King Charles "still believes in a free press" despite its past treatment of Prince Harry and Queen Camilla, a royal commentator has claimed.
Royal author Gareth Russell has spoken exclusively to GB News about King Charles's views on the media, highlighting the monarch's belief in a free press, despite his own challenging history with journalists.
King Charles recently praised journalism as a "cornerstone of our democracy" during a reception at Buckingham Palace.
Russell told the People's Channel: "Like many families, you have to accept that different members and different generations have sometimes very different views about politics, society and all of the big issues."
King Charles ‘still believes in free press’ despite tumultuous past with Harry and Camilla
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He noted that the King has made it clear that "despite his own previously very difficult relationship with the press, particularly in the 1990s, he's still someone who believes that a Free Press is an important part of British democracy."
Russell emphasised this wasn't about giving media "a blank check" but rather supporting "the freedom to express difficult opinions" as vital to journalistic integrity.
In contrast, the monarch's son, Prince Harry, has had a difficult relationship with the press. The Duke of Sussex has pursued multiple legal actions against British media organisations in recent years.
Prince Harry settled his case against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, in January. NGN issued "a full and unequivocal apology" to the Duke for "serious intrusion" into his private life and agreed to pay substantial damages.
King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured in 1979
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This represents just one of three major lawsuits Harry has pursued against British media outlets.
The Duke already achieved success in his legal action against Mirror Group Newspapers, winning substantial damages following a trial in 2023.
Prince Harry is also suing the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. This third case is scheduled to go to trial in 2026.
The Duke's confrontational approach to media relations marks a significant departure from his father's more conciliatory stance, despite both having experienced invasive press coverage.
Harry's civil case against NGN was originally expected to go to trial in 2024PACharles himself experienced significant media intrusion, most notably during the "Tampongate" scandal with his current wife, Queen Camilla.
This involved a six-minute telephone call between Charles and Camilla that The Sunday Mirror published in January 1993.
The conversation took place in 1989, when both parties were married to other people.
The tape sent shockwaves through Buckingham Palace and catalysed Camilla's divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles.
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Andrew and Camilla Parker Bowles attend the Queen's Cup polo match at Windsor in 1992
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Charles and Princess Diana's separation was announced in December 1992, with their divorce finalised in 1996.
Despite these painful experiences with the press, the King has chosen a path of reconciliation rather than confrontation.
Russell noted that during Charles's time as Prince of Wales, "it was not always a kind relationship" and "some of the media did overstep when they were transcribing, or rather listening in on private conversations of his."
Nevertheless, the monarch maintains his support for press freedom, unlike his son's more adversarial approach.
