Three photographers who took invasive topless photos of Kate Middleton in France are currently on trial. The case against them is based on an outrageous Invasion Of Privacy, and it outraged the British royal family. The scandal and subsequent trial seemingly had no severe effect on Middleton and her husband, Prince William. The two are parents to daughter Charlotte and son George, who will be heading to a top London school this fall.
Invasion of privacy
In 2012, French gossip magazine "Closer", published photographs of Kate Middleton and Prince William on vacation.
The photos were taken from a large distance, using long-lens, in which Middleton is seen sunbathing topless. The court complaint was filed by both the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Apart from the photographers, the owner and executive editor of "Closer" faces trial, along with the former publisher of a French regional newspaper that also ran the photos. The executives did not show up to trial. Their lawyers and the royal plaintiffs had no comment, and the verdict is expected at a later date. The photographers and magazine executives are charged with invasion of privacy and complicity, however they deny causing damage to the couple.
Lawyers acting for William and Kate are demanding $1.7 million in compensation.
Prince William also wrote a letter to the court, which was read by the couple's lawyer.
The letter said, "In September 2012, my wife and I thought that we could go to France for a few days in a secluded villa owned by a member of my family, and thus enjoy our privacy. The clandestine way in which these photographs were taken was particularly shocking to us as it breached our privacy."
He also added that the images were particularly painful given the harassment his late mother, Princess Diana, faced during her lifetime.
Family life
While the trail is on going, the royal couple have celebrated their daughter Charlotte's second birthday. Their three-year-old son, Prince George, is set to start school this fall. He will be attending "Thomas' Battersea", one of London's top private schools, which costs $7978 per semester. The school was formerly attended by model and actress Cara Delevingne and singer Florence Welch.
In preparation for the start of school, the royal family are also moving back to London, to their Kensington Palace apartment. It has recently been renovated with $5.6 million taxpayers' cash, resulting in anger from many British citizens.
