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MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: It’s nice to have you photo taken on your birthday. Unless you’re the girlfriend of the future King of England and there are rumors of a wedding in the air. Prince William’s latest companion Kate Middleton turned 25 yesterday and she was all but mobbed by photographers. Now News International Group, Rupert Murdoch’s British collection of tabloid papers including the Sun and News of the World, has banned the use of paparazzi photos. From London, Stephen Beard reports.

STEPHEN BEARD: Cameras to the right of her, cameras to the left, cameras in her face — Kate Middleton was virtually overwhelmed by paparazzi.

Not surprising really. A picture of Kate and William together will fetch at least $2,000.

Capture their first public kiss and you could be looking at more than $60,000. Publications with that picture on the cover could raise circulation by more than 50 percent.

That makes News International’s ban on paparazzi snaps of Kate all the more striking, says former tabloid editor Eve Pollard.

EVE POLLARD: Of course they are desperate for that photograph on the front page because it will sell papers. But you’ve got to worry about what you’re doing to this girl in between.

Analysts say that News International is worried about a possible public backlash.

Many Brits blame the paparazzi for hounding Princess Diana and causing her death in a car crash a decade ago.

In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.