Prince Harry is preparing to spend four intense days in London’s High Court as part of his ongoing legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
The lawsuit centers on allegations of privacy breaches by News Group Newspapers (NGN), which publishes the British tabloid The Sun.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its potential to expose long-standing practices within the tabloid press, as well as the personal sacrifices Harry will have to make during the proceedings.
Four Days of Isolation in Court
Harry is expected to testify for four consecutive days, during which he will not be allowed to discuss his evidence with anyone, including Meghan Markle.
Legal expert Mark Stephens described this situation as “a lonely experience,” explaining that Harry will face a form of isolation while giving his testimony.
The duke will only be able to talk about unrelated matters during this time, making it an emotionally taxing process.
This isn’t Harry’s first time in court. In 2023, he gave evidence in a similar lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, but that case required just two days of testimony.
This time, the extended duration increases the pressure, especially as he will be away from his family, including his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Heart of the Case
Harry’s allegations date back decades, when News of the World—another Murdoch-owned tabloid—was caught hacking phones, including Harry’s.
The scandal eventually led to the closure of the newspaper in 2011, but The Sun was never implicated. Now, Harry seeks to prove that illegal practices also occurred at The Sun and that these extended to executive levels within the organization.
The case involves deeply personal topics, including Harry’s belief that press intrusion played a role in the end of his relationship with Chelsy Davy.
He also views this lawsuit as a fight not just for himself, but for over 1,300 other victims of media intrusion who have settled their cases out of court.
NGN is pushing back, arguing that Harry missed the six-year window allowed by privacy law to file such claims. However, the duke contends that he couldn’t have known he was a victim during that timeframe due to the publisher’s efforts to conceal its actions.
Logistical Challenges
While the trial is set to begin in January, Harry’s specific testimony will take place later, after the court addresses broader questions about NGN’s alleged practices.
The eight-week trial is expected to involve multiple witnesses, including journalists defending the publisher.
Adding to Harry’s challenges is his lack of a permanent base in the U.K. Since King Charles III evicted him and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage in 2023, Harry has relied on hotels or the occasional stay at his uncle Charles Spencer’s Althorp estate.