Prince Harry finally admitted he has a girlfriend while firing back at the racist trolls who insulted her

Getty/Chris Jackson; Alberto E. Rodriguez

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The INSIDER Summary:

Prince Harry recently started dating American actress Meghan Markle. 
Markle has been subject to online harassment because she is biracial.
Prince Harry just released a statement condemning the hurtful comments.

For weeks, rumors have circulated about a potential romance between Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, 35, who's best known for her role on the USA Network TV show "Suits."

Today, the 32-year-old prince confirmed his relationship - but the announcement wasn't a joyous one. 

A lengthy statement from the Royal's communications secretary released on Tuesday morning said Markle "has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment" online comments sections, in the news media, and even in person.

"Some of this has been very public - the smear on the front of national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments," the statement continued. 

The official Kensington Palace Twitter account tweeted out the statement:

Here it is in full:

Since he was young, Prince Harry has been very aware of the warmth that has been extended to him by members of the public. He feels lucky to have so many people supporting him and knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads.

He is also aware that there is significant curiosity about his private life. He has never been comfortable with this, but he has tried to develop a thick skin about the level of media interest that comes with it. He has rarely taken formal action on the very regular publication of fictional stories that are written about him and he has worked hard to develop a professional relationship with the media, focused on his work and the issues he cares about.

But the past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public - 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.

Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is 'the price she has to pay' and that 'this is all part of the game'. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game - it is her life and his. 

He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done. He knows that it is unusual to issue a statement like this, but hopes that fair-minded people will understand why he has felt it necessary to speak publicly.

Markle is biracial - her mother is black and her father is white - and tabloid coverage of the actress has ranged from plain old invasive to downright offensive. 

One Daily Mail article described Markle, who grew up in Los Angeles, "(almost) straight outta Compton." Another made note of her "rich and exotic DNA" and said Markle's mother was "a dreadlocked African-American lady from the wrong side of the tracks."

Getty/Robin Marchant

Meghan Markle in 2015.

Markle and her family have faced in-person encounters with the media, too. The statement mentions "her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door" and "the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to [Markle's] home." 

"It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm," the statement continued. "[Prince Harry] knows commentators will say this is 'the price she has to pay' and that 'this is all part of the game.' He strongly disagrees. This is not a game - it is her life and his. "

Markle has not commented publicly on the story at the time of this post.