- As if they didn't have enough on their plates with the royal exit and a transatlantic move, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also spent 2020 embroiled in a legal battle.
- The Sussexes have sued several media outlets in their fight back against tabloids they say invaded Meghan's privacy in pursuit of stories about her.
- Amber Melville-Brown, head of the media and reputation practice at international law firm Withers, says the strategy will likely backfire for Harry and Meghan and that the lawsuits will only "make the press even more persistent."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made it clear that they're done being pushed around—especially by the media. Amid their controversial royal exit, the couple has been pursuing lawsuits against several British tabloids and other media outlets, including The Mail on Sunday and The Sun.
The lawsuits haven't gone perfectly so far. In May, Meghan suffered a setback when a judge struck out part of her claim against the Mail on Sunday's publisher Associated Newspapers and in July, she agreed to pay almost $90,000 in legal fees as a result of the loss. Although Harry and Meghan have yet to give up their fight, at least one expert is speaking out against their legal action.
"Their attempt to control the British tabloids was misjudged in my view," Amber Melville-Brown, head of the media and reputation practice at international law firm Withers, told Insider. "As a privacy lawyer I value and will fight for the rights of my clients. But I fear that here, even if Meghan wins her legal case in her claims for misuse of private information, and infringement of her rights under the Data Protection legislation and in copyright, this is a war that she cannot win."
Worse than simply losing the legal fight, Melville-Brown predicts that the lawsuits could backfire and "make the press even more persistent. Obviously, this would be the exact opposite of what Harry and Meghan want, particularly as they attempt to settle into a new, more private life with their one-year-old son, Archie Harrison.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Jess Hong Enters Her Chaotic Era
She was doing kids’ theater in New Zealand when she landed the leading role on Netflix’s epic ‘3 Body Problem.’ And now that the show is No. 1 on the streamer, her whole world is about to change.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
39 J.Crew, Reformation, and COS Items That Are Ideal for Spring Travel
Spring ready.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Breaks Yet Another Music-Industry Record
This is pretty much the norm now, no?
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published