UK press watchdog finds a tabloid column about hate for Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, was sexist

The UK press watchdog has determined that a column published in The Sun tabloid, which expressed hate towards Meghan, the wife of Prince Harry, was sexist. The column, penned by TV personality Jeremy Clarkson in December, contained degrading and humiliating imagery directed at the Duchess of Sussex. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) chairman, Edward Faulks, stated that the columnist’s article failed to meet the high editorial standards upheld by IPSO, whose purpose is to safeguard the public and freedom of expression. Multiple pejorative and prejudicial references to Meghan’s gender were found to breach the editors’ code by the organization, which is voluntarily committed to by most UK newspapers, magazines, and digital news outlets. These references perpetuated stereotypes about women using their sexuality to exert influence and implied that Meghan’s power stemmed solely from her sexuality rather than her other attributes or accomplishments.

The column received an unprecedented number of complaints, leading the regulator to require the newspaper to inform its readers of the findings. In response, The Sun printed a headline at the bottom of its front page acknowledging the complaint upheld by IPSO and directed readers to a summary of the report on page 17. The newspaper had already removed the column and issued an apology in December.

Jeremy Clarkson, known for his combative hosting style on shows like “Top Gear” and “The Grand Tour,” expressed his horror at the backlash caused by the column and apologized, vowing to exercise more caution in the future. Even Clarkson’s daughter criticized the column on social media, distancing herself from her father’s views and showing support for those subjected to online hatred.

Clarkson justified the image of Meghan being publicly shamed as a “clumsy reference” to a scene from “Game of Thrones.” The column had been prompted by the release of a Netflix documentary about Harry and Meghan’s contentious departure from the British royal family. The couple stepped away from their royal duties and relocated to California, citing a lack of support from the palace and the racially biased treatment of Meghan, who is biracial.

While the press regulator rejected complaints regarding the column’s accuracy, harassment of Meghan, or discrimination based on race, Prince Harry criticized the article as “horrific, hurtful, and cruel” and expressed concerns that it would promote misogyny.

Although Meghan did not personally file a complaint, she did not object to the investigation launched in response to complaints filed by the Fawcett Society, a gender equality group, and the Wilde Foundation, a charity supporting female abuse victims. The Fawcett Society applauded the findings, as this marked the first time IPSO had upheld complaints of sexism. Jemima Olchawski, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society, viewed this decision as an opportunity for the media to acknowledge that misogyny and hate speech are unacceptable, regardless of being disguised as satire or banter.

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• The Sun tabloid
• Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
• Meghan Markle
• Jeremy Clarkson
• Fawcett Society
• Wilde Foundation