Prince Harry's Second Day in Court: A Deep Dive into the Proceedings
Today, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, attended the Royal Courts of Justice in London for the second day of his high-profile legal battle against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail. Arriving at 10am, the Duke was present as his lawyers presented detailed arguments alleging unlawful information gathering by the newspaper.
Intrusive Articles and Emotional Impact
In court, Harry's barrister, David Sherborne, highlighted a series of articles published between 2001 and 2013 that he described as highly intrusive and damaging. These pieces reportedly focused on the Duke's personal relationships prior to his marriage to Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Sherborne emphasised the emotional toll, stating that Harry has experienced distress and paranoia due to what he perceives as a sustained campaign against him for challenging ANL publicly.
Security Concerns and Payment Claims
The court heard specific allegations regarding unlawful acts by private investigators working for ANL. One notable example involved an article about travel plans for a holiday in Africa, which Sherborne argued had serious security implications. He detailed a payment of £200 in cash made by journalist Rebecca English to private investigator Mike Behr for information on Harry's former girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, including her exact flight details and seat number. This, Sherborne claimed, entirely frustrated the couple's efforts to protect their privacy.
In response, Antony White KC, representing ANL, submitted written statements denying these allegations. He asserted that Rebecca English strongly denies ever using Behr for unlawful information gathering and that the evidence supports her position.
Watershed Moment and Future Proceedings
The Duke's personal watershed moment regarding these allegations reportedly occurred in 2020, after he learned about admissions made by private investigators. Following the morning session, Prince Harry was seen leaving the court during the lunch adjournment. The case is set to continue, with the Duke expected to give his own evidence on Thursday, adding further anticipation to this closely watched legal dispute.
