Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had chosen to make the Oxfordshire property their home because of its “high level of privacy”, Harry’s lawyer said. But the couple were forced to leave the privately-rented home after the photographs were widely published. The pictures, taken by Splash News and Picture Agency, included shots taken from a helicopter of the couple’s bedroom.

How much was Harry paid?

Splash had agreed to pay a “substantial” sum of damages and legal costs to settle the privacy and data claims.

The exact amount is undisclosed. However, there have been numerous reports that Harry plans to give all monetary compensation to charity.

What happened in court?

A High Court hearing was told the pictures had “seriously undermined” Harry’s safety.

The court heard the photos, which were “published by the Times newspaper and elsewhere online”, were of living and dining areas, and included a shot taken “directly into the bedroom”.

Gerrard Tyrrell, who read a statement in court on the Duke’s behalf, said the couple had subsequently felt unable to live there.

When the photos were published in mid-January, the couple’s official residence was Kensington Palace.

But a spokeswoman for the Sussexes said they had spent a lot of time at their country retreat in the Cotswolds, which had been privately rented by Harry.

Splash said it had made an “error of judgement” which would not be repeated.

In a statement, the agency added: “We apologise to the Duke and Duchess for the distress we have caused.”

Mr Tyrrel added Splash would “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 Prince Harry “acknowledges and welcomes the formal apology” from Splash.

Meghan and Harry now live in Windsor, in the grounds of Frogmore Estate with their firstborn, Archie.

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