Meghan Markle settles Splash lawsuit over photos of son Archie - ABC News

Meghan Markle has settled a claim against a news agency that took photographs of her and young son Archie in a Canadian park.

Key points:

• The Duchess of Sussex has settled a lawsuit against Britain's Splash News and Picture Agency over photographs taken without her consent
• The photographs were taken on January 20 this year
• A separate but similar claim against Splash US is also before the British courts

The Duchess of Sussex brought privacy and data protection claims against the Splash News and Picture Agency in March over the long-lens photographs.

A lawyer for the American former television actress, who married Prince Harry in 2018, said Splash UK went into administration after the claim was issued and served.

"In light of the administration, the parties have agreed to settle the claim against Splash UK," Judge Matthew Nicklin told the hearing.

"The administrators of Splash UK have undertaken that, should the entity come out of administration, Splash UK will not take any photographs of the Duke and Duchess or their son in the future."

The photographs were taken on January 20 this year, showing Megan walking with Archie in a baby sling, and her two dogs, in Horth Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island.

The couple have a separate but similar claim against Splash US before the British courts.(AP: Courtney Africa)

Her lawyer Jenny Afia said a Splash photographer had also made a "full reconnaissance inspection" of the house where they were staying, and put his camera over the fence to take pictures.

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Law firm Schillings said the settlement was "a clear signal that unlawful, invasive and intrusive paparazzi behaviour will not be tolerated".

A separate but similar claim against Splash US is also before the British courts, it added.

The claim is one of several by the Duke and Duchess against media groups since they stepped down from the royal frontline.

Harry, who is Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, has said the sound of cameras was a constant reminder of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

She was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris in 1997 as she tried to escape paparazzi.

Harry has said the sound of cameras was a constant reminder of the tragic death of his mother.(News Video)

Since moving to California, Harry and Meghan have signed lucrative contracts with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify to produce films and podcasts.

AFP

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2020-12-19 00:45:00Z
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