A French magazine on Friday published topless pictures of British Prince William's wife Catherine taken while the pair were on holiday in France, in a move met with dismay by the royal couple, AFP said.

Announcing a world exclusive, Closer magazine invited readers on its website to pick up he new edition to enjoy "the photos that the world can't wait to see; the Duchess of Cambridge topless on a guesthouse terrace".

The magazine published the front cover and five-page photos feature what appeared to be the young couple together with Kate wearing just the bottoms of a black and white bikini.

The revealing photos of the British Princess have been published in less than a month after the publication of nude photos of William's brother Harry.

The snaps were taken on the terrace of the Autet Chateau in the southern French region of Provence where William and Kate were said to have been on vacation last week.The magazine said the chateau was owned by Viscount Linley, the son of Queen Elizabeth's late sister Princess Margaret.

The couple are currently in Malaysia. AFP quoteda source travelling with them as saying that "their royal highnesses were saddened to learn about the alleged photos". nepalnews.com