Prince Harry broke down in the High Court on Wednesday as he gave evidence in his legal battle against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. The Duke of Sussex appeared on the verge of tears as he said his treatment by the publisher had “only got worse” since his litigation began.
His voice cracked as he told the court: “They continue to come after me. They have made my wife’s life an absolute misery, my lord.” The emotional moment came during cross-examination by Antony White KC, for ANL, who questioned the duke about his contacts with journalists and a Facebook profile allegedly used by Harry under the name “Mr Mischief”. Harry denied ever using that name and said he had “no idea” if he had exchanged messages with a Mail on Sunday journalist.
The duke rejected claims that his social circle leaked stories to the newspapers, insisting instead that the publisher had “an obsession” with surveilling him. In his written evidence, Harry said he was “really worried something bad was going to happen” during his relationship with Chelsy Davy, and described a surprise visit to Argentina as raising suspicions that someone had been paid to reveal their plans.
He also described a 2006 Daily Mail article about private discussions with his brother, the now-Prince of Wales, following the publication of a photo of their dying mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as “beyond cruel” and “really disgusting”. Harry said he had not questioned denials of phone hacking made by Paul Dacre at the Leveson Inquiry “out of fear of retaliation”.
In his 23-page witness statement, the duke said he had “no idea” he had a claim against ANL when he brought legal action against other newspaper publishers, adding: “if I had known earlier then I would have acted, particularly given ANL’s treatment of Meghan and her claim against it.” A spokesperson for Associated Newspapers responded to claims of “game playing and dirty tricks” by saying Harry had been in London ready to give evidence and that they would not “dignify this briefing” with further comment.
The trial was adjourned to 10.30am on Thursday after Harry finished giving evidence, with his barrister David Sherborne saying the group of claimants were “not in a position to have anyone else ready” to testify on Wednesday.
