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Royal scandal: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

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Royal scandal: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Closer magazine cover.

Just weeks after Prince Harry was photographed naked in Las Vegas, a French magazine is planning to publish topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge.

The images of Kate were reportedly taken by unscrupulous paparazzi while she and William were on holidays in France last week.

In pictures: Love blooms for William and Kate in Singapore

The photos were bought by French gossip magazine Closer, which has announced it will publish them today.

A teaser was posted on the magazine’s website last night reading “World Exclusive; Kate and William in Provence: Oh My God!”

The site also published a pixelated version on the cover, which appears to show the Duchess in a bikini, apparently about to remove her top.

The magazine’s editor Laurence Pieau said Harry would feel “less alone” when the issue hit the stands this morning.

She said the images show Kate “fully topless” and some show her nipples clearly.

“A little more than a year after their marriage, the royal couple was offered a romantic getaway, far from the protocol and etiquette in their very own garden of Eden,” the Closer website teaser reads.

“Almost alone in the world … because Closer was there! After the holidays of Prince Harry in Las Vegas, discover the very sensual shots of Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William.

“Discover the incredible pictures of the future Queen of England as you’ve never seen her before … and as you will never see her again!”

The decision to print the images is certain to enrage St James’s Palace, which tries to protect William, Kate and Harry’s privacy at all times.

UK media have agreed not to publish any private images of the royals, and the rest of the world has followed suit, with a few recent exceptions, like Prince Harry’s recent naked Las Vegas photos.

In pictures: Shocking royal scandals

The Weekly chooses to respect the royal family’s privacy and does not publish any unauthorised images.

We did not run Harry’s nude pictures, and will not be publishing any topless images of Kate, or any others taken in private situations.

Your say: Do you think more publications should refuse to publish private pictures of the royal family?

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Kate ‘saddened’ by topless photos

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Kate 'saddened' by topless photos

The Duchess of Cambridge visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

The Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly “saddened” and “disappointed” by a French magazine’s decision to publish topless photos of her.

Kate and William were informed of the images this morning over breakfast on day four of their tour of Asia and the South Pacific.

“The Duke and the Duchess were told at breakfast and are obviously saddened and disappointed if they are genuine as they believe they have a right to privacy — particularly on holiday,” a senior royal source told the UK’s Daily Mail.

Related: Why is naked Harry a hero and topless Kate a fool?

The couple are now said to be considering taking legal action.

Despite the bad news, the Duchess looked perfectly poised when she emerged 30 minutes later to visit a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Kate donned a conservative white dress for the trip to Assyakirin Mosque, covering her hair with a white scarf.

Afterwards, William and Kate attended a gala in a nearby park.

The topless images of Kate were reportedly taken by paparazzi while she and William were on holidays in France last week.

The photos were bought by French gossip magazine Closer, which has announced it will publish them today.

A teaser was posted on the magazine’s website last night reading “World Exclusive; Kate and William in Provence: Oh My God!”

The site also published a pixelated version on the cover, which appears to show the Duchess in a bikini, apparently about to remove her top.

The magazine’s editor Laurence Pieau said Harry would feel “less alone” when the issue hit the stands this morning.

She said the images show Kate “fully topless” and some show her nipples clearly.

The decision to print the images is certain to enrage St James’s Palace, which tries to protect William, Kate and Harry’s privacy at all times.

UK media have agreed not to publish any private images of the royals, and the rest of the world has followed suit, with a few recent exceptions, like Prince Harry’s recent naked Las Vegas photos.

Related: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

The Weekly chooses to respect the royal family’s privacy and does not publish any unauthorised images.

We did not run Harry’s nude pictures, and will not be publishing any topless images of Kate, or any others taken in private situations.

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Why is naked Harry a hero and topless Kate a fool?

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Why is naked Harry a hero and topless Kate a fool?

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

When Prince Harry was photographed naked in Las Vegas, he was declared a hero. When Kate was snapped topless sunbathing just three weeks later, she is a “fool” who “should have known better”.

Why is Harry celebrated, and Kate berated? It seems no matter how far society advances, sexist double standards prevail.

Related: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

Harry’s indiscretion is undoubtedly the greater. He was drunk, completely nude and in the company of naked women in the notorious Sin City.

It was a scandal that would leave even the sleaziest footballer red-faced, but Harry received nothing but support.

The Weekly’s website was flooded with messages telling us to leave Harry alone.

“Prince Harry is human and not afraid to show it. Leave him alone,” Lynn Olive wrote. “The media should be punished for invading his privacy.”

“Go Prince Harry you’re just trying to have a normal life,” Kim Forde added. “Being royal would be hard. He did all this in private once again the media have attacked his family.”

Carolyn Barbarich even went so far as to say: “King Harry. It’s got a nice ring to it.”

But when the Duchess of Cambridge is photographed relaxing by the swimming pool of a private estate with her husband, she is condemned.

At the time of writing, many of the messages posted on our site were highly-critical of Kate, branding her a “fool” who is unfit to be the future Queen of England.

Evo Lee wrote: “How could she be so foolish? Even I wouldn’t do that and I’m far from a paparazzi target.

“She should know better and the paper should too,” Angela Dutta wrote. “Both parties at fault. No sympathy here.”

One reader even brought Kate’s late mother-in-law Princess Diana into the fray, claiming William’s mum would never have behaved so badly.

“Kate married a royal and is the future queen of England she signed up for this life. Face facts: there is no privacy when you are a royal. Diana might have been a bit of basket case but we never saw her half-naked,” Social Gal wrote.

In May, Queen Elizabeth officially ended more than 400 years of sexism in succession by giving royal sons and daughters equal status.

Until now, the laws of primogeniture saw the throne pass to the eldest son, even if he had an older sister.

British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the amendment to the law, saying: “The idea that a younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter, simply because he is a man just isn’t acceptable anymore.”

In pictures: Love blooms for William and Kate in Singapore

I think it’s time the same attitude was applied across all areas of royalty. Harry and Kate should not be held to different standards because he is a man and she is a woman.

Both are adults and should be judged on their actions and not whether they have a Y chromosome.

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Nervous Kate impresses in first foreign speech

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Nervous Kate impresses in first foreign speech

The Duchess delivered her first speech on foreign soil at a hospice in Malaysia yesterday

All eyes were on the Duchess of Cambridge yesterday as she delivered her first ever speech on foreign soil.

Poised and elegant in a pale blue Jenny Packham dress, one of Kate’s go-to British designers for such events, she spoke slowly, reading from a page of notes as she addressed onlookers in an intimate event at a hospice in Malaysia.

Singapore fling: Kate wows in oriental outfits

Though she revealed nerves prior to what was only her second public address, Kate came off like an old pro, improving from her first impressive speech at the Children’s Hospice earlier this year.

The Duchess towered over other VIP guests in high heels and the microphone had to be adjusted to accommodate her height.

“William and I are hugely excited to be in Malaysia — this, our first ever visit — and are absolutely delighted have been invited to join you all here at Hospis Malaysia,” she said.

“It has been wonderful meeting the patients, families and all the staff here, you have given us the most wonderful welcome.”

Kate, who is also Patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospice, said the venue and topic of her speech was close to her heart.

Love blooms for William and Kate in Singapore

“Providing children and their families with a place of support, care and enhancement at a time of great need is simply life changing,” she said.

Kate was applauded by the crowd as her she ended her short speech.

“I’m very glad that is over with,” the relieved Duchess added.

Your say: How do you think Kate went delivering her speech?

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Kate brings hope to a terminally ill teen

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Kate brings hope to a terminally ill teen

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has brought new hope and a smile to the face of a terminally ill teenager in Malaysia.

Zakwan Anuar, who is suffering from acute leukaemia, postponed an urgently needed blood transfusion for 24 hours so he could meet the Duchess.

Zakwan’s mother, Norizan Sulong, said he had “almost given up hope”, but quickly became “more animated than he has been for a long time” when he saw the Duchess.

“Zakwan is normally very sleepy and in pain, crying, almost giving up hope, but today, my God, it was as if the leukaemia had gone,” Norizan said.

“He is in more pain because he put off his blood transfusion and he needed a lot of painkillers, but I don’t see the need for that now. God bless her. I cannot repay that kindness.”

The visit brought a rare smile to the face of the 15-year-old, who chatted with Kate for about 15 minutes and told her she was “very pretty”.

The Duchess asked Zakwan about his treatment and told him, “You must be very, very brave. Are you in pain? You’re a brave boy. Thank you so much for coming to see me.”

Kate also told him he was “very handsome” and signed a card for his birthday, which he celebrated two days ago.

The Duchess, joined by her husband Prince William, met Zakwan while visiting Kuala Lumpur’s Hospis Malaysia, the country’s largest facility for the care of terminally ill patients. She had specifically asked to visit the hospital during their Asia Pacific tour.

She also chose to give her first official speech abroad there and spoke about how the lives of patients and their families “can be transformed” through effective palliative care.

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Keith Urban quits The Voice

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Keith Urban quits The Voice

Country crooner Keith Urban has revealed he will not be returning to The Voice for a second season.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have been a part of The Voice,” Keith said a statement.

“And as much as I’d love to do it again, it’s clear that the recording and promoting of a new album, a tour and other commitments will keep me from being a part of the second season.

“To everyone who sang on the show, I thank you. You’ve inspired not just me, but countless others. To everyone behind the scenes, and to my on-camera family Darren, Delta, Joel and Seal, thank you for making it so much fun. Keep watching Australia.”

Nine’s Director of Television, Michael Healy, confirmed that negotiations are currently underway with ‘superstar musicians’ to fill the coaching roles on the show in 2013. There is no word yet on whether the other three coaches, Delta Goodrem, Joel Madden and Seal, will return to the panel.

For weeks there have been rumours that 44-year-old Keith has been in talks to join the American Idol judging panel, with The Hollywood Reporter suggesting he is close to signing a contract worth $3-4 million per season.

“I would love to do it and hopefully that happens,” Keith said of the American Idol offer.

“I did get to do a similar role in Australia for The Voice, and I really enjoyed it. The thing about those shows is that mentoring aspect… it’s about passing it on.”

If Keith does join the American talent show, he will team up with confirmed judges Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson.

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Babies in bikinis: Cute or inappropriate?

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Jessica Simpson shared this picture of her daughter Maxwell in a bikini on a US talk show.

Jessica Simpson has come under fire for sharing a picture of her four-month-old daughter Maxwell dressed in a bikini.

The photo, which Jessica shared with viewers on a US talk show, has reignited an ongoing debate about the sexualisation of young children and has commentators outraged.

Related: Parents attack ‘trampy’ Target girls’ clothing

Propped up by her dad and posing in a yellow two-piece, the singer’s first daughter looks undeniably cute, but the image has also attracted a tirade of criticism.

Critics took to Twitter to express their disgust in Jessica dressing her child in an outfit designed to be sexy, labelling her irresponsible and saying the picture was “inappropriate”, “disturbing”, and “wrong”.

“Why on earth is Jessica Simpson dressing her BABY in a skimpier bikini than I would ever wear!?! Note the key word; BABY. Just disturbing!!” one critic tweeted.

“Jessica Simpson posts a photo of her four-month-old baby in a BIKINI — wrong wrong wrong” said another disturbed viewer.

This criticism has been echoed by parenting groups and experts speaking out against the sexualisation of children.

Australia Institute social researcher Dr Emma Rush is an expert on child sexualisation and was shocked to learn of baby Maxwell’s bikini shot.

“Bikinis are designed to draw attention to adult’s sexual features, in particular the breasts, which a baby doesn’t have,” she told The Weekly.

“Sadly, we live in a world where horrendous things are done to children by paedophiles, so to send a message that somehow children aren’t different from adults and suggesting that children might be part of the sexual playing field is wrong.”

She highlighted many layers of concern surrounding the picture, first pointing the finger at the businesses creating and selling inappropriate clothing for babies.

Related: Why girls are having sex at 12

“There’s three levels to this problem. One is that bikinis are available for children that age, then there is the foolish decision of the mother to dress her daughter up that way, but more of a problem is that it’s being shared,” she said.

As to whether the image was cute was beside the point for Dr Rush.

“Of course babies are cute, but that kind of dressing up is foolish and irresponsible. It’s obviously not very thought through and sends a very mixed message.”

Your say: Is Maxwell’s bikini shot cute or just inappropriate?

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Obese dachshund named Obie makes US TV debut

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Obese dachshund named Obie makes US TV Debut

Obie the overweight dachshund, who at his heaviest weighed 35kg, has made his TV debut in the US.

The five-year-old purebred had to be wheeled into the studio on a specially designed trolley because he is so chubby.

Obie was discovered and adopted by dog-lover Nora Vanatta, who explained that he has been placed on a “high protein, high fibre, low energy diet” in an effort to help him lose 18kg — almost half his body weight.

The pooch’s only exercise at the moment is “going from the house to the outside to go potty every day”, Nora explained.

Vet Dr Andrew Kaplan says Obie is by far the biggest dachshund he has ever seen. But luckily, obese dogs don’t suffer the same health consequences as humans.

“If you are thinking about people being that overweight, it can lead to things like heart attacks, but dogs aren’t at risk for these things for being overweight. For dogs it’s orthopaedic [injuries to the muscles, ligaments and joints] mostly,” Dr Kaplan said.

Obie is losing just under a kilo per week and is expected to live a healthy life once he sheds some weight.

Dr Kaplan says there is a pet obesity epidemic and that owners should ensure they don’t over feed their pets.

“People have good intentions and feed their dogs what they think they are supposed to feed them, but it’s the treats,” he says.

“I find it’s the treats because it’s the binge eating, just like humans.”

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Prince William wants two children

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Prince William has revealed that he and wife Catherine hope to have two children. The royal couple, who are currently on an official tour of the South Pacific, were in Singapore when a fan questioned the prince about his family plans.

“Someone asked him how many children he would like to have and he said he was thinking about having two,” 17-year-old Corine Ackermann, a student at the Tanglin Trust School, said.

The Duke and Duchess, who look to be more in love every day, were greeted by a 1,000-strong crowd as they toured the Gardens in the Bay.

Yesterday Kate fuelled rumours she was pregnant by ignoring the wine placed in front of her during a seven-course banquet, choosing to drink water instead. Most unusually, she again opted for water to make the royal toast.

The royal pair pose with a young artist as they visit The Rainbow Centre.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge paints with a child during a visit to The Rainbow Centre.

Catherine toasts William with water.

Catherine engaged with the large crowd,

Catherine goes white in an elegant Alexander McQueen while William wore Navy.

Catherine and William have been all smiles throughout their trip.

The royal pair smile at the crowd.

Catherine holds a beautiful umbrealla as they pair visit the Kranji War Memorial.

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Singapore fling: Kate wows in oriental outfits

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She is known for her impeccable style and the Duchess of Cambridge did not disappoint during her tour of Singapore.

Kate wore five spectacular dresses during her three-day visit to the Asian island, each with a distinctly oriental flavour to show respect for her host nation.

Refusing any help from a stylist, the Duchess is understood to have hand-picked each outfit, choosing a clever mix of local and British designers.

William and Kate will travel to Malaysia next, before visiting the Pacific nations of Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands.

Kate paid tribute to her host country in an array of oriental-inspired outfits.

Kate wore a bespoke dress by Jenny Packham on day three of the tour.

The dress featured a lace bodice and sleeves and a pleated skirt.

http://cdn.assets.cougar.bauer-media.net.au/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2013/09/16/27266/170180352_10.jpg

Kate carried a traditional parasol to protect herself from the heat.

Kate looked lovely in this skirt and top by Singapore label Raoul.

Kate’s first dress was a kimono-style Jenny Packham number.

The gown was embellished with hand-painted orchids.

Kate looked beautiful in the frock.

On day two, Kate chose a white Alexander McQueen broderie anglaise suit.

Kate loves Alexander McQueen, which designed her wedding dress.

Kate also wore a dress by Singaporean-born designer Prabul Gurung.

This dress quickly sold out around the world.

Kate also wore a silk Erdem dress, another of her favoured designers.

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