The Duke of Sussex has is taking a powerful stand against the “ruthless” treatment he says The Duchess of Sussex has received at the hands of the British tabloids and more specifically, in this instance, the UK newspaper the Mail On Sunday.
In a heartbreaking statement, Prince Harry spoke of what he feels has been a “relentless” and “ruthless” campaign against Meghan from some of the British tabloids, and that he is now taking a stand against the false and malicious reports.
“Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son,” Harry wrote in a powerful statement published to their official website.
“There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”
Adding, “Because in today’s digital age, press fabrications are repurposed as truth across the globe. One day’s coverage is no longer tomorrow’s chip-paper.”
Meghan and Harry have filed a claim against the Mail On Sunday, following the publication of a private letter Meghan had written. (Image: Getty)
The statement comes as the royal couple have taken legal action against the Mail on Sunday and its parent company Associated Newspapers, over “intrusive and unlawful publication of a private letter written by the Duchess of Sussex, which is part of a campaign by this media group to publish false and deliberately derogatory stories about her, as well as her husband,” says a legal spokesperson from Schillings, who are representing Meghan.
“Given the refusal of Associated Newspapers to resolve this issue satisfactorily, we have issued proceedings to redress this breach of privacy, infringement of copyright and the aforementioned media agenda.”
Harry adds in his statement that up until now, he and Meghan have been unable to correct “the continual misrepresentations,” something that he feels these media outlets have been aware of and have therefore exploited on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.
Harry continues by saying the positive coverage the couple have received during their current royal tour of southern Africa exposes the “double standards of this specific press pack that has vilified her almost daily for the past nine months.
“They have been able to create lie after lie at her expense simply because she has not been visible while on maternity leave. She is the same woman she was a year ago on our wedding day, just as she is the same woman you’ve seen on this Africa tour.”
He discloses, “I have been a silent witness to her private suffering for too long. To stand back and do nothing would be contrary to everything we believe in.
“There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behaviour, because it destroys people and destroys lives.
“Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn’t acceptable, at any level. We won’t and can’t believe in a world where there is no accountability for this.”
The statement comes as the couple wrap up their 10-day tour of southern Africa. (Image: Getty)
Concluding the statement Harry referred to the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, writing, “Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one. Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself.
“I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.
“We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.”
The statement adds the case will be privately funded by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and pending the court ruling, proceeds from any damages will be donated to an anti-bullying charity.
Harry refers to his mother, Princess Diana’s, tragic death, saying he fears history repeating itself. (Image: Getty)
This is not the first time Harry has taken a stand against the tabloids. In the early stages of his relationship with Meghan, Prince Harry issued a rare statement voicing his concerns and disappointment around Meghan’s safety, due to the malicious and fictitious stories that were published and the abuse and harassment she had received at the hands of the media.
“He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media,” the statement said.
“But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment.”
Earlier this year Harry also filed a lawsuit against Splash News and Picture Agency, who in January took aerial photographs of Harry and Meghan’s country home in Oxfordshire, which were then published in multiple newspapers.
As a result of the lawsuit, Splash paid a sizeable sum for “damages” and agreed to no longer sell or publish any of the photos of the Sussex’s home or any photos that are similar and that they would not “repeat its conduct” by taking photographs of their home which would “infringe privacy or data rights or otherwise unlawful activity.”
