Judge rules Prince Harry's privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail publisher unsuccessful
A London judge dismissed Prince Harry's claim that the Daily Mail's publisher unlawfully invaded his privacy, finding insufficient evidence and noting the possibility of legitimate news sources.
A High Court judge in London dismissed Prince Harry's final privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd., the publisher of the Daily Mail, on Tuesday. Justice Matthew Nicklin said the Duke of Sussex had not provided sufficient proof that the newspaper engaged in unlawful information-gathering, noting that the articles in question could have come from legitimate sources such as friends, royal aides or publicists.
The decision ends a series of privacy actions brought by Harry and six other claimants, including singer Elton John and actress-model Elizabeth Hurley, which sought substantial damages. Legal costs for the plaintiffs have been estimated at about £40 million ($53.5 million) for preparation and an 11-week trial.
The Daily Mail described the ruling as “an overwhelming victory” and a “magnificent vindication” of its journalism. The publisher had previously called the allegations “preposterous,” maintaining that the roughly 50 articles at issue were based on lawful reporting.
Harry’s earlier lawsuits have produced mixed outcomes. In 2023, he secured a judgment against the Daily Mirror for “widespread and habitual” phone hacking, and last year The Sun issued an apology and agreed to pay damages for privacy breaches. The latest verdict was released remotely without a court hearing, coinciding with Harry’s recent visit to the United Kingdom amid efforts to repair his relationship with his father, King Charles III.
Attorney David Sherborne argued that the Daily Mail and its sister paper, the Mail on Sunday, employed journalists, freelancers and private investigators for “clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information gathering.” Defense lawyer Antony White countered that the case relied on conjecture, asserting that the information was more likely obtained through ordinary, legitimate journalism.
Other claimants in the case included actress Sadie Frost, anti-racism activist Doreen Lawrence, former MP Simon Hughes and David Furnish, husband of Elton John. Some Mail reporters testified that they had sources within the royal circle, challenging Harry’s claim that his social circles were “not leaky.”