Kate Middleton Bikini Baby Bump Photos 2013: Italian Magazine Stands By Its Decision, Pictures To Be Published In Australia

And the saga continues, the royal baby bump photo saga that is. Italian magazine Chi is standing by its decision to published the photos of a bikini-clad pregnant Duchess of Cambridge in its latest issue, while the photos have been picked up by American, Australian and European publications. In an interview with the BBC, Chi editor Alfonso Signorini said the photos are neither scandalous nor a breach of privacy.

"They are images of such unexceptional normality that there is only limited mention of them on the cover of the magazine," Signorini said. "The photographs, which can in no way be considered scandalous, were bought from an international photo agency do not harm the image of the protagonists and the reaction of the media seems to me wholly over the top."

Signorini continued, "Moreover, the photographs can hardly be considered an invasion of privacy when the subjects are public figures in a public place in the open air; specifically on a beach surrounded by other bathers."

According to the Daily Beast, the now infamous photos have been sold in at least four countries, including the United States. Australian magazine Woman's Day confirmed that it is running the photos in its new issue out on Monday.

This is not the first time photos of the royal and her husband, Prince William, on vacation have caused a stir. In September, French magazine Closer published photos of Middleton topless while she vacationed with her husband in southern France.

On Tuesday St. James' Palace issued a statement condemning the latest photos saying the royal family was, "disappointed that photographs of the Duke and Duchess on a private holiday look likely to be published overseas. This is a clear breach of the couple's right to privacy."

Meanwhile, in the UK, broadcaster ITV apologized for airing an unblurred image of the Chi magazine cover during it's This Morning program on Wednesday. A statement from the network read, "Unfortunately we accidentally showed an unblurred image of the magazine cover which briefly showed the photographs. This was a deeply regrettable error and we are very sorry. We apologize unreservedly to the Duke and the Duchess."