Prince William denies he disapproved of Prince Harry's Meghan Markle statement

'The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy,' says a spokesperson for Kensington Palace

In the initial statement, the Palace said the 32-year-old Prince rarely undertook formal action over 'fictional stories' but the past week had seen 'a line crossed' (Getty Images)

Prince William has denied reports that he disapproved of Prince Harry’s statement denouncing the press intrusion into his new girlfriend Meghan Markle’s private life.

Previous reports from unnamed sources claimed Prince William was “deeply unhappy” with his brother’s decision to publicly confirm his relationship with Markle.

But a spokesperson for Kensington Palace has now issued a statement explaining that Prince William fully understands his brother's concern surrounding privacy.

“The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him,” a spokesperson for Kensington Palace told The Independent in a statement.

In the initial statement, the Palace said the 32-year-old Prince rarely undertook formal action over “fictional stories” but the past week had seen “a line crossed”.

The statement said Prince Harry now fears for Markle’s safety after members of the press doorstepped her and her family and attempted to illegally gain access to her property.

“His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public,” it said. “The smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”

“Some of it has been hidden from the public - the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.”

After small roles in the sci-fi drama Fringe, the soap opera General Hospital and cameos in films like A Lot Like Love and Horrible Bosses, Markle rose to prominence for playing the role of determined paralegal Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits.