In a candid interview aired on ITV’s Tabloids on Trial, Prince Harry spoke about his ongoing battles with the tabloid press, revealing his fears for his family’s safety and his commitment to seeking justice. The Duke of Sussex expressed concerns that the negative press could incite violence against him and his wife, Meghan Markle, saying, “all it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read.”
Harry and Meghan have been residing in the United States since they stepped down from their senior royal duties in 2020. In the documentary, Harry emphasized his reluctance to bring Meghan back to the UK, citing genuine safety concerns. “It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country,” he stated, underscoring the threats they face from potential lone actors.
A “David vs. Goliath” Battle with the Press
Prince Harry described his legal battles with the tabloid press as a “David vs. Goliath situation,” highlighting the uphill struggle he faces against powerful media organizations. He made it clear that his fight is not for personal attention but rather a pursuit of justice. “I don’t think there’s anybody else in the world that is better suited and placed to be able to see this through than myself,” Harry asserted. He emphasized that the danger is real, saying, “It’s still dangerous. And all it takes is one lone actor.”
The interview marks the first time Harry has publicly addressed his legal victory against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), where he was awarded £140,000 after the High Court ruled that his privacy had been unlawfully invaded. Justice Fancourt found that 15 out of 30 stories about Harry were based on illegally obtained information. Harry expressed feeling “vindicated” by the ruling, calling it a “monumental victory.”
Two other cases against the publisher were dropped following the damages awarded to Harry, along with the repayment of his legal costs by MGN. Meanwhile, his case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the owner of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, is set for trial in early 2025. The ongoing phone hacking scandal has reportedly cost Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid business over $1.25 billion.
Harry has also joined forces with celebrities like Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley in taking legal action against Britain’s largest newspaper company, Associated Newspapers Limited, which owns the Daily Mail.
Royal Family Tensions and Support
The documentary further delves into how Harry’s battles with the tabloids have been a “central point” of tension between him and the royal family. Despite these conflicts, Harry revealed that his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, supported his efforts. “We had many conversations before she passed,” he said, adding, “She knew how much this meant to me, and she’s very much up there going ‘See this through to the end’ without question.”
Harry expressed disappointment that the legal battles were not a collective effort by the royal family. “It would be nice if we, you know, did it as a family,” he said. “When you’re in a public role, these are things that we should be doing for the greater good.”
Addressing Princess Diana’s Legacy
Harry also touched on the media’s portrayal of his late mother, Princess Diana, defending her against accusations of paranoia regarding her interactions with the press. He suggested that she was likely one of the first victims of hacking by the British media in the mid-1990s. “The tabloid press painted her as being paranoid, but she wasn’t,” he insisted. “She was absolutely right about what was happening to her.”
Although it has never been proven in court that Diana was hacked, Harry stated there is “evidence to suggest” she was a target and criticized the media for continuing to depict her inaccurately. His brother, Prince William, has previously mentioned Diana’s “fear, isolation, and paranoia,” and William settled out of court with NGN in 2020.
Insights from the Media and Legal Perspectives
The documentary also featured insights from former News of the World journalist Paul McMullan, who admitted to using deceptive methods, such as pretending to be someone else to gather information. McMullan’s comments that “there is no difference between what interests the public and the public interest” underscore the ethical dilemmas faced by the media.
The judge in the Mirror Group case confirmed that editors, including Piers Morgan, were aware of the phone hacking practices. Morgan, a vocal critic of Harry and Meghan, responded to Harry’s win against MGN by claiming that the prince “wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped him around his California-tanned face.”
MGN’s use of private investigators in 2005 to access the phone bills, credit card details, and flight information of Harry’s then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy was cited as an example of unethical practices. Harry criticized these invasions of privacy, stating, “That has absolutely no public interest whatsoever.” He emphasized the distinction between public interest and public curiosity, noting that his private life should remain private.
Prince Harry’s appearance on Tabloids on Trial offers a revealing look into his ongoing battle against the tabloid press, his concerns for his family’s safety, and his determination to seek justice. As he continues his legal fights, Harry remains resolute in challenging media practices that have invaded his privacy and that of his loved ones. His story underscores the broader issues of privacy, media ethics, and the challenges faced by public figures in protecting their personal lives from unwarranted intrusion.
