The British royal family’s relationship with the tabloids has been rocky for decades, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing legal battles have brought this traditionally private fight — often settled quietly behind closed doors with large sums of cash — into the public eye. Since their departure from royal duties in early 2020, they’ve been locked in numerous legal battles with Associated Newspapers, alleging phone hacking and other illegal information gathering tactics.
Prince Harry Just Revealed the One Place He'll Never Take Meghan Markle & It's Major Husband Goals
Their 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan , also called out some the palace’s questionable media practices, to put it delicately, which only further strained their ties with the royal family. This rift was unmistakable during Harry’s recent interview on ITV’s Tabloids on Trial , which aired July 25.
In a preview of the interview released the day before, Prince Harry admitted that his determination to hold the tabloids accountable has been one of the bigger factors in his falling out with Prince William, noting that his brother opted for a “very large sum of money” as a settlement instead of stopping the harmful tabloid practices.
During the special, journalist Rebecca Barry touched on all aspects of his battle against the tabloids, with Prince Harry revealing that the press’s horrible treatment of Markle is “one of the reasons I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
Of course, Barry touched on the health issues facing King Charles III and Kate Middleton, both diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. She asked Prince Harry a somewhat loaded question: “Both your father and your sister-in-law have been unwell. It’s a reminder to all of us that life is precious. Does it ever make you think, ‘This is not worth it. Life is just too short for these legal battles?'”
Visibly strained, Harry responded, “I don’t think the continuation of these legal battles is… I,” he paused, collecting his thoughts. “The two things are completely separate.”
Prince Harry, who did try to meet with his father back in May to no avail, elaborated, “My father and my sister-in-law, and me following through on these legal battles are two completely different things.” This distinction underscores the complexity of his situation; while deeply concerned about his family’s health, he’s not letting the tabloid lawsuit go away quietly — and, as he rightfully pointed out, the two have nothing to do with each other.
The interview also highlighted the broader impact of these ongoing familial tensions. The royal family’s vulnerability in the public eye has become more apparent, especially with Kate Middleton’s prolonged absence as she continues treatment. As Prince Harry pointed out, “It’s a reminder to all of us that life is precious,” underscoring the emotional toll these issues have taken on everyone involved.
While strained relationships within the royal family continue to capture headlines, Prince Harry’s words on Tabloids on Trial remind us of the deeply personal struggle behind the public spectacle — and that intertwining family health issues with his separate legal battles is both inappropriate and and illustrates why Prince Harry is fighting the manipulative tactics used by some outlets.
Click here to see a complete timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s feud with the royal family.
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