Topless Kate Middleton pictures: Palace to sue French magazine 'Closer'

St James's Palace has confirmed that it has taken legal action against the publishers of French magazine Closer.

The publication chose to run long-lens topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge while on holiday with Prince William.



Legal firm Harbottle & Lewis are said to be advising the royal family, with a spokesman for the Palace releasing a statement this afternoon (September 14).

"St James's Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer magazine France," it read.

Harbottle & Lewis also instructed the royal family on privacy issues following the publication of photos of Prince Harry playing "naked billiards" at a party in Las Vegas.



The Palace is said to be consulting French lawyers too, according to Legal Week.

Earlier today, St James's Palace described the magazine's decision to publish the pictures of the Duchess as "reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales", and said that their availability on news stands was "all the more upsetting to the Duke and Duchess for being so".

"Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house," the spokesperson added. "It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them."



The editor of Closer France had earlier described the reaction to the photos as "a little disproportionate".

Laurence Pieau argued: "These are pictures that are full of joy. They are not degrading. Similarities have been drawn with the [nude] pictures of Prince Harry. They are not similar. These are not degrading."

A year of the Duchess of Cambridge:

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