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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