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| Prince George 'harassment' warning to photographer | Prince George 'harassment' warning to photographer |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked a photographer to "cease harassing" Prince George. | Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked a photographer to "cease harassing" Prince George. |
| A Kensington Palace statement said they were prompted to take action after the man was spotted near the 14-month-old and his nanny in a central London park. | A Kensington Palace statement said they were prompted to take action after the man was spotted near the 14-month-old and his nanny in a central London park. |
| The couple are not taking legal action at this stage, but may consider it in the future, the statement said. | The couple are not taking legal action at this stage, but may consider it in the future, the statement said. |
| Lawyers for the photographer, Niraj Tanna, said he had done nothing wrong and would continue with his work. | Lawyers for the photographer, Niraj Tanna, said he had done nothing wrong and would continue with his work. |
| The statement from the palace said there was "reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time." | The statement from the palace said there was "reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time." |
| Legal options | Legal options |
| BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said palace officials believed the photographer's actions amounted to "stalking" and that lawyers were seeking an assurance he would desist. | BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said palace officials believed the photographer's actions amounted to "stalking" and that lawyers were seeking an assurance he would desist. |
| "If they do not receive these assurances that this behaviour will stop, they will then consider options of legal action," he said. | "If they do not receive these assurances that this behaviour will stop, they will then consider options of legal action," he said. |
| Our correspondent added that the man had been warned off last week by royal protection officers and that he had also been spoken to "over a number of years" about his behaviour. | Our correspondent added that the man had been warned off last week by royal protection officers and that he had also been spoken to "over a number of years" about his behaviour. |
| Analysis | |
| By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent | |
| Not for the first time, this is Prince William attempting to define what constitutes his family's private life as he struggles - in the face of intense global media interest - to carve out as near as normal an existence as he can for his toddler son, who will one day be king. | |
| In doing so, he's picked a very public fight with a photographer, Niraj Tanna, who is keen and determined to stand his ground. | |
| Mr Tanna's defence is that he's entitled to take pictures in a public park and he hasn't followed, harassed or intimidated either George or his nanny. | |
| William's next step could be court action. | |
| In recent years, royals and court cases have proved to be uncomfortable bedfellows. | |
| You can read more from Peter Hunt on his BBC royal and diplomatic correspondent page. | |
| However, lawyers for the photographer Niraj Tanna have issued a seven-page letter contesting the claims. | However, lawyers for the photographer Niraj Tanna have issued a seven-page letter contesting the claims. |
| The letter says Mr Tanna strongly objects to what calls "the groundless allegations". | The letter says Mr Tanna strongly objects to what calls "the groundless allegations". |
| 'Fully entitled' | 'Fully entitled' |
| It says it is "wholly without foundation" to accuse him of following or spying on them. | |
| It goes on to say that press photographers are "fully entitled" to take images in public places such as parks, and that any legal action will be "vigorously contested". | It goes on to say that press photographers are "fully entitled" to take images in public places such as parks, and that any legal action will be "vigorously contested". |
| It adds: "He will continue to undertake his work with the concerns of the Prince's parents very much in mind." | It adds: "He will continue to undertake his work with the concerns of the Prince's parents very much in mind." |
| Since his birth in July 2013, the royal couple have posed for a number of official photographs with Prince George. | Since his birth in July 2013, the royal couple have posed for a number of official photographs with Prince George. |
| He has also been pictured accompanying his parents on state visits and with the palace's consent at other events. | He has also been pictured accompanying his parents on state visits and with the palace's consent at other events. |
| The statement from the Kensington Palace says: "The duke and duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible." | The statement from the Kensington Palace says: "The duke and duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible." |
| It added: "No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer." | It added: "No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer." |
| Alleged harassment | Alleged harassment |
| Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo was named as the prince's nanny in March when the palace appealed for her privacy to be respected. | Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo was named as the prince's nanny in March when the palace appealed for her privacy to be respected. |
| The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) editors' code of practice states that young children "must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents". | The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) editors' code of practice states that young children "must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents". |
| IPSO replaced the defunct Press Complaints Commission last month. | IPSO replaced the defunct Press Complaints Commission last month. |
| Before the royal couple married, the Middleton family raised privacy concerns about alleged harassment by press agency photographers. | Before the royal couple married, the Middleton family raised privacy concerns about alleged harassment by press agency photographers. |
| And in 2012, lawyers for the pair also took action against French gossip magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of the duchess. | And in 2012, lawyers for the pair also took action against French gossip magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of the duchess. |