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He’s spent years fighting the tabloids, but arriving at the High Court was a moment Prince Harry wanted the cameras to capture.
This is his last legal challenge against the British press. It’s also his biggest, and with reputations on the line, the stakes for all sides are high.
Day one, and the battlelines are being bullishly drawn.
What happened on day one – recap
Liz Hurley arrives at the start of the case. Pic: Reuters
Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish in 2024. Pic: PA
Harry and the other high-profile co-claimants all allege that Associated Newspapers (ANL) published stories about them using information that was illegally obtained by private investigators hacking phones, deceptively “blagging” private information and planting bugs in homes and cars.
Their barrister told the court there was a culture of unlawful information gathering at ANL. That its use was “clear, systemic and sustained”.
He also claimed the newspaper group knew what had been going on and knew there were “skeletons in the closet”.
ANL strongly denies any wrongdoing, insisting its stories were properly sourced, with Harry’s own friends often the source of the leak.
We now know that Prince Harry’s claim centres around 14 articles published between 2001 and 2013.
Many focus on his relationship with Chelsy Davy. He says the intrusion was terrifying, creating distrust and suspicion, and leaving him paranoid beyond belief.
The Duke of Sussex seemed upbeat as he arrived and left the High Court. He spent the day sitting quietly in court 76 listening intently.
These legal challenges have become his personal crusade.
He once said changing the media landscape would be his life’s work. That work is well under way.
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But this claim against the Mail could be his most challenging.
It will pitch the prince against one of Fleet Street’s most fearsome editors, Paul Dacre. Neither wants to back down and both will soon have their moment in court.
With all the claimants due to give evidence, this nine-week case has a long way to run.
Read more on Sky News:
Harry vs the Daily Mail explained
Harry’s security set-up review
Prince Harry certainly seems more relaxed. He smiled and waved as he arrived at court. He’s already secured a victory and apologies from two other tabloids – winning in part his case against the Daily Mirror and settling with The Sun.
His last chapter is just beginning; this is his final chance to try and expose what he believes are the dark arts of British newspapers.
ANL are ready to defend its journalism. No wonder many are calling this the ‘super case’ of the year.
