Prince William also experienced what Prince Harry did when the press was after his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle. The Duke of Cambridge was so furious because the media harassed Kate Middleton.
Prince William Angered When The Media Harassed Then-Girlfriend Kate Middleton
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started as friends before their relationship turned romantic. They dated for years and when Kate Middleton was celebrating her 25th birthday, there were rumors that the second in line to the throne would propose to her. So, they flocked and followed her.
Middleton encountered over 50 paparazzi and TV cameramen who followed her car under the watch of policemen. Some even chased her down the street while others attempted to take pictures of her through the windows of her car as she sped away.
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Prince William was livid when he learned about the incident. He hit out at the press for harassing his girlfriend as it happened before they got engaged and married.
"Prince William is very unhappy at the paparazzi harassment of his girlfriend. He wants more than anything for it to stop," Prince William's spokesman said per Express. "Miss Middleton should, like any other private individual, be able to go about her everyday business without this kind of intrusion. The situation is proving unbearable for all those concerned."
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London at the time, condemned the paparazzi’s behaviour. He felt that what happened to Middleton was "outrageous." He stressed that one has the right to grow up and live without the constant media intrusion.
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Prince William's Anger To The Press May Be Related To Princess Diana
Meanwhile, Ken Wharfe, Princess Diana's former bodyguard, urged Prince Charles to consider employing private bodyguards for Middleton until she became engaged to Prince William. The duchess was working as an assistant accessories buyer for Jigsaw at the time. Wharfe speculated that Prince William was concerned about his girlfriend because his mom Princess Diana died in a car crash after the paparazzi chased her vehicle.
"History appears to be repeating itself despite claims that lessons have been learned after the loss of Diana," Wharfe said. "As far as I can see the warnings have not been heeded."
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Meghan Markle was also subjected to the same media intrusion when the press learned that she was dating a royal prince. Prince Harry was also furious and immediately released a statement in a bid to protect the former Suits star.
"His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment," Prince Harry's communication secretary said in a statement released in November 2016 noting that some attacks were private, others were public.
"Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. 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. This is not a game - it is her life and his," the announcement added.
Stay tuned for more news and updates about Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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