Prince Harry Takes Stand Against Mirror Group Newspapers, Mentions Wife and Children in Court Appearance
In a surprising twist, the Duke of Sussex made his presence felt in a London court, testifying against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) regarding alleged unlawful information gathering. Prince Harry, known for his strong stance against media intrusion, concluded his appearance with a reference to his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. As the session came to an end, the judge cautioned Harry not to discuss his evidence overnight. Seizing the moment, Harry humorously inquired whether this included his immediate family, hinting at his intention to connect with them via a Facetime call.
Prince Harry’s cross-examination is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, continuing the legal battle against MGN. This visit to the U.K. marks the second time in recent weeks that Prince Harry has returned solo, following his earlier trip to witness his father’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. After King Charles’s momentous event, Prince Harry swiftly returned to California, where he and Meghan relocated in 2020, shortly after celebrating his own birthday.
Monday witnessed Prince Harry’s absence in court, with his attorney citing complex travel and security arrangements as the cause. Despite his scheduled appearance on Tuesday, the judge expressed surprise at Harry’s prior absence, prompting accusations of time wastage from MGN’s lawyer. Nevertheless, Prince Harry, at the age of 38, made history by becoming the first prominent member of the British royal family to provide evidence in court in over a century.
In his extensive 55-page witness statement, Prince Harry highlighted numerous articles published by MGN’s outlets, which he believes were obtained through illicit means such as voicemail interception and unlawful information gathering. Expressing his frustration, he spoke about the constant intrusion of tabloid press in his personal relationships and the toll it has taken on his mental health. The statement read, “Having seen me grow up from a baby…the tabloids have known the challenges and mental health struggles that I have had to deal with throughout my childhood and adult life and for them to then play on that and use it to their own advantage, I think is, well, criminal.”
This trial against MGN encompasses over 100 claimants, alleging illegal activities spanning more than three decades. Prince Harry is among the four representative claimants selected for this trial, which commenced on May 10 and is expected to last seven weeks. The case stands as a significant milestone in Prince Harry’s ongoing efforts to challenge media practices and seek justice for the invasions of privacy he and others have endured.
