Italian magazine set to publish 26-page photo special of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

An Italian gossip magazine is set to follow a French publication in printing topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge, it was reported Saturday.
Chi is understood to be planning a 26-page photo special of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on holiday in the south of France, to run in an edition next week, said the BBC.

The move comes despite St James’s Palace describing the publication of the photos of Kate in French magazine Closer Friday as a ‘grotesque and totally unjustifiable’ invasion of privacy, and the announcement that the royal couple will sue its publishers.

Chi Editor Alfonso Signorini said: ‘The fact that these are the future rulers of England makes the article more interesting and topical’.
‘This is a deserving topic because it shows in a completely natural way the daily life of a very famous, young and modern couple in love.’

Both Chi and the French edition of Closer are published by the Mondadori media group, which is owned by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
On Chi magazine’s threat, a spokeswoman for St James’s Palace said: “We will not be commenting on potential legal action concerning the alleged intended publication of the photos in Italy save to say that all proportionate responses will be kept under review.

The British edition of Closer has distanced itself from the decision made by its French counterpart, which is run by a different company.
A number of British newspapers have been offered the photos but so far are unanimous in their condemnation of them being published.
Royal aides have drawn parallels between the late Princess of Wales’ most upsetting encounters with certain elements of the press and the ‘unthinkable’ actions of Closer, which left Kate and William feeling ‘anger and disbelief’.

The royal couple had spent Friday in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur completing a busy schedule of events including visiting a mosque for the first time.
They later left the mainland and flew to Kota Kinabalu, capital of the state of Sabah on Borneo, and travelled to the region’s dramatic rainforest to learn about the wildlife – something that is likely to be a welcome relief from the distressing events.

But Friday night the palace announced that lawyers would be pursuing the matter through the French courts. It is understood that the royal couple’s aim is to prevent further use of the images and to seek damages.

In a short statement issued Friday the palace said: ‘St James’s Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced Saturday in France by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer Magazine France.’

The royal couple have the sympathy of Downing Street, with a source close to David Cameron saying that Number 10 ‘echoes the sadness of the palace’ over the publication of the pictures.

In a strongly-worded statement St James’s Palace said: ‘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.’.
Kate’s topless pic scandal may affect Halle Berry’s plans to live in France
Hally Berry’s plans to relocate to France with her daughter could be put on hold by her former boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey after topless photos of Kate Middleton were published in a French magazine.
The 46-year-old actress had been hoping to move to France with Nahla, four, to be with actor fiance Olivier Martinez.
However her case could be harmed if her former boyfriend Aubrey uses the new press issue in his argument.
Berry’s legal representative has been trying to convince the judge in her custody battle, that their child is better off living in France with her mother because there the paparazzi are more respectful of celebs.
Aubrey has already used the paparazzi chasing Princess Diana to her death in 1997, as a reason for not benefiting from the relocation.
Now Aubrey’s lawyers can also mention the Duchess of Cornwall’ photographs, which were taken by an intrusive photographer, by using a telephoto lens to capture intimate shots of her on a secluded balcony.
Berry’s lawyer had previously called several French lawyers – who testified that French judges will punish any photo press members who pursue the famous family.