Why Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ski vacation with their children could lead to legal action
WINDSOR, LONDON: Prince William and Kate Middleton, accompanied by their children Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9), and Prince Louis (6), were recently photographed skiing during a quiet family trip.
The images, obtained by Paris Match and Page Six, showed the family enjoying a vacation in the French Alps while the children, who attend Lambrook School near their Windsor home, were on break, as per People.
However, according to reports, the Prince and Princess of Wales are considering legal action against media outlets that published the images taken during their family holiday. While no formal complaint has been made yet, it is no secret that William and Kate are fiercely protective about their privacy during private vacations.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2012 legal battle over photos in France
This isn't the first time the Waleses have faced a similar breach.
In 2012, during a vacation in France, Closer magazine published photos of Kate Middleton, taken from a considerable distance while she sunbathed at a private villa.
The newspaper La Provence also released photos from the same trip, though she was in a swimsuit.
The couple, who were staying at a secluded estate owned by Viscount David Linley (Queen Elizabeth’s nephew), were outraged.
At the time, Prince William issued a rare and personal statement, “My wife and I thought that we could go to France for a few days in a secluded villa owned by a member of my family, and thus enjoy our privacy.”
The palace echoed his sentiments with a strongly worded statement.
“Their Royal Highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner,” a spokesman said.
“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," they added.
Ultimately, the French courts sided with the royal couple, fining Closer and ruling the publication guilty of an invasion of privacy.
A royal family vacation turns sour
The Wales family has long enjoyed getaways in the Alps, a tradition since the children were babies.
According to The Daily Mail on April 13, the family had reportedly taken a trip after Christmas in December 2024.
One onlooker described the family as delightfully down-to-earth, “There were no airs and graces, and actually, they seemed like any normal family enjoying a ski break. There were lots of laughs, and the children were very polite.”
“Kate looked like she was having a lovely time,” they added.
But even in moments that feel “normal", the royals are reminded of their extraordinary circumstances.
Kate Middleton's resilience shines amid privacy breach
The latest intrusion comes at a particularly sensitive time.
Kate Middleton has spent much of the past year out of the spotlight due to cancer treatment.
In March 2024, she publicly shared that she was undergoing treatment, a revelation that prompted an outpouring of support from around the world.
Despite her health challenges, the princess has slowly returned to public life with several solo appearances and a seemingly renewed vigor.
“She is the MVP of the royal family, and no one knew when she was going to come back,” said royal historian Amanda Foreman to People.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said, “It’s evident that she is feeling closer to 100% than one would have thought at this stage.”
“She has been very good at managing expectations, and it’s wise for her to downplay it a bit because when she does more than people anticipated, it has a greater impact," Smith added.
