The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have launched legal actions against a photographer, arguing he was impinging on the privacy of their son Prince George.

The photographer, Niraj Tanna, reportedly took a photo of the young Prince in Battersea Park, London.

A spokesman for the couple said: “The Duke and Duchess have taken legal steps to ask that an individual ceases harassing and following both Prince George and his nanny as they go about their ordinary daily lives.

The statement went on to explain that the couple sought “reasonable assurances from the individual about his behaviour.”

Tanna was spotted at the central London park “in the vicinity of Prince George”, and was removed from the area immediately, the spokesman added.

"There is 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 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. No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer whilst their child is playing in a public park or going about their daily activities."

There had also been an episode when a photographer was told to move on by police when he was seen waiting outside Buckingham Palace, where Prince George is sometimes taken to swim in the palace pool, the Evening Standard reported.

It is understood that protection officers have spoken to Tanna about his behaviour towards members of the Royal Family on previous occasions over a number of years.

But lawyers for the photographer have called the claims “spurious”.

A letter from the legal firm says Mr Tanna, who is himself the father to an infant, has been “respectfully” taking pictures of the royals for a decade.

It says: “Our client will not cease any of his professional activities since we have advised him that his actions have been fully lawful. Neither he, nor his associates has followed, harassed or intimidated Prince George or his nanny, nor have they collated information about Prince George or his nanny.”

The incident is the latest in a series of privacy cases concerning the family, and comes after German newspaper published a photograph showing Kate's bottom earlier this year.

The Duchess is pictured walking with William during their tour of Australia when a gust of wind blows up her dress at the back.

German tabloid Bild caused controversy by running the image, with one commentator describing the move as “utterly tasteless”.

And French magazine Closer sparked anger by printing topless images of Kate, 32, while she was sunbathing on a private holiday with William, 31, in September 2012.

Additional reporting by PA