Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently joined six other high-profile individuals in a legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail, shedding light on his challenging experiences during his school years. The 40-year-old prince often looks back on his traumatic experience at Eton College. Today, he’s reprising that story arc as he’s currently fighting for a new form of justice against old, unlawful intrusions into his personal life.
Eton College, founded in 1440, has been a significant institution in Prince Harry’s life. He attended the prestigious school in the late 1990s, where he faced a complex social dynamic, particularly with his brother, Prince William. In an honest reflection, Prince Harry revealed that Prince William instructed him to act like we didn’t know each other when he got to Eton. This instruction made a huge impact on Harry. Such a decision had Prince Harry leaving feeling lonely and self-conscious in an already intimidating setting.
The Struggles of Brotherhood
During his years at Eton, Prince Harry found it hard to endure the chasm his brother had forged. He shared that William’s decision to maintain a separation was something he took “personally,” adding that “At the time, it hurt.” These new discoveries indicate the tumultuous and fraught bond between the two brothers. This continuing story has engaged the public imagination and raised public alarm.
Besides all that family drama, Prince Harry had the added burden of being a royal student. He went on to concede that he had never quite felt at home at Eton. But despite this, he was able to find a form of escape through athletics. “Sport, I decided, would be my thing at Eton,” he remarked, highlighting his participation in football and the Wall Games.
The Legal Challenge
Meanwhile, Prince Harry continues to fight against the establishment. He is appealing against a ruling by members of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) about security measures in place since February 2020. Even though he was given permission to appeal Sir Peter’s ruling, leave to appeal was denied in May 2025. His lasting legal troubles only highlight his consistency in taking on what he views as wrongdoings and invasions of privacy.
The Daily Mail publisher recently apologized for similar historic intrusions, dating from 1996 to 2011. This surprising development only deepens the twist in Prince Harry’s historic ongoing legal battle. The publisher admitted to some acts of illegal conduct carried out by private detectives hired by The Sun. This admission of failings or wrongdoing creates an even larger effect, likely shaping the way the public understands what Prince Harry went through during his younger years.
Life Beyond Eton
Now, Prince Harry lives in California with his wife, Meghan Markle. She and the family, including their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, delight in this family life together. As he reflects on his school years, he continues to advocate for privacy and security for himself and his family. We can only begin to guess how the challenges he faced at Eton profoundly influenced his personal life. They were just as important in defining his public image.
