Prince Harry has had enough of the British press “bullying” Meghan Markle

Today, October 1st, Prince Harry released a statement admonishing the British press for their treatment of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. His statement was published after the UK’s Mail unlawfully published a private letter Markle had written. Not only has the Duke of Sussex reprimanded the Mail and other British tabloids for “bullying” Markle, but the Duke and Duchess are also taking legal actions against the Mail for their alleged misuse of private information, infringement of copyright, and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018, as reported by the BBC.

"As a couple, we believe in media freedom and objective, truthful reporting. We regard it as a cornerstone of democracy and in the current state of the world — on every level — we have never needed responsible media more," Harry's statement reads. "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."

Markle has found herself at the center of British tabloid storms since she entered the royal family in May 2018. She’s been demonized and accused of faking her pregnancy, and has been pitted against sister-in-law Kate Middleton, among other baseless accusations.

For the most part, the royal family has not felt it necessary to address these pieces of gossip. However, with the Mail releasing private information, the press has officially crossed the line.

"I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces"

Prince Harry says he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are suing the Mail on Sunday newspaper over the publication of a letter written by the duchess https://t.co/Iihzec0OOw

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 1, 2019

“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,” Harry continued. “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.” false

"The positive coverage [of the Duke and Duchess's South Africa tour] 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," Harry 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.”

https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1179127457565364224

“There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behaviour, because it destroys people and destroys lives,” Harry continued, after stating that he and Markle have decided to take legal action toward those who published her private letter. “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.”

"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."

Harry concluded the statement with, “We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.”

Hopefully, by taking action and standing up for what’s right, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will finally put the British press in its place.