Tunnel vision on Kate

IN THE greater scheme of things, the uproar over the publication by a French magazine and an Irish newspaper of topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge can be dismissed as a storm in a teacup.

Arguments are being made that the duchess brought the scandal upon herself by sunbathing topless within zoomlens range of a public road.

The vantage point on the road from which the images are thought to have been taken is about 900m from the swimming pool terrace of the chateau in Provence.

The publication of the images has dredged up memories of William’s mother, Princess Diana, who was a particular drawcard of brazen paparazzi throughout her married life.

The inquiry into her death in a car crash found she had been unlawfully killed because of the behaviour of paparazzi.

After her death in 1997, British newspapers agreed to respect the privacy of her sons, William and Harry.

There can be no question that it was a gross invasion of privacy to take the topless pictures of the duchess, and public interest defence could not possibly apply in such a case.

In fact, some legal eagles go so far as to say that publication of the photos broke French civil law on personal privacy.

It would be a pity if the future queen’s treatment by paparazzi were to mirror that of Diana, which ultimately led to her death in that Paris tunnel.