Royal lawsuit: Prince Harry’s scathing statement over ‘ruthless’ Meghan coverage

Prince Harry has released a blistering and very personal statement in defence of his wife Meghan, describing the treatment she’s received from British tabloids over the last year as “ruthless” – before comparing the situation to that his mother Princess Diana faced before her tragic death.

The royal couple are launching legal action against the Mail on Sunday after “the intrusive and unlawful publication” of a private letter, written by the Duchess of Sussex. But it was Harry’s scathing statement aimed at the entire British tabloid press that has sparked shock around the world.

“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 said in an official and lengthy statement.

“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. 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.”

The duke said he’s been unable to comment on the false reports until now, with the process of taking legal action lasting several months, but he’s finally spoken out after seeing a stream of positive coverage from the same publications over the last week as the couple tour South Africa – which he described as “double standards”.

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“The positive coverage of the past week from these same publications 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,” he wrote. “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.

“For these select media this is a game, and one that we have been unwilling to play from the start. 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.”

Harry went on to address the letter in question, claiming several paragraphs were left out, while the contents “were published unlawfully in an intentionally destructive manner to manipulate you, the reader”. Describing the reports as “bullying”, Harry admitted if left to develop, it can destroy lives.

“Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one,” he concluded, before referring to his mother in a moving final word, adding: “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 came as the couple continue their royal tour of Africa, and they’ve not let it hold them back in the slightest as they’ve appeared happy and as in love as ever throughout. And Meghan once again stole hearts on her latest day of outings, beginning the day by joining students and educators at Johannesburg University.

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Wearing a short beige trench coat-style dress, which tied in at the waist, she once again went all out in the style stakes as she met crowds outside. But it was her moving words about her husband Harry that really charmed the world.

The couple have been apart for just under a week as Harry visited Malawi, while Meghan remained in South Africa with their son Archie. And she reportedly told students and teachers at the university: “We are reuniting today, which I can’t wait for. I miss him so much!”

According to The Sun, she was then asked how she was coping with looking after Archie amid the busy schedule and added: “We’re doing well! I think the schedule — they have been very kind to me, because everything is based around Archie’s feed times. So it’s a full plate, but we’re making it work. It’s worth it. It has been a really special trip because you’re focusing on the causes that are really important to us and it feels meaningful.”

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After a quick change into a longer green tie-up dress, Meghan then went on to visit charity ‘act!onaid South Africa’ “to speak to people working tirelessly to protect young girls in South Africa”. According to the couple’s official Instagram page, Meghan continued the visit in private afterwards too.

“The Duchess travelled privately to meet a number of young girls who are being supported by Action Aid and the Teddy Bear Clinic. These girls have come out of situations of abuse and degradation and have found their sense of self, purpose, and confidence in the spirit of sisterhood and community in The Girls Club,” the Instagram page revealed. “The Duchess described them as role models for all. For the privacy and protection of these young women, no photos of this visit will be shared.”