Prince William’s Lawyers are fighting back against British media regarding an alleged affair the prince had while his wife, Duchess Kate Middleton, was pregnant with their youngest child.
William’s attorneys of London law firm Harbottle and Lewis sent a letter to one British publication threatening legal action, according to a report published Wednesday by The Daily Beast.
The lawyers specifically pointed out that the publication would not be allowed to publish any more stories about the long-standing rumor that the prince cheated on Middleton.
“In addition to being false and highly damaging, the publication of false speculation in respect of our clients’ private life also constitutes a breach of his privacy pursuant to Article 8 of the European Convention to Human Rights,” the letter reads. (RELATED: Prince Harry’s Split From Prince William: ‘It Was Only Going To Work Until They Married’)
The publication alleged Prince William had the affair with neighbor and Marchioness of Cholmondeley Rose Hanbury. The two families used to be a part of the same social circle, but it’s been recently reported that the group has had a falling out.
The royal family’s decision to take action against publications isn’t normal, said former royal editor of The Sun Duncan Larcombe.
“The use of a legal letter by William as a future king is very much a move of last resort,” Larcombe told The Daily Beast, adding, “If the stories of Kate freezing Rose out are true, then whatever caused the falling out must have been very serious.”
He continued, “While traditionally, the British royal family would not take specific legal action — the old saying was ‘never complain and never explain’ — William and Harry are willing to do it in their own way.”