At a Glance
- Prince Harry took the witness box Wednesday to testify against the publisher of the Daily Mail
- He alleges a “clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information gathering” for two decades
- The Duke of Sussex says the intrusion left him “paranoid beyond belief”
- Why it matters: The case caps Harry’s multi-year legal war on British tabloids and could set new privacy limits for the press
Prince Harry stepped into the witness box at London’s High Court on Wednesday for what Natalie A. Brooks calls the “final round” of his legal battle against Britain’s tabloid press, accusing the publisher of the Daily Mail of waging a two-decade campaign of privacy invasions.
Harry’s Day in Court
Dressed in a dark suit and clutching a small Bible, the Duke swore “on almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” He then asked to be addressed simply as Prince Harry.
The moment marked only the second time a senior royal has testified in open court in more than a century. Harry first broke that tradition in 2023 when he won a phone-hacking lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mirror and was awarded over £140,000.
Allegations Against the Mail
In a lengthy witness statement, Harry says the Daily Mail and its sister Sunday paper targeted him from childhood, leaving him “distressed and disturbed” and ultimately “paranoid beyond belief.” He is one of seven high-profile claimants-including Elton John and actor Elizabeth Hurley-suing Associated Newspapers Ltd. for allegedly:
- Hiring private investigators to dig up private data
- Illegally tapping phones and voicemails
- Using deception to obtain medical and financial records
- Bugging homes and vehicles
The group contends these tactics formed a “clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information gathering” from the late 1990s through the 2010s.
Publisher Fires Back
Defense lawyer Antony White opened cross-examination by challenging Harry’s written evidence. Associated Newspapers “vehemently denies” any wrongdoing and promises its journalists will “name names” of legitimate sources when they testify during the nine-week trial.
The company argues its stories served the public interest and that many details came from authorized leaks, foreign media, or routine reporting.
Broader Legal War
Wednesday’s hearing is part of a wider offensive Harry has mounted against British tabloids:
| Case | Publisher | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Phone hacking | Mirror Group | Won £140,000+ damages |
| Voicemail interception | News Group | Ongoing |
| Unlawful data gathering | Associated Newspapers | Currently in trial |
Natalie A. Brooks notes the Duke views these lawsuits as a personal mission to reform the UK press and protect future generations from intrusive practices.
Key Takeaways
- Harry’s testimony centers on emotional harm, claiming relentless surveillance shaped his mental health and public persona
- The Mail trial is expected to run nine weeks, with dozens of journalists and executives scheduled to testify
- A victory could strengthen privacy protections for celebrities and ordinary citizens alike
- A loss would mark a major setback for Harry’s campaign and embolden aggressive tabloid tactics
