Miss France 2008 will not be stripped of her crown, despite the publication of some suggestive photographs has triggered outrage and debate.

Valerie Begue, 22, from Reunion, will keep the title she won Dec. 8, but will not be allowed to take part in upcoming international competitions, Miss France organizers said Friday.

Begue won the beauty pageant on Dec. 8, but risked losing her award after a French scandal magazine printed a risque series of pictures showing her lasciviously licking yoghurt off a wall and lying in a bathing suit on a cross.

The head of the Miss France contest, Genevieve de Fontenay, had earlier called for Begue to immediately renounce her title. But Begue refused, saying the photographs, taken three years ago, had been published without her consent.

Reunion has rallied on Begue's behalf, with politicians and even the Bishop of Reunion leading the call for their island queen to keep her crown.

(Agencies via Xinhua January 3, 2008)