Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched another lawsuit for violating their family's privacy. This time, the Sussexes are going after Splash News and Pictures Agency, whose photographers allegedly "papped" the couple's toddler, Archie Harrison, while they were still living in Canada.
According to Daily Mail, Prince Harry and Meghan filed the case, citing a breach of the Data Protection Act, in a court in Los Angeles. Originally, the couple wanted to purse a legal case against the photo agency's U.K. section but they are now seeking permission from the court to serve the U.S. section, which is based in Los Angeles. The judge granted the Sussex pair the permission.
The photo in question is of Meghan walking her dogs at Vancouver's Horth Hill Regional Park while cradling Archie using a baby sling. The baby's face cannot be seen because of his winter clothing but, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claim this photo is still a misuse of Archie and Meghan's private information.
Meghan and Archie's photos were sold to the tabloids. Their lawyers stated in court that the images were captured while the mother and son were having a private and recreational time in Vancouver.
The lawyers also stated that, prior to the photo in the regional park, a photographer went to the house of the Prince Harry and Meghan. Steve Dennett allegedly cased the property where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stayed and took photos despite the security fence.
The claim stated that this was not an accidental encounter in the park after the lawyers of the other party said Meghan knew what was happening. They argued the fact that the Duchess of Sussex carried on and walked despite being photographed meant that she was fine with it.
Meghan and Prince Harry have existing lawsuits against three British tabloid agencies. The Duchess of Sussex has an ongoing deliberation with Associated Newspapers over the publication of her private letters to her father, Thomas Markle.
The first court hearing of this case took place during the lockdown, where the judge ordered to omit parts of the claims. However, the judge granted Meghan's request to keep the names of her good friends off public records after learning that the tabloid had plans to print their profiles in their dailies.
The trial will still continue in 2021 but Meghan and Prince Harry also issued zero tolerance from the tabloids. They said that they will no longer engage or respond to its reporters.
Meghan and Prince Harry's legal battle are all privately funded. Should they win the cases, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex pledged the money to anti-bullying charities.
