A landmark legal battle has commenced at the High Court in London, where Prince Harry and six other prominent figures are suing the publisher of the Daily Mail over serious allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The High-Profile Claimants and Their Allegations
The Duke of Sussex is joined by an illustrious group in taking action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). The claimants include music icon Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence, former MP Sir Simon Hughes, and actresses Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley.
Their legal team, led by barrister David Sherborne, asserts that the publisher engaged in or commissioned a range of illegal activities. These alleged acts are said to include the placement of listening devices in cars, the practice of 'blagging' to obtain private records, and the interception of live landline phone calls. The group also claims that their confidential medical records were accessed without authorisation.
A Nine-Week Trial with Key Witnesses
The trial, scheduled to last for nine weeks, promises dramatic courtroom moments. Prince Harry is expected to take the witness stand to give evidence personally. This follows his previous successful case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror in 2023, where he also testified.
On the defence side, several journalists and editors are set to give evidence. Notably, this includes Paul Dacre, the long-standing former editor of the Daily Mail. The proceedings will scrutinise the historic practices of one of Britain's most powerful newspaper groups.
Publisher's Defence and Broader Context
Associated Newspapers Limited, which also publishes the Mail on Sunday, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. The company is expected to vigorously contest the claims throughout the trial.
This case represents a significant escalation in Prince Harry's ongoing campaign against certain sections of the British press. It consolidates multiple high-profile claims into a single, major legal confrontation, highlighting enduring tensions between public figures and media organisations over privacy and ethics.
The outcome of this trial, which began on Monday 19 January 2026, could have substantial implications for press standards and privacy law in the United Kingdom.
