The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London to attend the opening of a major legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail. He is one of seven high-profile claimants accusing Associated Newspapers of engaging in unlawful information gathering over many years.
A Star-Studded Legal Action
The case, which is expected to last for ten weeks, brings together a notable group of claimants. Alongside Prince Harry are music icon Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish. The actor Elizabeth Hurley, actress Sadie Frost, and campaigner Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, are also part of the action. They are joined by former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.
Prince Harry flew into London from his home in California on Sunday and is scheduled to give evidence later this week. His presence at the High Court on Monday marked the beginning of what promises to be a closely watched and extremely costly trial, with legal costs potentially reaching £38 million.
Serious Allegations of Unlawful Activity
The claimants allege that Associated Newspapers, which publishes both the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, commissioned private investigators to carry out a range of illegal activities to obtain stories. These alleged acts, which the claimants say occurred between 1993 and 2018, include placing listening devices in cars, illegally accessing private phone records and voicemails, listening to live landline calls, and obtaining confidential medical information through deception, known as "blagging".
In written submissions, the claimants' barrister, David Sherborne, outlined the scope of the alleged intrusion. Associated Newspapers has vigorously denied all allegations, labelling them as "preposterous smears" and "lurid" claims.
Harry's Broader Fight Against the Press
This case represents a significant moment in Prince Harry's ongoing legal campaign against British tabloid newspapers. It follows previous successful and settled claims against other major publishers. In 2023, he was awarded £140,600 in damages from Mirror Group Newspapers. Last year, he settled a claim with News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, which led to an apology for "serious intrusion" and admissions of unlawful activity by private investigators between 1996 and 2011.
The current case against Associated Newspapers was formally lodged in October 2022. The publisher had attempted to have the case thrown out, arguing the claims were too old, but this application was unsuccessful, paving the way for this week's trial commencement.
The opening arguments for the claimants began on Monday, setting the stage for a detailed examination of the methods allegedly used by one of the UK's most powerful media groups. The outcome, whatever it may be, is set to have profound implications for the British press and the boundaries of investigative journalism.
