Prince Harry believes that media intrusion was the main factor in his breakup with his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy. In a written statement obtained by the New York Times, the Duke of Sussex expressed that the constant surveillance from tabloids created an unsustainable environment for their relationship.
Harry explained that living under constant scrutiny took a toll on both of them, particularly when Davy lived in England. He acknowledged that everyone has their limits in dealing with such intrusion and understood why Davy decided that royal life was not for her.
The statement was part of Harry’s ongoing lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspaper Limited, where he alleges unethical practices such as phone tapping were used to gather information about his personal life.
Despite Harry’s efforts to be a supportive partner, he highlighted the presence of a third party in their relationship—the press. Their on-and-off relationship, which began in 2004 and ended in 2010, faced significant challenges due to media scrutiny.
The royal recalled the fear they experienced for their safety and the immense stress it put on their relationship. They struggled to comprehend how private moments were constantly making their way into tabloid headlines, leading to a shrinking circle of trusted friends. This loss of trust contributed to bouts of depression and paranoia.
Harry also mentioned an incident in 2005 where he was allegedly caught flirting at a party while Davy was out of town. He acknowledged his immaturity at the time and expressed frustration over the lack of attribution for details about their telephone communications in the articles published by the Daily Mirror.
While media played a role in their breakup, Harry previously revealed in his memoir that his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, had reservations about Davy’s free-spirited lifestyle. Despite his grandmother’s opinion, Harry admired Davy’s carefree nature and did not want her to change for the sake of others’ expectations.
The royal is currently suing the Mirror Group Newspaper Limited for alleged phone hacking and illegal interception of voicemail messages during the period from 1996 to 2011. The case is being tried at London’s High Court.
