Posted by Adam

Tuesday September 18, 2012

KATE Middleton and Prince William are waiting on tenterhooks for a French court’s decision over whether their attorney’s request to block further publication of topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge is successful.

The court in Nanterre, near the French capital Paris, has said it will make its ruling at noon as the royal couple bid to stop the French gossip magazine Closer from reproducing the naked snaps that show the pair in a compromising position on holiday.

Aurelien Hamelle said William and Kate  were involved in a “healthy and profoundly intimate” moment when a photographer snapped the images. It was “deeply personal,” he added.

On Friday, Closer caused controversy when they printed 14 photos of Kate baring her royal assets. And on Monday, Italian magazine Chi published a 26-page spread of the images. Both titles are owned by Italian publishing house Mondador, which is owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

As well as an injunction to block the photos appearing elsewhere, Hamelle is seeking $6,550 in damages from Closer. He also asked the court to fine Closer $13,100 a day for each day the injunction is disregarded and $131,000 if the photos are sold in France or abroad to another tabloid.

Hamelle fought it out with Closer’s lawyer, Delphine Pando over whether the pictures are a breach of privacy for Kate and William.

“It’s not an accessible (view) from the exterior,” Hamelle said of the property, while Pando countered that the home can be seen from a nearby road.

“What is certain for [Kate's] close family as for herself is that it’s something extremely troubling,” Hamelle said.

Pando claimed the pictures were taken by an agency and the rights didn’t belong to Closer magazine.

“We are not the owners of these photos,” she said. “The photos are out there. If a TV show wants to show an image of this (magazine) edition, it’s got nothing to do with us.”

William made the decision to sue French Closer.

“By setting a precedent and suing Closer, Prince William is making a stand for the future,” a source revealed.

“He told Kate that enough was enough, especially after what happened recently with Harry, and that he had to protect his wife and any kids they have in the future.

“He grew up in the media glare with his mom, Diana, and is well aware that he has to do something to ensure the Duchess of Cambridge’s security and right to privacy.

“But they’re in two camps over this. Kate didn’t want William to go nuts over the topless photos. She said she didn’t mind turning a blind eye to them because they will soon be forgotten about.

“However, William wants to go after Closer and put an end to press invasion once and for all.”

The statement released by the Palace said “legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France” by the royal couple, describing the publication of the pictures as “grotesque and totally unjustifiable.”

Closer published the photos of Kate without her bikini top, which were taken while they were sunbathing around the swimming pool of Château d’Autet, the private residence of the Queen’s nephew Viscount Linley in Luberon, France.

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