Prince Harry Expands Privacy Suit Against Associated Newspapers

Prince Harry has added fresh allegations to his High Court privacy suit against Associated Newspapers, accusing the Daily Mail of using private investigators and deceptive “blagging” to obtain information on Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Court filings cite 2003 invoices — including one titled “Out of Africa Story Royal Party Enqs” linked to reporting on William’s 21st birthday — and references to mobile-phone data and occupancy searches, relying in part on entries from convicted PI Steve Whittamore’s records. The Group of Seven claimants alongside Harry includes Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Sadie Frost, Elizabeth Hurley, Sir Simon Hughes and Baroness Lawrence, who allege a pattern of unlawful activity such as phone-hacking, burglary-for-hire and planting listening devices. Associated Newspapers denies the allegations as “preposterous” or “lurid”, is seeking to strike parts of the case as time-barred or irrelevant, and Justice Nicklin has already limited some prior arguments. A successful claim could secure substantial damages and apologies and prompt renewed scrutiny of press practices linked to the Leveson legacy, while defeat would see the case dismissed and risk deepening royal tensions; a trial of up to nine weeks could be held next year.