(Image Source: Daily Mirror )

 

BY JIM FLINK

 

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

 

The British Royal Family wins in court -- for now.

A French court has ruled a magazine may not publish more photos of Kate Middleton topless.

Here’s CNN .

 

"A French court has just fined the French publication Closer ordering it not to distribute it’s magazine or the photos of the dutchess in print or online. And earlier this morning French prosecutors announced they’re opening a preliminary criminal investigation."

 

The case has brought a visceral reaction from Buckingham Palace. The Royal family blames the paparazzi for the car accident that killed Princess Diana in 1996. ABC’s Nightline reports , this adds insult to past injury.

 

“A palace spokesman decries the photographs of Kate as quote, ‘grotesque and totally unjustified.’ Reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press during the life of Diana.”

 

In addition to the injunction, Royal attorneys are also seeking criminal charges against the photographer who took the photos.  The Hollywood Reporter notes...

 

“The court also ruled that the magazine must hand over the photos within 24 hours and decided to open a criminal investigation into charges that the photographer and Closer breached the privacy of Prince William and his wife Middleton by publishing the pictures.”

 

Al Jazeera notes, the British press, guilty of stalking the royal couple in the past, is taking a different position on this matter, a higher road, if you will.

 

“...the papers in Britain pursued Kate Middleton relentlessly through the courtship with Prince William get their mail gazing with a disdainful and perhaps slightly jealous eye on the scandal which neither the papers more the Royal couple have any power to control...”

 

Irish Daily Star editor Michael O’Kane republished the photos and was subsequently suspended for doing so.  But not before he defended his decision to The Guardian newspaper.

 

“And I’m absolutely stunned that Kate Middleton would think, her being one of the most photographed women in the world...that she would expose herself being toples, outdoors and not expect the world to take notice of it.”

 

But O’Kane is not alone in saying, this is much Royal adieu about nothing.

 

The Boston Herald’s Margery Eagan says , this incident will only make Kate and Will more endearing, and the paparazzi more reviled.

 

“Where’s the scandal? Kate did nothing wrong. In France, female sunbathers routinely go topless. For a wholesome change, Kate and Will are married … How refreshing to see newlyweds in love. Not to mention: We should all look so goo d. ”