Prince Harry predicted his relationship with Meghan Markle – by telling a friend that ‘only somebody who was already in the public eye’ would be able to handle a relationship with a senior royal.
He is said to have been worried that a potential suitor would struggle with the constant glare of fans and the media scrutinising their every public appearance.
Two of Harry’s previous relationships collapsed because the women could not cope with the pressure of being associated with the Prince.
Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy both said they struggled with the burden of constant pressure from being in the public eye.
Two of Harry’s previous relationships collapsed because the women could not cope with the pressure of being associated with the Prince. He is pictured with his fiance Meghan Markle
Suits actress Meghan Markle has faced a high level of media attention during her US acting career
Indeed, Zimbabwe-born Davy called the intense media interest ‘scary’ and said she ‘couldn’t cope’ with the attention – eventually retreating back to Africa for calm.
She said in an interview last year: ‘It was so full-on: crazy and scary and uncomfortable. I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn’t cope.’
But Harry need not have the same worries with Suits actress Meghan, who has faced a high level of media attention during her US acting career.
The Prince had previously told the Sunday Times: ‘If or when I do find a girlfriend, I will do my utmost best to ensure that me and her can get to the point where we’re actually comfortable with each other, before the massive invasion that is inevitably going to happen into her privacy.’
So far it seems that Harry has kept his word – after he made an extraordinary statement in November last year condemning the ‘wave of abuse and harassment’ that Ms Markle had faced since rumours of the pair’s relationship first surfaced.
Cressida Bonas, pictured left, and Chelsy Davy, pictured right, both said they struggled with the burden of constant pressure from being in the public eye
He lashed out at media intrusion and the ‘sexism and racism of social media trolls’ in a statement which said ‘this is not a game – it is her life and his’ and that he is ‘deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her’.
A lengthy and strongly-worded statement issued by Kensington Palace said there had been a ‘line crossed’ in the abuse and harassment she has faced and it was ‘not right’ that his girlfriend ‘should be subjected to such a storm’.
Speaking of Ms Markle, a source told the Sunday TImes:’Yes, she’s giving up a lot, her career and even her own charity work, but if there’s any fear that the palace might get its claws into her or that she ends up being shaped by the system, as others have been before her, that won’t happen.
The insider added: ‘She’s her own person, she’s not going to crumble under the weight and glare of it all.’