WENNPrince William's spokeman has revealed that the Duke of Cambridge is determined to protect his wife Kate Middleton from any further invasion of her privacy following the news this week that topless photos of the Duchess have been published in a number of foreign publications.
The Prince is said to be furious after pictures of his spouse sunbathing topless while holidaying in a private chateau in France were published in French magazine Closer on Friday (September 14). Two more publications have since taken the decision to publish the intimate photos, Chi magazine in Italy and the Irish Daily Star.
Following the tragic death of his mother, Diana Princess of Wales in 1997 after a car crash, the issue of paparazzi invasion has been a big concern of the Prince.
The Prince's spokesperson tells the Sunday Mirror today:
"They've been very clear that they will not allow this to intrude on their enjoyment of the tour or, more importantly their work on behalf of the Queen."
"The couple always felt very strongly about privacy and harassment. It's part of a very long-standing and heartfelt position by the Duke and Prince Harry, given their past, to do everything they can to protect themselves."
"They've always said they don't have an issue with the mainstream media just doing their job, but they have always had an issue with paparazzi whose work intrudes on their privacy."
The future king has allegedly vowed not just to sue Closer Magazine France in the civil courts, but said he would also take criminal action in France, according to The Mirror.
According to the paper, the Palace has instructed lawyers to seek counsel in Italy to look at preventing publication and suing Chi, which unveiled its cover yesterday in Italian newspapers and television under the headline: “The Queen is Nude”.
William is said to be determined to take every legal avenue possible, including apparently giving evidence himself in a French court. The Duke of Cambridge’s official spokesman told the Sunday Mirror: “They will take any action they can within the law to seek redress.”
A Royal aide confirmed they royal lawyers Harbottle & Lewis had been instructed to hire Italian attorneys to try to stop Chi publishing the pictures
Vivienne Parry, a close friend of Diana's, has also spoken out on the royal couple's marriage, previously telling the Daily Mirror that William is hugely protective of his wife:
"He lost his mother to the foreign photographers, he will do absolutely everything in his power to prevent the same thing happening to Kate,"
"Don't imagine for a minute that William, who puts a huge amount of effort into protecting Kate, will take this lying down."
For a round-up of the story so far, click here...
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