Laurence Pieau of Closer says there was no intrusion of privacy, no breaking of the law

Sep 15, 2012 10:10 GMT  ·  By
Kate Middleton and Prince William are suing a French tab for running revealing, intimate shots of the Duchess
   Kate Middleton and Prince William are suing a French tab for running revealing, intimate shots of the Duchess

After Prince Harry, who allowed himself to be photographed in a very compromising manner during a party in Las Vegas, the Royal Family is now being hit with another picture scandal. This time, it’s Kate Middleton who’s being exposed to the public.

The other day, French tab Closer magazine announced in its online preview issue that it would run topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge, taken on vacation this summer, as she was sunbathing.

Almost immediately, the Royal Family issued a statement to say that Kate and husband Prince William were shocked and disgusted by such an action, and that they would be suing.

In response, Laurence Pieau, editor of Closer, says they’ve done nothing wrong in publishing the photos because Kate is a celebrity and, as such, she will be treated as one and have her photo plastered all over the papers whenever they feel this could lead to profit.

“What we saw in the pictures was a young couple who are just married, who are in love, who are beautiful. She is the princess of the 21st century,” Pieau says.

“They are a young couple in love. She is a young woman who’s topless, just like the ones who can be seen on all of the beaches of France and the world. These are pictures that are full of joy. The pictures are not degrading,” she adds.

There are some that might be interpreted as degrading but Closer decided not to publish those, the editor goes on to say, hinting that they have photos that are even more compromising than the series they just put out.

As for the claim that whoever took the photos invaded the couple’s privacy, Pieau claims the castle they were at is near a public road to which anyone can have access. She omits to say that only the most powerful lens can snap a photo at that distance.

“[They were] on a terrace of a chateau in the south of France which is not far from a road on which cars pass without any problems,” Lieau explains.

“They are visible from the street. It’s a nice series which we have a worldwide exclusive on at the moment. These are pictures that will go around the world,” she adds.

“And honestly I don’t know of a single celebrity magazine in the world that would not have published these if they had them. They wouldn’t have hesitated two seconds before running. One shouldn’t be hypocritical,” the editor further adds.

Kate and William will sue Closer for breach of privacy. They are yet to disclose the kind of damages they’re seeking.