Kate Middleton, the girlfriend of Prince William, is set to win a controversial claim for alleged invasion of her privacy.
She is expected to receive at least £10,000 in damages, plus substantial legal costs, after threatening to sue a photographer and two British picture agencies over photographs taken of her at Christmas. The images were not even published in Britain.
Sources close to negotiations over the dispute say that the photographic agencies have offered to meet Middleton’s demands because they cannot risk losing an expensive court battle.
Through Harbottle & Lewis, a firm of lawyers used by members of the royal family, Middleton has sought damages for invasion of privacy, legal costs, withdrawal of the images and a public apology.
The pictures were taken when Middleton was on holiday with her family, staying at a property owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said Middleton had not been advised or supported in her claim by the royal family, adding: “She’s a private individual.” A spokesman for Prince William said: “We have followed the case but not been involved in it at all.”
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Oh boy.
Good for her!
a change of subject ….the states are all over the story of PW and CM not getting married anytime soon. they picked up on the story when the ‘blind’ gentleman ask if he could get an invite to the wedding. i don’t give our entertainment shows or mags a lot of credit but i will say if the national enquirer writes something about PW and CM it will have some truth to it… several cases in point they broke the story of John Edwards and Tiger Woods just to name a couple. so if the enquirer writes a story that they will be getting married soon then we shall see a wedding!!!!
I just never seen a royal girlfriend go through so much. William better appreciate this woman.
Here’s an article from the Daily Star-
http://tinyurl.com/ykbcnoz
Take it with a grain of salt.
Rman,
Regretfully, I see this action as going along with the “wait for a while yet” comment by PW. KM is digging in. She is setting boundaries between the public and herself, in order to pursue this relationship.
Guys I think Kate is following advice from William and his advisers. No way would she undertake a legal action without their stamp of approval. Of course they will deny it,they deny everything,LOL.
The Daily Star piece is not worthy of bird cage liner
Oh I have no doubt William and his advisors are behind her on this. I just think she goes through so much for this relationship. Her family as well. I think people still don’t give her enough respect for the great amount of strength she has shown over the years. I just think people take her for granted.
sojourner, I really do think the “wait for a while yet” will be over by next year. Right now William has a lot on his plate this year and I think Kate is bracing herself for her last year of freedom. I think they are doing the right by waiting until next year.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed by the horrible earthquake in Chile.
Andy’s angels… host of beauties line up to give the Prince a 50th birthday kiss, but it’s Eugenie and Beatrice who steal his heart
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1254332/Andys-angels–host-beauties-line-Prince-50th-birthday-kiss.html
Another take on RMAN’s article; was there even a rumor she was going to re-start her photography career? Last I read, she was going to start a cake business with her brother;
Prince William girlfriend Kate Middleton angry with Royal Family http://bit.ly/9vwV4N
about 1 hour ago from twitterfeed
AJ,
This piece is hilarious! Written by someone who hears half of what is said, misunderstands all and makes up the difference.
unfortunately, it’s silly articles like that cause so much misunderstandings about Kate.
Getty Images has two pictures up of Harry at the game;
http://tinyurl.com/yaj4azj
And RoyalReporter had this tweet about it;
Prince Harry due to watch England v Ireland at Twickenham this afternoon. Wouldn’t be surprised if Chelsy is there, as it’s a private visit.
8:58 AM Feb 27th via txt
though I didn’t see her in the pics, so I’m guessing she wasn’t there. I’m guessing he went with the guy he kissed, and that it wasn’t some random stranger in the crowd, or we would have been hearing from the guy this morning.
Rman don’t stress the DS article. No one except a small group of onliners will take it seriously. Most people will identify it as the total BS that it is!
Lisa, I totally agree with you that Kate is following the advice of William and his advisors. Definitely.
Harry the Faithless
Don’t mess up with Kate.
“She was posing for the camera in the sense that she knew the photographer was there – she was playing up with the camera”
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Tennis_girl_Middleton_back_in_photography_spotlight_update_1120_am_news_295432.html
There is always two sides in the story…
Well, I for one hope very sincerely that this will be the last time such a thing happens. I would like to think that another similar situation will be a long time coming…
There will be a lot of commentators about this subject, not all of them favourable, I know. The privacy issue will be something we’ll read about again when it comes to high profile individuals.
Nice if the money went to charity but we can take it as a given that we’ll never know …
“She was posing for the camera in the sense that she knew the photographer was there – she was playing up with the camera”
Oh really, and not one photo where the tennis players looking at the camera!
Amateur photographer site indeed. If Ikon really want’s to close a deal out of court and apologise, this kind of news won’t help the paparazzi’s case. Who knows, maybe the AP site want’s to also crucify the dude.
According to the Guardian’s report on the matter, the photographer was seen looking through the kitchen window while the family was eating, per the family’s law firm. Sounds to me like he was trespassing, along with everything else.
I remember seeing some of those photos and not one looked like she was posing. And good for KM – all the papers do is make up nasty stories about her. And yes, hopefully she will donate at least some of the money. People forget – she is a private citizen she is not royalty yet. But hopefully soon.
The Palace does not support this action she has taken. It is in the story printed above, that Buckingham Palace nor Prince William is involved in this. She made a mistake on this one. She is bringing too much drama.
I think it is completely irrelevant to the Middletons whether “The Palace” supports it or not. They don’t strike me as the type who are going to be dictated to by anyone.
robin, the Palace is not really involved because William wasn’t on the estate at the time of the incident. William was at Sandringham during the Christmas period. If this incident that happened to the Middletons happened to the royals, this same action would have been taken. The Middletons are protecting their right to privacy and that’s a good thing not a bad thing. Most likely William and his team is right behind Kate and the Middleton family on this.
The problem is that people don’t think Kate and her family should have a private life. If they smile to the paps on public occasions, then they shouldn’t complain when their pictures are taken on private occasions. I guess they also think The Queen should have never banned the paps from taking the royals pictures when on private property.
People have to understand that there’s a difference between having your pictures taken while in public places and having your pictures taken while in private places.
I’m glad the Middletons are putting their foot down when it comes down to their private life but I have never seen a family deal with so much by being associated with the royal family. I guess it’s all because of this new media age. I don’t remember hearing the Spencers, fergusons or the Rhys-Jones’s ever having to deal with this much invasion of privacy.
Rman – you have to remember that Diana’s engagement was so quick. No one really knew she existed until she was caught on film on the River Dee w/PC. Then everything seemed to happen so fast. Whereas w/KM – she has been dating PW FOREVER. So she has to put up w/much more BS from the paps. If they would just get married I dont’ think she would have as much problems.
i say kudos to all of you that are faithfully on this site trying to put things into perspective. i agree that if a pic is taken in private then it should remain private….unfortunatly when the wedding that we are all waiting for finally hapens, i fear that for the middletons, private photos will become more, not so for km cuz of her protection, but how much protection will her family have?
Good point FF..Will the Middleton family be responsible for their own ‘protection’ or will the RF assist in some way?
I do understand that kd.
frumpy frannie, I think it’s so important for us royal watchers to go back to the bases when we talk about the royals and the people they are dating. Most of the frustrations occur because we sometimes get too caught up in all the speculations and rumors. Sometimes we need to reach all the way back to the bases to find some kind of truth about these people.
I do think this privacy action by the Middletons are setting the ground rules for their privacy, even when Kate is officially in the firm.
Are the pics they’re talking about the ones where Kate’s parents were playing tennis at one of Charles’ houses? I can see why Buckingham palace wouldn’t want to get involved regardless of how they felt about it -
they’re probably worried the public might protest that she’s not a royal and ask if their taxes were going to pay for the lawyers.
your point is very well taken rman. like everything else it will be a waiting game.
Speaking of reaching all the way back on the truth about Kate, here’s an article Mapleleaf found on Kate that dates back to 02-
http://tinyurl.com/yglbw39
It describes who Kate is, what kind of family she comes from and her new friendship with William. The media was very nice to her and her family back then. It all seem like a thousand years ago.
I thought she did her gap year in Italy.
Hi Phoebe,
No, I think it was Chile where she spent her gap year.
Sorry Phoebe, Kate went to Italy and Chile.
i think that km is privacy is important and their nothing wrong with that i believe its ok for km to fellow wills command and i think its a little misunderstanding of km and wills family
great find Mapleleaf
This is off the topic, but when prince william cooked for the homeless shelter awhile back, didn’t he give an exclusive interview where he talked about how he could cook an egg better than Harry and that he liked to eat healthy? Something like that? Does anyone know who he gave the interview to and possibly have a link to it? Thanks!
AJ I think it was hello magazine…
there is something i dont understand, can anyone take pictures of you while you are walking or doing something and then publish them on the newspaper or media?
Can you sue someone for taking pictures of you and publishing them?
Can anyone explain this to me please?
The money is only a token payment for the law broken by the photographer and will serve as a good example to leave the Middletons in private alone.
haven’t read it but here you go
http://www.vanityfair.com/business
Sorry link isn’t working correctly but something about Kate and a pre nup
correct link
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/03/when-will-harbottle-lewis-be-penning-kate-middletons-pre-nup.html
i think the paparazzi cannot live alone by kate there are too many pounds i hope they leave her alone
Has anyone seen the news that there is trouble with Swedish Royals and the engagement might be called off. That would be terrible…
the translated link is below…
http://tinyurl.com/yz3sxqh
Lets hope they figure it out before the wedding march begins. Who would have thought that there could be trouble between these two..
JJ, thanks for the link. I really don’t know about that story. I think because no date for their wedding has been announced yet, it has left the tabloids some room to come up with some juicy gossip to sell their papers.
With regards to this story about Kate suing the photographer.
I too originally read that the photographer was attempting to pap the Middletons whilst sitting down to lunch. If true, why didn’t H&L sue him for that? Trespassing is a criminal offence here and if that story is true that would have gleaned a great deal of sympathy for the Midds because it is an affront and true invasion of privacy.
However, H&L didn’t sue for that and instead sued for pics taken of Kate playing tennis. The pics were taken from a public footpath. That for me does not constitute an invasion of privacy. I suggest you all watch the video of A Edwards being interviewed. He stood up to PC for taking a pic of PC at Highgrove, and AE turned round and said he was on a public footpath.
I accept that Kate & the Pap have settled out of court. It’s cheaper for one because in England Court cases can be costly.
I don’t object to paps being sued, most of them deserve it, but I do think that Kate, in the future should pick her battlegrounds more carefully in the future as this will not endear her to the media and payback will come when she has married into the RF.
Never forget the RF need the media. The media do not need the RF.
When Kate is married into the RF and then goes about her royal engagements then naturally she will want to be seen in a good light.
Take a good look at what is happening to PC. Despite the thousands of people he has helped to start up business, helped the young on leaving prisons to stay straight, helped people to get jobs, everything he does is to no avail. He is constantly bashed in our media.
He cannot put a foot right. The way our media treat PC you would think he is public enemy no.2. Public enemy no.1 being Bin Laden.
Kate has been bashed enough in my opinion, the last thing she will need on marrying into the RF is the media raking up embarassing relatives and other things.
I to agree with those who say that Clarence Hse & PW are advising, but I don’t think they are always advising her for the best.
Is it possible that the courtiers want a permanent fall guy?
Hale,
Taking photos from a public road within a private property is strictly forbidden in France, is a trespass. It is absolutely forbidden to take pictures from the street through a fence! it is not enough to cross illegally and uninvited the wall of a property so that the pictures are taken illegally. The fact that a private person is photographed in the scope of private property even from a public street is a violation of human rights policy. It would be too simple otherwise. He would climb to a tree from a road and have a view on property and strafe a target with all the people around a pool. Otherwise, in the comments in the Times’article, someone familiar with the photographer in question has left a message explaining that it was not his first time and he always acted so unspeakable.
The journalist (dont remember his name) pretended that Kate had spotted him and had even wished him a merry Christmas, but I think it’s part of its defense system, I am virtually certain that these are all lies. The paparazzi are so ready for anything that I would not give much of their morale.
Hale agreed
However I’m sure you have also seen over at the IF this article, which states that the swedish royal family are banning all pictures even in public and they will supply their own. That in my opinion is very odd and they are shooting themselves in the foot. I don’t know whether something is going on that they are trying to hide or whether they have just gone plane crazy but your statement about the SRF needing the media not the other way around also rings true. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and whether other royal families such as the British Royal family will follow suit….
http://www.royaltyinthenews.com/2010/02/19/strange-new-press-policy-in-sweden/
In the same link you provided JJ, I noticed that (followed):
“This week, the Austrian television station ORF was told to remove photographs of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, her son Prince Constantijn and his family from its website. The pictures were that of the royals arriving in Lech for their annual skiing vacation.
The Dutch royal household felt the pictures violated a mediacode, where private photos of the royal family are not allowed to be published. This despite that ORF showed video of the family arriving at the ski resort.
Media coverage of the Dutch royals coming to Lech has been existence for about 50 years. But this year, there was no photo call because Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his family are currently in Vancouver for the Olympics.
This is the not the first time the House of Orange’s mediacode caused problems with the media. Last year, Willem-Alexander sued the Associated Press for photographing and publishing pictures of he and his family skiing in Argentina. The Crown Prince won his case even though many of those in the media felt that violated freedom of the press.”
South African president in a state visit – lots of pics about the Queen and DoE:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1255098/Jacob-Zuma-brands-British-old-fashioned-imperialists–just-hours-meeting-Queen.html
…and BBC video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8545456.stm
Thanks NYme
Well maybe all of the royal families are starting to get tight on photographs and privacy. What they may find is that people just say lets become a republic and to heck with them… Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. There is a fine line between harassement and public interest. Without public interest or support there is no need for a royal family.. They can easily be done away with or rationed that they are an unnecessary expense.. Especially in this economic climate..
Good Morning,
Hale don’t forget that Kate isn’t fighting the media, she is going after the paps that invaded her privacy. The paps are getting so desparate these days, they are not waiting for you to come out in public to take your pictures but are now sneaking around private properties to get their money shot. The stars over here in America are having the same problem with the paps. I’m sorry but it’s absolutely ridiculous for anyone to blame Kate and the Middleton family for sticking up for their rights to privacy.
In the small documentary called: Kate Middleton vs The Paparazzi, it was mentioned that the longer this relationship goes on without being official, the bigger the pitfalls will get for Kate. It’s like she’s in a uphill battle here and I don’t think it’s a pleasing experience for her. She’s trying to deal with it but I don’t think after her marriage that she will look back on these past years with much pleasure.
Well, there’s precedent for Kate to win against the paps in europe – Monaco’s royal family won $681120 in a lawsuit against them a while back.
AJ, I think we would hear a lot of praise for the royal family for taking legal action against the paparazzi if their privacy was invaded like the Middletons privacy was violated.
Dealing w/the paps is a tricky situation. I agree – being photographed on private property should not be allowed. The property the Middletons were staying at – is that private property? And the harrassing needs to stop. I say fine, if they are walking down a public street and the photographer stays away and does not speak to them, fine. But when they are chased and harassed – there should be some type of law.
In following William and Kate, I applaud their insistence on their privacy. However, if they would just come out and explain their status, it would go a long way to calm situations down.(or I know that it might cause a frenzy,) I am not saying that they have to answer to the public. Howver a statement to some media outlet would be nice, This is especially true with Kate being put through what she has been put through by the media. I understand if they don’t want to get married right away. I just want the record set straight so that she and her family would be given a break.
James Middleton’s cake business is doing well:
http://www.thecakekitcompany.com/news.htm
It’s a very tricky and I think a very tierd situation. I think since the world haven’t built a wrecking ball strong enough to at least knock a small hole in William & Kate’s wall, everyone is showing some frustration.
I just hope all of this will come to a full circle next year.
Thanks for letting us know curious. That’s great news for James and the Cake Kit Company. The Prince of Wales would be proud too since he is a major supporter of small businesses.
Prince Edward on a skiing holiday in Switzerland with his family
http://tinyurl.com/ylmwvzx
Princess Anne in Afghanistan
http://tinyurl.com/ylkdn4b (video)
This sounds like it was a really fun visit for the Queen;
‘Hello Your Royal Highness have I told you the British are old fashioned imperialists’? Jacob Zuma’s outburst hours before he (and one of his three wives) meets the Queen
http://tinyurl.com/y8sptyy
^^^ Oops, sorry – didn’t see someone had already posted that! Anyway – gotta feel sort of sorry for the Queen on that visit.
jj Great post #55.
NYme, I understand if there was a wall or the pap climbed up a tree, but I understood it to be a public footpath. Which makes sense because members of the public can hire the tennis court.
However, you say in France even if it was a public footpath it is illegal over there. It isn’t illegal here.
AJ, you bought up an interesting point and one which I was going to ask NYme about. I am aware that Caroline was a ECHR action, but I don’t know what it was about, and I was wondering have their been other similar actions concerning other European royals?
I just get the feeling that Kate was a patsy for the RF testing the waters.
Why would being photographed in a tennis court at a house that one is renting be considered public? The tennis court is open-aired, yes, but that does not mean public. The photographer might be standing in a public footpath, but unless any old dick and jane can walk in and play, it is not public. I think Kate was in her full rights to pursue this man.
However, I believe she did it on her own volition, and with the support of her family, and not at the behest, however hidden, of the RF. The Middleton’s might just be trying to draw the line at their private life, after so many years of ridiculous and unwarranted attention.
Hi guys,
The thing is,deciding whether to bring in lawyers is a personal choice and one I am sure was not easy for Kate to make because she knew she again would be placed in the court of public opinion. I think it is highly likely that we don’t know all the facts in this case and since none of the parties are speaking right now,it might be wise to sit tight and see where this goes. We also don’t know the history with this particular pap. Maybe he has a history of stalking Kate. Again, more info is needed before judging.
Sojourner, I see a certain blogger has crawled out of his cave and is chiming in on Kate and William again…;)
I think the point is that Kate and her family are trying to make a point and that point is that their privacy should be respected.
Lisa,
Certainly, info is needed. However, we can also use prior knowledge to make some informed suppositions. Why would they agree to settle out of court on such an important issue? I would think even with the slimmest chance of winning, they would not accepted fault, given what is at stake and the precedent it sets. But that is just me, I guess.
And yes, our blogger friend is at it again.
Well, here’s an article about privacy laws and Princess Diana, if anyone wants to wade through it ( and I do mean wade – it’s an article for a legal journal ).
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/law/hamlyn/princess.htm
Oh, and I liked the royal reporter tweets on the Zuma visit. Here’s the link if anyone wants to read them;
http://twitter.com/RoyalReporter
Interesting to read about all these other European Royals also reigning in the press.
Two things which I feel have prompted this.
The recession. They must all be making attempts to be ultra sensitive. The other thing, is the European Court of Human Rights. With its now constitution.
I had the impression that the tennis court was part of the property and not a public one. If you pay for the rent for the mansion, you have swiming pool and tennis court. Can somebody just check this information?
Thanks and all have a good day.
i think kate privacy will be respected she is not a public figure nor a royal but pw girlfriend
sojourner,too bad the return was not on a more positive not instead of stirring the ole pot.. In fact,his opinions remind me of those of our very own ked. Hmmmm….;)
Lisa
I have always said the same thing and once called out the same thing when their posts were almost mirrors of each other as well as traveling plans but it was flat out denied. Who knows Royal news is super slow at the moment on our favorite couple..
I think the one thing that marks this particular issue out regards Kate and the legal action is that said dirty deed happened on Christmas Day. Surely that should be a most private day for families, whoever they are, wherever they are.
Still, lots of pitfalls with regards to this sort of thing. Kate, imo, should be careful in future what battles she picks to fight with the press. They always have the last laugh in the end.
Good Morning,
Lets remember folks that if any member of the royal family privacy was invaded over the Christmas break, this same legal action would have been carried out as well.
I know members of the paparazzi have a job to do, have a family to feed and children to put through school but they have to understand that invading other peoples privacy is just wrong.
Guys,I found like video of Kate skiing…not sure I ever saw it so I thought I would share. Anyone know who is with her, don’t think it is Wills.
Sorry about the last post,I am rushing to get back to work,LOL…here is the link..
http://www.buzzinusa.com/2010/03/kate-middleton-prepares-to-ski/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Hi Lisa, I saw that video before. It was the trip that she, William and Pippa took early last year.
Here are the pictures from that trip:
http://picturedesk.com/en/results/images/kate-middleton-skiing.html
Sorry I got the dates mixed up. I think they went skiing last year too though.
They were skiing in Courhevel, France last year.
http://www.bigpictures.co.uk/lowres2/00000000134/big20090323set044_8361.bro
more pics from last year’s skiing trip here:
http://www.bigpictures.co.uk/lowres2/00000000134/big20090323set044_8353.bro
http://www.bigpictures.co.uk/lowres2/00000000134/big20090323set044_8356.bro
http://www.bigpictures.co.uk/lowres2/00000000134/big20090323set044_8357.bro
Could be Lisa, could be… but has the latter ever cracked a joke? That is what I see as the difference.
I don’t know..it seems to me there are two people on the planet that believe that Kate did not know of the SAR decision,LOL…
BTW,guys,the Cheltenham races are 11 days away. I know Kate skipped last year but maybe she will go this year.
Hmm, Cheltenham… how often did she attend before? I get a feeling we might really be seeing a lot less of her, not because she is breaking up with PW, but just because of the usual cycle: rumors ramp up, KM starts skipping town.
Kate attended Cheltenham quite a few times but the last time was in 2008. She attended once in 2007 with William right before then broke up. Cheltenham, skiing,break up…If she stays with her low profile,she will be no where in sight. I also think she may not be residing locally since William is not posted locally if you get my point
Don’t forget that Kate also attended the Cheltenham festival in 2006. She and Pippa was in the royal box with Charles & Camilla. I’m trying to find that picture.
http://tinyurl.com/y8f2d2k
Pippa is behind her.
“I also think she may not be residing locally since William is not posted locally if you get my point.”
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit Lisa.
I totally agree w/Rman & Lisa. I think KM is near PW. Those two are the sneakiest!
But gosh, I would love to see KM at Chet. I loved the outfit she wore in 2008!