Royal family taking a robust approach to protect privacy

THE royal mantra has long been to “never complain, never explain” but even the Queen has become increasingly angry about the use of telephoto lenses to capture members of the Royal family in private situations in recent years.

Yesterday’s High Court hearing, which saw the Duke and Duchess of Sussex receive “substantial damages” after a paparazzi helicopter took photographs of their Cotswold home, serves as a reminder that the normally non-litigious royals will take legal action when they feel a line has been crossed.

In this case, it wasn’t just a question of privacy – with the couple’s dining room, bedroom and living room all being put on display – but safety too.

The penultimate paragraph of the court statement is the one royal aides have singled out for special attention: “The syndication and publication of the photographs very seriously undermined the safety and security of the Duke and the home to the extent that they are no longer able to live at the property.”

The action is not the first to be taken against the paparazzi, and is unlikely to be the last.

One royal source said: “This is about balancing the family’s right to privacy while also recognising the unique position they are in. Action will be taken in the future if it is deemed necessary.”

The judgment follows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge being awarded €100,000 (£91,000) in damages after the French magazine Closer published topless photos of Kate on a 2012 holiday in the south of France.

William said at the time that the case was “particularly shocking because it reminded us of the harassment that led to the death of my mother, Diana, Princess of Wales”.

Having grown up in the media spotlight, William and Harry have taken a robust approach to protecting their privacy, employing media lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell, of Harbottle & Lewis, to fight their case for more than a decade.

Having complained about media harassment in 2005 and 2007, William and Kate issued a series stern warning to the paparazzi following the birth of Prince George in 2013.

Although no legal action was taken, the pre-emptive strike killed the market for paparazzi pictures of the Cambridge children both home and abroad. Most agree that royal privacy has never been more respected.