LONDON (FN) — Prince Harry arrived at London’s High Court on Monday as he pursues a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, accusing the tabloid of phone hacking, tapping and other unlawful information-gathering practices dating back decades.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, is among seven prominent figures in Britain who sued Associated Newspapers Limited in October 2022. The case, which alleges widespread misconduct by the publisher, has now gone to trial with Harry expected to testify on Thursday.
The showdown marks Harry’s third major legal battle against the British tabloid press in recent years, underscoring his determination to challenge what he calls systemic invasions of privacy.
The claimants, who include Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, actress Elizabeth Hurley, model Sadie Frost, campaigner Doreen Lawrence, and former lawmaker Simon Hughes, allege that ANL engaged in phone hacking, bugging homes and cars, and bribing police officers to obtain private information between 1993 and 2011.
The group claims the illegal practices also involved hiring private investigators to plant listening devices in homes and cars and record private calls. They further accuse the publisher of paying corrupt police officials for sensitive information, impersonating individuals to obtain medical records, and accessing bank accounts and financial transactions through “illicit means and manipulation.”
Associated Newspapers has denied the allegations, insisting its journalists operated within the law and describing the claims as “lurid” and “simply preposterous.” The publisher has vowed to vigorously defend itself in court.
What has happened so far in court: David Sherborne, representing the group of claimants, began his opening statement on Monday saying that, during the trial, he will show that “there was clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful news gathering at both the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.” He said ANL’s denials of wrongdoing “were not true” and that the publisher “knew they had skeletons in their closet.”
What are Prince Harry’s specific claims against ANL: Harry alleges that the publisher unlawfully intercepted his voicemail messages, targeted his private communications, and obtained sensitive details about his personal life through deception. He claims ANL’s actions contributed to years of intrusion, damaged his relationships, and fueled his distrust of the press. His lawyers argue that the misconduct was deliberate, sustained, and designed to exploit his position as a member of the royal family.
Harry’s legal team argues that the alleged misconduct caused lasting harm, eroding trust and fueling the prince’s long-running feud with the British press. His testimony later this week is expected to be a centerpiece of the trial.
The case is being heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London without a jury, overseen by a High Court judge. Proceedings are scheduled to last nine weeks, reflecting the scale of the accusations and the number of high-profile claimants involved.
Observers say the trial could set a landmark precedent for press accountability in Britain, particularly if the court finds that unlawful practices were widespread and systemic. The stakes are high for both sides, with reputations on the line and mounting legal costs estimated at around £40 million ($53.5 million).
For Harry, the lawsuit is part of a broader campaign to confront the tabloids, which he blames for years of intrusion into his personal life and the death of his mother, Princess Diana. His critics argue the legal battles risk further alienating him from the royal family.
Despite the risks, Harry has made clear he intends to press forward. “No one is above the law,” his lawyers said in opening arguments, framing the case as a test of whether powerful media organizations can be held accountable for past misconduct.
