The royal family has a long and complicated at best (and downright devastating at worst) relationship with the press and, specifically, with paparazzi. Given the role hounding photographers played in Princess Diana's untimely death in 1997 (opens in new tab), it's not surprising that the Queen (opens in new tab) has been willing to put some of The Firm's resources behind cracking down on the gathering (and publication) of private pictures of the royal family.
That protective instinct extended to Kate Middleton (opens in new tab) long before she was officially a member of the Windsor fam, apparently. According to Express (opens in new tab), a 2005 documentary appropriately called Chasing the Royals (opens in new tab), reveals that the Queen put her personal lawyers on the case when paparazzi stalked and photographed Kate, who was only dating Prince William (opens in new tab) at the time.
The photos in question were apparently taken when Kate was on Christmas holiday (opens in new tab) with her family at Resormel Manor in Cornwall. The future royal and her relatives were photographed playing tennis on Prince Charles’ courts. The Queen's legal team went to work and, um, persuaded all UK press outlets not to buy or run the pictures (which still ran in Germany, where threats of legal action from the Queen's lawyers apparently don't carry as much weight).
"[The royals] do not want any private, unofficial photographs released to the press whatsoever, so they are clamping down like there is no tomorrow," Niraj Tanna, the photographer who took the pictures, said in the documentary. "If I’m on a public footpath, I would assume it is all fine. It has been okay up to now, and suddenly, the goalposts have been changed."
RELATED STORIES
-
The Best Rain Boots, According to Fashion EditorsStay dry *and* look cute!
-
Mexico City, A Vibrant Cultural Hot Spot, Is the Perfect Travel Destination
This epicenter of art, history, and food should be on every culture enthusiast's bucket list.
-
Can Light Therapy Get Rid of My Acne?
Blue and red light are where it’s at.
-
Royals Probably "Laughed" About Kim Kardashian Buying Princess Diana's Necklace, Expert Claims
It's probably not a big deal to them.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Likely "Shocked" by the "Negative Pushback" Over 'Spare,' Royal Expert Says
They thought it would be more like the aftermath of Oprah.
-
Princess Diana Didn't Want to Move Away From England, Her Former Butler Claims
Obviously, we can't ever really know the truth.
-
King Charles Will Not Hold "Peace Talks" With Harry and Meghan Before the Coronation, Royal Expert Claims
Oh.
-
Princess Diana's Butler Responds to Prince Harry Referring to Him as "The Butler" in 'Spare'
Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
-
Prince Harry "Should Have Been Prince William's Wingman," Has Become His "Hitman" Instead, Royal Expert Says
That doesn't sound good.
-
There's No Chance of Reconciliation Between Prince Harry and His Family "In the Short Term," Royal Expert Claims
Urgh.
