From the moment Prince William, heir to the British throne, announced his engagement to Catherine "Kate" Middleton, international media zeroed in on her as the new celebrity. But ironically on Catherine's wedding day, fate intervened as Kate's sister Pippa Middleton won the spotlight, immediately becoming the darling of the paparazzi.

Since her entry onto the international radar, Pippa has become the most photographed member of the British royal family, despite not being a direct member. Her face and body have appeared in almost every popular international magazine, and she has been featured repeatedly on almost every entertainment, gossip, and news program.

Ever since the tragic death of Princess Diana, Prince William's mother, the paparazzi has been yearning for a replacement; someone who they can chase and haunt for photographs to sell for unbelievable sums.

It's no secret Prince William blames the paparazzi for his mother's death. A reported chase by paparazzi caused the fatal car crash that took Diana's life in 1997.

Shortly after William and Catherine were engaged, William announced he would have a "zero tolerance" policy with the paparazzi and would take immediate legal action if they breached the couple's privacy. It was reported that he and Catherine retained attorneys to take action if they felt the paparazzi breached this privacy, and would consider both criminal and civil action depending on the nature of any intrusion. The prince took steps to protect not only his wife from the media, but also her family. Prior to his wedding he sent a letter to royal correspondents that "the Middleton family remains private individuals."

But, although the paparazzi have been relatively restrained with Kate, this memo has either been lost or forgotten when it comes to the charming Pippa.

There are reports of publishers of newspaper and magazines receiving over 400 photographs of Pippa in one day. Everywhere she turns, just like Princess Diana, she is hounded by photographs. Editorials are constantly written about her dress, alleged romantic interests, and her most mundane activities. Her latest publicity storm circled around a photograph of her in Paris, showing her escort pointing what turns out to be a toy gun at the paparazzi, while Pippa laughs. The resounding international publicity has unnecessarily embarrassed Pippa and the royal family.

This is a lot of unwarranted pressure for a young, 28-year-old woman to bear, just because she is the sister-in-law of the future king of England.

Monaco's Princess Caroline managed to win a lawsuit against the paparazzi, preventing the German press from publishing photographs of her and her children following years of harassment. But as this harassment to celebrities continues, there should be efforts to establish international laws that provide more privacy from the media. It is a similar aggressive invasion of privacy by mainstream media that discourages quality candidates from pursing public office in the U.S.

The paparazzi and the media have caused significant damage to the life of celebrities. Restrain is needed so such individuals can live a semblance of normal lives. The ferocious publicity around celebrities like Pippa Middleton has become insane.