Pippa holds hands with mystery man in new Kate Middleton bikini snaps

Kate Middleton's baby bump has been the focus of attention, but now Pippa Middleton has been snapped holding hands with a new man…

Kate Middleton's baby bump has been at the centre of attention over the last few days, after the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was snapped sunning herself on a private beach in Mustique.

Now it seems it's sister Pippa Middleton's turn to take the limelight, after pictures of her holding hands with a mystery man have emerged.

KATE MIDDLETON BIKNI PICTURES PUBLISHED BY AN ITALIAN MAGAZINE

Italian magazine Chi, which also published the controversial pictures of pregnant Kate Middleton showing off her newly rounded figure in a bikini, are reported to have printed the photos, which show Pippa walking hand-in-hand with a mystery man on the beach.

In several shots, which show the youngest Middleton sister in a striped bikini, Pippa and her man are joined by her sister James.

Although the Middleton family's holiday island of Mustique is privately owned and paparazzi are banned, it seems eagle-eyed snappers managed to catch a handful of long-lens shots of the family as they relaxed on holiday.

Although the British media have declined to print the private photos, it's thought several magazines around the world have bought the rights, paying up to £100,000 for a series of the snaps.

Yesterday, Alfonso Signorini editor of Italian magazine Chi, the first publication to print the holiday shots, defended the magazine's controversial decision.

She said: ‘You cannot talk of a violation of privacy when we are publishing pictures taken in a public place in the open air such as a beach, where there are other swimmers.

‘In any case the Italian press doesn’t have a gentleman’s agreement with the [British] royal family.

‘It’s about a serene moment between a loving couple, smiling. Where is the scandal?’

Australian title Women's Day, who also caused a scandal with they printed private photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton on honeymoon, also announced plans to print the photos.

Ignoring the fact that William and Kate are holidaying on a private island, Editor Fiona Connolly said: ‘She is on a public beach and she was mingling with holiday makers. There are other holiday makers in the photos.

She added: ‘I think the British are very sensitive about this.

‘As Australians, we see this every day. We see pregnant women in bikinis on the beach – and a public one at that – so we are a lot less sensitive here in Australia.’

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What do you think of news that three more publications plan to print private photos of Kate Middleton showing off her baby bump on holiday? Are the British too sensitive, or are William and Kate entitled to their privacy? Let us know in the comments box below…

KATE MIDDLETON BIKNI PICTURES PUBLISHED BY AN ITALIAN MAGAZINE

KATE MIDDLETON SHOWS OFF BABY BUMP ON THE BEACH

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