Sussexes ‘like an episode of The Crown’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s war with the tabloids is like ‘an episode of The Crown for media law junkies,’ says media law expert, Carole Watson.

The former national newspaper journalist and senior law lecturer in media law at the University of Sunderland, has discussed ‘the Sussexes’ saga’ and how she believes it could set new ground for media law.

TheSussexeshavenotbeen shyfrommedialaw.Oneexampleisabattleforcopyright,privacy and data protection over a letter Meghan Markle wrote to her estranged father Thomas.SheclaimedthattheMailon Sunday illegally published it.

Carole Watson said: “It’ll be an interesting case, if not settled behind closed doors, over whether the media can intrude into the privacy of the Royal Family because they are public figures or not.”

She added: “The idea of Meghan appearing at the High Court in London suing a Sunday newspaper for publishing a private letter is unfathomable. It’ll be like fast-forwarding to a sensationalist future episode of The Crown for media law junkies. What will she wear? What will she say?”

Another example is legal warnings over paparazzi photos which were taken of Meghan and her baby ArchieinapublicparkinCanada. She raised issues of harassment and intrusion into their privacy over this.

Carole added: “Whatever the outcomes of these cases, they will set legal precedents infutureforotherhigh-profile figures who often want to have their cake and eat it.”

Students in the university’s media law modules are already taught these legal and ethical issues but Carole has suggested a whole module in the Royals and media law.