On Thursday, newspapers in Britain did not publish the images of Queen Elizabeth's grandson naked with an unnamed woman while on holiday in Las Vegas, following a request from St James's Palace, the official residence of the prince, through the Press Complaints Commission to respect his privacy.
But, almost half of the front page of Friday's Sun newspaper shows a photograph of the naked prince covering up his genitals with his hands while an apparently naked woman hides behind his back in a Las Vegas hotel room.
The Sun, part of the British arm of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, said millions of people around the world had already seen the pictures and its readers had a right to see them.
David Dinsmore, managing editor of the Sun, said in a video on the paper's website that the decision to publish was not taken lightly, but the issue had become one of "the freedom of the press."
"This is about the ludicrous situation where a picture can be seen by hundreds of millions of people around the world on the Internet but can't be seen in the nation's favorite paper read by eight million people every day," Dinsmore said.
"This is about our readers getting involved in the discussion with the man who is third in line to the throne - it's as simple as that," he said.
Two pictures of the naked prince, who has a reputation as a partying playboy, were first published on the celebrity gossip website TMZ on Wednesday.
Their publication has since caused an ethical dilemma for British editors reeling from a judge-led inquiry into press conduct.
St James's Palace had contacted the Press Complaints Commission on Wednesday over concerns about the prince's privacy being intruded upon, in breach of the editors' code of practice.
"We have made our views on Prince Harry's privacy known. Newspapers regulate themselves, so the publication of the photographs is ultimately a decision for editors to make," the BBC quoted a spokesman for the royal family as saying on Friday.
Thursday's edition of the Sun carried a mocked up photo using their features picture editor and an intern in place of Harry -- son of heir-to-the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana -- and the unnamed woman.
COMMENTS (15)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713853507-0/MalalaHilary-(2)1713853507-0-270x192.webp)
@Deborah Whittaker: u are so right. He should be left alone. Not because he is a royal, that means the press must pry into his private life. He is a "lovely down to earth guy," indeed. True. U should have seen how he partied when he visited Jamaica and hung out with our athlete, Usain Bolt. He just wants to be normal. His mother was down to earth too. The media should leave him alone and go and write about other important matters.
I am very disappointed in Harry. I think the quote "To whom much is given, much is expected" applies to this young man. What was he thinking? He has grown up with technology he must have realized that he could have been photographed. Has he no respect for his family, what will this do to Prince Phillip, his grandfather, surely he can't discipline men under him in the military when the men are aware of his antics. He choose not to respect his family, and his role in society and all the adoring public when he flaunts the rules in this manner he is NOT a boy but a grown man of twenty-seven, grow up Harry.
I think what is going on with Harry is a results of him been cage, with little freedom to live a normal life.. so any little opportunity given to him will be abuse. But let us ask ourselves. Can Harry behave like this in the time of King James.. that translated the Bible to English language.. The then King said in Proverbs 29:3.. whosoever loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance
Party till the end brother...
Prince Harry should be left alone. Really, do we care that much about him letting his hair down? Its just an embarassment to think people really care that much Take him for what he is a lovely down to earth guy, who happens to be a royal x deb from oz x
I'm surprised that even in this day and age we have kings and queens. Maybe Mankind dosen't want to grow up!.
ET is SUN of Pakistan!
This is a great Royal tradition (esp in the UK). Nothing wrong with it.
What happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas for Harry :)
Nudity is never fashion. Classification emerges them so. Classification compels them else they are called 'the cheapo' or so or nerd; which are not so appreciable words.
They are not common people, The Royals, and must live like Royals, bit different from common masses, and avoid such things on public places.
The publication of photos is not wrong but The Royal family members should be carefull of all their doings. Being the prominent figure they are watched by every one and nowadays mobile cameras capture all the events.
Any action against newspaper may be viewed as attack on freedom of Journalism. These pictures are available on Net and if published in Newspaper than whats worng?
It is suggested that the Royal Family members should avoid such things in future and keep all the dirty things inside the boundary where no one can intrude.
Nudity emerging as a fashion amongst elites all over the world, even royals found helpless to avoid the menace! Such a superior “GEM” going to be added to the royal crown BTW!
I waiting for the pictures of our corrupt politician's family as well...