Royal Family Deletes Prince Harry’s ‘Strong, Angry, Honest’ Statement Defending Meghan Markle From Their Website
The royal family‘s website has reportedly deleted a “strong, angry, honest” statement posted by Prince Harry in 2016 confirming his romance with and defending Meghan Markle. Harry’s message was live for seven years. However, a new report reveals the link has been inactive since the end of 2023.
Prince Harry’s 2016 royal statement is no longer live on family’s website
In November 2016, Prince Harry released a statement directed toward the United Kingdom’s press. His frustration came after then-girlfriend Meghan Markle was at the center of a negative publicity firestorm.
According to Newsweek, the link to find the letter, once live on the royal family website, no longer functions. The outlet reports the last time the link operated was on Dec. 3, 2023. By Dec. 10, Harry’s message no longer appeared.
Harry called the press’ treatment of Meghan a “wave of abuse and harassment” after news of their romance became public. People Magazine subsequently reprinted an excerpt from Harry’s original statement on its website.
“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety. And is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,” it said. “It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that, Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.”
It continued, “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.”
In his book Spare, Harry wrote, “I showed the essay to Jason (Knauf, former Kensington Palace Communications Secretary), said we needed a course correction immediately. No more debate, no more discussion. Within a day, we had a draft. Strong, precise, angry, honest. I didn’t think it would be the end, but maybe the beginning of the end.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle thus became engaged in November 2017. They married in May 2018.
Prince Harry said his statement angered Prince William, King Charles
In Spare, Prince Harry further explained the ramifications of taking a stand against the British press to protect Meghan Markle. His intent was to halt the intense media scrutiny and harassment Meghan was experiencing in the wake of their new romance, but all it did was draw more attention to it.
Harry expressed his concerns for Meghan’s safety and well-being, highlighting a need for privacy and respect for their relationship. His statement was to draw attention to the negative impact of the media’s actions and urge them to reconsider that type of coverage.
However, Harry found that his words upset certain members of the House of Windsor. The prince wrote in his book, “My statement generated a whole new onslaught from my family. Pa and Willy (King Charles and Prince William) were furious.”
It continued, “They gave me an earful. My statement made them look bad, they both said.”
“Why in hell? Because they’d never put out a statement for their girlfriends, or wives, when they were being harassed.”
Coincidentally, a 2021 statement issued by Buckingham Palace about the couple leaving their roles as working royals behind remains on the website. It concludes, “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
This is the second time the royal family quietly took action against Harry and Meghan
Since leaving their roles as working senior royals in March 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal ties have significantly diminished. The couple first retreated to Canada and then California to start a new life working independently of the royal family.
In the past four years, Meghan and Harry have visited the United Kingdom less than a handful of times together. In 2022, they were pushed down in rank on the royal family website.
Harry and Meghan’s joint profile is at the bottom, below King Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Following are The Countess of Wessex, Princess Anne, The Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, The Duke of Kent, and Prince Andrew, then Harry and Meghan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in Montecito, California, and have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. They still retain their royal titles.
