Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly weighing potential legal action against Donald Trump after the former president branded the Duchess of Sussex "terrible" and characterized Prince Harry as "whipped." The possibility of a high-profile lawsuit emerged after Trump gave a series of remarks about the couple, including, "I'll leave him alone. He's got enough problems with his wife. She's terrible." In California, where the Sussexes now reside, royal commentators and attorneys say the Republican figure's words could be grounds for defamation or harm to the pair's branding.
Ingrid Seward, a noted royal author, remarked: "It was an incredibly hurtful thing to say, terrible. I know what he meant and we possibly all agree with him, but to say it publicly like that is very hurtful." She suggested that Meghan and Harry might consider a legal challenge to protect their image, noting, "I wonder if Meghan and Harry might have some come back for that, legally." According to RadarOnline.com, the Sussexes are conferring with their legal team to discuss their next steps.
An intellectual property attorney offered insight on the matter, telling RadarOnline.com: "It could be argued that his comments are harmful to their brand but any litigation against Donald Trump would be horny, to say the least, but, saying that, I'm sure they are mulling over their response as they are not people to just back down in the presence of a perceived bully." The attorney also explained that proving damage to one's finances or reputation can be key to a successful defamation claim. Meghan Markle, who previously called Trump "misogynistic," is said to be especially troubled by his latest remarks.
Trump's comments, however, did not stop at describing Meghan as "terrible." He also claimed Harry is "being led around by the nose." This is not the first time the former president has taken aim at the couple, as he made disparaging remarks in the past about their decision to step down from royal duties. Trump has also praised Prince William, claiming a private meeting with him in Paris as evidence of his good relations with the Royal Family.
Complicating the Sussexes' legal strategies is the ongoing scrutiny over Prince Harry's immigration status. The Heritage Foundation has questioned whether Harry's past drug use could have rendered him ineligible for a U.S. visa, triggering a separate legal matter and intense public speculation. Harry moved to California with Meghan in 2020, following the pair's well-publicized split from the Royal Family.
The couple's potential dispute with Trump isn't the only legal action on their horizon. Meghan and Harry also reportedly feel "deeply hurt" by a recent Vanity Fair cover story labeling them "the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet." The magazine went on to suggest that Markle's team had been shopping a "post-divorce book" deal, a claim that the Sussexes have vehemently denied.
Their willingness to challenge media narratives is not new. Harry recently secured a major victory against Rupert Murdoch's publishing group, News Group Newspapers, for "serious intrusion" into his private life and that of his late mother, Princess Diana. He received a pay-out believed to total around $12 million. "It's wonderful that Harry fought for, and gained, an apology to his mother," Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, said, adding: "She would be incredibly touched at that, and rightly proud."
Key financial figures in Harry's recent settlement with Rupert Murdoch's company reportedly included:
- An approximate $12 million pay-out.
- An "unequivocal apology" for intrusive tabloid practices.
According to RadarOnline.com, the Duke of Sussex has made it his "life's work" to take on media entities that, in his view, have hurt him or his family. His potential feud with Donald Trump would represent an unprecedented step, pitting a member of the British royal family against a former U.S. president. Observers say any potential lawsuit would be a high-stakes gamble, but the Sussexes have a track record of taking bold legal action when they feel wronged.
