Pippa Middleton arrives for the wedding of Prince William to her sister at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, in London.
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Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
(CBS/AP) As Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymoon in a secluded spot, the paparazzi who stalk them are embroiled in another Middleton controversy.
There's a brewing legal battle over publication of 5-year-old photographs of Pippa Middleton sunbathing topless. Younger sister of Kate Middleton, Pippa was maid of honor at the April 29 royal wedding. Adding to the anger against photographers is news that gruesome photographs of the late Princess Diana in the moments after her fatal 1997 car crash are appearing in a documentary about her death to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival..
The publication of the Pippa pictures - showing the 27-year-old on a powerboat with older sister Kate (in a revealing bikini) and William (in a red and white bathing suit) - prompted the Middleton family to file a formal petition to Britain's independent Press Complaints Commission.
That complaint is seen as the first salvo in what is expected to be a conflict between the monarchy and the press as both sides try to establish boundaries in a new royal era defined by William and Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their determination to live a normal life.
The prince and his bride jetted off this week to a secret honeymoon spot in the Seychelles that royal watchers believe was chosen specifically to keep them out of the lenses of the paparazzi.
"That and security would have been of primary importance," said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. "We've known for a long time William would not stand for any nonsense regarding his new wife and her family."
Many Britons - mindful of how Princess Diana was tracked by the paparazzi in the moments leading to her fatal car crash - want the new royal couple, and the rest of the Middleton clan, to be able to move about without facing a constant barrage of flashing cameras.
"I think they should be left alone, to be honest, after what happened to Lady Diana," said Marla Quinn, a 43 year-old receptionist from Surrey.
The nation has been astir with news that "death photos" of Diana, taken moments after her high-speed crash in a Paris tunnel, will be shown in "Unlawful Killing," premiering at the Cannes Film Festival which gets under way today in France.
The Middleton family's complaint cites four British tabloids - the News of the World, Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mirror - for publishing photos that violated family privacy, including those of the sisters and William on the luxury boat off the coast off the Mediterranean island of Ibiza.
Other pictures of Pippa Middleton have also received wide exposure on the Internet and in various publications, including one of her dancing suggestively in a lavender bra and a flimsy white skirt with an unidentified man wearing boxer shorts. Sensitive pictures of younger brother James Middleton have also circulated on the Internet.
The independent press commission will determine whether the newspapers have violated the Middletons' privacy and whether there are any "public right to know" issues that might justify publication of the photos.
While freedom of speech is protected in the United States by the First Amendment, European law protects privacy as well as free expression, often leaving it to judges to balance the two competing concerns.
A key European Court of Human Rights judgment in 2004 bolstered privacy protection by ruling that three German magazines infringed on Princess Caroline of Monaco's privacy by publishing photos of her and her children at a Monaco beach club.
The recent British newspaper coverage, including front-page photos of Pippa Middleton in a bikini, reflects her status as a surprise star of the royal wedding.
Her appearance in a figure-flattering Alexander McQueen gown at the wedding has sparked a flurry of interest, including the establishment of a Pippa Middleton appreciation page on Facebook.
Experts believe her newfound fame offers a raft of commercial opportunities - but could be undone if more embarrassing photos surface.
Katrina Kutchinsky, managing director of KK Communications, which represents luxury restaurants and bars, said Pippa Middleton is in high demand on the London nightlife scene.
"She's definitely the hot ticket at the moment, my venues are trying to reach her, but she's very well protected," Kutchinsky said. "Everyone is talking about her."
Pippa who? Piping Hot? I don't think so. She's just on a simple piggy back ride to a tour of royalty. Eventually she will be forgotten. Column writers probably just need something new to write about from time to time, but Pippa's just not that hot to many of us sitting in the gutters of reality.
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This is another example of why the Europeans have it right to let a judge decide on damages for an invasion of privacy and sue the "heck" out of wreckless self-centered papparazzi who dive bombed the private yacht to take such invasive pictures. Too bad it was not their vehicle or that of their predecessors that crashed instead of the jerks chasing after Princess Diana. Maybe then, their vile industry might re-consider how they harrass others. And, too bad there is not some kind of visual karma being dealt out to the over-indulgent readers that shamelessly open up the files with this irresponsible excuse for "journalism" in it. I call for the field of journalism to set up a set of self-regulating rules to elevate the industry's standards!
To those saying "show the pics or it didn't happen", CBS probably can't due to legal issues. But if you go to google images (and have it on uncensored setting), you'll see them. Obviously, she just didn't want any tan lines. Unfortunately, now that she's nearly royal by association, it's all coming back to bite her in the butt.
Did the Middleton family think they would be hands off by the press after their daughter married the future King of England? I'm so tired of reading about all this hoopla. They had better put their hard hats on since this is only the beginning,
Who cares everyone is making a big deal about those damn pictures shes not even that cute move on is she just acts like a wild child because thats the only way of her getting any kind attention since her sister is way prettier.
The Middleton girls know how to attract men. Catherine paraded in a "fashion" show wearing skimpy undies with a see-through top. William saw her and was hit with a bolt of lightening and two played house are now married and presumably will live happily ever after. Ms. Pippa won't have to wait too long before she's taken.
If they were so upset about this why didn't they complain 5 years ago when William and Kate were dating and it was in the tabloids then? Oh yeah, they're 'special' now. Sorry. You shoved your whole family into the press to get this marriage to happen, so suck it up and expect more to follow. This family has a mountain of secrets and some not-so-secret. Who do they think they are? Geez.
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Dude.
only way of her getting any kind attention since her sister is way prettier.