The Duke of Sussex settled privacy and data protection claims against Splash News and Picture Agency over photos “of and into the living area and dining area of the home and directly into the bedroom”, the High Court heard today. The 34-year-old’s lawyers told Mr Justice Warby that the pictures, which were “published by The Times newspaper and elsewhere online”, had “very seriously undermined the safety and security of the duke and the home”.

Reading a statement on Harry’s behalf, Gerrard Tyrrell said Harry and Meghan had picked the Oxfordshire home because of “the high level of privacy it afforded”.

But the couple now felt “they are no longer able to live at the property” following the incident in January.

Mr Tyrrell said Splash “has agreed to pay a substantial sum in damages and legal costs, and has apologised to the duke”.

The barrister said that the agency had given an undertaking to “cease and desist from selling, issuing, publishing or making available the photographs”.

He added that it “will not repeat its conduct by using any aerial means to take photographs or film footage of the duke’s private home which would infringe privacy or data rights or otherwise be unlawful activity”.

Buckingham Palace said Harry “acknowledges and welcomes the formal apology from Splash News and Picture Agency”.

Splash said in a statement: “Splash has always recognised that this situation represents an error of judgment and we have taken steps to ensure it will not be repeated. We apologise to the duke and duchess for the distress we have caused.”

It comes as Harry and Meghan have recently moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where they are now a family of three with baby Archie.

The couple were previously based next door to Prince William and Kate at Kensington Palace, with the Cotswolds home a second residence.

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