Amidst his ongoing legal struggles, Prince Harry has recently evoked the memory of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as he continues to navigate the complexities of his high-profile lawsuits.
Appearing on the documentary "Tables on Trial," which aired on ITV on July 25th, 2024, Harry discussed his legal battles against various newspaper publishers, invoking his grandmother as a source of inspiration and support. In the documentary, Harry spoke with Rebecca Barry about his lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, revealing that he had numerous conversations with Queen Elizabeth about his legal actions against the tabloids before her passing on September 8th, 2022.
According to Harry, the Queen had been supportive of his efforts, which he described as deeply meaningful to him. "We had many conversations before she passed. This is very much something that she supported. She knew how much this meant to me," Harry stated. He further claimed that the late Queen's spirit continues to encourage him, saying, "She's up there going, 'See this through to the end without question.'"
This invocation of the Queen has not been universally well received. Critics have suggested that Harry's use of his grandmother's name in connection with his legal battles might be seen as an attempt to garner sympathy or justify his ongoing litigation. Many argue that invoking the Queen in this context is inappropriate and detracts from the gravity of his legal actions. Harry's legal woes are extensive. According to reports, he has been involved in several lawsuits against newspaper publishers in the UK. In 2019, he sued MGN, alleging that his phone voicemails were illegally accessed; MGN denied the allegations. Presently, Harry has ongoing civil cases against the publishers of the Mail and The Sun, both of which also deny any wrongdoing.
The lawsuits have had a significant impact on Harry's public image and personal life. In the documentary, Harry mentioned that his legal actions have contributed to his estrangement from his family. He noted, "Anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse from the press." He expressed a desire for family support in these matters, reflecting on the strained family dynamics exacerbated by his legal battles. Compounding Harry's legal troubles are concerns about potential criminal charges related to the alleged destruction of court evidence in the Associated Newspapers phone hacking case. Reports by Lady Colin Campbell suggest that Harry could face charges over these allegations, adding a new layer of complexity to his legal challenges.
The outcomes of Harry's various trials have been mixed, with several setbacks. In his case against the Mirror, Harry experienced limited success, winning a partial victory but ultimately having to cover significant costs. The case was split into two parts: Harry won moderately on 50 of 43 articles but had to pay costs due to receiving less than the settlement offered by the Mirror. In the second part, he opted for conciliation, a move that he had previously vowed to avoid due to the risk of incurring even higher costs. In his case against The Sun, Harry already owes over £400,000 in court costs from previous hearings, with potential additional costs estimated to be between £6 and £10 million if the trial proceeds unfavorably. Similarly, in his case against Associated Newspapers Limited, Harry faces mounting costs and ongoing losses, including a significant financial burden related to his appeal against the government.
As Harry continues to grapple with these legal issues, the shadow of Queen Elizabeth looms large. The Queen's memory as a symbol of support and guidance contrasts sharply with the challenges that Harry faces in his pursuit of justice and personal vindication. Whether he can overcome these hurdles and restore his public image remains to be seen, but the road ahead appears fraught with legal and financial difficulties.
