Kate Middleton has been revered for her style, her grace, her charm, ever since she first came into the royal picture several years ago. She is generally beloved by her English subjects, so when someone pokes fun at her or takes aim at the royal family, it doesn’t go over well across the pond.

That’s just what’s happening now, as a U.S.-based magazine New Republic has made Middleton their target, even going so far as to photoshop a crude picture of her on their cover which features the duchess sporting cracked yellow teeth. The headline reads, “Something’s Rotten: The Last Days Of Britain”. The issue is all about England’s decline and even takes a shot at the country’s football teams.

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The image, as well as the headline, has drawn immediate backlash from those it concerns, as people in the U.K. come to the defense of the duchess and her teeth. One commenter said:

“Not cool. I am not an imperialist (not even close!), but she seems to be a genuine person. She is young, beautiful, and privileged. Apparently grave sins to many people. Yet I wonder if these are the same critics who keep up on the Kardashians, or whatever flavour of the month Hollywood squirts out. She is a person who did not deserve this low blow. Shame on them. I wouldn’t even think to read anything from them ever again.”

Many comments on the issue are similar, taking umbrage at the fact that the magazine appears to be laying all the blame for the country’s problems on Middleton’s shoulders. However, some think that perhaps the imagery, however poorly chosen, is only meant to represent a decaying system in decline.

Whatever the reason, the editors of the magazine have gotten themselves into a world of hurt with the cover. They have so far declined to comment.