Don't Shoot the Royal Baby

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Kate's baby bump has been scrutinized endlessly, leaving us all wondering-what's in there and when can we see it? After Kate gives birth, we may have to wait until for the royal family's big reveal. And unless photographers and publishers want to get sued, they should keep their distance from the royal family.

When Prince William attended college at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, it was widely reported that he had struck a gentleman's agreement with England's Press Complaints Commission to authorize photographs at official functions and events a few times a year in exchange for his privacy on campus. Throughout the years, as Prince William and Kate Middleton continued their courtship, this agreement continued-except for a few noticeable breaches, which were often blamed on freelance photographers unaffiliated with any one magazine.

The most recent violation occurred of course, when the French magazine Closer published photographs of Middleton sunbathing topless on vacation with Prince William last spring. Not only did Kate and William sue upon publication, but they won the lawsuit. That incident may have a major impact on how photos of the royal baby are handled when Kate gives birth later this summer- but it won't mean that unscrupulous members of the paparazzi won't do everything in their power to get the first shot.

"I'd like to say that the paparazzi are more respectful of a royal baby than a celebrity baby, but frankly, that won't be the case. The race to get the first picture of this child will be brutal because the money will be so high," explains Jo Piazza, executive news director of Us Weekly and author of Celebrity, Inc: How Famous People Make Money. Piazza estimates that the photos will fetch upwards of $10,000,000-especially for an early, pre-authorized picture. "This is hands down the most interesting baby since Angelina and Brad had Vivienne and Knox in 2008." Still, the threat of a lawsuit may make mainstream publications nervous about publishing pictures without the consent of the royal couple.

Regardless, to ward off pesky photogs-and retain control over image rights, Piazza says Will and Kate will be extremely careful about who they spend time with during the first few weeks after the birth-even going so far as to make their friends, acquaintances, and hospital staff they may come in contact with sign non-disclosure agreements. In addition, security measures at whatever hospital she plans to give birth at will be incredibly high, especially in light of the incident last December when prank callers were given private information about Kate's health while she was hospitalized for morning sickness.

Right now, there's been no official announcement as to where Kate will give birth. Some news outlets claim she'll have her baby at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, where Prince William was born. According to others, she'll head to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, close to her parents.

Wherever she decides to go, it's guaranteed that paparazzi will be camped out for however long it takes to snap some sort of photo of the Royal Baby. Unless, that is, Kate takes a page from Angelina Jolie's playbook and heads to a remote part of Africa to give birth.