Tabloid Bild publishes picture of Kate Middleton’s bare bottom

A German newspaper has stirred a royal controversy by publishing a photograph of the Duchess of  Cambridge’s bare bottom.

A picture of the Duchess of Cambridge exposing her bare bottom has been published online by a German newspaper.

This paparazzi move is likely to spark another privacy row between Clarence House and member of the European media.

The image was taken by photographer Diane Von Furstenberg during the recent Royal tour of Australia, who captured the revealing shot after wind from a helicopter, blew up Kate’s skirt.

This was during the couple's visit in the Blue Mountains near Sydney.

Bild.com published the shot in an online editorial, alongside similar pictures from a Royal tour of Canada in 2011.

The headline reads: "Clothes ban for Kate?"

The feature states: "Photos show our favourite Duchess Kate, 32, in the Australian Blue Mountains. The rotor blades of the royal helicopter swirl the air so that Kate's summer dress blew up – giving a clear view of her beautiful bum!"

The picture is revealing — and it is not clear whether the royal has underwear.

British magazines and newspapers refused to publish them so they were sold overseas in a frantic bidding war, selling for an unknown price.

(Getty)

Kate and William have faced numerous battles to protect their privacy by preventing the publication of photographs.

In 2012, the Prince and Duchess launched a legal case against French magazine Closer that published topless shots of the Duchess taken while she was on holiday in Provence Chateaux.

Clarence House releases a statement comparing that publication with the “worst excesses of the paparazzi during Diana’s life.”

So far, Clarence House has refused to comment on the Bild picture, which British papers reportedly refused to run.

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