When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties, it sent shockwaves through the monarchy and captivated the world.

While many have speculated that their departure was largely due to Harry’s strained relationships with his brother, Prince William, and the rest of the royal family, new insights from the Duke himself reveal a deeper narrative.

Since relocating to Montecito, California, in 2020, Harry has been candid about his grievances with the royal institution.

His outspoken nature has often clashed with the family’s preference for silence, particularly when it comes to their private affairs.

However, before his high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry was already embroiled in a significant legal battle against the British press, which would ultimately shape his public narrative.

The saga began in 2020 when Harry took legal action against Mirror Group newspapers over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

After four arduous years of litigation, he emerged victorious, receiving £140,600 from the UK High Court in December 2023.

The court found that Harry had been subjected to extensive phone hacking between 2006 and 2011, a revelation that underscored the invasive tactics employed by tabloids.

In a recent interview, Harry emphasized that the principle behind the case mattered more to him than the financial compensation.

For someone of his stature, the payout might seem trivial, but the vindication it represented was monumental.

It was a personal victory, yet he lamented having to navigate this battle alone, which somewhat diluted the triumph’s significance.

On July 25, Harry made his first public appearance post-verdict in the ITV documentary “Tabloids on Trial.”

This special shed light on the ongoing phone hacking scandal, with Harry sharing how the relentless scrutiny from the tabloids contributed to his decision to step away from royal life.

He articulated how the press’s invasion of privacy not only affected him but also instilled a lasting anxiety regarding Meghan’s safety.

The ruling was a pivotal moment for Harry, who expressed feelings of vindication.

However, he acknowledged the personal toll it took on his relationship with the royal family.

“Taking a family approach would have been ideal,” he admitted during an interview with BBC News.

Yet, he recognized that pursuing legal action had further strained ties with the Windsors.

Delving deeper, Harry reflected on the complexities of his departure from royal duties.