Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants are awaiting a High Court judgment in their lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail. The case centers on allegations of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, voicemail interception, and deception to obtain private records. The ruling is expected at 2pm on Tuesday.
The Duke of Sussex, along with figures like Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, accuse ANL of using illegal methods to obtain private information for articles published between 2001 and 2013. Harry's claims focus on stories about his relationships with Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. ANL has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "preposterous" and insisting the articles were based on lawful sources.
The verdict coincides with Harry's visit to the UK, where he is attending events related to his Invictus Games charity. His wife, Meghan Markle, and their children are not accompanying him due to security concerns. The case is the final in a series of legal actions Harry and Meghan have pursued against British tabloids, with Harry previously describing media reform as his "life's work."
The trial, which lasted 11 weeks, has seen legal costs estimated at around 40 million pounds ($53.5 million). The outcome could have significant implications for press practices and privacy laws in the UK.