Prince Harry highlights tabloid battle as key to royal family rift

In a candid interview set to air in ITV's upcoming documentary Tabloids on Trial, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, delved into the deep-seated rift within the royal family, attributing a significant part of the discord to his ongoing crusade against tabloid newspapers.

During the interview, which is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, July 25, Prince Harry spoke openly about his decision to pursue legal action against certain media outlets, citing allegations of phone hacking and other illicit practices. This stance, he revealed, sharply contrasts with the royal family's approach, particularly that of his brother, Prince William, who reportedly settled discreetly with News Group Newspapers in 2020.

Responding to ITV's Rebecca Barry, who queried whether his fight against tabloids had strained familial ties, Prince Harry acknowledged its central role, noting, "That's a hard question to answer because anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse from the press."

He emphasized his commitment to holding media accountable, asserting, "I've made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done. It would be nice if we did it as a family."

The Duke of Sussex, together with his wife Meghan Markle, has been vocal about their grievances with select British tabloids, publicly declaring a boycott against several prominent outlets in 2020. Their relocation to California the same year marked a significant step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family, partly motivated by what they described as intrusive and unfair media scrutiny.

Prince Harry's legal battles have seen recent success, with a High Court ruling in December confirming phone hacking by Mirror Group Newspapers. Reflecting on this victory, he highlighted the broader implications beyond personal grievances, stating, "There's a big difference between what interests the public and what is in the public interest."

He also drew parallels to his late mother, Princess Diana, asserting that her concerns about media intrusion in the 1990s were valid, despite being dismissed at the time. "She wasn't paranoid. She was absolutely right of what was happening to her," Prince Harry affirmed.

The ITV documentary promises to offer further insights into Prince Harry's ongoing struggles with media ethics and their impact on his relationship with the royal family.