Prince Harry condemns "ruthless" treatment Meghan Markle has received from British media

There is no doubt that while American media has represented former actress now Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's marriage to Britain's Royal Family member Prince Harry in a positive light, the British press has been far from kind. Ever since the Royal Couple formally announced their relationship with each other - and then their marriage - British media has been critical of her race, nationality, career, family life, and past decisions. Now, in an effort to curb the criticism and highlight the vast disparity in media coverage between his wife and other members of the Royal Family, Prince Harry has stepped forward with an official statement against the "ruthless" way she has been characterized in the press thus far, PEOPLE Magazine reports.

The Duke of Sussex affirmed in his statement, "Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son." Prince Harry here was perhaps referring to the different ways British media has covered Markle's pregnancy and parenting in comparison to Kate Middleton's. While tabloids represent her rather favorably, it is not always the case with Markle.

He continued, "There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been. Because in today’s digital age, press fabrications are repurposed as truth across the globe. One day’s coverage is no longer tomorrow’s chip paper. Up to now, we have been unable to correct the continual misrepresentations - something that these select media outlets have been aware of and have therefore exploited on a daily and sometimes hourly basis." The Duke then announced that he would be pursuing legal action, a decision he had been planning for months now, he revealed.

"There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behavior because it destroys people and destroys lives," Prince Harry declared in his strong statement. "Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn’t acceptable, at any level. We won’t and can’t believe in a world where there is no accountability for this." Finally, he made a reference to his mother, insisting that he would not let history repeat itself. He concluded, "I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces. We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it." It is heartening to see a member of the Royal Family finally take a stand against biased media that reports with no heed to the basic ethics and virtues of journalistic integrity. Kudos to you, Prince Harry.