Prince Harry claims Queen Elizabeth 'supported' his press battles but royal experts call it 'tasteless'

LONDON, UK: Prince Harry’s recent comments in the documentary 'Tabloids on Trial' have sparked outrage among courtiers and royal watchers.

The Duke of Sussex claimed that Queen Elizabeth II was supportive of his ongoing battles against the press shortly before her death, as reported by OK Magazine.

Prince Harry’s claims in new documentary 'Tabloids on Trial' draw criticism

In the documentary, Harry asserts that the late monarch 'knew how much' his legal confrontations with tabloid publishers meant to him.

"She knew how much this meant to me, and she's very much up there saying 'see this through to the end," Prince Harry shared in the documentary.

This assertion comes on the heels of his February settlement with News Group Newspapers, the publisher behind The Sun and News of the World. Harry was awarded £140,000 ($1,80,000) in damages as part of a broader legal effort to address alleged unlawful interception of his voicemails.

However, not all are happy over Harry roping in his late grandmother in his crusade against the tabloids.

Richard Eden, a royal editor, criticized the Duke's comments as "tasteless," suggesting that Harry’s use of the Queen’s memory to support his ongoing disputes with the press is inappropriate.

“There is something distinctly ‘off’ about it,” Eden remarked. “We will never know what was said between grandson and grandmother. What we do know is that we will only ever know one side of the story.”

Mirror Group Newspapers, the publisher involved in the settlement, previously issued a statement acknowledging past wrongs and expressing a commitment to moving forward.

“We welcomed the judgment in December 2023 that gave the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago,” the statement read. “Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologize unreservedly, have taken full responsibility, and paid compensation.”

The late Queen Elizabeth II reportedly had reservations about Harry, especially during the later years of her reign, as controversies surrounding Megxit and Prince Andrew unfolded.

A former palace insider challenged Harry’s portrayal of the Queen, asserting that her true sentiments would have been more restrained and neutral.

“The late Queen would have never said something so hokey and saccharine,” the insider noted. “She was never that free with her opinions about institutions like the press because she had to maintain neutrality. Her diary is the only place she would have gotten so candid.”

Meghan Markle’s hopes for Prince Harry amid ongoing legal battles

Meghan Markle is reportedly yearning for a time when Prince Harry can escape the burden of legal disputes and focus on their family’s happiness. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who saw their security downgraded after stepping down from their royal duties in 2020, have been engaged in a prolonged battle to reinstate robust protection for their family.

According to this week’s cover story in People, a former Archewell Foundation employee revealed that Meghan fully supports her husband’s legal efforts but wishes he could move beyond the lawsuits.

“She supports Harry 100 percent, but she wishes he could let go of these lawsuits, be happy, and live in the moment,” the source shared.

“She wants him to be free of all of this, but she also knows that because of everything he’s been through and his love for [her and their children], he can’t. She wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this.”

Prince Harry’s quest to restore police protection for his family has been a major focus of his legal battles. Following their move to California and the loss of his Metropolitan Police bodyguards, Harry has been determined to secure enhanced security for his wife and children. Sources close to the Duke indicate that he believes King Charles holds the key to resolving this issue.

However, Buckingham Palace has remained silent on matters of security, and a palace insider has refuted the notion that the king has control over Harry’s security arrangements. The insider described the idea as “wholly incorrect,” adding that it has only deepened the rift between father and son.