Prince Harry Says His Fight With Tabloids Over Phone Hacking Was Key Factor In Rift With His Family

Prince Harry has identified his ongoing legal fights with British tabloids as a major contributor to the deterioration of his relationship with the royal family.

In a recent interview for ITV’s documentary Tabloids on Trial, the Duke of Sussex expressed frustration with his family’s reluctance to join him in confronting the press. The 39-year-old royal suggested this inaction has further strained family ties.

“It’s a complex issue, but I believe this is a significant part of it,” Harry told interviewer Rebecca Barry. He added that discussing family matters often leads to harsh criticism from the media, making it difficult to address the topic openly.

The hour-long documentary explores the 2011 phone-hacking scandal and examines Harry’s recent lawsuits against various publishers. It also features other public figures such as actor Hugh Grant, singer Charlotte Church and former soccer player Paul Gascoigne whose lives were ruined by the scandal.

Harry emphasized his belief that taking legal action against tabloids is necessary, especially for those in public roles. “This is something we should be doing for the greater good,” he stated. “I would have preferred to tackle this as a family.”

The prince’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between the royal family and certain sections of the British press. Harry has been vocal about his distrust of tabloids, which he blames for the intense scrutiny that he and his wife, Meghan, have faced.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has pursued several legal cases against UK newspaper publishers. These actions have put him at odds with the royal family’s traditional approach of maintaining a dignified silence in the face of media criticism.

A judge recently questioned Harry about possible evidence destruction on his part in one of the hacking cases.