The Prince and Princess of Wales took action against a French magazine after it published long-lens photos of the couple and their three young children.

The Prince and Princess of Wales sued a Parisian publication (Image: Getty)

The Prince and Princess of Wales have won a legal battle against Paris Match Magazine after it published long-lens photographs and details of a private family holiday to the Alps in April. The article, widely shared on social media, included close-up pictures of the couple’s three young children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, enjoying time on the slopes.

A French Court has found that the publication infringed the family’s privacy. It has instructed the publication to publish a judicial notice acknowledging the breach, with a penalty of €10,000 per issue until compliance. They have also had to pay Kate and William’s legal costs in France.

While compensation was initially sought, French Counsel informed the Court that the prince and princess would prefer the publication of a judicial notice, as the case was a matter of principle. A Kensington Palace spokesman described the images as “grossly intrusive” and hailed the outcome. They warned that the couple would “not hesitate” to take action to safeguard the privacy of their children.

The spokesperson said: “Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, have been successful in legal proceedings brought in France against the owner of Paris Match, which published a grossly intrusive article and long-lens paparazzi photographs of their private family holiday in the Alps in April.

“The ruling affirms that, notwithstanding their public duties as members of The Royal Family, Their Royal Highnesses and their children are entitled to respect for their private lives and family time, without unlawful interference and intrusion.

“The Prince and Princess of Wales are committed to protecting their private family time and ensuring that their children can grow up without undue scrutiny and interference. They will not hesitate to take such action as is necessary to enforce those boundaries.”

Kate and William were represented in France by Alain Toucas-Massillon, appointed through their UK lawyers, Mishcon de Reya.

The French magazine published the article on April 16, 2025, and shared a series of long-lens photographs on its social media platforms.

Kensington Palace took swift action against the publication, with summary proceedings issued on April 28 followed by an oral hearing was held on June 19.

It is understood that the family chose this route as it is a faster alternative than substantive privacy proceedings, which typically take 1–2 years.

On 18th September, Sandrine Gil, President of the First Chamber of the Nanterre Court, issued an Interim Order, which was sealed into a Final Order on 14th October 2025.

The court ruled that the article and photographs infringed the family’s privacy and instructed Paris Match to publish a judicial notice and pay for Kate and William’s legal costs.