The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge "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", St James's Palace said today, after topless photographs of Kate were published.

kate middleton

Clarence House has issued a strongly worded statement on behalf of the Duke and Duchess


THE STATEMENT IN FULL

"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.

"Officials acting on behalf of Their Royal Highnesses are consulting with lawyers to consider what options may be available to The Duke and Duchess.

"The Duke and Duchess remain focused currently on their Tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu on behalf of HM The Queen."


A spokeswoman for Closer magazine UK said: "Closer magazine UK is published by Bauer Consumer Media. The French edition meanwhile is published under a licence by a totally different company, an Italian business called Mondadori.

"Closer magazine UK would like to make it clear that the two publications make entirely independent editorial decisions.

"In this respect the comments made by the Editor of the French edition which have reported in the media today do not reflect the opinions of Closer magazine UK.

"Closer magazine UK was not offered any pictures of this nature and certainly has no intention of publishing the photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge which have been published in France this morning.

"Closer magazine UK takes its obligations under the PCC Code extremely seriously and would never publish topless images of a member of the Royal family on its cover or otherwise. "

SEE ALSO

Kate Middleton 'Topless' Photos Shock Royal Couple As French Magazine Closer Publishes Private Images

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    The Duchess of Cambridge attends a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge attends a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    A Diamond Jubilee tea that was drunk by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge attends a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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    The Duke of Cambridge takes off his shoes watched by Duchess of Cambridge prior to entering the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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    The Duchess of Cambridge visits a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit a cultural fair at Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sign a visitors book at the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

    The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

  • Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four

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  • Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge

    Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, left, shakes hands with a woman in the crowd during a walk through a central city park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

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