The Duke of Sussex’s decision to fight against intrusion from the tabloid press has been a “central piece” behind the breakdown of his relationship with the rest of the Royal Family.

Speaking for the first time since his four-year legal battle against various UK newspapers concluded, The Duke of Sussex said he felt “vindicated” by a recent phone hacking court ruling, calling it a “monumental victory”.

Prince Harry is set to appear in Tabloids On Trial, a new documentary about phone hacking which is due to air on ITV1 and ITVX tonight, July 25, at 9pm.

But in comments due to be aired as part of the ITV documentary, Prince Harry added “it would be nice if we did it as a family”.

However, a source has revealed that Prince Harry’s desire to repeatedly “air his dirty laundry in public” or talk about the Royal Family’s private business is the very thing that is causing the rift.

“Never complain, never explain has been the Royal Family’s motto for over a hundred years now,” said the source.

“Although some of what Harry says might be valid, the family doesn’t want to be dragged into any more public media storms.”

In a rare interview with a British-based journalist in tonight’s ITV documentary, the Duke of Sussex sat down with Rebecca Barry to talk about his mission to expose the so-called “illegal activities of Britain’s tabloid newspapers”.

Prince Harry, who became the first British royal in 130 years to give evidence in a court, told the programme his decision to fight these cases had “caused… part of a rift” with the rest of his family.

“If there was some kind of media blackout and trust built between Harry and the family, it could lead to a better relationship,” said the source.

“But all the while he continues to speak out or make comments about the Royal Family, it’s not going to happen. He just needs to learn to keep quiet.

“They [the Royal Family] don’t want to be dragged into any more public spats or negative press stories.”

Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back as senior royals in 2020 after publicly revealing their struggles under the media spotlight.

The prince, who now lives in California, also said he believed there was evidence his mother – the late Princess Diana – was hacked, claiming she “was probably one of the first” victims.

This has never been proven in court.

In response to the documentary, an MGN spokesperson said: “We welcomed the judgment in December 2023 that gave the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago.

“Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid compensation,” the spokesperson added.