Royals sue British tabloid

PAIN: PRINCE HARRY REFERS TO THE HUMAN COST OF FALSE AND MALICIOUS PROPAGANDA

Claim covers misuse of private information, infringement of copyright and breach of the Data Protection Act.

London

Prince Harry recalled the hounding of his late mother, Diana, to denounce media treatment of his wife, Meghan Markle, as the couple launched legal action against a British tabloid newspaper for invasion of privacy.

The couple said they were taking action against the Mail On Sunday because of the “human cost” of “relentless propaganda”. In a stinging attack on British tabloid media, the Duke of Sussex said his wife was being dogged by the press in the same way as his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, was.

“My deepest fear is history repeating itself,” he said. “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”

Harry, 35, said the couple were bringing a case related to the contents of a private letter “published unlawfully in an intentionally destructive manner”. Addressing newspaper readers, he said the article “purposely misled you by omitting select paragraphs, specific sentences, and even singular words to mask the lies they had perpetuated for over a year”.

Earlier this year, the Mail on Sunday, which denies any wrongdoing, published an article about a letter Meghan sent to her estranged father, Thomas Markle. He claimed he was forced to publish it as false rumours about its content were circulating.

“My wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year,” said Harry. “There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”

The claim covers the misuse of private information, infringement of copyright and breach of the Data Protection Act. Media commentator Roy Greenslade said it was a risky strategy to attack all the press for the actions of just one. “I think he may well find this is counterproductive.” –

Picture: EPA-EFE ROYAL VISIT. Prince Harry and wife Meghan meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe at his official residence in Pretoria yesterday as they wrap up their 10-day tour of Africa.