Royal correspondents rubbish Harry and Meghan’s fears of media conspiracy as they hit back at claims

Royal correspondents have rubbished Harry and Meghan’s claims that suggest they are facing a media conspiracy and the royal family has ‘invisible contracts’ with the press.

The couple made a number of claims about the British tabloid media in their bombshell interview aired last night in the US.

Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey that the press is ‘bigoted’ and that there is an ‘invisible contract’ between the royal family and the tabloids to guarantee positive media coverage.

Meghan said their relationship with the media was like the ‘wild wild West’ and said the palace holds ‘holiday parties’ for journalists to try and get better press.

But their claims were today rubbished by royal correspondents, and the Society of Editors said it was ‘not acceptable’ for the couple to make such allegations without evidence.

Asked by Winfrey, in a previously unseen clip, if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied ‘It was a large part of it’, adding that he believed the UK press is ‘bigoted’

In the interview, set to be screened tonight on ITV, Meghan tells Oprah: ‘I mean I think there’s a reason that these tabloids have holiday parties at the palace.

‘They’re hosted by the palace, the tabloids are. You know, there is a construct that’s at play there, and because from the beginning of our relationship they were so attacking and inciting so much racism really.’

Asked by Winfrey, in a previously unseen clip, if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied ‘It was a large part of it’, adding that he believed the UK press is ‘bigoted’.

He continued: ‘To simplify it, it’s a case of if you as a family member are willing to wine, dine and give full access to these reporters, then you will get better press.’

Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, said he was left wondering why he had never been invited to one of the 'parties'

Royal expert Robert Jobson told MailOnline: 'There are no holiday parties. Occasionally on a royal tour the ambassador will invite the press or the local press to a reception'

Royal expert Robert Jobson (right) told MailOnline: ‘There are no holiday parties. Occasionally on a royal tour the ambassador will invite the press or the local press to a reception’.  Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, said he was left wondering why he had never been invited to one of the ‘parties’ (left)

Recalling a conversation he had at a Sentebale fundraiser, Harry said he was urged by someone who is ‘friends with a lot of the editors’: ‘Please don’t do this with the media, they will destroy your life.’

He said he was told: ‘You need to understand that the UK is very bigoted,’ to which he replied: ‘The UK is not bigoted, the UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids.’

He added: ‘But unfortunately if the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or biased then that filters out to the rest of society.’

After Harry said his family are scared of the tabloids turning on them, Winfrey said: ‘Turning on them for what? They’re the royal family.’

Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: ‘It is not acceptable for the Duke and Duchess to make such claims without providing any supporting evidence.

‘If it is simply the case the Sussexes feel that the press by questioning their actions and commenting on their roles when working as Royals funded by the taxpayer were being racist then they are mistaken.

Responding to the claims Royal expert Robert Jobson tweeted: 'Meghan claims tabloids have 'holiday parties' at the palace. What on earth are they talking about ????'

Responding to the claims Royal expert Robert Jobson tweeted: ‘Meghan claims tabloids have ‘holiday parties’ at the palace. What on earth are they talking about ????’

Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, tweeted: 'I am wondering why I never got a ticket'

Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, tweeted: ‘I am wondering why I never got a ticket’

Emily Andrews, Royal Editor of the Mail On Sunday tweeted: 'Meghan says the [palace] press team didn't defend her when 'things weren't true. That is just not right.'

Emily Andrews, Royal Editor of the Mail On Sunday tweeted: ‘Meghan says the [palace] press team didn’t defend her when ‘things weren’t true. That is just not right.’

‘In the case of Meghan Markle and her engagement and marriage to Prince Harry there was universal supporting coverage in the UK media which reflected the warmth shown to the couple by the British people. But that warmth could not and should not mean the press should be expected to refuse to report, investigate and comment on the couple’s lifestyle and actions.’

He added: ‘The UK media has a proud record of calling out racism and also being at the forefront of campaigns to support mental health awareness, another of the issues raised by the couple.

The Duke of Sussex speaks on stage at the Sentebale Audi Concert 2019

The Duke of Sussex speaks on stage at the Sentebale Audi Concert 2019

‘It is also unreasonable for the Duke and Duchess to conflate the legitimate coverage provided by the edited and regulated UK media with the wild west of social media.

‘It is strange indeed, that the couple have attacked the UK media previously for alleged intrusion into their private lives yet have opened up on several occasions to media in the US, the latest event being yesterday’s interview with Oprah Winfrey which will play to a world-wide audience.

‘The UK media has never shied away from holding a spotlight up to those in positions of power, celebrity or influence. If sometimes the questions asked are awkward and embarrassing, then so be it, but the press is most certainly not racist. ‘

Responding to Meghan’s claims that the Palace regularly hold ‘holiday parties’ for the press, royal expert Robert Jobson told MailOnline: ‘There are no holiday parties.

‘Occasionally on a royal tour the ambassador or the High Commissioner of the Great Britain will invite the press or the local press to a reception or drinks reception, where they have an hour and they can talk off the record about the trip with members of the royal family, and that happens Queen downwards.

‘It’s not a press holiday party, it’s not a some sort of way of controlling the events, it’s simply a normal and polite thing to do.’

‘It’s always been welcome and always off the record and I was surprised. Number one, a room tour is never a party it’s usually about 18 hours hard work a day and for both royals and anyone covering so I don’t really know what she’s talking about really, to be honest I think it’s a bit of an odd expression.’

He earlier tweeted: ‘Prince Harry tells Oprah his family are ‘scared’ of the UK tabloids and there is an ‘invisible contract’ between institution and the UK tabloids.

‘Meghan claims tabloids have ‘holiday parties’ at the palace. What on earth are they talking about ????’

And Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, tweeted: ‘Meghan has just claimed Buckingham Palace throw ‘holiday parties’ for the UK tabloids and now I am wondering why I never got a ticket.’

Emily Andrews, Royal Editor of the Mail On Sunday, also responded to Meghan’s claims that she hadn’t been protected by the palace’s communications team, tweeting: ‘Meghan says the [palace] press team didn’t defend her when ‘things weren’t true.’

‘That is just not right. The press team with whom I interacted defended them again & again & again, told me things were wrong (so didn’t publish) & indeed tried to stop me when true.’