Prince Harry has explained why he and Meghan Markle have given interviews over the years despite facing criticism, saying that staying quiet does not stop stories being written about them.
In a new interview with GQ, the 42-year-old covered topics including grief, his military service, his relationship with the press, and his return to the UK.
Why Harry says he speaks out
Harry said: "If it's someone like me, if you're sitting back, staying quiet, keeping low, the stories don't stop. The stories are continuous."
He added: "So, you'll either just sit there and accept that all this crap is going to be created, and people are going to write books about you, and people are going to write stories—the hundreds, and thousands, and millions of stories about you over the years—and the vast majority of them are made up, untrue, or just really badly sourced, or with an agenda."
"So why not share some of my story? Why not try to be in control? If they can't be responsible enough to tell your story, then you have to tell your own story."
Criticism over telling his story
Harry acknowledged the criticism he has faced: "But at the same time, I've been really criticised for telling my story. I find it fascinating because everybody else is allowed to tell their version of my story, but God forbid I should be able to tell the other side of it."
He concluded: "So it's interesting, but just by telling my own story, it takes away a lot of power from other people."
Interviews and projects since stepping down
Harry has given several high-profile interviews since stepping down from royal duties in 2020. In 2021, he and Meghan spoke to Oprah Winfrey about life inside the Firm, making allegations against the Royal Family. They later released the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan with further allegations.
In 2023, Harry published his memoir Spare, a detailed account of his royal experience. The couple moved to the US after stepping back as working royals, but returned to the UK at the end of August this summer after six years. Harry and Meghan made their first official outing in Nottingham last week.
