Kate bikini photos published by magazine in Italy

The images show Catherine in a bikini walking on a beach on the island of Mustique with the Duke of Cambridge.

The palace said the latest publication was a "breach of the couple's right to privacy". Images are also planned for an Australian magazine on Monday, BBC reported.

Meanwhile, ITV apologised for showing an unblurred image of the magazine.

Mondadori, Chi's publishers, confirmed the magazine went on sale in Italy on Wednesday.

However, the magazine is not yet on sale in Rome because of distribution problems following snow in parts of the country.

The duchess, who is about four months pregnant, is pictured on the magazine's front cover in a bikini in the sea above the headline "the belly grows". In another image, she is pictured walking with her husband on the beach.

A St James's Palace spokesman said on Tuesday night, prior to the publication: "We are 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."

Full verson