In a revealing segment of the ITV documentary “Tabloids on Trial,” the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, passionately stood up for his late mother, Princess Diana.

He countered claims that she was merely paranoid when she voiced concerns about her phone being tapped prior to her tragic death.

This conversation sheds light on the ongoing scrutiny and sensationalism surrounding the royal family, especially regarding Diana’s legacy.

Michael Gibbons, who served as Diana’s private secretary, confirmed in 2007 that she indeed believed her calls were being monitored.

While she never explicitly expressed this worry, her actions spoke volumes.

Changing her phone number frequently indicated just how serious she took her concerns.

It’s a classic case of someone sensing danger but feeling powerless to address it directly.

Andrew Morton, the biographer behind “Diana: Her True Story,” also touched on this unsettling topic.

He recounted Diana’s habit of jokingly saying, “Hello boys, time to change the tape,” during phone conversations, hinting at her awareness of potential eavesdropping.

One infamous incident, dubbed “Squidgigate,” proved her fears were not unfounded when transcripts of her private chats with friend James Gilbey were leaked to the press.

Adding to the intrigue, there are allegations that the CIA may have been monitoring her communications on the night she died.

Though the agency has denied these claims, the mere suggestion raises eyebrows and fuels speculation about the extent of surveillance surrounding Diana.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Duke found himself embroiled in a legal battle against the Mirror Group, a prominent British tabloid.

He emerged victorious, securing a settlement of around £400,000 (approximately $505,000) for privacy violations that included unauthorized phone tapping.

The judge’s ruling highlighted a disturbing trend; phone spying was rampant at the Mirror for nearly a decade starting in the 1990s.

Reflecting on the court’s decision, the Duke remarked, “When you’re proven innocent, it shows you weren’t being paranoid.”

He drew parallels between his own experiences and those of his mother, asserting that she too had been vindicated in her concerns.

Despite the evidence of hacking during the 90s, tabloids continue to label Diana as paranoid, a narrative that the Duke vehemently opposes.

A source close to the Duke revealed that he received encouragement in his fight for privacy from his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Living in California now, the Duke shared that he feels her spirit guiding him to see this battle through.

It’s a poignant reminder of the deep familial connections that persist even after loss.

However, the Duke’s concerns don’t stop at his mother’s legacy.

He expressed heightened fears for his and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex’s safety, particularly due to the relentless nature of tabloid media.

He noted, “It only takes one person reading this to take action based on what they’ve read,” underscoring the potential dangers posed by sensationalist reporting.