French Mag Snaps Topless Kate Middleton Pics, Royals Sue

Topless sunbathing in France isn't a big deal... unless you're the Duchess of Cambridge.

The French magazine Closer snapped topless photos of Kate Middleton while she was sunbathing with Prince William in France. That would be enough to insult the Royal Family in any case, but considering how the conduct of the paparazzi lead to Princess Diana's death, this privacy breach hit a little harder than it would have otherwise.

In response, the Royal Family has launched a legal suit against the magazine: "St James' Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer Magazine France," said the royals in a statement.

The magazine's editor, Laurence Pieau, gave an odd response: "For me, those pictures were not shocking," she said. "Just a beautiful couple, an in-love couple, in the south of France. Kate is the girl next door." She also noted that while the royals were in a private residence when the shots were taken, they were in clear view of the street.

According the French privacy laws, the royal couple definitely has legal standing to sue. The British version of the magazine has refused to publish the photos.

On the bright side, this takes away from that whole Prince Harry thing, doesn't it?