Poor Kate Middleton. She was laying near a pool dressed like millions of other English women on holiday -- in just a bikini bottom and a smile -- and now there is scandal and a stampede of headlines all of which seem to ignore just how normal her toplessness was. British women love to sunbathe topless while on holiday.
The reasons for this proclivity are varied. Many enjoy the chic Cote d'Azur look. Others hate wearing soggy bikini tops. Some like to show their boyfriend or husband that they've still got it and others just hate funny tan lines.
Whatever the reason, it's always fun and relaxing to topless sunbathe in the warm sunshine while on vacation. And many women feel swimsuit tops are about as welcome as bulky sweaters at pools and beaches.
In a 2010 survey by the UK website Skyscanner, 93% of respondents were in favor of top free sunbathing while on holiday.
And in June 2009, the English Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) reported the results of an official government survey of 30,000 citizens that 24% of females said they have sunbathed topless while abroad.
And Americans aren't that far behind in approving of topless sunbathing. In a Huffington Post story about Go Topless Day: Is America Ready For Topless Sunbathing? 72% of respondents were in favor of top free sunbathing.
As you can see, it's really is no big deal. Everyone does it in the south of France. Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez, you name it, on a sunny day, the tops come off.
However, if you're a Royal Princess, the paparazzi will stalk you. And polite rules of society don't matter to them. Sadly, Kate Middleton's privacy was invaded and she was photographed while sunbathing topless at a private villa in Provence, France. And the media is having a field day with this story.
It is my hope Prince William and Princess Kate tell the press that they were being completely proper and didn't do anything wrong by topless sunbathing outdoors. If the French can enjoy topless sunbathing, why can't the English? If men can go top free at pools and beaches, why can't women?
I hope the world realizes, everyone, both male and female has two breasts. So it's no big deal to bare them.
Duchess Kate, tell everyone you had fun. We both know the naysayers are just jealous they don't have the courage to sunbathe top free too.
Now, did you know, you too can topless sunbathe just like a princess in the U.S. Here is a brief guide to the best nude beaches In North America. Just make sure there aren't any photographers in the bushes.