Prince William and Kate's court victory over 'grossly intrusive' photos of family on holiday

A French court has found long-lens photos of Prince William, Kate and their children were "grossly intrusive", in a win for the Wales family.

The couple were holidaying in the French Alps in April with their three kids - Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 - when the photos were taken.

They were subsequently published by Paris Match magazine and posted on social media, which led the Prince and Princess of Wales to take action against the publication days later.

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A French court ruled the photos of the family enjoying time on the ski slopes were infringements on their privacy.

The court ordered Paris Match to publish a judicial notice acknowledging the breach of privacy and pay William and Kate's legal costs.

Kensington Palace acknowledged the win in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the couple are committed to protect "their private family time" and will not hesitate to take any action required "to enforce those boundaries".

"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 statement said.

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"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."

It's not the first time the couple have had a case in a French court over the publication of long-lens photography.

Kate was famously photographed sunbathing topless in a private garden, while she and Prince William stayed at a friend's place in Provence in 2012, which landed six people in court over their publication.

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were awarded €100,000 ($155,563) in 2017, with Closer magazine's editor and owner fined the maximum amount possible.

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