UPDATE: Prince Harry is taking a stand against a “highly intrusive and damaging” media campaign as he battles the Daily Mail in a UK High Court. His lawyer, David Sherborne, revealed today that the Duke of Sussex, along with six other high-profile claimants including singer Elton John, is suing Associated Newspapers for more than two decades of privacy violations.
The allegations, which date back to the early 1990s, include serious accusations such as voicemail hacking, landline bugging, and deceiving individuals to obtain private information. These revelations come amid a surge in media interest surrounding the royal family’s private lives, particularly Harry’s.
Sherborne emphasized the intense media scrutiny Harry has faced, noting that “no one sold more copies” for tabloids in the UK than the prince. He stated that the focus on Harry’s relationships, particularly before his marriage to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has led to significant emotional distress.
The court heard that 14 articles in question included private details about Harry’s former relationships, including his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy. Sherborne argued that such coverage has caused “distress and paranoia” for Harry, who was seen in the courtroom visibly affected by the revelations. He stated, “Given what we’ve seen, is it any wonder that he feels that way?”
The trial is unfolding rapidly, with Harry possibly set to give evidence as early as Wednesday, ahead of schedule. This case marks a significant moment, as Harry previously became the first royal to testify in a UK court in over 130 years during a separate lawsuit against another tabloid group earlier in 2023.
Harry’s ongoing battle against the media is deeply personal; he lost his mother, Princess Diana, in a 1997 car crash while being pursued by paparazzi. The prince’s experiences highlight the damaging effects of press intrusion on mental health and well-being.
In response to the allegations, Associated Newspapers insists that their stories were based on legitimate sources, including contacts and press officers. Their lawyer, Antony White, promised a “compelling account of lawful sourcing” for over 50 articles the claimants allege were unlawfully obtained.
As the case continues, the other claimants, including Doreen Lawrence, Simon Hughes, and actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, will also present evidence over the next nine weeks. Sherborne revealed an alarming incident involving Elton John, where the Mail reportedly obtained a copy of his son’s birth certificate before he and his husband, David Furnish, did, raising further questions about the ethics of tabloid journalism.
This developing story underscores the ongoing conflict between celebrity privacy and media freedom, with Harry and his fellow claimants challenging the status quo in a legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for press conduct in the UK.
Stay tuned for updates as this case unfolds in court.
