LONDON (AP) — In a historic move, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is set to testify in court as he takes part in a series of legal battles against British tabloids. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday, marking the first time in more than a century that a member of the British royal family will appear as a witness in a courtroom.
Court documents reveal that Prince Harry’s decision to go against the tradition of avoiding court appearances stems from his frustration and anger with the press. He has filed numerous lawsuits against the newspaper’s owners, a move allegedly against the wishes of his father, King Charles III. The Duke of Sussex believes these legal actions are necessary to hold the tabloids accountable for their alleged misconduct.
The upcoming trial, which begins with opening statements on Monday, revolves around Prince Harry’s suit against the publisher of the Daily Mirror. If he testifies as planned on Tuesday, he will make history by becoming the first member of the royal family to do so since the late 19th century. Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Prince Albert Edward, later known as King Edward VII, testified in court during divorce proceedings and a libel case.
Prince Harry’s legal battles have mainly focused on phone hacking and invasions of privacy, along with incidents from his childhood. The Duke of Sussex has described his relationship with the press as “uncomfortable”, but it’s more than just uncomfortable. He blames the paparazzi for the car accident that killed his mother, Princess Diana. Additionally, he accused the British press of harassment, intrusion and publishing racist articles targeting his wife, Meghan Markle. These factors contributed to her decision to step down from her royal roles and move to America in 2020.
The hacking of British journalists’ phones first came to light in 2006 when a private investigator and a reporter for the royal family were arrested. Subsequently, it was revealed that the now-defunct News of the World tabloid had covered up the voicemails of a murdered girl, leading to the newspaper’s closure and a public inquiry. Since then, other newspapers have faced accusations of illegal intrusion, including phone tapping, housebreaking, and fraudulently obtaining confidential records.
Prince Harry is taking legal action against three prominent tabloid publishers: Mirror Group Newspapers, Newsgroup Newspapers (publisher of The Sun) and Associated Newspapers Ltd (owner of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday). Their claims against the publishers center around allegations of phone hacking and other illegal activities aimed at invading their privacy.
In addition to Prince Harry’s lawsuits, several other high-profile figures have filed similar claims against tabloid publishers. Celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Elton John, and Elizabeth Hurley have joined forces with Prince Harry to seek justice for privacy violations.
The ongoing trial will specifically examine 33 articles published between 1995 and 2011, out of around 150 that Prince Harry believes were obtained through phone hacking and illegal methods. His lawyer, David Sherborne, argued that the Daily Mirror, the Sunday Mirror, and the Sunday People engaged in systematic and widespread illegal practices, which would point to the management, including former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, being responsible.
While the current lwsuit focuses on four claimants, including Prince Harry, it has implications for other hacking claims against the Mirror Group such as the estate of late singer George Michael, former Girls Aloud member Cheryl, and former soccer player Ian Wright.
In addition to the tabloid-related lawsuits, Prince Harry has also been embroiled in legal battles over the British government’s decision to withdraw his security detail after stepping down from royal duties. He has sued the government for compromising his security during visits to the UK, citing aggressive paparazzi behaviour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have previously settled invasion of privacy lawsuits against photo agencies, including over drones and helicopters. Meghan Markle also won a privacy case in 2021 against the Mail on Sunday for publishing a private letter she wrote to her father.
As legal battles unfold, Prince Harry’s fight against press interference and his mission to reform the news media have become defining aspects of his post-royal life. The outcome of these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for press practices, privacy protections and relationships.
