Prince Harry has been named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, although the Duke of Sussex has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The lawsuit, filed by Combs' former producer Rodney Jones, has brought to light the prince's past association with the rapper, which could prove to be an unwelcome reminder for the royal.
In the $30 million lawsuit, Jones claims that he was groped, harassed, and threatened by Combs over the years. The court documents also allege that Combs' co-defendants were rewarded for participating in the singer's alleged sex trafficking ring by gaining "affiliation and access to Mr Combs' popularity."
The filing specifically mentions Prince Harry, stating, "Mr Combs was known for throwing the 'best' parties. Affiliation with, and or sponsorship of Mr Combs' sex-trafficking parties garnered legitimacy and access to celebrities such as famous athletes, political figures, artists, musicians and international dignitaries like British royal, Prince Harry."
While there are photos of both Prince Harry and Prince William attending parties with Diddy, there is no evidence in the legal paperwork that ties either brother to a crime. However, the mention of Harry's name in the lawsuit highlights the need for members of the British royal family to exercise caution when associating with public figures, given the potential for controversy.
This is not the first time a member of the royal family has been named in a sexual assault lawsuit. Prince Andrew was forced to step down from his duties after his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed. Andrew also settled a sexual assault lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre outside of court.
Combs' lawyer, Shawn Holley, has strongly denied the allegations made by Jones, calling him "nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit, shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday." Holley added that they have "overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies."
On Monday, March 25, federal agents conducted raids on two of Diddy's properties as part of an investigation into the sex trafficking allegations. The Associated Press reported that the raids were connected to the allegations, citing law enforcement sources.
In December 2023, Combs issued a statement in response to the recent allegations made against him, saying, "Enough is Enough. For the last couple weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."
Prince Harry's office has been approached for comment regarding his mention in the lawsuit, but has yet to respond. The extent of Combs' association with the royal is not known, with the only public photograph of them together being from the 2007 "Concert for Diana" in London, where Combs performed alongside other artists.
The resurfacing of Prince Harry's past association with Diddy in the context of these serious allegations serves as a reminder of the scrutiny and potential backlash that members of the royal family face when linked to controversial figures, even if they themselves are not accused of any wrongdoing. As the lawsuit against Combs progresses and the investigation into the sex trafficking allegations continues, it remains to be seen how this development will impact Prince Harry and the royal family.
