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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received an apology from a news agency that used drones to take “intrusive and illegal” photographs of their son Archie, the couple’s lawyer said.
Harry Y Meghan claimed the images were an invasion of privacy and took legal action in Los Angeles in July.
In their lawsuit, the couple said an individual had photographed Archie, then 14 months old, at his home during the coronavirus emergency shutdown.
Harry and Meghan with baby Archie
On Thursday, his attorney Michael Kump said the responsible agency, X17, had apologized and agreed to a “refund of legal fees.”
He added: “Over the summer, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cracked down on intrusive and illegal paparazzi photos taken of their family at a private residence.
“Today, the agency responsible for those photos – X17 – apologized and agreed to a permanent injunction and reimbursement of legal fees.
“This is a successful outcome. All families have the right, protected by law, to feel safe at home.”
The photos in question were of Archie and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court court documents.
Meghan reading to Archie when he turned one. Photo: Sussex Royal
X17 agreed to hand over the photos to Harry and Meghan and to destroy any copies in their files or databases.
It has also pledged never again to traffic in photos of the couple or their child taken with drones, zoom or telephoto lenses “in any private residence or on the surrounding private land.”
Harry and Meghan claimed in their lawsuit that they lived “undisturbed” in North Saanich, Canada, for six weeks before the media published their new location.
They said the published photos caused “up to 40 paparazzi and media organizations to descend on this peaceful community from hundreds of miles away.”
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The couple claimed that the drones had flown 20 feet above their home up to three times a day and that some photos of Archie were sold.
The helicopters also flew over the residence at 5.30 in the morning and until 7 in the afternoon, which according to legal documents had the effect of “waking up the neighbors and their son, day after day.”
The photographers allegedly punched holes in the security fence, according to the lawsuit.
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The lawsuit claims the former royal couple want to do what is “necessary to protect their children from this fabricated feeding frenzy.”
Harry and Meghan, who announced they would be stepping down as royals in March, say they “don’t seek any special treatment” and just want the right to privacy.
Meghan is also suing Associated Newspapers, editor of The Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, for articles that published parts of a “private and confidential” letter from the Duchess to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
