her remarks on Instagram on Friday in a story and a post where she shared a photograph of a mountain and said: ‘Go climb your mountain and love every minute of it’
It sparked a transatlantic wave of criticism from celebrities including choreographer Brian Friedman who said she ought to be ashamed of herself.
On Friday, Spencer posted an apology on Instagram, writing: ‘My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday. From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT.’
‘I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.
George’s ballet lessons will be part of his curriculum at St Thomas’s School in Battersea, London, wherehe will attend classes next year. It costs £18,000 ($22,000) a year.
Among those who criticized Spencer’s attitude was Arlene Phillips, the former grande dame of Strictly Come Dancing, the UK’s version of Dancing With the Stars.
She fumed: ‘What a shameful, outdated, harmful attitude being broadcast to the masses. Dance has countless scientifically proven benefits for physical and mental health.
‘There should be nothing but encouragement for any male who chooses to try dance whether it’s as a fun hobby or for a future as a professional.’
Taking to Instagram, choreographer Friedman also slammed the presenter, writing: ‘See this cute face, the future King of England? This adorable boy is being shamed by a grown woman on National Television in America for taking ballet!
‘Lara, you should be ashamed of yourself as well as George Stephanopoulos for laughing along & Good Morning America for letting public shaming of young boys happen!
Brian Friedman, a choreographer, and Arlene Phillips, a former judge on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, were among critics
‘It infuriates me and I would appreciate everyone sharing this and forcing a public apology to Prince George, The Royal Family, all male dancers and all dancers in general for being so insensitive.’
This follows the news that George’s new curriculum will include French, poetry and ballet.
This follows the news that George’s new curriculum will include French, poetry and ballet. George is pictured in a photo taken by mum Kate to celebrate his sixth birthday
Head of the lower school, Helen Haslem, wrote on the website this week: ‘The curriculum presented in Year 2 reflects the increased ability of the children, both academically and socially.
‘It sees the completion of the basic skills in literacy and numeracy in Key Stage 1.
‘Individual strengths and talents begin to emerge, which you will undoubtedly begin to see.’
George and his classmates will have 35-minute ballet classes which are accompanied by a live piano player.
Ballet lessons are based on the Royal Academy of Dance’s syllabus, and aim to build ‘physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality, using a range of movements and musical styles’.
A love of dancing clearly runs in the family, with Charlotte and George, both believed to have taken ballet classes at their school last year.
William previously revealed that George had inherited his love for dance from the late Princess Diana.
Speaking at the BBC Radio 1’s Teen Hero awards last year, Prince William said: ‘George is doing dance as well, he loves it. My mother always used to dance, loved dance.
‘If it’s something you love, you do what you love and it’s very important, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You keep at it.’
William previously revealed that George had inherited his love for dance from the late Princess Diana. Prince William returning to the Lindo Wing with Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they enter to meet their brother for the first time in 2018