Harbottle & Lewis is advising the Royal Family on its legal action against the publishers of Closer Magazine France, after topless photographs of Kate Middleton were printed by the French celebrity magazine.

Pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge, taken during a recent private holiday with her husband Prince William in France, were made public after the French edition of Closer magazine published the images today (14 September).

Harbottle senior partner Gerrard Tyrell is advising the Royal Family, with a spokesperson confirming: "Legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the Publishers of Closer Magazine France."

St James's Palace is also reportedly consulting French lawyers.

In an earlier statement, St James's Palace commented: "The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to The Duke and Duchess for being so.

"Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them.

"Officials acting on behalf of Their Royal Highnesses are consulting with lawyers to consider what options may be available to The Duke and Duchess."

The role for Harbottle marks is the second time in recent weeks that the firm has been instructed on privacy issues relating to the Royal Family, after advising on the fallout from the publication of naked pictures of Prince Harry in Las Vegas.

For more, see French privacy law, media cynicism and the likely penalties for publishing the Kate Middleton pics.