Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have officially stepped down as senior members of the royal family, but they still seem to be making headlines. Unfortunately, in the case of April Fool’s Day, it was for all the wrong reasons. Despite the fact that the couple has chosen to live a more private life away from the public eye, several newspapers took the opportunity to mock the couple on the first day of the month. This move has once again put the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the spotlight.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again made headlines in the British media, but this time it was not for his humanitarian efforts or royal duties. Instead, he became a target for April Fool’s Day jokes and edited pictures in some British newspapers. These publications decided to mock Prince Harry by making light of his recent decision to step back from his royal duties and move to the US with his wife Meghan Markle.
One of the papers, whose name was not mentioned in the article, published an edited picture of Prince Harry with a caption that read “Game of Moans: Harry’s Megxit PS5 title launch for coronation”. This was playing off the popular TV series “Game of Thrones” and the well-known fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had decided to step back from their royal duties, which the media has dubbed “Megxit”. The caption also referenced the popular video game console PS5, adding a humorous twist to the situation.
Another publication, whose name was similarly left out, published an edited picture of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a caption that read “Call of Dukey”. This was a reference to the popular video game franchise “Call of Duty” and the slang term “duke” which is often used to refer to a person of high rank or aristocracy. The picture showed Prince Harry wearing military attire, as he had served in the British Army for ten years, and Meghan Markle by his side.
While the jokes and edited pictures may have been in jest, Prince Harry’s recent legal battles with British newspapers and their publishers have been no laughing matter. On Thursday, he returned to the High Court in London where his lawyer fought against an attempt by a newspaper publisher to throw out his and other high-profile figures’ lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged widespread unlawful acts by journalists, including phone-hacking and other serious privacy breaches.
Prince Harry is not the only one involved in this legal battle. Singer Elton John and five other high-profile people are also suing publisher Associated Newspapers. They claim that they were the victims of phone-hacking and other privacy breaches by journalists from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, or private investigators working on their behalf.
The publisher, however, is seeking to have the lawsuit thrown out before a trial, arguing that the claims are outside a six-year time limit for legal action. The publisher’s lawyer, Adrian Beltrami, made this argument in court, stating that the claims were rejected “in their entirety”.
David Sherborne, the lawyer for Prince Harry and the other claimants, explained why they had not sued before. He said that they had been put “off the scent” by unequivocal denials made at a 2011 public inquiry by top executives from Associated. This indicates that these privacy breaches may have been going on for much longer than previously believed.
Prince Harry has now returned to the US after attending the court hearing. This legal battle highlights the ongoing struggle between the British media and the royal family, particularly in regards to their right to privacy. While the media has always been fascinated with the royal family, it is necessary to respect their basic human rights and treat them like any other members of the public. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this lawsuit will be, but it is clear that Prince Harry and others involved are determined to fight for their rights and seek justice.
In conclusion, the British newspapers may have taken April Fool’s Day too far by poking fun at Prince Harry and Meghan. The couple has already faced enough scrutiny and criticism from the tabloids in recent years. Making them the butt of a joke on a day designed for pranks and hoaxes seems unnecessary and cruel. Let us hope that the media can learn to respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their status or background. As for Prince Harry and Meghan, they continue to prioritize their family and pursue their charitable endeavors, undeterred by the antics of the press.
