Julie Bowen thinks people need to "get over" the topless pictures of Britain's Duchess of Cambridge.

French magazine Closer printed the intimate images of Catherine Middleton enjoying a holiday in Provence with her husband Prince William earlier this month - much to the anger of the palace.

Julie, who received the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards yesterday, has made light of the furore surrounding the snaps.

"Maybe if I get a little topless [and] you take my picture and sell it, then I'm royalty, right?" the Modern Family star quipped to Entertainment Tonight at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

"Poor Kate Middleton... I don't understand all this taking our tops off everywhere we go, but it's European... They are boobs; let's get over it, people!"

The royal family did not take the leaked pictures in such good humour, filing an official complaint against the French publication.

Julie says her upbringing taught her to take a firm stance on the pitfalls of fame and publicity.

"I was raised with people who believe you should only be in the papers when you get married and when you die," she explained.

"It's good, but it's definitely asking for it where I'm from."