Royal Family

The editor of the French magazine that ran topless photos of Kate Middleton is suggesting she has SEX PHOTOS of the Royal couple in her possession but has decided not to run them ... yet.

Closer editor Laurence Pieau revealed the bombshell today while defending her decision to publish the topless pics of Kate ... saying "I won't hide the fact that there are more intimate pictures that exist that we haven't published and will not publish. These images are full of joy, not degrading."

She didn't specifically say sex pics ... but she didn't have to. It's pretty clear what she meant.

So why would she even tell the public about the unseen "intimate" photos?

Kate Middleton and Prince William have declared war on the French magazine that published naked photos of the future Queen of England -- filing a lawsuit today against the publication.

A rep for St. James's Palace released a statement saying that "legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France" by the royal couple.

So far, it's unclear what relief they are seeking.

As we reported, the family had threatened legal action over the topless photos published today by France's Closer magazine, showing a topless Kate on vacation with Prince William recently.

Now, they've made good on their word.

Moments after the pic went public, the Royal Family issued a statement, claiming, "Their royal highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner."

For the magazine's part -- Closer's editor Laurence Pieau has spoken out, calling the media "hypocritical" for condemning her decision to run the pictures.

Kate Middleton is furious over the release of topless pics taken while on vacation with Prince William in France ... and now the Royal Family is threatening to sue someone's ass over it.

The pics -- published by the French magazine Closer -- show Kate taking off her bikini top while hanging out with William last week at a chateau owned by the Queen's nephew, Lord Linley.

Moments after the pic went public, the Royal Family issued a scathing statement ... saying "Their royal highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner."

In the statement, the Royal Fam said the incident is "reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales" ... who died in a car crash while fleeing from the paparazzi in France back in 1997.

The Royal statement continued, "Their royal highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them."

"Officials acting on behalf of their royal highnesses are consulting with lawyers to consider what options may be available to the Duke and Duchess."

"The Duke and Duchess remain focused currently on their tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu on behalf of the Queen."

Closer magazine has a UK version as well, which IMMEDIATELY DISTANCED itself from its French counterpart, saying it would "like to make it clear that the two publications make entirely independent editorial decisions. In this respect the comments made by the Editor of the French edition which have reported in the media today do not reflect the opinions of Closer magazine UK."

"Closer magazine UK takes its obligations under the PCC Code extremely seriously and would never publish topless images of a member of the Royal family on its cover or otherwise."

Prince Harry is being targeted for death in Afghanistan ... so says a rep for the Taliban (yes, they have a rep).

Harry -- a helicopter pilot in the British military -- is currently on a 4 month tour in Afghanistan ... where he is reportedly fighting Taliban insurgents on the front lines.

Obviously, his presence has pissed off the Taliban ... and now terrorist spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tells Reuters the group has made it a top priority to kill or kidnap the Prince.

"We are using all our strength to get rid of him, either by killing or kidnapping," Mujahid said during a phone interview either conducted in a cave ... or a suburb in Pakistan.

During the interview, Mujahid referred to the Taliban plans as the "Harry Operations" ... added, "We have informed our commanders in Helmand to do whatever they can to eliminate him."

Prince Harry has been shipped out to Afghanistan to begin a 4-month combat tour for the British military ... but the Royal Family INSISTS the move is not a punishment for his naked exploits in Vegas.

The 27-year-old arrived today at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan ... and according to reports, he will begin work as an Apache co-pilot and gunner within 10 days.

A rep for the military released a statement saying, "Captain Wales is a serving soldier and a qualified Apache pilot having completed the Apache Conversion to Role course earlier this year."

"As such, and after further flying experience, he has deployed along with the rest of the squadron as part of a long-planned and scheduled deployment to provide support to ISAF and Afghan forces operating in Helmand."

The spokesperson adds, "Prince Harry's time in Las Vegas was his last break before the frontline."

Kate Middleton's second cousin once (clothing) removed Katrina Darling is following in Prince Harry's X-rated footsteps and getting naked for the camera too.

Katrina -- who as of earlier this year hadn't ever met the Duchess of Cambridge -- was barely dressed as the Statue of Liberty and once again brought her risque burlesque performance to a NYC club on Wednesday.

Spotted: A bunch of Prince Harry wannabes in cheap paper masks

Location: Encore Beach Club in Vegas ... the same hotel where the REAL Prince Harry got naked with a bunch of chicks last month.

Prince Harry seems to have started a trend ... because it appears his grandfather just gave the world a royal wiener flash of his own.

91-year-old Prince Philip was hangin' out in a kilt during the Gathering for the Highland Games in Scotland this weekend ... when he decided to unleash his one-eyed Loch Ness Monster on the masses.

Philip was sitting near his wife, Queen Elizabeth, during the event -- the first time P.P. has been seen in public since suffering a bladder infection a few weeks ago.

God Save the Queen.

With a smirk on his face, Prince Harry was caught cupping a blue ball with two hands at a Women's Goalball match at the Paralympic Games in London on Monday.

This is the Prince's second clothed public appearance since TMZ published nude photos of him partying in Las Vegas last month.

Looks like Harry's got a good grip on the situation.

Going out in public for the first time since TMZ published nude photos of him in Las Vegas, a clothed Prince Harry showed up today to the WellChild Awards ... which are being held at the InterContinental Hotel in London.

The event is held annually and honors the lives of the young people and the doctors and nurses who care for them.

As TMZ first reported, Prince Harry vowed he would appear at some point during this week's 2012 Paralympic Games in London, though it was unclear which event he would show up to first.

Here's the breakdown -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ the lead agency will be the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which falls under the State Department. According to their website, "In the United States, the Bureau protects the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and foreign dignitaries below the head-of-state level who visit the United States."

On the local side, we're told the LAPD Elite Metro division will be working to not only keep the Royals safe, but on making sure crowds (including the paparazzi) behave. As TMZ first reported, cops in L.A. plan on cracking down hard on the paps during William and Kate's stay.

There will also be private security, plainclothes cops and CHP officers to help usher the Royals around town.

Two LAPD cops and a member of the State Dept. are telling residents in Hancock Park, William and Kate will be attending a bash thrown by BAFTA -- the British Academy of Film and Television Arts -- and law enforcement plans on coming down on paparazzi like a hammer, arresting anyone who trespasses on private property to get a shot.

The trio is going door-to-door in the area surrounding the British Consulate, smack in the middle of Hancock Park.

One resident was told the event would be held on July 9.

The pair of panties came in to the possession of a famous Miami playboy named "Baron" Joseph de Bicske Dobronyi -- or Sepy, as he was known. As the story goes, Sepy got them from a friend after they were left on a private plane when the Queen visited Chile in 1968.

Sepy passed away back in June and now the estate plans on auctioning off this piece of Royal memorabilia. We're told the estate will offer them up to the same auction house that sold Queen Victoria's undies back in 2008, and they hope to get the same price -- around $9,000.

The royal family announced the engagement this morning and the buzz in England is that the wedding will be at least as big as Princess Diana's. Middleton is described as upper-middle class but not top drawer in social circles.

William popped the question in October in Kenya after asking Kate's father for permission and the royal wedding is scheduled for spring or summer 2011 in London.

First A-Roid ... then Manny ... now Queen Elizabeth herself has been injected into a scandal involving a performance enhancing substance.

It's all over a racehorse owned by the Queen -- officials in England claim the horse, named Moonlit Path, tested positive for a banned substance after a race in March. But here's the catch: Moonlit Path didn't even win the race -- it finished 6th.

The Queen's peeps have already come up with an excuse, claiming Moonlit Path only got the prohibited acid -- which is also used to treat excessive bleeding -- in the best interests of the "horse's welfare."