Enough is enough. Prince Harry has today, November 8, confirmed that he is in a serious relationship with girlfriend Meghan Markle in a passionate statement condemning sexist and racist comments about the Suits actress. Learn more in the video above.
The prince instructed Kensington Palace to issue a strongly worded statement about “girlfriend” Markle, 35, describing the “wave of abuse and harassment” the pair have received since news broke about their relationship in October.
“The past week has seen a line crossed,” reads the one-page letter released by 32-year-old Harry’s communications secretary, Jason Knauf. “His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public — the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”
“Some of it has been hidden from the public — the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother [Doria Ragland] having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed.”
It’s an unprecedented move for a member of the British royal family to order such a plea but speaks volumes on how serious the pair have become since meeting in June.
The statement continues, “Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.”
“It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. 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.”
Harry’s plea will hopefully put an end to xenophobic-sounding articles the couple have had endure. A British tabloid last week wrote that Markle, who grew up in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, is “straight out of Compton,” while other U.K. outlets have felt the need to repeatedly describe the dreadlocks of her 60-year-old African American mother or question whether the royal family will accept a mixed-race American divorcée.
Adds the Kensington Palace statement, “Since he was young, Prince Harry has been very aware of the warmth that has been extended to him by members of the public. He feels lucky to have so many people supporting him and knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads.”
“He is also aware that there is significant curiosity about his private life. He has never been comfortable with this, but he has tried to develop a thick skin … and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media, focused on his work and the issues he cares about.”
It concludes, “He knows that it is unusual to issue a statement like this, but hopes that fair-minded people will understand why he has felt it necessary to speak publicly. “
Prince Harry and Markle have been dating since meeting through mutual friends in June, Us Weekly confirmed last week, and he has even introduced the actress and philanthropist to his father, Prince Charles.