LONDON - Prince Harry's office has confirmed that American actress Meghan Markle is his girlfriend, issuing a strongly worded statement accusing the media of harassing her.

In the highly unusual statement, Harry says he is worried about her safety and "is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her."

The relationship between Harry and Markle had been the subject of media rumors and gossip over the past few weeks.

The palace said Tuesday that the past week has seen "a line crossed" in coverage of the relationship.

The palace says "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."

Markle, who co-stars on the USA Network series "Suits," is older than Harry, is divorced and has a black mother and white father.

Kensington Palace has issued a statement this morning about the harassment currently being experienced by Meghan Markle and her family. pic.twitter.com/EuFZ4fmUIj

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— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 8, 2016