Prince Harry has told the High Court he was left feeling "paranoid beyond belief" after alleging the publisher of the Daily Mail tracked his every move and thought. The Duke of Sussex is one of several high-profile figures bringing a major legal claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
A Culture of Unlawful Gathering Alleged
The claimants, who also include Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and actress Sadie Frost, allege ANL engaged in "systematic and sustained" unlawful information gathering over decades. Their lawyers claim methods used between 1993 and 2018 included phone hacking, obtaining medical records by deception, and using private investigators to place listening devices.
In written submissions, Prince Harry stated the alleged actions created a "massive strain" on his personal relationships and bred "distrust and suspicion". He said he found it "deeply troubling" that the publisher used terms like 'sources' to hide unlawful activities. The case specifically relates to 14 articles about Harry published between 2001 and 2013.
Disturbing Claims from Fellow Claimants
The court heard detailed allegations from other claimants. Actress Sadie Frost's medical records were allegedly accessed after she had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, a detail not even her family knew. A draft article was written by a Mail on Sunday journalist containing these private details.
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, said she felt "bitterly let down" and "angry" after being allegedly targeted with five unlawful articles. She stated, "I am a victim all over again, but by people who I thought were my allies."
Sir Elton John and David Furnish said they felt their home and children's safety was "violated", expressing horror that friendships were allegedly used against them. They were outraged by the invasion into medical details surrounding their son's birth.
Publisher's Defence and Legal Context
Associated Newspapers Limited emphatically denies all claims of unlawful practices. Its lawyer, Antony White KC, argued that the claimants' case of phone hacking was "convincingly rebutted" and that the pattern of misconduct was not made out. The publisher previously told the Leveson Inquiry it was a "clean ship".
Prince Harry, who has flown from California for the trial, is expected to give evidence in person. This case follows his previous legal actions against other newspaper groups, including a £140,600 damages award from Mirror Group Newspapers in 2023. The trial against ANL, which began in 2022, is expected to last nine weeks.
