Stolen photos in France: Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales's latest torment

BarcelonaUnfortunately for Harry and Meghan, what William and Catherine do always makes the news. And they don't have to make fools of themselves, as they do for themselves. The future King of the British and his wife are two click-through and magazine-selling machines, and that, while wonderful for the monarchy they've come to prop up, is a disgrace for their private lives. Ever since they became an official couple—or perhaps even before—the press has been following them closely and capturing them in situations they wouldn't want to be public. Sometimes it all ends in nothing, thanks to a good palace negotiation. But other times, there's no stopping it, and the photos they never wanted taken of them end up published for the enjoyment of the general public, who see them in couple mode or, for a few years now, in parent mode.

This happened to them again last week, when photos taken without their consent—a long-standing snafu—ended up published on Paris MatchThe quintessential gossip magazine of the French Republic has shown them living the life of ordinary people on the ski slopes of Courchevel, in the French Alps, where they had already been seen years before, as one of their flagship ski resorts is located there. The first time they were known to have gone was in 2016. Although at that time they only traveled with their two oldest children because the third had not yet existed. Their firstborn, Jordi, had not yet turned three, and his middle sister, Carlota, was a baby less than a year old. At that time, it was revealed that they had gone, but the press did not obtain any photos, something that has not happened this time.

In the images that he has published Paris Match Guillem and Caterina from Gales can be seen sliding down the slopes, protected by helmets and goggles, as well as relaxing in rest areas, where they can be seen chatting with each other and their children. The French publication selected a photo of them enjoying their couple's life for its cover, demonstrating the popular interest generated by the report.

Irritation in Kensington

According to The TelegraphThis report published by the French magazine would not have pleased the heirs of Charles and Camilla, who are reportedly considering suing the publication for having unduly intruded into their privacy. Or to put it another way: they don't want to give even a millimeter of their unofficial life to the general public. It's not hard to imagine that this decision is the result of bitter memories of the press's persecution of William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who ended her days precisely while being harassed by photographers. It's understandable that the British heir doesn't want to continue living under that yoke for the rest of his life, and also that he doesn't want his children to suffer the same punishment he suffered as a child, against which he feels he wasn't sufficiently protected. In fact, we all remember when he was made to walk behind his mother's coffin in front of the world's cameras, to give just one example.

That said, no matter how justified their trauma is, and no matter how justified the protection they want to give their children, I don't know to what extent going to court would be justified. In fact, it sounds more like a threat than a real intention. They're probably aware that they can't do it because they know they have nothing to gain and that the ridicule would be too great if they went and lost the bet. In this case especially, it's possible that the alleged intention is untrue, since they would have to go to a French court where they would clearly be treated with much less reverence than in the courts of their own country.

Between protecting and attacking

I find it logical and understandable that they would use every resource to intensify the protection of their children from the prying cameras of the paparazzi, since it is neither desirable nor fair that any child should have to go through what William and his brother Harry had to go through—who, after all, is explaining something that he has legally assured himself he can explain—nor is it entirely fair. To get rich, if you agree to make advertisements that have nothing to do with the professional facet that has made you famous by exploiting your fame, if you give interviews to television programs where they pay you to talk about everything except your job, if you go to parties full of tabloids to pass for the photocall and they interview you to further expand your fame as a character, you don't have much right to complain if it turns out that people want to know more about you.

The double face of (real) fame

The real version is completely identical to that of other celebrities, except for one thing: the financial benefit doesn't come in the form of immediate income in their bank accounts, but rather in the form of a popularity that keeps the institution that guarantees their well-being, both for them and their extended family, alive. In the present and the future. In fact, when it comes time to carry out official acts, they don't hesitate for a moment to exploit their children's image to increase society's affection and empathy for their family. They dress them in fashion, train them to appear smiling, program them to greet others, and are fully aware that they must get along... They do the same thing as a couple when they post romantic and affectionate images on their Instagram accounts to publicly congratulate each other on Mother's Day, Father's Day, or birthdays... exposed?

That's why you can't try to exploit parts of people's personal lives or promote an image of closeness to the people for your own benefit, only to then get so irritated that you leak that legal action will be taken when someone records them in a public space doing something as innocent as skiing or walking in the snow. If there's so much concern for the lives of the children at home, perhaps it would be a good idea to keep them out of the game until they come of age. Perhaps that would be the most desirable thing for their well-being. But of course, the return on their exposure is enormous for the institution.

If the family as a whole enters the game of the commercial battle to increase theengagement It's not worth blaming the media. The blame would, in any case, be shared. It's neither fair nor proportionate to pursue media outlets that merely follow the path forged by the protagonists. And even more so in this case, where they are currently treated with such care. Complaining and threatening is unfairly victimizing oneself, since this position ignores the enormous profit they make from the other side of their fame.