Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Issue a Legal Warning About Papparazzi Photos with Baby Archie
When Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step back from their senior positions in the royal family, it was clear that their difficult relationship with the media was a motivating factor.
But despite the animosity the Sussexes feel toward the British tabloid press, being a part of the royal media machine offered them some protections regarding the publication of paparazzi photos, and more specifically, images of their 8-month-old baby, Archie.
Now that they are living in Canada and operating outside of that system, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly facing an onslaught of unwanted attention from photographers.
Most recently, Meghan was photographed during on a hike on Vancouver Island with Archie and her two dogs, an image which was then published on the front page of The Sun.
While the duchess was smiling in the photo, she clearly wasn't happy about it being taken; Harry and Meghan have since issued a legal notice to UK news outlets concerning the use of paparazzi photos.
The letter warned that "action will be taken" if the publications purchase or publish photos taken in circumstances that could be described as "harassment." It also noted that paparazzi are using long-range lenses and trying to photograph the couple inside their home.
"There are serious safety concerns about how the paparazzi are driving and the risk to life they pose," it read.
Of course, Harry's mother, Princess Diana, died in a car accident in 1997. The driver of her car was drunk, and they were speeding to get away from photographers. Prince Harry clearly still blames the press for his mother's death.
Harry flew to Canada on Monday to reunite with his wife and son, but before he left, he shared a few of his thoughts on why they chose to step back from their royal roles.
"The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option," he said at a dinner benefiting the charity Sentebale.
"But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life."
Unfortunately, part of that "peaceful life," it seems, will be negotiating a new normal while photographers are watching their every move.
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