By Katherine Tinsley
2:48pm PDT, Oct 23, 2025
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When
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship first became public, the Duke of Sussex accused the British media of subjecting the former actress to a "wave of abuse and harassment."
"We were completely and utterly shocked by that," royal expert
Phil Dampier told
The Sun. "I just couldn't believe it when he did that."
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"Looking back, I think there were one or two remarks in a couple of columns that made some rather unpleasant remarks about her background," Phil Dampier continued.
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In her 2021 interview with
Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle revealed she struggled with suicidal thoughts while living in the U.K.
Prince Harry also told
James Corden the "British press was destroying my mental health."
"But generally speaking, 99 percent of the coverage was overwhelmingly positive and welcoming," Phil Dampier said, adding that the statement was a "very bad beginning" that "showed Harry's paranoia."
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"She seemed like a breath of fresh air," Phil Dampier noted. "I just couldn't believe it when he started complaining to the press that she was being mistreated because, generally speaking, I don't think she was."
