British Crown’s Relationship with the Media

Harry, being more reckless, has been at the receiving end of the media more often

After a French magazine published paparazzi photographs of Kate Middleton, Prince William’s wife, sunbathing topless at a secluded villa in Provence, Britain’s royal family began legal proceedings against the magazine.

This, however, is not the first time that the media and the British crown’s relationship has come under strain. While English publications desisted from printing Middleton’s photos, many publications did not show such restraint a few months ago with photos of a naked Prince Harry playing strip billiards. 

The most notorious, and tragic, media excess was seen during Princess Diana’s lifetime. She was hounded constantly and many hold the paparazzi responsible for her death. She was killed in a car crash in 1997, when a chase by photographers caused her inebriated driver to fatally floor the accelerator.

Before his marriage, Prince William’s relationship with Middleton was under close media scrutiny. Before his wedding, the prince is believed to have pledged that he would ensure his wife wouldn’t suffer the same fate as his mother, Diana.

Harry, being more reckless, has been at the receiving end of the media more often. Some time ago, photos were published of him at a costume party, wearing a Nazi German Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika armband, forcing him to apologise.

Perturbed by photographers stalking the family, the palace has often  written to the media to exercise restraint. The News of the World scandal, in which the press confessed to hacking phones of celebrities, also forced the English media to change its ways. That can’t be said of the rest of Europe.

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