French magazine cites Meghan Markle's racy pictures against £92,000 compensation for publishing Kate Middleton's topless pics
French lawyers are questioning the £92,000 compensation that was given to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge over a topless photo of Kate Middleton that was clicked by the paparazzi. The lawyers are holding the fact that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has several racy photos on the internet for their case.
Kate and Prince William were granted the large payout for the image that was published by France’s Closer magazine in September 2012.
The barristers are also expected to argue over the amount that was asked to be paid. According to Daily Mail, a typical range for a privacy complaint is expected to be in the range of £100. In addition, the lawyers will be holding Megahan's racy video into consideration. The video shows Meghan removing her clothes while grilling meat. The tabloid states that the lawyers will use the video to prove that modern titled women have often used their steamy body shots to promote themselves in the past.
The ‘Grilling Never Looked So Hot With Meghan Markle’ video was shot by Men’s Health magazine in 2013. The video shows Meghan removing her shirt for the camera and then posing seductively in shorts while grilling hamburgers. The appeal against the £92,000 payout is set to take place at Versailles Appeal Court. It is believed that another evidence that the lawyers are expected to present in the case is that of Duchess of Sussex exposing her breasts for the camera on a beach prior to her wedding to Prince Harry.
It is further believed that lawyers are planning to consider displaying other provocative images of Meghan, which include lingerie photo shoots and love scenes from her acting career in order to further support their case. Closer's lawyer Paul-Albert Iweins said that the fines were ‘exaggerated for a simple privacy matter’ when the usual amount for fine is considered to be less than £100.
Meanwhile, counsel for those convicted insists that the younger royals have often behaved like celebrities and this has led them to experience the same media attention which is normally reserved actors or actresses.
"They are happy with sexy photos of themselves when they are in control, but then claim huge amounts of money when they’re unauthorized," said one of the sources who is involved in the case. "There’s ridiculous hypocrisy involved, and the outrageous compensation figure reflects this."
In the case of the topless photo of Duchess of Cambridge, judges had asked the magazine to pay the majority of the damage that was caused in relation to the pictures of Kate. The editor of Closer magazine, Laurence Piea and Ernest Mauria, director of the Mondadori group which publishes the magazine, were fined £42,000 each.