Royal Watch News

Duchess Catherine's first UK public appearance since topless photos

Oct 9, 2012, 11:02 GMT

The Duchess of Cambridge

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made their first public appearance in the UK since the topless photo controversy.

The royal couple visited London's Middle Temple, one of the four ancient Inns of Court, on their first official engagement since revealing topless pictures of Duchess Catherine holidaying in France were published in foreign gossip publications.

The duchess - formerly known as Kate Middleton prior to the couple's nuptials - and Prince William put the incident behind them to launch a scholarship for disadvantaged law students which was set up in their name.

William was made an honorary barrister at Middle Temple three years ago and is the sixth member of the royal family to be made a Royal Bencher.

Following the publication of the topless pictures, William and Catherine were left 'saddened' by the 'grotesque' invasion of their privacy, but the duchess is determined to uphold her growing public role and scheduled appearances.

French magazine Closer was heavily sanctioned for publishing paparazzi shots of the 30-year-old royal without her bikini top on.

Catherine will represent the royal family without William tomorrow (10.10.12) when she visits Teesside and Tyneside. The prince has been forced to pull out of the scheduled visit to attend the funeral of his and Prince Harry's former nanny Olga Powell, who died last month aged 82.