Meghan Markle Has Settled Her Case Against the Paparazzi Agency Who Photographed Archie
The photos were an "unlawful invasion of privacy," Meghan's lawyer said.
![london, united kingdom october 15 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time meghan, duchess of sussex attends the wellchild awards at the royal lancaster hotel on october 15, 2019 in london, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8UvGBXskhtbRgAn3tEBm3-1280-80.jpg)
- Meghan Markle has settled her claim against a paparazzi agency who photographed her and son Archie walking on Vancouver Island in January
- Splash News and Picture Agency have agreed not to photograph Meghan, Harry, or Archie in the future.
- Meghan's lawyer, Jenny Afia, said the photos were "an unlawful invasion of privacy."
Meghan Markle has settled her case against the paparazzi agency who photographed her walking with son Archie on Vancouver Island, Canada earlier this year. Splash News and Picture Agency, which is now in administration, has agreed not to take any photos of Meghan, Archie, or Prince Harry should they emerge from administration in the future, the Guardian reports. The Sussexes brought the legal claim against the agency after Meghan was photographed on January 20 walking with Archie and her two dogs in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park.
A statement read to the court, at a remote hearing under Mr Justice Nicklin, said, "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." A spokesperson for Splash UK's administrators, Neil Allen, told the Guardian that they accepted the statement.
A spokesperson for Schillings, Meghan and Harry's law firm, said that the Sussexes' claim against Splash US, a sister company to Splash UK, was still in motion. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have successfully settled a legal claim brought at the beginning of this year against the paparazzi agency Splash UK," the spokesperson said. "This settlement is a clear signal that unlawful, invasive, and intrusive paparazzi behaviour will not be tolerated, and that the couple takes these matters seriously—just as any family would."
"A simultaneous and similar claim against Splash US, a sister company to Splash UK, continues to move forward in the British court system," the spokesperson finished.
Meghan's lawyer, Jenny Afia, said during the hearing that "the taking of the photographs constituted an unlawful invasion of privacy," adding that they were taken "on a private family outing in a remote rural setting and there was no public interest in the photographs."
Afia said that the day before the photos in question were taken, a photographer from the agency had conducted "a full reconnaissance inspection of the Duke and Duchess’s private home, walking around it looking to identify entry and exit points and putting his camera over the fence to take photographs."
In October, Meghan and Harry also won an apology from US news agency X17, who reportedly used drones to take photos of Archie while the family were staying in Los Angeles. "We apologise to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son for the distress we have caused," the agency said in a statement, as the BBC reports. "We were wrong to offer these photographs and commit to not doing so again."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Subscribe here with the code HOLIDAY50 to save 50%
RELATED STORIES
Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
Coco Jones's Coach Look Invents the "Airport, But You Ate That" Outfit
Fashion multitasking at its finest.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Kensington Palace Switches Gears on Controversial Statement About Princess Kate
A royal source clarified some hot-button comments made to the 'Times' in early February.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Our Exhaustion Is Showing and We've Never Looked Better
According to the runways, concealer is out and dark circles are in.
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
Meghan Markle Exudes Snow Bunny Style in a $1,250 Mackage Puffer at Invictus Games
The Duchess of Sussex bundled up in luxury while visiting Whistler, Canada.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Prince Archie Has Been Learning About His Grandma Princess Diana's Charity Work
Prince Harry shared that his 5-year-old son has become curious about one particular topic.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Shares an Emotional Update on How He and Meghan Markle Are Coping After Losing Guy
He made the revelation after meeting a 3-year-old service dog named Thorn at the Invictus Games.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Resurrects Her 'Suits' Character With Witty Remark at the Invictus Games 2025
The Duchess of Sussex has not forgotten Rachel Zane's iconic wardrobe choices.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Came Face to Face With a Funko Pop of Himself in a Sweet Moment with Kids at Invictus Games
Small fans, big moment.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Wears Olive Green for a Children's Story Time Event at the Invictus Games 2025
The Duchess of Sussex arrived in a camel coat before revealing her coordinating sweater, skirt, and heels.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle's Latest Outfit Just Solved a 6-Year-Old Royal Fashion Mystery
Her Invictus Games wardrobe includes a previously unidentified designer coat and a baby alpaca trench.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Archie and Lilibet Aren't at the Invictus Games in Canada With Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Royal experts break down why the little prince and princess have remained at home in California.
By Amy Mackelden Published