Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are set to tour the north east of England next week for the couple's first public appearance together in the UK since topless photos of the Duchess were printed in international tabloids.
The royal couple were left “furious” after images taken while the couple sunbathed during a recent holiday to the Provence region of France were splashed across the front cover of at least six publications, beginning with French Closer magazine in mid September.
But rather than hide away, Kate and her husband will be back to royal duties next week just a fortnight after returning from an exhausting nine day tour to South East Asia.
Kate and Will will arrive in Newcastle next Wednesday where they will meet people involved in the London Olympic Games and pupils from Percy Hedley School, which teaches children with cerebral palsy, at Newcastle’s Civic Centre, Clarence House have announced.
They will also meet representatives from Newcastle University, as well as visit to a drug rehabilitation recovery service and meeting families involved with Action on Addiction’s Moving Parents and Children Together. Kate became a patron of the group, Action on Addiction, who work with children who's parents are drug users, in January this year.
Kate and Will during a walkabout on their royal tour to South East Asia (WENN)
Following the release of the images, which were widely condemned, Clarence House issued a statement comparing the treatment of Kate to William's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car accident while being pursued by paparazzi.
It said: “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.
“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.”
Kate And Wills Wow South East Asia
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