Prince Harry received a sharp rebuke from a judge for not being present for the opening day of his phone hacking trial.
David Sherborne, the Duke of Sussex's barrister - equivalent to a trial attorney in the U.S. - announced to the high court that Harry was not present due to his daughter Lilibet's birthday celebration.
The prince was slated to join other witnesses in court to provide testimony on the alleged phone hacking perpetrated by UK media organization, the Daily Mirror.
Harry's anticipated court appearance was notable, given that it's been over a century - since 1891 - that a senior royal has testified in high court. However, the Duke disappointed those present when he didn't show up for the initial day of testimony.
"The Duke of Sussex will be here tomorrow to provide evidence. He traveled last night from Los Angeles. Yesterday was his daughter's birthday, hence his absence," Sherborne said of his client, before being cut short by the visibly surprised judge.
Judge Fancourt expressed his astonishment at Harry's absence, stating, "I'm somewhat taken aback that the first witness isn't here today."
In response, Sherborne explained that Harry was an exception due to his "travel and security arrangements." He claimed his client's circumstances were different from the other claimants.
Justice Fancourt expressed his displeasure at both Harry's absence and Sherborne's justification for it. He restated that the court had expected the initial witness might be needed earlier than the rest, hence the direction for the first witness to be present.
Sherborne meekly responded, "I understand your lordship's point."
Showing frustration, Judge Fancourt told Sherborne there was no need to prolong the discussion about Harry's absence since "it seems that nothing can be done at this point."
On behalf of Mirror Group Newspapers, barrister Andrew Green KC criticized the Duke for his apparent lack of seriousness towards the trial.
"It's truly remarkable that we were only informed yesterday that he wouldn't be present for the first day of his trial," Green commented. "We are genuinely concerned by this. We've done our utmost to avoid wasting the court's time. Now, it seems we will inevitably face some delay this afternoon."
