Copies of Closer featuring pictures of Kate Middleton have been removed from eBay (Picture: AFP/Getty)

The popular online auction site announced it is currently in the process of removing the controversial listings following ‘strong feedback’ from its community members.

Multiple listings of the magazine, the first publication to run the controversial pictures of
Kate Middleton sunbathing topless on a recent private holiday with husband Prince William, began appearing on Tuesday.

However eBay has moved quickly to remove the pictures, the publication of which have been condemned by St James’s Palace and large sections of the British public.

‘Following strong feedback from the eBay community, we will be removing these items, and are already in the process of doing so,’ a spokesman said.

The Duchess of Cambridge on tour in Funafuti in Tuvalu (Picture: AFP)

A ‘roaring trade’ in the magazines has been reported by several media outlets, with one individual offering to sell copies for £35 under the site’s Buy It Now feature.

Another added: ‘Closer magazine in French bought back from Paris today … has photos of the royals topless.’

Meanwhile Twitter users have also been using the networking site to distribute copies among themselves.

eBay has removed the controversial listings (Picture: eBay)

One user wrote: ‘If any of my followers are in France id appreciate it if they’d go to the shop buy a copy of closer magazine, i’ll dm my address.’

While another added: ‘I’m going to France to buy a few copies of Closer, does anyone want one?’

On Tuesday a French court
granted an injunction banning further publication of topless photos of the 30-year-old royal.

VIDEO: Chi editor defends publication of topless Kate photos

PICTURES: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continue tour