Kate Middleton’s Uncle Says ‘It Does Hurt’ Being Known as ‘Bad Uncle’ Amid Her Health Woes

Gary Goldsmith and Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton’s uncle has admitted “it does hurt” knowing that some people call him a “bad uncle” and said he wants to change that public perception following his March 8 eviction from Celebrity Big Brother.

Gary Goldsmith, who is the younger brother of the Princess of Wales’ mother, became the first housemate to be evicted from the current U.K. edition of Celebrity Big Brother, which returned earlier this week for its first season in six years. Goldsmith, who was in the house for only five days, was nominated for eviction by Sharon Osbourne. The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon was also nominated for removal from the show but survived the first eviction vote.

Goldsmith has drawn a lot of attention to his role on the reality game show due to his connection to the royal family. While Goldsmith has praised his niece and Prince William while on the show—and even called them the “savior of the royal family”—he has also been criticized for his comments about William’s brother, Prince Harry, and the Duke of Sussex’s wife, Meghan Markle. Harry and Meghan have had fraught relationships with other members of the royal family for years and stepped down as senior royals in 2020.

Related: Kate Middleton’s Uncle Shares Strong Words About Meghan Markle on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’

Following his eviction, Goldsmith revealed that he had an “agenda” going into the show and acknowledged that he did “chuck in a royal thing a little too often,” according to The Mirror. Goldsmith also said that he had hoped to change the public’s mind about who he is.

"It does hurt for when you're always referred to being a 'bad uncle,’” he said, adding, ”I wanted to change that.” Goldsmith previously spoke on the show about the nickname, which has over time morphed into “buncle.”

Goldsmith’s comments about the royal family during his five days on Celebrity Big Brother came amid his niece’s ongoing recovery from abdominal surgery in January. Though the Princess of Wales was spotted in public earlier this month for the first time since her surgery, she is not expected to resume her royal duties until after Easter.

Next: Kate Middleton’s Uncle Addresses Questions Surrounding Her Whereabouts on ‘Celebrity Big Brother'