Kate Middleton Topless: Palace “Saddened” Closer Magazine Released Topless Photos
September 14, 2012 by Hollywoodite
Another day, another leak in which the media intrudes upon the privacy of the British royal family by sharing photos of moments that were intended to remain private.
Only weeks ago, Prince Harry was photographed partying naked in Las Vegas followed by stories insinuating drinking, drug use, and partying with hookers. The palace quickly admitted those photos published by American website TMZ.com were real. Shortly before that, an Australian magazine published photos taken last year of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton) on honeymoon. Even though there was an indefinite embargo on taking or publishing such photos and most credible British media had agreed to allow the newlyweds space to enjoy their rare time away together. In that instance, the Australia media got photos of the couple in beachwear as turned down by the British press. The couple were said to be “furious” at the time. And now, someone’s spied on her again and taken a series of topless photos of Middleton (similarly, remember, paparazzi got topless photos of her sister Pippa Middleton taken months before the wedding).
The palace appears to confirm the blurry long lens photos of Kate Middleton topless, taken last week poolside at the Chateau d’Autet in France (a historic hunting lodge set on 640 acres of woodland and owned by the Queen’s nephew, Viscount Linley), published in French magazine Closer, released today, are real. There are four pages of photos, with Middleton topless in most of them. The front page boasts: ”See incredible pictures of the future Queen of England as you’ve never seen her… and as you will never see her again! Oh my God! The photos that will go around the world.” There are even pixelated previews on their Frence domain ahead of people’s purchase.
Again, as with the honeymoon photos, several British outlets were offered the photos but declined.
One royal insider told the UK’s Telegraph newspaper: “This is disappointing, saddening and turns the clock back 15 years. We have always maintained the position that the Duke and Duchess deserve their privacy, not least when they are on holiday in their own swimming pool. The Duke and Duchess were told about the pictures at breakfast and they have seen the pictures on the website. At the moment we haven’t been in a position to verify whether they are genuine, and we are not going to take any action or consider taking any action until we have been able to consider the photos properly, then we will consider our options. One option is to let public opinion take its course, another option is to talk to our lawyers in the UK and France, to talk to Closer and the photographer.”
Very soon after, palace officials told Sky News: ”The Duke and Duchess are saddened their privacy has been breached. It’s turned the clock back 15 years. They woke up to the story this morning [and] have seen the photos, which were taken at a private hotel by a private swimming pool.” Another said, according to The Sun newspaper, the couple is “very angered” and feel a “red line has been crossed.”
“We can say that after tomorrow’s Closer, Harry will feel less alone …” Closer’s editor Laurence Pieau tweeted blithely (she’s been tweeting about this all morning). A firestorm of angry replies criticising the publication followed.