Australian Prime Minister's Royal Baby Gift to Kate Middleton Criticized

Julia Gillard knit the soon-to-be parents a toy kangaroo

Finding the right present for England's next royal is bound to be a challenging task.

And it appears that the Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, is receiving negative feedback for a photo shoot showing off what she's decided to gift Kate Middleton's firstborn.

Gillard appeared in Australian Women's Weekly knitting a toy kangaroo for the baby, with her dog Reuben sitting patiently by her feet.

The politician has met criticism from local media who have called it "contrived" and out of character for the public figure.

Gillard has notoriously has been called out in the past for her lack of feminine traits, especially in 2005 when she was photographed in her sparse kitchen.

But she's speaking out about what has inspired her to knit the gift and why she's revealing a different part of herself to the world.

"[Knitting the kangaroo] is an opportunity to show a side of me," she told the magazine.

"In terms of knitting for Kate's baby—I knit for babies—in part, because they are smaller projects, I've got not that much time in my life. You can get them done and there's a sense of satisfaction in having completed it."

Prince William and Middleton are due to welcome their first child sometime in July. We're sure their newborn will love the thoughtful gift!