‘She wasn’t paranoid’: Prince Harry hits back at Diana claims

Prince Harry has defended his late mother, Princess Diana, against claims of paranoia, asserting that her fears of being hacked in the mid-1990s were justified.

Following Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997, claims emerged that the beloved princess had feared her phone calls were being tapped.

While such claims have never been proven in court, Harry asserts that his mother “was absolutely right” to have had such concerns, as he discusses his legal battle with the British tabloid press in the ITV documentary titled Tabloids on Trial. 

“You know, same with my mother. There is evidence to suggest that she was being hacked in the mid-1990s, probably one of the first people to be hacked and yet still today, the press, the tabloid press, very much enjoy painting her as being paranoid,” he said.

“But she wasn’t paranoid, she was absolutely right of what was happening to her. And she’s not around today to find out the truth.”

Later in the documentary, Harry is asked whether he believes his decision to take on the tabloids contributed to the falling out with his family.

“It is certainly a central piece to it,” Harry stated.

“It is a hard question to answer because anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse from the press.

“I have made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done.

“I am doing this for my reasons.”

Harry later reflected on how his family’s decision not to support him in his fight against the tabloids “has caused part of a rift.”

“I think that everything that has played out has shown people what the truth of the matter is, for me the mission continues,” he said.

“I think as you say, it has caused part of a rift.”

Although Harry might view his conflict with the tabloids as a key factor in his rift with the Royal Family, many would say his decision to step away from his royal duties in 2020, alongside his wife Meghan Markle, changed his dynamic with The Firm.

Adding fuel to the fire were revelations made in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Harry and Meghan candidly discussed their struggles within the royal institution. This was followed by the release of Harry’s candid memoir and a series of interviews in which he continued to criticise The Firm.