Court Rejects All Allegations in Prince Harry's Privacy Case
Prince Harry has lost his legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail, with London's High Court dismissing allegations that journalists unlawfully gathered private information about him and other claimants. In a written judgment issued after an 11-week trial, the court ruled that the claimants had failed to prove their allegations, leading to the dismissal of all claims.
Associated Newspapers Claims 'Overwhelming Victory'
The case was brought against Associated Newspapers, which described the ruling as an 'overwhelming victory' and a 'magnificent vindication' of its journalism. The publisher said the court rejected all 97 allegations made by the claimants, adding that claims involving alleged phone interception, surveillance, bugging of homes and vehicles, and unlawful access to bank accounts were unsupported by credible evidence. There was no immediate response from Prince Harry's spokesperson following the judgment.
Prince Harry Attends Invictus Games Event Amid Legal Setback
The ruling came as the Duke of Sussex attended an event in London marking the countdown to the next Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014. The 2027 edition is scheduled to be held in Birmingham. Meanwhile, his brother, Prince William, was also carrying out official engagements in London, visiting the London Welsh School to promote the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Costs Hearing Set for July; Publisher Spent £50 Million
Prince Harry and six other claimants are due back in court on July 29–30 for a hearing that could determine liability for legal costs. Associated Newspapers said it spent approximately £50 million defending the case and intends to seek recovery of those costs. During the trial, Harry gave evidence alongside several high-profile claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, who alleged that the publisher had invaded their privacy through unlawful information-gathering methods.
Another Legal Blow for Harry Since Stepping Back From Royal Duties
The ruling marks another setback for Prince Harry, who has been involved in several legal disputes since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, including litigation over his UK security arrangements. The duke is currently visiting the United Kingdom for a five-day trip focused on Invictus Games-related events. His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their children are not accompanying him to London after the family was denied publicly funded police protection during the visit.
