Poll: Should restrictions be put on paparazzi when photographing the famous?

A spokesman for the couple said: "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."

The statement came in response to newspaper reports that a photographer had apparently tried to take pictures of the prince in Battersea Park.

The Evening Standard reported that 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.

However, lawyers for the photographer Niraj Tanna contest the "spurious" claims.

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."