Kate Middleton Photo Scandal: Closer Topless Pics Published By Irish Daily Star and Other Magazines [UPDATE]

The Italian magazine Chi plans to publish a 26-page special on Monday, Sept. 17, showing the topless photos of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, which were originally printed by French magazine Closer.

The Examiner reported the news on Sunday and added that Chi is also owned by the same company that publishes Closer and ran the scandelous pictures earlier this weekend. 

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Chi's editor, Alfonso Signorini, said the following about the nude photos and the publication's decision to print them:

"I don't see anything morbid or damaging in them. Chi pays attention to respecting people's dignity. I don't think they hurt Kate's image. The fact that these are the future rulers of England makes the article more interesting and topical. This is a deserving topic because it shows in a completely natural way the daily life of a very famous, young and modern couple in love."

The Irish Daily Star printed the same photos on Saturday. Closer is facing a lawsuit in the matter and slowly the images are spreading to different publications. 

The nude photos were first printed by the French magazine on Sept. 14. They show Middleton sunbathing topless on the terrace of a private house in France owned by the Queen's nephew Lord Linley. 

There is a British magazine also named Closer. On Friday, they came out with a public statement to clarify that they do not intent on printing the Middleton photos.

"Closer magazine UK would like to make it clear that the two publications make entirely independent editorial decisions," they stated. "Closer magazine UK was not offered any pictures of this nature and certainly has no intention of publishing the photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge which have been published in France this morning."

The Huffington Post reported that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reacted to the incident with "anger and disbelief," adding, "a red line has been crossed."

"The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to the Duke and Duchess for being so," a St. James Palace official said.

Princess Diana died in France, while trying to escape paparazzi.