HE'S ROGUE ONE
Prince Harry ‘refused to consult Prince Charles and William’ before launching explosive rant about coverage of Meghan Markle
PRINCE Harry went “rogue” in his fight with the Press as senior royals were not warned about his extraordinary rant, it was claimed last night.
He apparently refused to consult dad Charles and brother William, who were only “informed” as his outburst was published on Tuesday night.
Harry, 35, wrote it himself with no guidance from Buckingham Palace or his team of senior advisers.
It was also thought the Queen was not consulted — although Harry’s communications secretary insisted that she had been informed.
Meghan, 38, claims it unlawfully published a private letter to her father Thomas Markle detailing her pain at their estrangement.
AIMING FOR 'MAXIMUM IMPACT'
Harry’s bombshell statement overshadowed the end of the couple’s successful southern African tour, which ended last night.
Critics raised questions over its timing, said to have followed “specific legal advice”.
Harry’s spokesman said the case had been in the works for “many months”.
However he had another six years to launch the claim. Experts believe law firm Schillings filed it now to “cause maximum impact”.
But a royal source said: “This is not the done thing on a royal tour, when the principals are representing the Queen and country.
“I can’t imagine the Queen will be very impressed.”
Of Meghan, Harry said he was “witness to her private suffering for too long” and accused the Press of waging a “ruthless campaign”.
He even said the positive publicity the couple had enjoyed on their ten-day trip exposed its “double standards”.
'MONUMENTAL MISJUDGMENT'
The Mail on Sunday publisher Associated Newspapers said it “stands by the story it published and will be defending this case vigorously”.
It added: “Specifically, we categorically deny that the Duchess’s letter was edited in any way that changed its meaning.”
Royal experts last night criticised Harry’s rant as “over-emotional” and a “monumental misjudgment”.
Duo using star firm
By Tom Wells
HARRY and Meghan, who claimed yesterday that they believed “in media freedom”, are using notorious law firm Schillings to spearhead their privacy dogfight.
The London outfit is the go-to company for stars trying to keep secrets safe — and it has won dozens of injunction.
However, in 2009 it saw a super-injunction thrown out relating to a fling by then England captain John Terry.
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Cottage refurb bill
TAXPAYERS will have forked out nearly £3million on Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage home by the time work is finished.
Officials tried to downplay costs with estimates of £1.5million.
But accounts released in June revealed refurbishing the Windsor property had cost £2.4million in the financial year to April alone.
Eco hypocrisy
ECO-warriors Harry and Meg claim to be passionate environmentalists — but still took four private jet flights in 11 days.
They flew to Ibiza on August 6, returned to the UK on August 12, flew to Elton John’s pad in Nice two days later and returned to Britain on August 17 — all on a gas-guzzling private plane.
Elton's holiday gift
ROCKETMAN Elton said he paid for the couple’s jet to Nice and “offset” their carbon footprint by donating to an eco firm.
The company, called Carbon Footprint, said it worked with 17 governments to cancel out emissions with tree planting schemes.
But the Cabinet Office denied working with them.
Yacht a liberty
THE carbon-producing jaunt came days after a reportedly bare-footed Harry gave a speech at a Google climate retreat in Italy.
It was attended by celebrities who had arrived there on a total of 114 private jets and super-yachts.
Harry was himself said to have stayed onboard a huge gas-guzzling yacht.
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£300k baby shower
MEGHAN also took a private plane to New York for a lavish £300,000 baby shower with pals.
She was said to have taken a £95,000 private jet to the bash at prestigious hotel The Mark.
Four months later Harry said he and Meghan would only have two children “maximum” — to help protect the environment.
Prince Harry reveals Meghan Markle is suing the Mail on Sunday and attacks ‘painful’ coverage of his wife
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