Prince and Princess of Wales Win Privacy Case vs. Paris Match
“`html
Prince and Princess of Wales Win Privacy Case Against French Magazine
Table of Contents
Published: October 30, 2023, 15:47:01 GMT. Last updated: October 30, 2023.
Overview
the Prince and Princess of Wales have successfully sued French magazine Paris Match over the publication of paparazzi photographs taken during a private family ski holiday. Kensington Palace announced the legal victory on October 27, 2023, emphasizing the couple’s commitment to protecting their family’s privacy. The court order prohibits the magazine from further publishing or distributing the images and requires them to pay the couple’s legal costs.
Details of the Case
The lawsuit centered on photographs taken of the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children during a private ski holiday. Kensington Palace stated the images were obtained through intrusive paparazzi methods. The couple views the privacy of their family as “of paramount importance” and has demonstrated a willingness to take legal action to defend it. Thay opted for summary proceedings, a faster legal route than a full privacy trial, which can take one to two years.
The court order specifically prevents Paris Match from reproducing, distributing, or exploiting the photographs in any way.The magazine is also responsible for covering the legal fees incurred by the prince and Princess of Wales.
Previous Legal Battles
This is not the first time the royal couple has taken legal action against French media outlets over privacy breaches. In 2017, they were awarded €100,000 (approximately £92,000 as of October 30, 2023) in damages after the magazine Closer published topless photographs of Catherine, Princess of Wales, while she was sunbathing on a private terrace in Provence in 2012. The Guardian reported that a French court ruled the images constituted a severe invasion of privacy.
In that 2017 case, the judge also imposed the maximum allowable fine of €45,000 each on the editor and owner of Closer. The royal couple donated the €100,000 in damages to a charity supporting mental health.
| Case | Magazine | Year | Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Closer | 2017 | Topless photos of Catherine, Princess of Wales, published. | €100,000 damages awarded to the couple; €45,000 fine for editor and owner. |
| 2023 | Paris Match | 2023 | Paparazzi photos of the family on a ski holiday published. | Publication and distribution of images prohibited; legal costs to be paid by the magazine. |