Prince Harry Accepts Settlement After News Agency Took Revealing Photos of His Property, Driving Him and Meghan From Their Home

Prince Harry, Damages
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex waves to well-wishers as he leaves the OXSRAD Disability Sports and Leisure Centre on May 14, 2019 in Oxford, England. Daniel Leal-Olivas - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has reportedly accepted damages after a news agency flew a helicopter over his Cotswolds home in the U.K. to take photographs.

According to Sky News, the prince accepted a "significant" settlement and an apology from Splash News and Picture Agency.

At a previous hearing, London's Royal Court of Justice was told images had been taken of the couple's living and dining areas, as well as the property's bedroom, The Telegraph reported.

Barrister Gerrard Tyrrell said the photos made the couple feel unable to live at their home, adding: "The syndication and publication of the photographs very seriously undermined the safety and security of the duke and the home."

"The property had been chosen by the duke for himself and his wife given the high level of privacy it afforded given its position in a secluded area surrounded by private farmland away from any areas to which photographers have access," Tyrell added.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the duke "acknowledges and welcomes the formal apology from Splash News and Picture Agency." The photos, the Sky News added, appeared in high profile national publications like The Times of London.

A spokesman for Splash News told The Telegraph: "Splash has always recognized that this situation represents an error of judgment and we have taken steps to ensure it will not be repeated… We apologize to the duke and duchess for the distress we have caused."

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, moved into Frogmore Cottage at Windsor earlier this year after it was refurbished. Previously, the royal couple lived in a lavish country home in Britain's Cotswolds—a picturesque area of south-central England. Although the couple's official residence at the time was Kensington Palace in London, they spent lots of time at the country home.

Recognized as an official "area of outstanding natural beauty," the area is famous for its rolling hills and quaint villages. It is a favorite escape for tourists and for London's wealthy elite.

It has been a busy few weeks for the couple, who welcomed a new baby —Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor—into the world on May 6. The couple presented their "dream" baby to reporters at Windsor Castle on May 8.

Meghan said her new child "has the sweetest temperament. He's really calm. He's been the dream," and called parenting "magic." "It's pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy," the former actress said.

Prince Harry, who formally announced the royal birth to journalists Monday, called parenting "amazing," and said everything had been "great" so far. "It's only been two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy," he added on Wednesday.

This article has been updated to clarify the duke and duchess's living arrangements.

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Katherine Hignett is a reporter based in London. She currently covers current affairs, health and science. Prior to joining Newsweek ... Read more

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