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KARL Lagerfeld was adored by celebrities the world over but he courted controversy for his colourful opinions - and didn't hold back when it came to the royals.

The fashion designer - who passed away this morning at the age of 85 after several weeks of ill health - presided over iconic fashion house Chanel for more than 30 years.

Known for his iconic white hair and dark sunglasses, the German, who was a close personal friend of Anna Wintour, Victoria Beckham and Cara Delevingne, wasn't afraid of speaking frankly about certain famous faces.

In 2006 he branded the late Princess Diana "stupid" in an interview with New York Magazine.

He had met her prior to her death in 1997 and even attended her funeral, but said bluntly: "She was pretty and she was sweet, but she was stupid."

Lagerfeld spoke far more favourably of Diana's son Prince William's choice of wife, acknowledging she has a "nice silhouette" and is "the right girl for that boy".

"I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties," he said in 2012, following Kate's marriage to Wills in 2011.

However he couldn't resist having a cheeky dig at Kate's sister Pippa, admitting: "I don't like her face. She should only show her back."

In a subsequent interview with Grazia he backtracked after his quotes made worldwide news, claiming he "didn't mean that" and was only pointing out he didn't think her "make-up is right" as she has "a roundish face and round eyes and she should pick another make-up for the eyes".

When it came to the Middleton family, Lagerfeld reserved the most praise for Kate and Pippa's mum Carole.

"I think Carole is very sexy," he said. "I think the mother is sexier than the daughters."

But in his mind, no one does a better job when it comes to fashion than Her Maj.

"[The Queen] is never ridiculous; she is flawless," he gushed in an interview in 2014. "I know people who know her. Apparently, she’s full of wit and spirit.”

Admiring her "power suit" for every occasion, he remarked: "For this job, in our day, she is perfect.

"She’s not supposed to be a fashion icon who is changing fashion. The Duchess of Cambridge can do that."

He added that Kate is "chic in a classic way", but sometimes Camilla Parker-Bowles is "wilder" with her "Philip Treacy hats".

Karl didn't hold back when it came to critiquing other celebrities either.

The fashion heavyweight came under scrutiny for calling singer Adele "a little too fat", although he did say he preferred her to Lana Del Rey.

He later backtracked on his comments in 2013, and told CNN: "I never said that she was fat, I said that she was a little roundish; a little roundish is not fat."

Michelle Obama didn't escape either, with him saying: "I don't understand the change of hair. I adore Madame Obama, I love her.

"But there is a news reader at LCI which has this haircut...Frankly, this doesn't suit her. The fringe was a bad idea, it's not good."

The Fendi creative also branded actress Meryl Streep "cheap" for allegedly cancelling a dress order for the Oscars in favour of a designer who would pay her to wear theirs - an allegation her team vehemently denied.

He may have been pictured with her in later years, but Karl dismissed the appeal of model Heidi Klum back in 2009.

Despite her sought-after status, Karl said: "I don't know Heidi Klum. She was never known in France. Claudia Schiffer also doesn't know who she is."

He also remarked of Andy Warhol: "I shouldn't say this, but physically he was quite repulsive."

The designer also controversially made comments about plus sized models, saying: "No one wants to see curvy women on the catwalk."

And he also insulted the whole of Russia when he said: "If I was a woman in Russia I would be a lesbian, as the men are very ugly.

"There are a few handsome ones, like Naomi Campbell's boyfriend, but there you see the most beautiful women and the most horrible men."

Depsite any acid-tongued remarks, celebrity tributes have flooded in have flooded in for the well-loved designer.

Singer Lily Allen remembered him as a "true genius", writing on Instagram: "You made me feel like a princess.

"I never quite understood what you saw in me but I am forever grateful for the support that you and Chanel have given me over the last 15 years."

Diane Kruger revealed she was bringing her newborn daughter to meet him in France, but admitted: "I was too late".

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She wrote on social media: "Karl.....I cannot tell you how much you meant to me and how much I will miss you."

Designer Donatella Versace posted a photograph of herself and Lagerfeld on Instagram, writing: "Karl your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I.

"We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration. We were always learning from you."

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