A High Court judge has dismissed Prince Harry's claims about alleged bugging and tracking devices purportedly planted by The Sun newspaper.
Mr. Justice Fancourt, clearly unimpressed, remarked that Harry had provided no substantive evidence or particulars to support his long-standing allegations against the publication. Prince Harry, along with about 40 other claimants, is embroiled in a legal battle against The Sun's publisher, alleging that his personal information was hacked or obtained unlawfully to produce sensational stories.
One might expect that such serious claims would be backed by a sound legal strategy or at least some credible evidence. However, Harry's legal assertions currently appear more like fiction than fact, with his most recent claims being vague accusations that even a novice detective would find questionable.
In a preliminary ruling, the judge denied Harry permission to include specific allegations, such as claims that his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy's car had been bugged. It seems Harry had already retracted this particular allegation, possibly realizing that his legal arguments were starting to resemble a poorly written soap opera rather than a serious court case. Justice Fancourt was not amused, stating that no details had been provided about any bugging, and the previous specific claim regarding Davy’s car had been withdrawn. Even more telling, the judge rejected Harry’s attempts to introduce the terms "and/or the use of listening and tracking devices" into his case, highlighting that the prince had failed to present any substantial evidence to support such dramatic claims.
One can easily imagine the scene: Harry, clutching his legal papers and fervently insisting, "But, Your Honor, they were definitely listening!"—only to be met by the judge shaking his head in disbelief. This is not the first time Harry's legal pursuits have faltered. Last year, Justice Fancourt dismissed his phone hacking claims, ruling that Harry had waited too long to initiate legal action. Harry argued that a supposed secret agreement with Buckingham Palace had prevented him from coming forward sooner—a claim the judge deemed implausible. It's almost as if Harry believes he exists in a fairy tale where the normal rules don’t apply to him simply because of his royal status.
Justice Fancourt has even likened Harry's ongoing legal battles to a drawn-out campaign between two stubborn but well-funded armies. The comparison paints a humorous picture of Harry donning an imaginary crown, leading a troop of overzealous lawyers in a futile quest, while The Sun casually rolls its eyes and continues filing legal paperwork. Despite the courtroom chaos, the judge has granted Harry's legal team permission to make certain amendments to their case presentation, though he upheld some objections from The Sun. Significantly, the judge emphasized that the trial scheduled for January must either proceed or be settled out of court, offering a pointed reminder for Harry to conclude this exhausting saga.
Perhaps the most ironic part of this legal drama is Harry’s continued insistence that he is the victim in all of this. Some might argue that his relentless complaints about privacy invasion are a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. After all, Harry himself has hardly been discreet, often revealing intimate details about his life and the Royal Family—both before and after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Yet, here he is, standing in court, pointing fingers at others. It's hard not to feel a mixture of sympathy and frustration for the prince. At some point, he may need to confront the reality that being born into royalty does not entitle him to special treatment. Justice Fancourt, evidently weary of Harry’s paranoid allegations, has made it clear: it’s time to stop wasting the court's time.
