( CNN ) -- The editor of the Irish Daily Star resigned Saturday `` as a result of the publication on 15 September 2012 , '' which revealed topless photos of the duchess of Cambridge , according to a statement from the paper . The images showed Catherine , Duchess of Cambridge , sunbathing , igniting a firestorm of controversy in the British media and stern comments from Buckingham Palace . Michael O'Kane had been suspended earlier , following the publication . Angry royals take topless photo battle to court . Palace officials quickly blasted the images and their publication in what they called a `` grotesque '' invasion of privacy . The grainy pictures appear to have been taken with a long camera lens while the duchess and her husband Prince William were staying at a private chateau in Provence in southern France . St. James 's Palace officials said in September that they `` believe a red line has been crossed . '' The palace confirmed that the couple is taking legal action . When to publish , when not ...
One showed duchess ##es with Prince Charles in southern France . The grainy pictures appear to be taken with a long range lens . French officials quickly blasted the images , calling them a ` ` grotesque '' invasion of privacy .