Prince Harry is continuing his fight against the British tabloid media, revealing the threats he and his family still face from the press. In the new ITV documentary, “Tabloids on Trial,” which aired on Thursday, the Duke of Sussex discussed the persistent danger posed by the media.
The royal has been involved in several lawsuits over unlawful phone hacking and other invasions of privacy by members of the media. In the documentary, Harry expressed his unique position in challenging the tabloids. “I don’t think there’s anybody else in the world that is better suited and placed to be able to see this through than myself,” he said. “It’s still dangerous.”
Harry highlighted the potential for harm fueled by sensational tabloid stories. “All it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read,” he explained. “And whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is ― these are things that are a genuine concern for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
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Meghan Markle’s last visit to the UK was in September 2022, for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Harry reiterated his concerns about bringing Meghan back, fearing attacks inspired by negative tabloid coverage. “I fear a knife or acid attack – triggered by negative tabloid stories,” he said.
The documentary also delved into how Harry’s fight against the tabloids contributed to a rift within the royal family. ITV’s Rebecca Barry asked Harry about the impact of his determination to challenge the media. “To what extent do you think your determination to fight the tabloids destroyed the relationship with your family?” she asked. Harry acknowledged the issue’s complexity, saying, “That’s certainly a central piece to it. But … it’s a hard question to answer, because anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse in the press.”
Despite the difficulties, Harry remains resolute in his mission. “I’ve made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done,” he stated. “It would be nice if we did it as a family ― again, from a service standpoint, when you’re in a public role, these are the things we should be doing for the greater good.”
Harry also emphasized the support he received from his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. “We had many conversations before she passed,” he said. “This is very much something she supported. She knew how much this meant to me and she’s very much up there going, ‘See this through to the end,’ without question.”
As Harry continues his battle against the tabloid media, the documentary provides a candid look into the personal and familial challenges he faces, underscoring his unwavering commitment to protecting his family and holding the press accountable.
