Italian magazine Chi published 18 photos of a topless Kate Middleton earlier today. The multi-page spread captures the Duchess of Cambridge lounging on a terrace in Provence while “staying at the French chateau of the Queen’s nephew, Lord Linley.” French magazine Closer published some of the photos last week. Despite threats to sue from the Royal Family, Chi’s editor Alfonso Signorini tweeted that “not even a direct call from the Queen” would prevent him from releasing the photographs. 

The French photographer responsible for the candid shots initially attempted selling them to British publications. None agreed to buy them for fear of being shut down. It appears the decision was on point as tabloid newspaper, the Irish Daily Star (website unavailable), published a handful of them on September 15th and is now facing the possibility of being shut down. Its co-owner Northern & Shell went on later that day to say that it was “taking immediate steps to close down the joint venture.” 

Chi stands behind its multi-page spread, arguing that the publishing house “did its job” in exercising freedom of the press.

Editor Michael O’Kane of the Irish Daily Star told BBC:

“I did this as a service to our readers, I’m a little taken aback by the reaction in the UK. It only seems to be an issue in the UK because she is your future queen. But from our point of view in Ireland, Kate Middleton is just another of the fantastic line of celebrities.” [Via BBC and Gawker]

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Claudia McNeilly is an editorial intern at the Toronto Standard. You can follow her on twitter at @claudiamcneilly

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