Prince Harry has initiated legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail, claiming he has been subjected to a “highly intrusive and damaging” media campaign. The Duke of Sussex, alongside six other claimants, including renowned singer Elton John, is suing Associated Newspapers at the High Court for privacy violations spanning over two decades, beginning in the early 1990s.
The lawsuit alleges serious breaches of privacy, including hacking voicemail messages, bugging landlines, and obtaining private information through deception, commonly referred to as “blagging.” These allegations highlight the ongoing tension between high-profile individuals and the media, particularly regarding the extent of intrusion into their private lives.
David Sherborne, representing Harry, emphasized the relentless nature of the media scrutiny, stating, “No one sold more copies” for tabloids in the United Kingdom than Harry. He underscored the significant press interest in the royal family, especially concerning exclusive stories about the prince’s personal life. Sherborne noted that the media’s focus was often “highly intrusive and damaging,” particularly regarding Harry’s relationships before he met his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Details of the Allegations
The claims involve 14 specific articles that reportedly contained intrusive details about Harry’s life. These included stories about his potential role as godfather to a former nanny’s child, travel plans, and intimate information concerning his past girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. Sherborne argued that these revelations caused Harry “distress and paranoia,” a sentiment echoed by the prince as he observed the proceedings in court.
“Given what we’ve seen, is it any wonder that he feels that way or, as he explains, that he feels he has endured a sustained campaign of attacks against him for having had the temerity to stand up to Associated?” Sherborne asserted.
Harry is expected to begin providing evidence earlier than anticipated, possibly as soon as Wednesday, following the completion of opening submissions ahead of schedule. This marks a notable moment, as he became the first royal to testify in a UK court in 130 years during a separate lawsuit against another tabloid group in 2023.
Media Response and Future Proceedings
The legal battle is deeply personal for Harry, whose mother, Princess Diana, tragically lost her life in a car crash in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi. The media’s portrayal of his life—including his party lifestyle, relationships, and move to the United States—has long been a topic of sensational reporting in the UK.
In response to the allegations, Associated Newspapers has characterized the claims as “smears,” asserting that its journalists relied on legitimate sources, including contacts within the celebrities’ social circles. Lawyer Antony White stated, “Associated has provided an explanation, through a long series of witnesses, of the sourcing by its journalists of the 50-plus articles alleged by the claimants to be the product of unlawful information gathering.” He promised a “compelling account of lawful sourcing” during the proceedings.
In addition to Prince Harry and Elton John, other claimants—including John’s husband, David Furnish, actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, anti-racism advocate Doreen Lawrence, and former MP Simon Hughes—are also set to give evidence over the coming weeks. Sherborne highlighted John’s case, noting that for a 2010 article about John and Furnish’s surrogacy journey in the US, the Mail had obtained a copy of their son’s birth certificate before they did. Associated Newspapers denies any unlawful acquisition of information.
As this high-profile case unfolds, it underscores the ongoing struggle between personal privacy and media freedom, particularly for individuals in the public eye.
