Prince Harry has drawn the Prince and Princess of Wales into his latest legal battle, with his lawyer suggesting they may have been targeted by private investigators working for the Daily Mail. The claim was made during a High Court hearing on Wednesday, as part of a group action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail.
The Duke of Sussex is among seven high-profile individuals, including Sir Elton John, Doreen Lawrence, and Liz Hurley, who accuse ANL of unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices, 'blagging' private records, and accessing private phone conversations. ANL denies the allegations, describing them as 'lurid' and 'preposterous'.
David Sherborne, representing the group, told the court that an invoice dated 25 August 2003, titled 'Out of Africa Story Royal Party Enqs', was linked to a Daily Mail article about Prince William's 21st birthday party. The article, published in June 2003, contained extensive details about the 'Out of Africa' themed party a day before it took place. Sherborne argued it could be inferred that the information was obtained through 'blagging'.
Sherborne also referenced a private investigator's record allegedly showing a journalist commissioning a 'mobile phone conversion' related to the Princess of Wales, along with phone numbers from a 'family and friends' list. ANL's lawyers argued that the proposed amendment to include these claims was 'very late' and that parts had been reported in 2012.
The hearing, before Mr Justice Nicklin, also saw ANL seek to have parts of the case thrown out. Antony White KC, for ANL, argued that allegations of unlawful information gathering were 'wholly unparticularised' and should not proceed to trial. He stated that only clearly pleaded specific instances against journalists involved in the claimants' individual cases should remain. The hearing is set to conclude on Thursday, with a decision expected later.
