Prince Harry has opened up about the profound fear he feels for his family in light of the relentless media scrutiny they face, drawing a parallel between the challenges they experience today and the tragic treatment of his late mother, Princess Diana.
In a candid one-on-one interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times’ annual DealBook Summit, the Duke of Sussex shared his personal struggles with media misinformation, the mental health toll of public life, and the dangerous consequences of distorted narratives. He emphasized the broader societal implications of misinformation and how it exacerbates the global mental health crisis.
Harry explained that his experiences with media scrutiny have led him to deeply question the validity of the information being presented, reflecting on how pervasive and damaging it can be. “I’ve seen stories written about myself not exactly based in reality,” he said. “When you grow up in that environment, you find yourself questioning the validity of the information, but also what other people are thinking as well, and how dangerous it can be over the course of time.”
The Duke went on to express his particular concern for the well-being of his wife, Meghan Markle, and their young children, Archie and Lilibet. “What worried me most was worrying that would happen to me, or to my wife, or to my kids,” he shared, indicating how the culture of misinformation and media scrutiny has had a lasting impact on his family’s lives.
His comments shed light on the emotional and psychological toll that constant public and media attention can have, not only on him but on his loved ones as well. It’s a stark reminder of the continuing pressures facing the Sussexes as they navigate their personal and professional lives in the public eye.