Hugh Grant has said he supports the Duke of Sussex’s decision to “step back” from royal life.
Last week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced plans to split their time between the UK and North America.
In an interview with Andy Cohen on his Radio Andy Sirius XM show, the actor said: “I’m rather on Harry’s side".
“The tabloid press effectively murdered his mother, now they’re tearing his wife to pieces.”
Grant, who has campaigned against media intrusion for years, was referring to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997, while the vehicle was being pursued by paparazzi.
The Paddington 2 star continued: “I think as a man, it’s his job to protect his family, so I’m with him.”
Grant went on to discuss his own relationship with the tabloid press, describing it as “very poor”.
The actor has spent nearly a decade campaigning against phone hacking as part of the Hacked Off campaign, which he helped set up in the wake of the 2011 Leveson inquiry into media ethics, during which he claimed to be a victim of phone hacking himself.
“We are committed to holding power to account and building a press which works for everyone,” reads the Hacked Off website.
Grant's interview was part of a promotional tour for his new film, The Gentlemen, in which he plays a tabloid journalist.
Several other celebrities have spoken out in support of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since they announced their decision to move away from royal life, including Jameela Jamil and Oprah Winfrey.
Earlier this week, Stormzy offered his thoughts on New York radio station Hot 97 and described Meghan as a “sweet woman”.
“She does her thing. I haven’t heard her say anything crazy and they just hate her,” the performer said, referencing the intense media scrutiny Meghan has faced.
The British grime artist went on to refer to presenter Eamonn Holmes’ recent controversial rant about Meghan, in which he said: “I’ve never met her – but I look at her and I think ‘I don’t think I’d like you in real life’”.
Stormzy responded: “Bro, she’s black, that’s who you’re talking about. ‘I just look at her and I think she’s got that arrogance.’ I’m like, nah, she’s black man. Just get the f*** out of here.”
