Prince Harry Awarded “Significant Sum” in Legal Settlement Over Photos Taken of His Home

From Town & Country

In January, paparazzi agency Splash News chartered a helicopter to take aerial photographs of Prince Harry's Oxfordshire home. The resulting images, which were published in numerous publications, featured views of "the living area and dining area of the home and directly into the bedroom."

Following the photos' syndication, Harry and Meghan Markle were forced to move out of the privately rented house. Harry chose to bring a legal case against Splash News, drawing a line in the sand for how far he and Meghan will allow the press to intrude.

A statement read in court detailed the terms of Harry's out-of-court settlement, and explained how the photos had harmed the couple. "The syndication and publication of the photographs very seriously undermined the safety and security of the duke and the home to the extent that they are no longer able to live at the property," it read.

Today, Harry was awarded a "significant" (though undisclosed) sum of money in damages. "The duke was awarded a significant sum towards damages and legal fees, which will be put towards a donation to charity and covering the duke’s legal costs," a spokeswoman for Prince Harry told the Guardian.

Splash News has issued a public apology, noting, "this situation represents an error of judgement and we have taken steps to ensure it will not be repeated." Harry has offered a statement in response, saying that he "acknowledges and welcomes the formal apology."

Royal reporter Victoria Murphy noted on Twitter that Harry's decision to pursue legal action could be a sign of things to come. It "very much sets the tone that The Sussexes won’t hesitate to take action in the future if they feel there is unjust intrusion into their family life," she wrote.

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