Very quickly we were made aware that the images were unauthorised and respectfully asked not to use them. The photos, clearly taken with a long lens by paparazzi lurking in the Yarralumla parklands, breached the couples’ privacy on a day when they were relaxing together as a family, a rare chance for Kate, William and baby George to enjoy some quality time on what has been quite a hectic schedule of public events.
It was also a day when William and Kate could play with Prince George before leaving him for their only night away from the Canberra base to visit the Red Centre.
This morning it’s clear that the British media has upheld that request but some Australian outlets did not. It’s not the first time the couple’s privacy has been breached, although these shots were a lot less intrusive than the topless photos of the Duchess taken when the couple were holidaying in a private home in France. Then the couple took legal action against the photographer, setting a new precedent for the royals and showing the extent to which Prince William is prepared to go to protect his family.
Publication of these pictures, which are much less controversial and simply show a family enjoying our great outdoors, is unlikely to receive the same treatment but it does expose the pressures this young family face every day from their life in the glare of the media spotlight.
