Prince Harry has finally spoken out about his “destroyed” relationship with members of the Royal family. The Duke of Sussex, who reportedly sent a congratulatory note to Kate Middleton over her Wimbledon appearance, issued a rallying call to the British monarchy and his family.
On Thursday night, Harry will feature in the ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial. In a teaser clip, journalist Becca Barry asked the Duke, “To what extent do you think your determination to fight the tabloids destroyed your relationship with your family?”
In response, Harry stated that his legal battle with the tabloids is a “central piece” in the breakdown of his family ties. He remarked that it is a “hard question to answer” since “anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse from the press.”
Calling for action, he said, “It would be nice if we did it as a family. I believe from a service standpoint, and when you are in a public role, these are the things we should be doing for the greater good.”
When asked about his family’s decision not to fight the tabloids in the same manner, Harry noted, “I think that everything that has played out has shown people what the truth of the matter is. For me, the mission continues.”
“I think, as you say, it has caused part of a rift,” he added.
Harry also discussed the case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
According to Harry’s attorney, a British newspaper publisher consented to pay the Duke a “substantial” amount in fees and damages for breaching his privacy through phone hacking and other unlawful snooping.
Mirror Group Newspapers, according to lawyer David Sherborne, promised to cover all of Harry’s legal fees and damages, in addition to making an advance payment of $505,000.
In December, Harry was granted $177,000 in damages after a judge determined that phone hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers in the late 1990s was “widespread and habitual,” continued for more than ten years, and was covered up by tabloid officials.
Reacting to the verdict, Harry asserted it was a big relief that the court “ruled in our favor.” “To be able to achieve that in a trial is a monumental victory,” he mentioned.
In response to ITV’s documentary, Mirror Group Newspapers applauded the December 2023 ruling, which provided the company with essential clarity to move on from events that occurred many years ago, according to GB News.
“Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologize unreservedly, have taken full responsibility, and paid compensation.”
Judge Timothy Fancourt noted that the Duke’s phone was hacked “to a modest extent.”
