Prince Harry expected to take the stand against UK tabloid Daily Mirror
Prince Harry is set to make history by becoming the first British royal in over a century to testify in court, as his long-awaited battle with the UK’s Daily Mirror tabloid begins this week. Harry will testify in the first of five legal cases against UK tabloids accused of hacking his phone and invading his privacy. The Duke of Sussex has accused the Mirror Group Newspapers, Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, The Sun, and Daily Mail of carrying out “vicious, persistent attacks” on both him and his wife, Meghan Markle. The first trial, which begins today, will focus on 33 of the 150 stories published between 1995 and 2011 about the Duke of Sussex, with Harry claiming they were produced with information gained by hacking his phone and other illegal methods, including hiring at least 25 private investigators to spy on him.
Harry’s attorney, David Sherborne, told the court that the reporters and editors of the Mirror Group had carried out the alleged unlawful acts on an “industrial scale”. Sherborne notably pointed at commentator Piers Morgan, a former Daily Mirror editor, as one of the parties who allegedly authorised the use of the illegal material for publishing. The Mirror Group has apologised in court and has admitted that Harry and other claimants were due compensation over unlawfully gathered information, but the admission did not cover the 33 stories cited by Harry. Both the Mirror Group and Morgan have denied any involvement in the phone hacking, with the publisher claiming in court that the articles cited by Harry involved a “breathtaking level of triviality”.
The Duke of Sussex is joined in his lawsuit against the Mirror Group by three other claimants: Coronation Street actors Nikki Sanderson and Michael Turner, and comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife, Fiona Wightman. Harry’s expected testimony this week will be the first time he has returned to court since making several surprise appearances in the UK in March. Despite his unnecessary attendance at those hearings, his appearance suggests he is taking the case seriously given his personal history with the tabloids and paparazzi. Harry has previously blamed tabloids for causing the 1997 crash that killed his mother, Princess Diana.
FAQs
What is Prince Harry suing the UK tabloids for?
Prince Harry is suing UK tabloids for hacking into his phone and invading his privacy. He claims that the tabloids carried out “vicious, persistent attacks” on him and his wife, Meghan Markle, and that they used illegal methods such as hiring private investigators to spy on him.
Who is the Mirror Group?
The Mirror Group is a UK publishing company that owns the Daily Mirror tabloid and several other newspapers. They are one of several UK publishers being sued by Prince Harry over alleged phone hacking and invasion of privacy.
Who is Piers Morgan?
Piers Morgan is a British journalist and TV personality who was also a former editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper. Prince Harry’s attorney, David Sherborne, has pointed to Morgan as one of the parties who allegedly authorised the use of illegal material for publishing.
What is the first trial of Prince Harry’s legal case about?
The first trial of Prince Harry’s legal case is focused on 33 of the 150 stories published between 1995 and 2011 about the Duke of Sussex, with Harry claiming they were produced with information gained by hacking his phone and other illegal methods, including hiring at least 25 private investigators to spy on him.
The UK tabloid Daily Mirror may face testimony from Prince Harry.
Prince Harry is set to take the stand in London on Tuesday as he begins a long-awaited court battle with the UK’s Daily Mirror tabloid. Harry’s decision to testify makes him the first British royal in over a century to do so. The case centres around five pending legal suits against UK tabloids accused of hacking his phone and invading his privacy. Harry, and the three other claimants, are taking on the Mirror Group Newspapers, Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, The Sun, and the Associated Newspapers Ltd, which owns the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. The first trial, set to commence on Monday, will target the Mirror Group and 33 of the 150 stories it published between 1995 and 2011 about Harry, which he claims were produced with information from hacking his phone and other illegal methods.
Harry’s attorney, David Sherborne, told the court that the “widespread and habitual” acts by the reporters and editors in the Mirror Group were carried out on “an industrial scale.” Sherborne notably pointed to former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan as one of the parties who allegedly authorised the use of the illegal material for publishing. Both the Mirror Group and Morgan have denied any involvement in phone hacking, with the publisher claiming in court that the articles cited by Harry involved a “breathtaking level of triviality.”
Harry has appeared active in the lawsuits and attending hearings, suggesting he is committed to fighting the tabloids. Although it was unnecessary for the Duke of Sussex to attend those hearings, his appearance in court suggests he is taking the case seriously given his personal history with the tabloids and paparazzi. Harry has previously blamed tabloids for causing the 1997 crash that killed his mother, Princess Diana.