The Duke of Sussex has claimed that intimate details regarding his past relationship with former girlfriend Chelsy Davy, including their specific sleeping arrangements, were obtained through unlawful means by the publisher of the Daily Mail. During a High Court hearing, Prince Harry's legal representative argued that the granular information published could only have come from a breach of confidence.
Granular Details Published Without Consent
David Sherborne, the barrister representing Prince Harry, told the court that an article published in the Mail on Sunday in January 2010 contained exceptionally private information. This included precise details about the couple's plans and even Harry's personal preferences concerning where he liked to spend the night. The article also revealed that the Duke had given Ms Davy a set of keys during their on-and-off, long-distance relationship.
Claims of Implausible Sources
Mr Sherborne stated that Prince Harry's evidence is "absolutely firm" in his belief that neither Ms Davy nor their closest friends would have disclosed such confidential information. The court heard that journalist Katie Nicholl's notebooks indicated she obtained the minute details from a man named Garth Gibbs. However, Mr Sherborne described Mr Gibbs, who lived alone in semi-retirement on the Isle of Wight with his cat, as an utterly implausible source for such intimate knowledge about the royal couple.
He suggested that this pointed towards Ms Nicholl employing her "familiar unlawful information gathering" techniques rather than legitimate journalistic sourcing.
Legal Action and Publisher's Defence
Prince Harry is part of a group of high-profile claimants, including Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and actress Sadie Frost, who are taking legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). They allege widespread unlawful information gathering by the publisher.
ANL has vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as "preposterous". The publisher's lawyer, Antony White KC, argued in written submissions that the social circles of the celebrity claimants were inherently "leaky". He claimed that friends and associates regularly provided information to the press on a confidential basis, making such disclosures a not uncommon occurrence.
Impact on Prince Harry
Summarising part of the Duke's written evidence, Mr Sherborne detailed the significant personal impact of these alleged intrusions. Prince Harry described experiencing considerable distress and paranoia as a result. The barrister posed the question to the court: given the nature of the information published, is it any wonder he feels this way, especially after publicly standing up to the publisher?
Background of the Relationship
Zimbabwean-born Chelsy Davy dated Prince Harry for approximately seven years. Their relationship endured through his Army training and postings overseas, as well as her university studies in South Africa. After splitting in early 2009 and briefly seeing other people, they rekindled their romance. Ms Davy made a rare public appearance in May 2010 to watch Harry receive his wings after completing his Army Air Corps helicopter pilot course.
The couple ultimately parted ways again around 2011 but remained on amicable terms. Ms Davy attended Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, in 2018, underscoring their enduring friendship despite the end of their romantic involvement.
The High Court case continues, with Prince Harry expected to begin giving his evidence in person imminently.
