Newsweek's "Diana's Ghost" issue in poor taste?

Princess Diana and Kate Middleton on the cover of the July 4, 2011, issue of Newsweek magazine.

/ AP

(CBS/AP) On the cover of Newsweek this week, Princess Diana is alive, well and walking with her daughter-in-law, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. It's an interesting idea but the computer-generated image is being called "creepy" and "cheap."

Pictures: Kate Middleton
Pictures: Princess Diana

The accompanying article is written by Diana biographer and longtime provocateur Tina Brown. She's also Newsweek's editor-in-chief, having taken over after her online publication, the Daily Beast, merged late last year with the decades-old publication.

"What would she have been like?" Brown writes of Diana, who would have turned 50 on Friday, nearly 14 years after her death in a Paris car crash. "Still great-looking: that's a given."

The magazine's new issue also features an imagined Diana Facebook page and a slideshow comparing the fashion styles of Diana and Middleton, who married Diana's oldest child, Prince William, in April.

About the cover, a Los Angeles Times headline asked, "Shocking, brilliant or just plain cheap?" An Atlantic Wire headline added, "How Creepy Is Princess Diana's Ghost on the Cover of Newsweek?"

Brown's answer: Not at all.

"We wanted to bring the memory of Diana alive in a vivid image that transcends time and reflects my piece," she said in a statement Tuesday.

[daniele7ster]

Seems Newsweek has been quite "cheap" as of late. Who's in charge these days?

[cbswayne]

While I hate seeing what Tina Brown has done (overall) to Newsweek- or more aptly, "Newsweak"- when is everyone going to get over Dianna? Jeez, the woman was just a somewhat attractive, petulant child that didn't have the maturity or good sense to not get into the situation (royal life) she threw herself into. Sure, she had a sad end, but her life doesn't warrant the canonization.

[rssr13]

Oh, and sticking the iphone in her hand? TACKY and just plain idiotic.

[rssr13]

Newsweek magazine has lowered itself to tabloid publication status. The story and the photos are ridiculous and disgusting.
Let the dead rest in peace. Do not bring them back digitally enhanced/aged. It doesn't matter if she and Kate would get along. She is gone. Let it be. Go back to reporting real news stories for your intelligent population of readers.

[RCC_Soldaten]

I would expect nothing more from this rag.

[whodeydiva]

I can't imagine what her sons must feel like when they have to look at this...hopefully they will laugh at the source and never pick up another issues of Newsweek!! Very disrespectful to her memory and her sons!! Callous on the part of Newsweek!! They are just using her image to make a buck...how low!! I for one will be boycotting Newsweek!!

[SirWilk44]

The article being published was Bush's fault. Does that make you feel better liberals?

[helloall34]

A new all time low for journalism. Goodbye Newsweek.

[DETravis]

Who is your fact checker??????? Seriously? HRH Catherine Middleton is the Duchess of Cambridge, not Cornwall you gits. Camilla Parker Bowles, now HRH is the Duchess of Cornwall. And yes, this is beyond creepy.

[ccpo]

How could you think this would even be appealing!? Shame on Newsweek, a magazine I have enjoyed reading cover to cover for decades! I am ready to stop my subscription. Maybe Tina should move over to the National Enquirer. Shame Shame Shame. I hope no one shows this to her son's.

[displeased2]

The editor in chief definitely made a mistake and will pay for it after the public's outrage, but what exactly will you gain by boycotting a magazine that you enjoy so much?