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Photo LONDON – Prince Harry attacked on Tuesday the “Racial undertones” of British news coverage of his new girlfriend, the American actress Meghan Markle, in an unusual statement issued by his spokesman.

In the statement, the prince, the 32-year-old grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, said that “a line had been crossed” in reporting of his burgeoning relationship with Ms. Markle, 35, who lives in Toronto and whose mother is black.

The statement also denounced offensive commentary about her in social media.

The prince’s statement, which confirmed his long-rumored relationship with Ms. Markle, expressed fears for her safety and privacy.

Photo Prince Harry has criticized the news media before, but never in such an angry and formal fashion.

As the more “Fun-loving” brother of William, who is after only Prince Charles in the line to the throne, the bearded Prince Harry has gotten into trouble in the past, with leaked photos of parties in Las Vegas in 2012, for instance.

“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,” the statement said.

Ms. Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the television legal drama “Suits,” and she played an F.B.I. agent in the science-fiction series “Fringe.

Ms. Markle, who graduated in 2003 from Northwestern University, was married in 2011 and divorced two years later, a fact that has also been the source of attention from the news media.

Meghan Markle