Italians to print 50 Kate photos: Even a call from the Queen won't stop me boasts defiant editor

Chi to follow French magazine and Irish Daily Star in printing naked images
Front cover unveiled with headline: 'Court Scandal: The Queen is Nude!'
Comes as furious Prince William calls for those responsible to be jailed
Lawyers to appear in Parisian court in bid to prevent further publications
But Chi's editor says 'not even direct call from the Queen' would stop him
Pair says decision by Irish Daily Star to publish was 'motivated by greed'
Newspaper's co-owner Richard Desmond vows to close down publication
Royals seem relaxed as they arrive on Soloman Islands for next leg of tour
Source says legal battle against publications could stretch on for two years
Royal pair confirm they will make criminal complaint against photographer

PUBLISHED: 04:02 EST, 16 September 2012 | UPDATED: 18:11 EST, 16 September 2012

A tawdry Italian magazine owned by Silvio Berlusconi was today set to publish 50 photos of the Duchess of Cambridge topless – defying Palace pleas for restraint.

Unapologetic editor Alfonso Signorini said ‘not even a direct call from the Queen’ would stop him printing the pictures in a special 26-page edition of Chi magazine under the headline ‘la Regina è nuda’ – the Queen naked.

Last night royal aides were desperately trying to establish if an 11th-hour injunction could be sought against publication of the photographs.

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Smiling: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge venture into the jungle in Borneo

High and dry: Italian magazine Chi (left) has announced it would publish a 26-page special of topless Kate Middleton using 50 images of the 200 in its possession as the Duke and Duchess (right, in Borneo) battle to prevent other media outlets around the world from using the naked pictures of her on holiday in France

William and Kate may have to endure further distress as it emerged that 200 pictures of the Duchess were taken as she sunbathed during a holiday in France.

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Publications in the US, Germany and Australia were understood to be considering printing pictures.

Yesterday copies of French magazine Closer – which first used the pictures – were being sold on auction website eBay for £31, 25 times the retail price of £1.20.

Surprisingly relaxed: Prince William and wife Kate wave to the crowds on a truck decorated as a canoe as they depart Honiara International Airport on the Solomon Islands

In good spirits: The royal couple laugh as warriors perform a traditional dance at Honiara International Airport as they vowed to prosecute those responsible for taking and printing the naked pictures

All smiles: Kate and William embark on the next leg of their Diamond Jubilee tour on the Solomon Islands

Not impressed: A furious Prince William revealed he wants those responsible for taking and printing the pictures of his wife to be jailed

MEDIA TYCOON 'DISMAYED' BY HIS PAPER'S DECISION TO PUBLISH TOPLESS KATE PICTURES

Angry: Media baron Richard Desmond last night announced he was taking immediate steps to terminate his involvement with the Irish Daily Star

Media baron Richard Desmond, right, last night announced he was taking immediate steps to terminate his involvement with the Irish Daily Star after it became the second publication to print topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge.

The chairman of Northern & Shell, which co-owns the newspaper with Dublin-based Independent News & Media, said he was ‘profoundly dismayed’ at the decision, which was taken without his knowledge.

The intervention by the multi-millionaire – who owns British newspapers the Daily Express and Daily Star – came as St James’s Palace reacted with fury to the news, saying: ‘There can be no motivation for this action other than greed.’

A source close to Mr Desmond said last night: ‘When he found out what had been printed he was absolutely astonished. Northern & Shell will now seek to have no further involvement with the joint venture that produces the newspaper.’

Insiders confirmed that the Irish Daily Star would face an uncertain future without Mr Desmond’s backing, although Independent News & Media is expected to continue to support the title.

The source added: ‘The decision to terminate the contract stems from a personal belief about what is right and wrong, it’s that simple.’

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Desmond said: ‘We abhor the decision of the Irish Daily Star to publish these intrusive pictures, which we believe to be a grotesque invasion of their privacy.

'Northern & Shell is profoundly dismayed at the decision, which would never have been made by any of the newspapers or magazines under our editorial control.'

As the controversy escalated, the royal couple stoically continued their Diamond Jubilee tour yesterday, laughing as they met their hosts on the Solomon Islands.

Mr Signorini remained unapologetic over his plans to publish the photos.

Both Chi and the French edition of Closer are owned by Mondadori, part of former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi’s media empire.

Mondadori’s chairman is Mr Berlusconi’s 46-year-old daughter Marina.

Mr Signorini said he was not afraid of any legal action because the photos did not represent an invasion of privacy in his view.

‘These pictures are not offensive or in poor taste, they are not morbid and they do not damage the dignity of anyone,’ Mr Signorini said.

‘If I didn’t recognise the journalistic value of what I had and if I did not publish them I would be better off in a market selling artichokes.

‘These pictures were taken while the couple were on a terrace and they were taken from a public place so there is no suggestion of an invasion of privacy. Whoever was passing by could have taken them.

‘I did not consult with Berlusconi before I decided to publish these photographs because I take the ultimate decision on what appears in Chi magazine – and to be honest Berlusconi has a lot more to worry about than Kate Middleton.’

Six years ago Chi caused outrage when it published a picture of Princess Diana taken just minutes after the car crash in Paris which killed her and Dodi Al Fayed.

It was the first time any publication had printed a graphic picture from the August 1997 tragedy.

Meanwhile the joint publishers of the Irish Daily Star both denied they had sanctioned its decision to publish the topless pictures on Saturday.

The tabloid is jointly owned by Northern and Shell – which owns the Daily Express – and Independent News and Media.

Yesterday both issued statements denying prior knowledge of publication and expressing regret.

Former prime minister John Major backed Kate and William’s decision to take legal action over the pictures.

‘The boundaries have plainly been crossed,’ he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show. ‘I don’t think we need minced words about these photographs – the way they have been obtained is tasteless. It’s the action of a peeping Tom. In our country we prosecute peeping Toms.’

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi shakes hands with Britain's Prince William

'THEY WILL FIGHT FOR YEARS IN COURT TO PURSUE THOSE RESPONSIBLE'

William and Kate are prepared to devote years to legal battles pursuing those responsible for the topless pictures – or those who publish them.

Sources close to the couple confirmed they were under no illusions about the length of time it could take for their fight to make its way through the Paris courts.

But they insist that the Duke and Duchess will press ahead because they feel so strongly about the invasion of their privacy.

This morning, the couple’s complaint against French Closer magazine – the first to publish the images – is to be heard at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

They have instructed Paris barrister Aurelien Hammelle to call for ‘the stiffest punishment possible’ against the magazine.

St James’s Palace said there were plans to press for criminal charges against the photographer – who has so far remained unidentified.

The Duke and Duchess are also considering action against the Irish edition of the Daily Star, which printed the pictures on Saturday.

Legal battleground: Lawyers for Kate and William will appear at this court in Paris tomorrow to try to prevent further publication of topless photographs of the Duchess

Privacy row: The Tribunal de Grande Instance (above) in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris, will hear representations from the royals as they begin legal action against the publishers of French Closer magazine

Triggering the storm: French magazine Closer was the first to publish the naked pictures of the duchess

The edition of the Irish Daily Star which featured the naked pictures of the duchess

Triggering the storm: French magazine Closer (left) was the first to publish the naked pictures, a decision which was followed by the Irish Daily Star (right)

**VIDEO: Editor of French Glamour says there are more pictures...**

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Good! Can't wait to see them. That's just about all the 'royals' are good for, is a few laughs. Britain has been on it's last legs since 1918. Why do they persist in supporting the 'Royal' Stupidity? Do they think the worls is fooled into believeing that this makes them a true world power, instead of the 3rd world economic and cultural force they actually are? - stevek , Denver, 16/9/2012 23:31......................................................................You Americns always make me laugh. Britain on its last legs Ha! Your politicians are an even bigger joke than ours. That idiot that is trying to be the next president is a prime example. I suggest you concentrate on putting your own house in order before you criticise ours.

- grumpyoldwoman , Tyne and Wear, 17/9/2012 01:47

Click to rate Rating 4

If the new Royals can't keep their close on and think they will make a mockery with the monarchy and the British people when the Queen who had elevate them to power is gone. The press even they were wrong are still right to expose their nude debauchery life style. they are suppose to be roll model like the Queen. If they want any respect from paparazzi, the English people, Politicians and the rest of world they need to put their cloth on and behave like gentleman and ladies not like a bunch of fool seeking media attention like porn star. They don't expect to turn Buckingham Palace to a brovel with Tax payers money in the future. The Royal need to correct them including the Middleton sibbling. This is why Harry,Pippa, Kate and William are so close and guilty as charge. They are all walking around naked which had make Chelsea run with dignity. She did not like what she saw. They had no respect for each other and the Palace. The Paparazzi were right to expose them.

- Missy , AUS, Australia, 17/9/2012 01:45

Click to rate Rating 6

you British are all mindless sheep, worshiping so called "Royals" like gods no wonder your the laughing stock of the world that still lives in the middle ages. Go on defend these parasites you sheep. The only reason you say you keep the royals is because they bring tourism? well guess what! France doesn't have a monarchy anymore and yet it is still the one most visited places in the world.

- jack , essex, United Kingdom, 17/9/2012 01:44

Click to rate Rating 12

"Yes,your Honor,that is my wife in these photo's. Yes, she is topless. Yes, she is standing outdoors on a balcony with me,Sir. Yes, there are public roads nearby.Yes, we are both aware of past paparazzi photos of my family in compromising situations,naked,toe sucking,etc.. Yes, yes, we both are aware of what a camera and long range lenses are capable of,we do watch documentaries on the BBC after all. Yes, we do take an inordinate number of vacations, but being in the military is very tiring and my wife is constantly battling exhaustion brought on by her numerous hair appointments.Yes, my wife is does have rather a few outfits she could of worn.Yes, the hired help was present.Who else do you think would of handed her back her top? Me? Yes, my gran-gran is upset at us. Why do you think were here suing this scurillous magazine ?

- bob , usa, United States, 17/9/2012 01:43

Click to rate Rating 20

What pigs all for money. No decency , gutter press is apt description.

- Shucky , Torrevieja, Spain, 17/9/2012 01:38

Click to rate Rating 3

What pigs

- Shucky , Torrevieja, Spain, 17/9/2012 01:34

Click to rate Rating 1

DON'T GO OUTSIDE NUDE IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR PICTURE TAKEN! That's easy.

- PM McNeely , Birmingham, 17/9/2012 01:33

Click to rate Rating 33

Yawn Yawn .. a woman in the all together...have they never heard of the Internet!