In a recent development, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has faced a setback in his ongoing legal battles against British publications, which he accused of phone hacking. The Duke's claim of a clandestine agreement between the press and the monarchy has been dismissed as lacking credibility, and his bid to sue the publisher has been rejected.
Harry had alleged that the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World had unlawfully obtained his private information through a covert agreement with Buckingham Palace. This accusation formed the basis of his desire to take the matter to court.
However, a spokesperson from the publishing house countered these allegations, stating, "It is quite clear there was never any such agreement and it is only the Duke who has ever asserted there was." Subsequently, Mr. Justice Fancourt dismissed Harry's phone hacking claims against both the News of the World and The Sun on the grounds that the claim had been brought too late.
Despite this setback, Fancourt ruled that another aspect of Harry's claims, which pertains to different methods of unlawfully obtaining private information, could proceed to trial. This case is slated for January 2024.
The Duke of Sussex has launched several lawsuits against British publications, alleging years of phone hacking. Amid his pursuit of justice, insiders claim that his testimonies, which often cast England in a negative light, have been causing consternation for his father, King Charles.
A source close to the situation revealed that Charles frequently brings up Harry in conversation, expressing frustration at his son's ongoing behavior. The source said, "The King brings Harry up every time I see him. I don’t think we’ve moved past sad and bewildered, but there’s a bit more frustration at his behavior because it just keeps going."
The insider further suggested that since stepping back from the monarchy in 2020, Harry has lost his instinct for public conduct. The source stated, "He’s lost the knack of what he can and can’t say and there is no one around him to say, ‘No, Harry, you can’t say that, take that bit out.’"
This ongoing saga continues to draw international attention, highlighting the complex relationship between the British monarchy and the press, and raising questions about the boundaries of privacy for public figures.