While vacationing, photos of Middleton sunbathing topless were captured by paparazzi and spread across the globe like wildfire. A French magazine published the photos later in the week, leading to the legal backlash of the century.

Middleton and the royal family pressed charges within hours of the published photos, and since that time, a French court has ordered the magazine to surrender all digital images and stop printing them.
Despite the quick cover-up, Middleton’s not out of the doghouse just yet. In the Internet age, once something is out there, there’s no getting rid of it.

Despite the outcome for the French tabloid, two other publications, one in Ireland and another in Italy, have now decided to publish the photos. The Irish Daily Star printed the photos shortly after they were leaked, while reports state the Italian magazine, Chi, published the same photos Tuesday.

In essence, the scandal is the perfect example of why teenagers always should be aware of their surroundings and consider all possible consequences of their actions. Middleton had no control over the photos that were taken of her, but there are plenty of teenage girls out there who make a conscious choice to take compromising photos of themselves. The excuses students make for such actions are endless, the most common being: “The person I sent it to would never show anyone.” In the end, the action involves placing too much trust into unworthy hands, putting many in an unpleasant position and giving them a questionable reputation.

Given the reaction the first time, there is no doubt that the royal family will pursue these publications and, given the outcome in the French lawsuit, it is clear what the outcome will be. But for how long can the royal family sue tabloids? Sure, they have the money, but at one point do they accept that the photos have been seen and will continue to be seen?

Although Middleton had the French courts on her side, I’d be hard-pressed to name a peer who can say the same. College students do not have managers or lawyers to clean up every mess they leave trailing behind them. So let this be a lesson to everyone— once something is out there, no matter how well-hidden, it is out there for good and there is no escaping it, even if you did marry the prince.