Prince Harry naked photos draw 3,600 complaints in U.K.

Prince Harry hosts a reception for school games athletes on Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) LONDON - Britain's Press Complaints Commission says it has received some 3,600 complaints over The Sun's decision to publish nude photos of Prince Harry.

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The tabloid was the only national newspaper to carry the pictures, which first appeared online and quickly became an international talking point.

They captured Harry, who is third in line for Britain's throne, frolicking in the nude with an unidentified woman after what was alleged to have been a game of strip billiards in his Las Vegas hotel room.

Royal officials argued that the photos were a breach of the prince's privacy, but the officials weren't among those who'd filed complaints with the U.K. press watchdog.

That makes it unlikely any action will be taken against The Sun, which said it published the photos in the public interest.

Rupert Murdoch, who owns The Sun under his media company News Corp., defended the paper's decision on Twitter. He wrote, "Simple equation: free, open uncontrollable Internet versus shackled newspapers equals no newspapers. Let's get real."

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Prince Harry

[nohater]

3,600 complaints for a nation with a population of some 53 million is nothing. the data regarding the number of complaints would be eye catching if it were at least 25% of 53 million. harry made the news because he is royalty, a prince, and represents england when he is abroad just like an ambassador. harry was in the buff with commoners and in all places the sin city of las vegas. royalty should be held to a higher standard, the bar should be way up there. what they do in the privacy of their nation, their castle, among their royal friends, among those close to the royal family should remain within those areas. what harry did in las vegas was just wrong. he knew someone was taking photos because he hid his genitals with his hands. if i had done something like that, my father would have taken me to task and probably taken me to the woodshed and i'm a nobody. harry can certainly continue his hedonistic lifestype but be more careful in the future by having rooms inspected for hidden cameras, confiscate all cell phones, cameras, handbags, have attendees to his hedonistic parties searched thoroughly for hidden cameras. but more importantly be selective of who is invited to his hedonistic parties.

[KPeters_from_UK]

nohater,
Each time you write something about the UK you show a complete lack of understanding. 3,600 is actually a huge number. Why? Try looking at the typical complaints number for any particular story. You will find usually maybe 80 complaints might be average. 3,600 for one story over one day is FREAKIN HUGE!!! The huge number of complaints point to two issues. One, the UK loves Harry. Two the UK hates Murdoch. Rupert's name is ruined. His reputation is mud. The UK will defend Harry against Murdoch. The Brits are closing ranks around Harry against Murdoch. Also, understand that Harry is in the military and saw active duty in Afghanistan. He has personally fought along side ordinary soldiers in battle.

[tmonta67]

You act like an a$$, it shows...especially when you're a Prince. Sorry, regardless of whether "rights" were breached, Harry brought this on himself.

[goldsummer]

"That makes it unlikely any action will be taken against The Sun, which said it published the photos in the public interest."

HOW are the naked buttocks of the Prince , "public interest" ?

Seriously !!

[PMac13]

Opportunistic people with questionable ethics are everywhere. Modern technology just makes it so simple that any moron can do this.

[jgnv]

God help the person who sold those cell phone photos to the media. According the Las Vegas Review Journal, Steve Wynn is livid over this breach in security and heads will roll as a result. He comped Prince Harry and his entourage for their entire stay at the Wynn, but you can expect to hear more regarding this flagrant attempt to humiliate the Prince and make a quick buck at his expense. Vegas lives by the credo, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas". This is an embarrassment for the Vegas resort industry and threatens to undermine the efforts they make to ensure that high profile guests activities are kept private.

[PMac13]

Everywhere are opportunistic people with questionable ethics. Modern media simply provides a simple outlet so that even morons can do this.