Prince Harry has lost his legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, according to court documents reviewed by CBS News. This marks the end of his legal confrontations with British media outlets, as the court dismissed all claims.

Details of the Case

The Duke of Sussex, along with several other claimants including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, accused Associated Newspapers (ANL) of gathering information illegally. Methods cited included phone tapping and intercepting voicemails. However, the U.K. High Court ruled the claims could not be proven.

The alleged activities occurred between 1993 and 2011, with further incidents claimed up to 2018. ANL denied wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as “preposterous.” They argued the articles mentioned in the lawsuit were based on lawfully obtained information.

Harry’s Legal History

Previously, in January, Harry expressed that media intrusions had caused him significant paranoia. In the past, he received substantial damages from The Sun in an out-of-court settlement for similar allegations. In 2023, he succeeded in part of a phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, receiving around $180,000 in damages.

Recent Developments

The court decision coincided with a rare visit by Harry to the U.K. Speculation had surrounded whether his wife Meghan and their children would join, but they did not travel with him. This visit included discussions with Buckingham Palace about his accommodations and security.

Harry remains critical of the media, blaming them for the 1997 death of his mother, Princess Diana. Media scrutiny also influenced Harry and Meghan’s departure from their royal roles and move to the U.S. in 2020.

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