Prince Harry to Break 130-Year Royal Tradition, Testify in Court.
- Prince Harry’s upcoming court appearance marks a historic moment as he becomes the first senior British royal to give evidence in over a century.
London: In a significant departure from royal tradition, Prince Harry is set to testify in court next week as part of his lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), accusing them of unlawful conduct.
This historic move will make Prince Harry the first senior British royal in 130 years to provide evidence in a court proceeding.
The lawsuit, brought forward by Prince Harry and joined by over 100 other prominent individuals, including celebrities and high-profile figures, focuses on alleged misconduct by MGN, the publisher of well-known British newspapers such as the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People.
The last time a senior royal testified in court was in the late 1800s, when Edward VII, before ascending to the throne, appeared as a witness in a divorce case in 1870 and later in a slander trial related to a card game 20 years later.
Prince Harry, currently fifth-in-line to the British throne, has been at the center of media attention in recent months due to his legal battles with the British press, as well as the release of his memoir and a Netflix documentary series, in which he made allegations of collusion between senior royals and tabloid newspapers.
Given the global interest surrounding Prince Harry, his courtroom appearance is expected to attract significant attention worldwide.
David Yelland, a senior communications adviser and former editor of the Sun tabloid newspaper, commented on the royal family’s reluctance to engage in court cases, as they typically lack control over the narrative and outcomes. Yelland noted that such cases often result in a lose-lose situation for all parties involved.
Over 100 individuals are currently suing MGN, with Prince Harry and three others selected as test cases for the lawsuit. The ongoing trial, which commenced last month, has revealed allegations of widespread phone hacking and other unlawful activities committed by MGN journalists or private investigators, all with the purported knowledge and approval of senior editors and executives. MGN has contested these claims, denying any involvement in hacking and asserting that senior figures were unaware of any wrongdoing.
During the trial, it was suggested that former editor Piers Morgan, now a prominent broadcaster and critic of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was aware of the hacking practices. Morgan, who vehemently denies any unlawful involvement and has accused Prince Harry of invading his own family’s privacy, left his position as a morning show presenter following contentious remarks about Meghan.
Observers have noted the strategic implications of Prince Harry’s court appearance, suggesting that he views it as the “ultimate interview,” as he will be cross-examined by a hostile barrister while under oath. While MGN has acknowledged and apologized for one instance of unlawfully seeking information about Prince Harry, they have refuted his other claims, demanding evidence to substantiate his allegations.
The role of Buckingham Palace and its aides is expected to feature prominently during the cross-examination, with MGN contending that some information originated from royal sources.
Prince Harry has previously alleged that his family and their aides were involved in leaking negative stories to protect their own reputations. The palace has refrained from commenting on these claims.
This week’s court appearance will mark Prince Harry’s second visit to the High Court in London this year, following his participation in hearings alongside singer Elton John and others in March as part of their lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily and Sunday Mail tabloids.
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