Prince Harry has reportedly been left angry and embarrassed by a new article revisiting his years as a young royal known for partying and playing practical jokes.
The piece, written by journalist Charlotte Griffiths, recalls a weekend she says she spent with the Duke of Sussex and mutual friends in Hampshire in 2011. She described the younger Harry as mischievous, irreverent and sometimes difficult, but also entertaining company.
The article was published around the time of Harry’s major legal setback in his privacy case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The ruling could leave the Duke facing significant legal costs.
A source told Woman’s Day that Harry had suspected such a story might be published but found its timing “terrible and deeply embarrassing.”
According to the insider, the Duke believes the article was prepared in advance and released when he appeared to be at a particularly difficult point in his life.
“He says it’s a trumped-up hatchet piece that’s clearly been prepped way in advance and saved until he was perceived to be at his lowest ebb,” the source claimed.
The insider added that Harry was trying not to react publicly but was said to be feeling angry, confused and worried about the potential fallout.
The report also claimed that an invitation for Harry and his family to stay at a royal residence during their time in the UK was withdrawn at the last minute, leading to discussions between representatives.
Although Harry is reportedly tempted to respond with his own version of events, his advisers are said to have encouraged him not to give the story further attention.
“All Harry wants to do right now is focus on Invictus and put this type of nonsense to one side,” the source said.
The Duke is also said to be frustrated by suggestions that he has become less fun and more serious in recent years. According to the source, he does not believe Griffiths knew him well enough to make broad judgments about his personality based on one weekend more than a decade ago.
“For him, they just hung out through mutual friends,” the insider claimed, adding that Harry found the decision to revisit the encounter “irritating and upsetting.”
How Meghan Markle Reportedly Reacted
Meghan Markle is also said to have read the article and found it uncomfortable and unfortunate.
A source claimed that while the Duchess of Sussex had heard stories about Harry’s party years, some of the details in the piece were new to her.
The insider also alleged that Meghan has become concerned about Harry’s mood as he deals with legal disputes, tensions involving the royal family and financial pressure.
“She wants to be supportive, but she is also taking care of the children and running her own business,” the source said.
The report further claimed that both Harry and Meghan are worried about how his court defeat and the renewed media attention could affect their public image and future projects.
What Charlotte Griffiths Said
In her article, Griffiths reflected on the difference between the prince she says she met in 2011 and the public figure he has since become.
“He could be mischievous, irreverent and occasionally exasperating, but he was also funny company,” she wrote, adding that the man he is today is someone she “barely recognises.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not publicly responded to the article or the claims attributed to unnamed sources.
