Prince Harry Stands up for His Girlfriend Meghan Markle; ‘This Is Not a Game—It Is Her Life and His.’

Prince Harry was born under a spotlight, but that doesn’t mean he’s totally comfortable with it.

E! News tells us the Prince is speaking out to defend something he doesn’t even want to share with the public, his new relationship.

As a private person, Prince Harry has always tried to keep his relationships out of the public eye, but being a prince that isn’t really possible. But with his new girlfriend, Meghan Markle, receiving a lot of accusations of being “sexist and racist,” he’s issued a statement defending her honor.

The Suits actress has met several members of the Royal Family. A source said, “It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s already thinking about engagement just because that’s where his head goes but that’s not where the relationship is at right now. This is totally Harry. The problem with Harry is when he falls, he falls hard. He goes in big time.”

The statement from Kensington Palace defending Markle reads, “Since he was young, Prince Harry has been very aware of the warmth that has been extended to him by members of the public,” the palace’s statement began. “He feels lucky to have so many people supporting him and knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads.”

“He is also aware that there is significant curiosity about his private life. He has never been comfortable with this, but he has tried to develop a thick skin about the level of media interest that comes with it,” the palace said. “He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media, focused on his work and the issues he cares about.”

“But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment,” the palace continued. “Some of this has been very public—the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”

“Some of it has been hidden from the public—the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.”

“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,” the palace said. “It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.”

“He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game’. He strongly disagrees,” the palace continued. “This is not a game—it is her life and his.”

The prince “has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done,” the palace said. “He knows that it is unusual to issue a statement like this, but hopes that fair-minded people will understand why he has felt it necessary to speak publicly.”

Markle has not commented at this time.

This story first appeared at Womanista.