Kate Middleton Isn’t the Only Royal Who Was Photographed Topless by the Paparazzi
When we think of royal family members involved in scandals over the years Kate Middleton doesn’t come to mind. But when she and Prince William were newlyweds, her name made headlines after topless photos of her were published by a French tabloid.
The Princess of Wales‘ photos though were just one example of the paparazzi invading the privacy of Britain’s famous family when they think no one is watching. Two other royals know exactly how William’s wife felt as pictures of them topless and even completely nude were put out there for millions to see as well. Read on to find out who else was photographed without a top and who was caught in the buff.
The palace’s response to Kate’s topless photo scandal
Back in 2012, William and Kate traveled to France and stayed at a secluded chateau owned by Queen Elizabeth II’s nephew, Viscount David Linley. Since the couple thought they were alone, Kate decided to take her swim top off while she sunbathed.
The problem was they weren’t alone as a paparazzo was hiding in the bushes half a mile away and used a long-focus lens to capture the princess with her breasts exposed. Those images were later sold to the French newspaper Closer. The royal family was livid when they discovered that the photos of Kate had been taken and released a statement (per Entertainment Tonight) which read:
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. 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.
Who else was photographed sunbathing topless?
Once upon a time, long before Kate’s topless photos made headlines, another duchess had pictures leaked while she was sunbathing sans her bikini top in St. Tropez. Sarah Ferguson was involved in what was arguably the royal family’s biggest scandal at that time.
The Duchess of York married Prince Andrew in 1986 but they separated in March 1992. Five months later, while still legally married to the prince, pics of Fergie topless with a man who wasn’t her husband made front page news. The images showed American businessman John Bryan kissing the duchess’s feet while her daughter Princess Eugenie, who was 2 years old at the time, played nearby.
Fergie was staying with the royal family at Balmoral Castle in Scotland when they came across the racy photos in the morning paper while having breakfast together. Sarah was asked to leave the royal residence over what became known as the “toe-sucking scandal.” It also spelled the end of her time as a member of the Firm. She and the Duke of York officially divorced in 1996.
Another prominent royal was photographed without any clothes on
The invasion of privacy that royals have felt by the paparazzi during holidays abroad is not just limited to the duchesses.
Two years after Fergie’s photos were viewed by her in-laws and millions around the world, a then-Prince Charles was vacationing at a friend’s villa in the South of France when a photog snapped a pic of him in the buff. The Buffalo News noted that a grainy shot of the king nude with nothing but a bathrobe draped over his left shoulder was published in the German tabloid Bild. Needless to say, the palace was not happy that a naked photo of the heir apparent was circulating in the publication.
On the matter, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We think it is completely unjustifiable for anybody to suffer this sort of intrusion.”
