The world was shocked when Prince Harry formally addressed the media attention his new relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle has attracted.
In a statement released by the palace, Harry, 32, jumped to his girlfriend’s defence and begged the British media not to put her life in danger.
It’s a bold move which would have made his later mother Princess Diana proud.
The beloved royal was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 36 while being chased by paparazzi in Paris.
Acknowledging the relationship for the first time, Harry released the following statement:
‘He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media, focused on his work and the issues he cares about.
But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public – the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.
Some of it has been hidden from the public – the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.
Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. 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. This is not a game – it is her life and his.’
News of the couple’s relationship broke last month after Meghan, 35, posted a photo of herself to Instagram wearing a matching bracelet to that of Harry’s.
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