Kate Middleton

Former News International Executive Rebekah Brooks has been cleared of illegally sanctioning a deal to purchase a picture of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge in a bikini while he was attending a 007 themed party with Kate Middleton, his then girlfriend in 2006.

Brooks took to the stand today to give evidence for the first time at the Old Bailey in the phone hacking trial. Judge Justice Sanders, who is presiding over the case, told the jury to acquit the 45 year-old of one charge of misconduct, though she faces four other counts.

Rebekah Brooks arriving at court (WENN)

The image was purchased from Brooks' contact at Sandhurst, where the Prince was completing his Army training, while she was editor of The Sun newspaper. The picture showed Prince William posing as a Bond girl wearing just a green bikini at the party which was held at the military academy.

Prince William was photographed wearing a bikini (WENN)

He was accompanied by Kate, his girlfriend of many years by then, who reportedly wore a wetsuit to the party, the MailOnline reports.

"I have decided there is no case to answer for Mrs Brooks on count four, that's the charge of the picture of Prince William in a bikini acquired by the Sun newspaper," Judge Justice Sanders told the court. "Whether or not there is a case to answer is for me to decide as a matter of law. I do not propose to tell you in any detail the reasons for my decision, he went on.

"But you may remember there was considerable uncertainty where the photo obtained by The Sun actually came from."

Details of Kate and William's relationship were revealed in the press (WENN)

It's not the first time privacy issues surrounding the royals has come up in the case. Messages left by William on Kate Middleton's phone when he called her "babykins" have also been discussed in the court.

He was reported to have said: "I've just picked up your message. Oh, my little Babykins! I hope you are all right."