Prince Harry says the media coverage of his relationships makes him paranoid

Prince Harry has spoken candidly about the impact of "incessant" intrusions into his private life and revealed the "massive paranoia that sits inside me" when he talks to women, due to the intense scrutiny which often follows. Speaking ahead of the Invictus Games tournament for wounded service personnel and veterans, he said: "Everyone has a right to privacy."

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Prince Harry added: "Sadly that line between public and private life is almost non-existent anymore. We [the British royal family] will continue to do our best to ensure that there is the line."

Recognising his "very privileged position", the royal said he would "spend the rest of my life earning that privilege and trying to bring a spotlight on to things and causes that really matter to me, and hopefully matter to other people as well".

Prince Harry also revealed that while trying to raise the profile of worthy causes, he would guard any future relationship from prying eyes.

"If or when I do find a girlfriend, I will do my utmost… to ensure that me and her can get to a point where we're actually comfortable with each other before the massive invasion that is inevitably going to happen into her privacy," he told The Sunday Times.

He added: "The other concern is that even if I talk to a girl, that person is then suddenly my wife, and people go knocking on her door."

The 'light bulb' Invictus moment

Prince Harry also spoke about the importance of the Invictus Games, which get underway today, 8 May, in Orlando, Florida on the BBC show. The idea came to the royal during a "light bulb" moment in a plane on the way back from his first tour of Afghanistan.

"Once on that plane heading back with three wounded British soldiers who were wrapped up in plastic with tubes coming out of their mouth and out of their arms all in induced comas. One of the guys had a test tube filled with shrapnel that had been removed from his head… I just spent a few minutes there just sitting with them, unable to speak to them obviously, but that was a real turning point in my life."

He added: "It was 2012 after hearing about the Warrior Games, being able to see it and doing my second tour that I actually realised sport plays a huge, huge part in the rehabilitation of so many people, this surely is a magical thing."

The Invictus Games is taking place between 8-12 May and will see 500 athletes from 15 nations competing in a number of sports. The opening ceremony features a star-studded lineup, including James Blunt, Morgan Freeman and soprano Laura Wright. The First Lady, Michelle Obama will also be in attendance as well as other "surprise guests".