'I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took a stand on Tuesday, taking legal action against the Mail on Sunday after the tabloid had published a private letter that Meghan Markle had written to her father, Thomas Markle.
Following the action, Prince Harry issued a public statement on his concerns for his wife and his fears of history repeating itself, with his mother Princess Diana suffering the same abuse.
It was reported recently however that before releasing the statement, Prince Harry was advised against it, with the timing potentially deemed ‘unwise’ as the couple were on the royal tour.
‘Reports indicate that courtiers advised against this being announced on an official royal tour but Harry and Meghan do not seem concerned by precedent,’ royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams reportedly told the Express. ‘It appears that the case was finally ready but it remains totally unclear why they could not have waited until their tour was over.’
The expert continued: ’Royalty usually takes note of precedence which this does not and if they [Harry and Meghan] were advised this was unwise, this advice was ignored. If ever there was an instance which made it clear they wanted to do things their way this is especially given in Harry’s emotive words. They are intentionally playing for very high stakes.’
‘There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behaviour, because it destroys people and destroys lives,’ Prince Harry wrote in his statement. ‘Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn’t acceptable, at any level. We won’t and can’t believe in a world where there is no accountability for this.’
The statement continued: ‘Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one. Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.
‘We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.’
