Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Cooks cartoon over royal visit annoys Solomon Islands

Posted at 01:09 on 03 October, 2012 UTC

A Cook Islands newspaper cartoon mocking Solomon Islanders over their outrage of the Duchess of Cambridge’s dress controversy has upset Solomons’ residents.

The Solomon Times is reporting a senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as saying that the mockery will have negative repercussions at both an official level and on general public perceptions.

The cartoon, showing an upset bare-breasted woman, is being described as offensive and disappointing.

The royal couple intended to wear garments from Solomon Islands while visiting Honiara, but instead unintentionally wore pieces made in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands News editor who ran the cartoon, John Woods, says he will make a statement after speaking to Solomon Times news staff.