Harry confirms his romance with Meghan then goes on the warpath with unprecedented statement attacking 'sexist and racist' abuse of his 'girlfriend'
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Loading... - Anja Lovec
- 09 Nov 2020
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Prince Harry issued an explosive statement yesterday confirming his relationship with Meghan Markle – but demanding they be left alone to stop their romance being ‘damaged’.
In an unprecedented move, he called the US actress his ‘girlfriend’ and admitted he had been seeing her for ‘a few months’.
However, the prince went on to accuse the media of intruding into the relationship and raged about ‘racist and sexist’ attacks on her by social media trolls. The 400-word statement from Kensington Palace marked a new low in the royal’s clashes with journalists.
His salvo of accusations included a ‘front page smear’ on Ms Markle, ‘racial undertones’ in media reports, photographers trying to break into her home and harassing her mother, and ‘nightly battles’ with lawyers to keep stories out of the Press.
Many in the media were very surprised by the prince’s comments, particularly as no earlier complaint had been made by the palace. The Daily Mail said none of these accusations applied to reports in this newspaper.
Commentators said Harry’s outburst had simply fuelled the flames of global interest in his love life. It sparked speculation the 32-year-old would not have taken such a step unless he was at least contemplating an engagement with Ms Markle, a 35-year-old divorcee. Bookmakers immediately slashed the odds, with one offering 5/4 on a wedding.
Harry previously dated Chelsy Davy for seven years and Cressida Bonas for two years without resorting to such a risky PR tactic.
There were questions over whether Prince Charles was kept in the dark before the statement, which effectively wiped out Press coverage of his diplomatic Middle East tour.
Harry’s love affair with the actress, known for her role as Rachel Zane in US legal drama Suits, was revealed on October 30. They were said to have been introduced in June in London by a mutual friend, and she has since made near-monthly trips to the city from her home in Toronto, Canada. It is said she has already met Prince Charles.
As well as courting the Press as a star of the red carpet, Ms Markle writes copiously on social media to promote her various brands, and has more than a million followers.
Last night courtiers said Harry had reluctantly accepted the international media attention initially, but that ‘old-fashioned chivalry’ had eventually forced him to ‘come to the rescue’ of his girlfriend.
The prince expressed fears for her safety and warned ‘this is not a game’. He said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ to be unable to protect her.
The statement said Harry had always been ‘aware that there is significant curiosity about his private life’ and had tried to develop a ‘thick skin’. But it added: ‘The past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment.’
The statement went on: ‘It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is “the price she has to pay” and that “this is all part of the game”. He strongly disagrees … it is her life and his.’ Harry pleaded for space ‘before any further damage is done’.
A newspaper article had referred to Ms Markle ‘stripping’ on adult website Pornhub. Clips posted to the site were from her TV show, and not pornography. A senior courtier said: ‘Things really took off Friday with that front page about Harry’s girl on Pornhub … he didn’t feel it was acceptable for him to remain silent.’ Asked what evidence there was for the claim a photographer tried to break into Ms Markle’s home, the courtier was unable to say.
The Queen’s former Press secretary Dickie Arbiter said Harry’s biggest problem was foreign Press, telling BBC News: ‘How do you get the global media to back off? You can’t because you’ve got no jurisdiction.’
Bob Satchwell of the Society of Editors said the editors’ code of practice ‘is strict on issues such as harassment and photography’ and the UK Press takes it ‘very seriously and abides by it’. He added the Independent Press Standards Organisation ‘has no jurisdiction over the behaviour of foreign media’.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens said Harry should engage with, rather than attack, the Press, while former protection officer Ken Wharfe said: ‘Issuing a statement encourages those who knew nothing about it to find out something about it.’
It is likely Harry had told his father about the statement but it was clear yesterday that Clarence House had not been given much notice or say in the matter.
