Prince Harry took the stand in London's High Court over a phone hacking sc--dal involving British newspapers run by Mirror Group Newspapers.
The Duke of Sussex alleged that articles about him contained information obtained through illegal means, potentially indicating "phone hacking on an industrial scale" within one of the UK's largest newspaper groups.
Over the course of two days in the High Court gallery, Prince Harry reviewed numerous articles spanning the early years of his life as a tabloid subject. He claimed that 148 articles, covering events such as Princess Diana's visits to his school, an outbreak of glandular fever, phone arguments with his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and instances of illegal drug use, contained details acquired through illicit methods by journalists.
In a witness statement, Prince Harry expressed that the cumulative impact of a lifetime of "intrusive" articles resulted in "enormous paranoia" and a feeling that he couldn't trust even his doctors.
Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) argued that the article details were obtained through legal means, including purchasing information from acquaintances, reprinting already-published information, and receiving briefings from royal staff. However, Prince Harry asserted that all the articles exhibited "hallmarks" of illegal information gathering, such as missed calls, mysterious voicemails suggesting phone hacking, and evidence of journalist payoffs to private investigators.
The case is noteworthy, as it is unusual for such accusations to go to trial due to the legal and financial power of British media companies. Prince Harry's testimony is particularly rare, marking the first instance of a senior royal testifying in court since 1891.
Being one of four plaintiffs in the trial as "representative cases," Prince Harry brings a unique profile with substantial evidence and a significant budget. This case sheds light on the practices of British tabloids during a period of intense competition when sensationalism often outweighed ethical considerations.
Historically, British tabloids have played a central role in shaping public discourse, setting the agenda for national conversations. The period covered by the evidence presented coincides with a highly competitive tabloid market, where scoops took precedence over ethics.
The sc--dal recalls the public shock in 2011 when The Guardian revealed illegal phone hacking by journalists from Rupert Murdoch's News of The World. The subsequent investigations exposed widespread hacking into the phones of various individuals, including victims of the 2005 London attacks, deceased British soldiers' relatives, and numerous celebrities, politicians, and members of the royal family. Criminal cases ensued, leading to convictions for journalists, editors, private investigators, and members of the police involved in obtaining confidential information.
