Prince Harry is making headlines once again for his candidness, and it’s not just about his royal life. Following his Oprah interview, Netflix docuseries, and memoir Spare, he’s now featured in an explosive ITV documentary called Tabloids on Trial. This special digs into his legal battle with the tabloid press and its impact on his family.
In this episode, Harry shares the spotlight with other celebrities who’ve been affected by similar scandals, including Hugh Grant, Paul Gascoigne, and Charlotte Church. Born into the royal family, Harry has been in the media’s eye since before he was even born, being the son of Princess Diana and the future king.
Things took a darker turn when Harry started dating Meghan Markle, known for her role in Suits. As their relationship grew, so did media harassment. The tabloids used illegal methods to dig into their personal lives, which has led Harry to speak out.
Harry openly blames the media’s legal issues for causing a rift within the Royal Family, saying it’s a major part of their current tensions. He acknowledges that discussing his family often invites harsh criticism from the press but insists that fighting these battles is necessary.
“I think everything that’s played out has shown people what the truth of the matter is,” Harry said. “For me, the mission continues, but it has, it has, yes. It’s caused, yeah, as you say, part of a rift.”
Harry described his court victory over the phone-hacking scandal as a significant achievement. The case revealed that high-level executives and lawyers were involved, making the win even more remarkable.
Harry views his fight as a struggle against a massive media empire, likening it to a “David vs. Goliath” battle. He believes he’s the right person to seek justice for everyone affected.
During the documentary, Harry discussed how the phone-hacking scandal has affected him personally, drawing parallels with his late mother, Princess Diana. He mentioned feeling paranoid, but now believes his fears were justified. He pointed out that Diana was also targeted by the press, and though she’s no longer here to uncover the truth, the evidence supports her concerns.
Harry felt a sense of vindication after winning £140,600 in damages from the court last December. He noted how intrusive paparazzi were during his youth, recalling an incident where he was hit by a camera. Despite the years, the feeling of violation remains.
Harry expressed ongoing concern for Meghan’s safety if she were to return to the U.K. He fears that negative press could incite dangerous actions from individuals. “It only takes one lone actor with a knife or acid,” Harry said, explaining why Meghan won’t be returning to Britain.
Adding to their list of changes, Harry and Meghan have recently updated their children’s surnames on their royal website. Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie now use the surname Sussex instead of Mountbatten-Windsor. This breaks a 64-year tradition established by the Privy Council, which had previously dictated that all male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip should carry the Mountbatten-Windsor name.
This new interview brings the discussion of Harry and Meghan’s issues with the media full circle, highlighting ongoing tensions and their commitment to addressing them
