Lawyers representing Prince Harry and several other prominent figures allege that the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), targeted Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton. This revelation emerged during a high-profile privacy lawsuit being heard at London’s High Court, where Harry, along with six others including musician Elton John, is suing ANL over alleged privacy violations spanning three decades.
The claims against ANL include serious allegations of **voicemail hacking**, burglary, and deception in obtaining medical records. The publisher denies the accusations, describing the allegations as “lurid” and “preposterous.” A trial is scheduled for early next year, but recent court proceedings have seen both sides arguing over which allegations should be included in the case.
Legal Proceedings and New Allegations
In a significant development, the claimants’ legal team introduced new allegations indicating that the Mail sought private information about Prince William. They asserted that details concerning William’s 21st birthday party in 2003 were obtained through “blagging,” a method involving deception to access confidential information. Furthermore, the lawyers claimed that a private investigator acted on behalf of a Mail journalist to gather information on Kate Middleton.
Previous legal cases highlighted that both William and Kate were victims of mobile phone hacking by journalists. Notably, William had previously settled a claim against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, which adds weight to the current allegations against ANL.
During the hearing, ANL’s legal representatives argued that the claimants had failed to specify the alleged wrongdoing by particular journalists or private investigators. They requested that certain elements of the claim be dismissed, including findings made in separate lawsuits involving other media organizations.
Background on the Lawsuits
The ongoing litigation marks the first time ANL has been implicated in the long-standing phone-hacking scandal that has plagued British tabloids for nearly two decades. This scandal has led to numerous criminal trials and a public inquiry focused on the ethics of the press. The claimants, which include David Furnish, the husband of Elton John, were present in court, while Harry attended the hearing remotely.
The seven claimants accuse ANL of engaging in unlawful activities, including **hacking voice messages** and employing deceptive tactics to acquire their personal information. This legal battle continues a pattern of confrontation between Harry and British tabloids, with the Duke of Sussex accusing media outlets of orchestrating unlawful intrusions into private lives, with significant personal consequences.
Harry’s relationship with the press has been deeply affected by the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, which he attributes to the aggressive tactics of paparazzi. Over the past six years, he has taken legal action against various media organizations, securing victories in some cases while continuing to combat what he perceives as persistent invasions of privacy.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these allegations could have far-reaching effects on both the individuals involved and the media landscape in the UK. The outcome of the trial, set for early 2024, will likely shape public discourse surrounding privacy rights and journalistic ethics in the years to come.
