British Prince William and Catherine, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, are considering legal action over topless photos of Catherine, a spokesman said. The couple are angered that the French magazine, Closer, published the photos taken last month when the duke and duchess were vacationing in Provence, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday. The photos represent "the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales," a statement from St. James Palace said. Aides to the royal couple said a "red line was crossed," and intimated the couple were considering suing the magazine and photographer for invasion of privacy. The royal family traditionally doesn't take legal action against media, the Telegraph said. "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," the statement said. "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 statement said. Officials said the swimming pool where the couple were sunbathing was in plain sight of a public road. "If two public figures chose to strip off in full view of a public road then they can expect to be pictured," a source at the magazine told the Telegraph, "and they were."