Following much backlash that Meghan Markle has received over the year she’s been with Prince Harry, the royal couple have decided to pursue legal action against British press Mail on Sunday.
But what prompted the Duke and Duchess’ decision to take legal action was the newspaper’s (alleged) unlawful publishing of one of the duchess’ private letters?
In a lengthy and very personal statement posted to the royal couple’s website, the prince said their decision came after the “painful” impact of “relentless propaganda” against the duchess.
Harry’s “deepest fear is [seeing] history repeating itself,” referencing his mother’s tragedy back in 1997. “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,” he says in the statement. “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”
In his statement, Prince Harry said that both he and Meghan believed in “media freedom and objective, truthful reporting” as a “cornerstone of democracy.” But, “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.”
The Duke of Sussex said they haven’t been able to correct the gross misinterpretations of their personal lives, especially Meghan’s. The statement also says that it is “something that these select media outlets have been aware of and have therefore exploited on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.”
“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. 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.”
On behalf of both of them, Prince Harry thanked the public for their support and wishes. “We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.”
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