Harry, Meaghan threaten legal action against paparazzi
LONDON - Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have issued a warning over harassment by paparazzi photographers in Canada after agreeing to give up their royal duties to start their new life outside Britain, according to Sky News.
The warning comes after Meghan was photographed on Monday in North Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island, carrying eight-month-old son Archie in a baby sling and walking her two dogs, Guy and Oz.
Lawyers say the pictures were taken by photographers hiding in bushes who did not obtain her consent, the BBC reported.
In addition, the Sussexes say paparazzi are permanently camped outside their home with long lenses trained at their residence, Sky said.
The couple have made some changes to the area to make it more secure. The property sits at the end of a private road, behind a gate. But since the royals moved in, a white tarp has been placed behind it to provide added privacy.
A temporary metal fence has also been erected along the edge of the property that leads down to a public beach, and a security camera and dog now keep watch.
The legal warning comes on Day One of the couple’s new life in Canada. Harry arrived in Canada early on Tuesday to join Meghan.
Harry was shown arriving on Vancouver Island by Sky News, just days after reaching an arrangement with Queen Elizabeth and senior royals that will see him and his wife Meghan leave behind their royal roles to seek an independent future.
The lack of photos has not been for want of trying. Earlier this month, Miles Arsenault, the owner and captain of Deep Cove’s Bay to Bay Charters, refused to take three people, including a cameraman out in his water taxi after he learned that his client, a Japanese television station, wanted to stake out Meghan’s address, which is secluded and best viewed from the water.
“It was a no-brainer for me to walk,” Arsenault said, despite the fact that the retired photographer only launched his water taxi business six months ago and could use the business.
Buckingham Palace and the Queen said on Saturday that Harry and Meghan would no longer be working members of the royal family. They would not use their “Royal Highness” titles and would pay their own way in life, freeing them to forge a new future in Canada and the United States.
Harry has admitted he had not wanted to step away entirely from his royal life and his military appointments, but said there was no other option.
“It brings me great sadness that it has come to this,” he said on Sunday.