The Sun has become the first British newspaper to publish naked photos of Prince Harry, arguing the move was in the public interest and a test of Britain's free press.
The Sun has become the first British newspaper to publish naked photos of Prince Harry, arguing the move was in the public interest and a test of Britain's free press.
The pictures of the prince frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman in Las Vegas made headlines around the world but until now no papers in the UK had used them following a request from St James's Palace, made via the press watchdog, to respect Harry's privacy.
The Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid said it was carrying the pictures in today's edition so the millions of people who get their news in print or have no internet access could ''take a full part in that national conversation''.
One of the two naked images of the royal is splashed across the front page of the newspaper, just a day after the publication got a member of staff to pose for its front page in a mock up.
It carries the headline: ''Heir it is!'' with an editorial explaining the reasons behind their decision to print it.
It reads: ''The photos have potential implications for the Prince's image representing Britain around the world.
''There are questions over his security during the Las Vegas holiday. Questions as to whether his position in the Army might be affected. Further, we believe Harry has compromised his own privacy.''
The Sun said the pictures has implications for the Prince's image around the worldAdding it was ''vital'' that the paper ran the pictures, the editorial continued: ''The Prince Harry pictures are a crucial test of Britain's free Press.
''It is absurd that in the internet age newspapers like The Sun could be stopped from publishing stories and pictures already seen by millions on the free-for-all that is the web.''
St James's Palace said it was down to the editors of Britain's newspapers to decide whether they printed the controversial pictures.
A palace spokesman added: ''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.''
He said: ''The Sun is a responsible paper and it works closely with the royal family. We take heed of their wishes.
''We're also big fans of Prince Harry, he does a huge amount of work for this country and for the military and for the image of both of those institutions.
''We are not against him letting his hair down once in a while. For us this is about the freedom of the press.
''This is about our readers getting involved in discussion with the man who's third in line to the throne, it's as simple as that.''
The newspaper's decision to publish the images provoked mixed reaction among those both and in and outside the media industry.
Yesterday the paper stunted up the pictures using a reporter and an internFormer deputy prime minister Lord Prescott said The Sun had shown ''absolute utter contempt'' for the law and for the Lord Justice Leveson inquiry into media ethics.
''It is not about privacy. It is about money, money, money. And they know that by exclusively printing the pictures, assuming they are the only (British) paper which does, they will get everybody buying the paper to see this.''
Meanwhile, Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie welcomed the move.
''If Prince Harry with no clothes on in a Las Vegas hotel room surrounded by one naked woman and a load of other people he has just met in drinking-stripping game is not a story then it is hard to know what is,'' he told BBC2's Newsnight.
''He must realise that with his rather important role as a prince of our country and is number three (in line) to the throne that he has to carry various responsibilities.
''People should stop worrying about privacy and start worrying about what free speech will mean to this country if the Levesons and the Camerons of this country have their way.''
Until now, the public has been able to read about the prince's antics but to see the images has had to access the US-based celebrity gossip website TMZ that broke the story, or scores of other internet pages across the globe.
It was widely believed that editors had shied away from publishing the photos in respect of past rulings on privacy along with the ongoing Leveson Inquiry.
Ireland's Evening Herald was one publication that bucked the trend, splashing a picture of the prince on Wednesday's front page.
Harry is believed to be back in BritainIts deputy editor Ian Mallon said it had carried the image out out a duty to the readers.
Despite The Sun's stance on the issue, the majority of UK publications are still refraining from printing the images.
Its main rival The Mirror said it took the decision not to publish the pictures as doing so would be ''in clear breach'' of the Press Complaints Commission's Editors' Code of Practice, regarding intrusion of privacy.
A poll by the red-top found 63% of people believed UK newspapers should not be banned from printing the pictures.
The Independent also followed in the footsteps of The Mirror, saying there was an issue of privacy relating to the images.
The Press Complaint Commission said it would investigate the matter ''following normal procedures'' if it received any complaints.
TMZ said the photos were taken last Friday after the prince and his entourage met some women in a hotel bar and invited them up to the royal's suite.
The group played a stripping game and someone in the party is thought to have captured the images of the naked prince on a camera phone.
In the first photograph, which is published on the Sun's front page, the royal is shown wearing just a necklace and a wristband with his hands around his genitals as a seemingly topless woman stands close behind him.
The nude prince is shown in another picture shielding himself behind an unknown woman who is also naked, with his bare bottom facing the camera.
But there is no suggestion that anything other than horseplay is going on between the royal and the unnamed woman.
Although the incident is embarrassing for Harry, who is due to embark on the next phase of his military career, there are unlikely to be any serious consequences for him beyond accusations of a lack of judgment.
If any action is taken against the 27-year-old, an Army officer and Apache helicopter pilot, it would be down to his commanding officer to make the decision.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
