The French edition of Closer magazine has lost its appeal to reprint topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge
Kate Middleton can breathe a sigh of relief today after a court ruled that the French edition of Closer magazine is banned from reprinting topless photos of her on holiday.
The weekly title went to the French courts seeking to overturn an injunction issued in September last year, which prevented the celebrity gossip magazine from publishing the intimate pictures again and from selling them on to another source.
However, Closer and its publisher, the Mondadori Group, has now lost its appeal, clearing the way for the French authorities to push on with a criminal investigation into how the pictures were obtained.
The unauthorised images, which showed Kate and husband Prince William holidaying at a private chateau in the south of France, were first published in the magazine, as well as the Italian title Chi and similar magazines in Denmark and Sweden, in September 2012 to uproar from the royal family and the public.
Unfortunately for the couple, an injunction to ban their publication came too late – four days after they went to print in Closer and hit newsstands – although it did allow the British royals to obtain the original images to prevent further publication.
In April it was revealed that two people had been charged with invasion of privacy in France over the topless photos scandal. They are believed to be photographer Valerie Suau, whose images were reportedly printed in the La Provence newspaper, and Ernesto Mauri, the head of the Mondadori Group.
Neither Closer magazine nor a representative for Kate and William has so far commented on the latest developments.
KATE MIDDLETON DRESSES BABY BUMP AT CORONATION SERVICE
KATE MIDDLETON'S PREGNANCY STYLE PARADE!
INSIDE KATE MIDDLETON'S BABY SHOWER - ALL THE DETAILS
Got a tablet? You can now download Marie Claire magazine straight to your iPad, Kindle (just search the store for Marie Claire magazine), Nook or Google Nexus
-
Suki Waterhouse wore an H&M dress that's under £300 to the Fashion AwardsThe perfect festive dress
-
Julia Roberts has opened up about 'heartbreaking' death of ex Matthew Perry
The actors dated in the '90s
-
Prince Harry 'treated less favourably' in UK police protection row, court hears
He is challenging a decision about his security
-
How Kate Middleton goes against 'royal traditions' when it comes to parenting
"This is a trait that has been unheard of with previous royal parents."
-
Why Princess Charlotte will not become a Duchess when she gets older
Did you know this?
-
Kate's concerned words to William when she introduced Prince Louis just hours after his birth
Did you know this?
-
Kate Middleton was warned not to have another child before announcing pregnancy with Prince Louis
-
Kate Middleton originally had a completely different name in mind for Prince George
Who knew?!
-
Why experts believe that Kate Middleton has a 'hands-off' approach to parenting
The Princess of Wales often breaks royal parenting traditions
-
Why William won't have to follow this travel rule when he becomes King - but Kate will
Interesting...
-
This is where each member of the royal family went to university
