📰 Prince Harry v the tabloids: the record, 2016 to the Mirror case
A 2016 statement on Meghan's coverage, a paparazzi payout over the Cotswolds house, then his 2023 testimony against the Mirror's publisher. 📌
By MissesSlay, royals desk · Desk editor Kristaps Siliņš · · 2 min read
NO VERDICTPhoto: File:Prince Harry arrives at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London 20 January 2020 (49413820711).jpg: DFID - UK Depa · CC BY 2.0What we know
- Harry authorised a statement on November 8, 2016 condemning the press coverage of his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle, which complained of a front-page 'smear,' the 'racial undertones' of comment pieces and the 'outright sexism and racism of social media trolls,' the Guardian reported.
- In 2018 Harry and Meghan gave up a two-year lease on a house on the Cotswolds' Great Tew Estate after the paparazzi agency Splash News flew a helicopter over it for photographs that looked into the living area, dining area and bedroom; Harry later accepted a 'substantial sum' in damages, Town & Country reported.
- In June 2023 Harry told London's High Court, in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, that the British press 'get into bed with' the government 'so they can ensure the status quo,' the Guardian reported.
- Mirror Group Newspapers said Harry had no hard evidence for his allegations and 'may have been confused by stories in other outlets,' the Guardian reported.
Prince Harry's quarrel with the British tabloids is not a vibe - it is a paper trail. A statement he authorised, a damages claim over paparazzi photographs of his home, and sworn evidence against a tabloid publisher. Here they are, in order.
The documented clashes
A statement over the Meghan Markle coverage
On November 8, 2016 - days after his relationship with Meghan Markle was first reported - Harry authorised a statement condemning what the palace described as a 'wave of abuse' of her. The statement complained of a front-page 'smear,' the 'racial undertones' of comment pieces and the 'outright sexism and racism of social media trolls,' the Guardian reported. The Sun said it was 'taken aback' and strongly denied any smear.
See the receipt (opens in a new tab)A Cotswolds lease, undone by a helicopter
In 2018 Harry and Meghan signed a two-year lease on a house on the Great Tew Estate in the Cotswolds. They gave it up after the paparazzi agency Splash News chartered a helicopter to shoot aerial photographs that looked into the living area, dining area and 'directly into the bedroom,' Town & Country reported. Harry later accepted a 'substantial sum' in damages from the agency.
See the receipt (opens in a new tab)A witness statement: 'at rock bottom'
In June 2023 Harry broke with royal protocol to attack the serving government from the witness box. Giving evidence in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers - publisher of the Daily Mirror - he told London's High Court that Britain's press and government were 'both... at rock bottom' and that the press 'get into bed with' ministers rather than hold them to account, the Guardian reported. Mirror Group Newspapers says he has no hard evidence.
See the receipt (opens in a new tab)"Democracy fails when your press fails to scrutinise and hold the government accountable, and instead choose to get into bed with them so they can ensure the status quo"
Prince Harry, giving evidence in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, as reported by the Guardian, June 6, 2023
What a judge made of it
Harry has made his case in a palace statement, in a claim over paparazzi photographs, and under oath against a tabloid publisher who denies he has the evidence. What a judge made of that is the chapter still being written.
By the numbers
- 6y 7mfrom first to latest entry on record
- 5receipts behind this story
The Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex file
- Filed
In June 2023 Harry gave evidence to London's High Court, in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, saying the British press and government were This story
- Reported
Harry authorised a statement on November 8, 2016 condemning the press coverage of Meghan Markle and the 'wave of abuse' against her (no source contains the phra This story
On file: The Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex file
The Ledger
On the record
- Harry authorised a statement on November 8, 2016 condemning the press coverage and what the palace called a 'wave of abuse' of Meghan Markle.
- Harry and Meghan gave up a two-year lease on a Great Tew Estate house in 2018 after Splash News photographed its interior from a helicopter; Harry accepted a 'substantial sum' in damages.
- In June 2023 Harry testified in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers that Britain's press and government were 'both... at rock bottom.'
Still rumour
That's the record. The rest is rumour. - MissesSlay
Next on the docket
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