Kate Middleton breaks celebrity boycott of hotel at centre of gay rights row
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has caused controversy after visiting a hotel being boycotted by celebrities because of the owner's controversial stance on gay rights.
The Duchess is thought to have visited the Dorchester in Mayfair on Friday, a hotel that is owned by the Sultan of Brunei, who recently passed strict anti-gay laws in his country.
A series of celebrity boycotts of the hotel began after the Sultan imposed stringent Islamic laws that increase the punishment for homosexuality from 10 years in prison to death by stoning.
According to the Mirror, the Duchess attended a wedding at the hotel on Friday, accompanied by no less than nine police protection officers.
She arrived at the hotel in a blacked out car for the wedding of her cousin Adam Middleton.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, an insider said: "The wedding was a big boost for the hotel... It shows that the royals will not let the Brunei business keep them away."
The following day, Prince William and Prince Harry also broke the celebrity boycott of hotels owned worldwide by the Sultan after playing in a charity polo match at another of his luxury hotels, Coworth Park in Berkshire.
A number of celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen Fry, Jay Leno, and Sir Richard Branson have publicly announced they will not be visiting any hotels under the 'Dorchester Collection' umbrella until the law is changed.
Related articles
Celebrities boycott luxury hotel chain
William and Kate enjoy a dram as they open whisky distillery in Scotland
Prince William and Kate used Mr and Mrs Jones alias on Royal Tour
Richard Branson and Virgin boycott Brunei-owned hotels
