Amid Asia trip, royals wrestle over topless photos

(CBS News) BRISBANE, Australia - Prince William and wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, continued their Southeast Asia tour on behalf of the queen's 60 years on the throne. Saturday's visit included a look at one of the world's biggest rain forests. But the couple is also wrestling with the unwanted publication of some sensitive photographs.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stayed on schedule Saturday, touring the virgin rainforest on the Malaysian island of Borneo.

In public, the couple appeared at ease and engaged on their jaunt through the jungle. Privately, though, the duo is said to be discussing how to manage the fall-out from the release of topless photos of Kate

Published in a French magazine Friday, the photos show a topless Kate sunbathing poolside while vacationing at a secluded French chateau.

More outlets publishing topless Kate photos

Owned by a nephew of Queen Elizabeth, the chateau is surrounded by 640 acres of woodlands and lavender fields.

The palace is suing the magazine, saying the couple had "...every expectation of privacy in the remote house." The statement added: "The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales..."

The pictures were snapped from a public road, within a quarter of a mile away, according to the magazine's editor. She said the pictures simply showed a young couple in love.

That young couple tried to stay focused on the agenda they had set Saturday. The two strapped on harnesses and were hoisted to the jungle canopy to highlight the prince's long-standing passion for conservation, in one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth.

The couple is now headed on to the Pacific Islands, some of the most remote reaches of Her Majesty's Realms. We're told to expect some of the most brilliant images from this journey. The question is, what will everyone remember? Those pictures? Or the ones in that French magazine?

[Jonseen]

I think the News Media could stop announcing it now. It's as if a few stupid photos are more important than their trip through the middle east.

If CBS and CNN and some others would forget about it, then the sorry stupid photos would be forgotten as well. I have to wonder what's on the mind of those who write the headlines!!!!

Focus on the TRIP. It's actually very interesting, but who can tell?

[Jonseen]

Not the middle east, that was a slip. Malaysia etc.

[Molly-Pchr]

She was in a place she could expect privacy. For Heaven's sake, she wasn't in a bar dancing topless. Forget about it.

[matt6052]

Prince Harry was at a private event in Las Vegas too, but now he's in Afghanistan getting shot at. Kate made her naked self visible to a photographer standing on a public road with a commercially available camera lens. She obviously should serve a tour in Afghanistan too.

[tsigili]

That is no big deal to anyone but the media......whose tastelessness, just to get readers, is incredible.

[hypnotoad72]

Holy sense of entitlement...

[mari1963]

I miss Diana so much. She was truly a Princess.

[winemaster2]

Hope that had some fornication in nude to get the British hypocrite itch out. Then again being the proper with upper stiff slip, cork up the rear end, they only let their hair down, when they are out of UK. These two are publican figures and fair game for what they do. She should have closed the windows.

[hypnotoad72]

I don't know their political views, much less care, but if they are Tories, then the level of hypocrisy would be rather amazing... or would it be rather amusing? Oh well, it works both ways...

[kbbpll]

virgin rainforest, strapped on harnesses, long-standing passion, mmm! titilating!

[rwsmith29456]

Hey! Leave those kids alone.

[Jonseen]

Exactly.

[talkin2u924]

I really don't care how private the house was supposed to have been. I don't care how secure this couple believe they are. They are stupid to think that there are not "eyes" on the home and that at the first opportunity they will snap a shot regardless of who appears and how they are dressed or not. This couple is naive to think they are so secure one can go naked OUTSIDE and they are going to avoid the prying eyes of the press. NO this controversial story is on their shoulders!

[mari1963]

Amen!

[hypnotoad72]

Agreed

[ToolMangler1]

I am a amateur photographer and I 'despise' Paparazzi. They are the same as 'peeping Toms'...

[OldProfessor]

They are peeping Toms...and don't you forget it!!

[hypnotoad72]

OldProfessor - ooh, how butch a response from you that was!