Prince Harry Discusses Family Safety and Media Intrusion
Prince Harry has spoken candidly about how British tabloids’ relentless coverage of his personal life, which includes illegally obtained private information, has led to safety concerns for his family, notably his wife, Duchess Meghan.
In a one-hour documentary titled “Tabloids on Trial,” aired on ITV, Harry shared his experiences with ITV News correspondent Rebecca Barry. This marked the first time he publicly addressed his legal victory against the Daily Mirror’s publisher. The court awarded Harry around $180,000 in damages in December over his phone hacking lawsuit.
The Fight Against Media Companies
During the interview, Harry explained his reasons for taking a stand against media companies like the publishers of the Daily Mail, The Sun, and the Daily Mirror. He accused them of using illegal methods to gather information for their stories.
“They pushed me too far. It got to a point where you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t,” Harry said, emphasizing his decision to take legal action. “I don’t think anyone else in the world is better suited and placed to see this through than myself. It’s still dangerous, and all it takes is one person who reads this stuff to act on it. Whether it’s a knife or acid, these are genuine concerns for me—one of the reasons I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
Harry is determined to fight for justice: “This is a David versus Goliath situation—the Davids are the claimants, and the Goliath is this vast media enterprise.”
Clarifying Motivations
Harry, King Charles’ younger son, addressed speculation that his lawsuits were retaliatory. “It is clear to everyone now that taking on the press entails significant risks, and such retaliation is not in my interest. Look at what has happened in the last four years to me, my wife, and my family,” Harry explained. “It was a difficult decision to make, asking ‘How bad is it going to get?’”
In June, Harry made headlines by testifying in court for his case against Mirror Group Newspapers. He is also involved in ongoing lawsuits against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, which publishes The Sun and the defunct News of the World, and Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail. Last year, a London High Court judge allowed Harry’s lawsuit against NGN to go to trial.
Pursuit of Justice
Harry claimed that Murdoch-owned tabloids hacked his phone and hired investigators over two decades. “If I can get to trial, then we’re talking over a decade’s worth of evidence, most of which the public has never known.” He continued, “That evidence needs to come to light, and then the police can decide. The British public deserves better.”
Harry and Meghan moved to California to escape the toxic British press, which Harry said was “destroying my mental health.”
Impact on Family Relations
Harry acknowledged that his outspoken stance against British tabloids has strained his relationship with the royal family, including his brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne. “It’s certainly a central piece to it,” he said, adding that speaking about his family often results in a torrent of abuse from the press.
“I’ve made it very clear that this needs to be done. It would be nice if we did it as a family. When you’re in a public role, these are the things that should be done for the greater good, but I’m doing this for my reasons,” Harry explained. “The mission continues, but yes, it’s caused part of a rift.”
