THE Sun’s royal expert has revealed that Prince Harry’s media “paranoia” set in following Meghan’s Toronto Invictus Games debut.
The pair made their first public appearance together at the event in 2017, however, shortly after, the prince released a statement that left the expert “utterly shocked.”
Royal expert and author, Phil Dampier, has shared on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, his views on the beginning of the couple’s relationship.
He explained witnessing the moment that Meghan and Harry made their first public outing at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
The couple rocked up to the international sporting event walking hand in hand.
The expert told royal editor Matt Wilkinson that while watching this unfold, he instantly knew they would get married.
And indeed, but two months later, the pair were officially engaged.
However, in the wake of Meghan’s Invictus Games debut, Dampier revealed that Harry’s media paranoia really began to set in.
He reflected on Harry’s statement which claimed that media coverage had crossed a line, saying: “We were completely and utterly shocked by that.
“I just couldn’t believe it when he did that.”
He continued: “Looking back I think there were one or two remarks in a couple of columns that made some rather unpleasant remarks about her background.
“But generally speaking, 99 per cent of the coverage was overwhelmingly positive and welcoming.”
The expert described the ordeal as a “very bad beginning” that “showed Harry’s paranoia.”
On Meghan’s initial arrival onto the scene, he continued: “She seemed like a breath of fresh air.
“I just couldn’t believe it when he started complaining to the press that she was being mistreated because, generally speaking, I don’t think she was.”
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Mr Dampier summarised by saying: “We know from Spare and everything that has happened subsequently that obviously he bottled up a lot of angst and bitterness.
“But William had to go through the same and he has managed to cope with it.
“It’s obviously really affected him but I just wish he didn’t blame everyone else for it.
“It wasn’t the press, it wasn’t the public, they all wanted it to succeed.”
This comes after The Sun reported earlier this month that the pair were awarded a humanitarian prize at a glitzy New York gala.
But, in an exclusive interview on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Phil Dampier has questioned them being named Humanitarians of the Year.
Reflecting on the win, he told royal editor Matt Wilkinson: “It does make me laugh when they get these humanitarian awards.
“I regard a humanitarian as somebody who tries to make peace with people.
“They can’t even make peace with their own families.”
