Prince Harry's legal fight against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, will continue as the case heads to trial in January 2025. The High Court's ruling on Friday marked a significant milestone in the Duke of Sussex's lawsuit, granting his legal team access to previously undisclosed emails between senior NGN staff and royal household members.
The case, which also includes former Labour MP Tom Watson, stems from allegations that NGN engaged in phone hacking and other privacy violations targeting Prince Harry between 1996 and 2011. While NGN denies any wrongdoing, Harry's accusations involve The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, both of which are under the Murdoch media umbrella. David Sherborne, Harry's lawyer, emphasized the importance of accessing these emails, arguing that prior submissions were "cherrypicked," withholding crucial documents. Justice Fancourt agreed there was a "credible case" for a more comprehensive picture, stating that full disclosure was necessary "in the interest of justice."
This trial is part of a broader set of legal actions against NGN. While many high-profile claimants, including celebrities like Melanie Brown, Alan Yentob, and Alfie Allen, have settled their cases, Prince Harry remains a prominent holdout. His determination to see the case through underscores his commitment to challenging press practices he claims have caused deep personal harm.
"Yeah, that's certainly a central piece to it," Prince Harry said in a recent ITV interview about how the lawsuits have strained his relationship with his family. "The pursuit of justice against the press is something I feel is necessary, despite the personal toll it has taken." He added, "I've made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done. It'd be nice if we did it as a family. I believe, again, from a service standpoint and when you're in a public role, these are things we should be doing for the greater good. But, you know, I'm doing this for my reasons."
Sherborne highlighted newly disclosed emails that suggest high-level discussions about NGN compensating and apologizing to royal family members. He argued that further disclosures could shed light on whether the palace may have applied a "brake" on Harry's claims or withheld information. "The extent to which a brake was applied by the palace on Harry's claim" and what was communicated to him about NGN's position are key issues, according to Sherborne.
Among the disclosed communications was a 2017 email referencing a meeting involving former Queen's private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt and NGN executives to discuss "resolution and recompense" with "the Queen's full authority." Another 2018 correspondence showed Harry seeking updates from royal solicitors about the status of a proposed apology from NGN. In response, he was told that "the ball is with Murdoch."
Anthony Hudson KC, representing NGN, described Harry's request for further emails as a "speculative fishing exercise," arguing that these documents would not be relevant to the central issues at trial. He maintained that previous allegations involving News of the World had already been addressed through prior legal action and that further disclosures would be "disproportionate."
Harry's claims include an assertion that his father, King Charles III, acted to "discourage and stymie" his pursuit of legal action against NGN. This claim, along with allegations that his brother, Prince William, settled a similar case in 2020, adds layers of complexity and intrigue to the proceedings.
The trial, expected to span six to eight weeks, will shine a spotlight on one of the most contentious chapters in the ongoing battle between the British royal family and the tabloid press. NGN, meanwhile, reiterated its stance, stating, "In 2011, an apology was published by NGN to victims of voicemail interception by the News of the World. The company publicly committed to paying financial compensation and since then has paid settlements to those with proper claims."
