Italian magazine CHI defended printing pictures (much to the chagrin of St James' palace) of the hard-working royal couple because they are a public couple in a public place.
However clause 3 of the PCC Editor's Code of Practice notes: Private places are public or private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
This defence was used in the 1998 McCartney vs Hello case which saw Sir Paul McCartney complain to the PCC about Hello Magazine taking pictures of his family inside Notre Dame (Paris) where Sir McCartney and children sought spiritual comfort following the death of his first wife Linda McCartney.
The PCC upheld this complaint on clause 3 and Hello magazine apologised.
Unfortunately for our amorous private couple, the Italian media no doubt thinks otherwise. St James' palace should strongly advise the royal duo against holidaying in Italy. One cringes what photos may be made public.
The British media still reeling from the after shocks of the hacking scandal and Leveson enquiry have all cowered into a corner like frightened bed wetting children refusing to re-print any of the published photos so widely available on the internet.
