Prince William and his wife Kate have launched a legal action for breach of privacy against the publishers of France’s Closer magazine after it printed topless pictures of her on holiday.
St James’s Palace said the publication of the photos was reminiscent of the “worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales”.
The front page shows the Duchess of Cambridge topless on the terrace of a private house in France, where she was staying with William last week. Inside the magazine there are further pictures, taken with a long lens, of her sunbathing topless. To see the photos click
HERE meanwhile click read more below to continue reading
Prince William and Kate were said to have reacted with “anger and disbelief” and thought a “red line has been crossed”.
The palace said: “Their Royal Highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner.
“The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to the Duke and Duchess for being so.
“Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them.”
The palace earlier said it was consulting French lawyers.
The magazine’s French website shows a pixellated photograph of the Duchess in a bikini apparently removing her top.
In an interview, Closer’s editor Laurence Pieau defended the decision to print the photos and said she did not think the photos were “shocking”.
She said she thought the reaction had been “disproportionate”.
“Two weeks ago, there were the pictures of Prince Harry that had been published by the English press. So one shouldn’t be hypocritical. And those were pictures that were degrading and far more hot than those that we’re publishing.
“She’s a topless princess. There have been others. It’s really not new.
“We’re in the celebrity press business and we know that these images are full of joy, not degrading and concern a princess who is pretty and is making the whole world dream.”
Ms Pieau said they had been given even more intimate photos they had decided not to publish.
The magazine article states: “See incredible images of the future queen of England like you’ve never seen her before … and like you’ll never see again.”
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Kate pictured at a dinner during the visit to Malaysia
there is freedom of speech in the press. The press have the right to publish it. If they do not want it, she shld not appear topless in the public.
What's the big deal… so the future queen of England has a pair of boobs.
Invasion of privacy aside, it wasn't very bright of her to get them out outside of her bedroom… the family should by now be aware that there is potentially a paparazzi camera around every corner.