Prince Harry Testifies in High Court About Intrusive Tabloid Coverage

Prince Harry became visibly emotional on Wednesday as he testified in London’s High Court about the effects of what he called intrusive news coverage on his life and that of his wife, Meghan Markle.

He was giving evidence in his case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. Harry and six other high-profile figures, including Elton John, have accused the company of phone hacking, obtaining personal records through deception and other forms of unlawful information gathering; Associated Newspapers has denied the accusations, saying its articles were the result of legitimate journalistic work and the prince’s “leaky” social circles.

The articles at the center of the case, published between 2001 and 2013, reported intimate details of Harry’s romantic relationships, his social activities and his feelings about his mother’s death. Harry said reading them had been a “recurring traumatic experience,” called the yearslong legal battle a “horrible experience,” and said “they have made my wife’s life an absolute misery,” his voice cracking as he spoke. He accused the news media of “commercializing” his life since childhood and “delving into every single aspect of my private life.”

Harry is the first well-known figure in the case to give evidence; the trial is scheduled to last more than two months. This is a developing story, and further updates were expected.

Key Topics

World, Prince Harry, High Court, London, Meghan Markle, Elton John