Kate Middleton

The magazine's November 18 edition cover features two photos of the Duchess of Cambridge - the first taken pre-baby, all smiles and cuteness. The second - apparently the "photo that shocked the world" - shows her with furrowed brow, possibly looking a bit tired. Still pretty cute though, by most people's standards.

Inside, the mag reports that the "high and lows of motherhood are taking their toll on the Duchess of Cambridge, whose exhausted appearance is worrying her inner circle".

One of Kate's "closest friends" - unnamed - is quoted.

"Baby George is the centre of her universe and she loves him more than life itself, but she's finding him to be harder work than she ever imagined possible," the source stated.

"She isn't getting a wink of sleep because George cries constantly and she always wants to be there for him herself."

Readers have taken to the magazine's Facebook page to express their fury, describing the story as "disgraceful", "disgusting" and "appalling".

The criticism has come predominantly from women and from mothers, who have pointed out that it is entirely normal for a woman who is breastfeeding and caring for a newborn baby to look a little tired.

"Seriously! She's had a baby and has no make up on ... Give her a break!" wrote Sandra Hayes.

"Kate looks like a new mum, who's putting bubs' health before her looks," stated another reader. "When breastfeeding, for safety reasons, one cannot/shouldn't dye their hair, have Botox or a range of other beauty treatments. When you do see a dolled up mother who's just given birth it's not the norm, not natural or healthy, nor should it be portrayed as such."

Readers of the online commentary site The Hoopla have also let rip, describing the story as "cruel" and "pathetic".

"Editors live in an alternate reality- one week she is beautiful the next week she looks dreadful," stated one reader.

The backlash occurs a day after TV personality Johanna Griggs took to Twitter to reveal that New Idea magazine had not even interviewed her for their most recent cover story, entitled "My shock news at 40!"

"Just read yet another made up cover story in New Idea where they pretend I've spoken to them. I haven't," she Tweeted.

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