UK High Court Rules Prince Harry a Victim of Widespread Phone Hacking
Prince Harry awarded £140,600 ($179,000) by UK High Court after ruling Mirror Group Newspapers engaged in extensive phone hacking from 2006 to 2011 Stay updated with our free Royal Newsletter
The UK High Court awarded the Duke of Sussex £140,600 ($179,000) on Friday after ruling that Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) had engaged in "extensive" phone hacking targeting him from 2006 to 2011. Justice Fancourt determined that 15 stories published about Prince Harry by MGN had involved unlawful methods including phone hacking and the use of private investigators for information gathering.
A total of 33 articles were submitted for review, with fewer than half being found to have used unlawful methods to gather information. The Duke of Sussex and three other claimants filed a lawsuit against the British newspaper group, which includes The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People, alleging that their journalists hacked his phone and used other illegal methods to collect information about his life over a period of 15 years.
The 39-year-old royal stated "today is a significant day for truth and accountability."
"The court has determined that illegal and criminal actions were consistently and widely committed at all three of Mirror Group's newspaper titles (The Mirror, The Sunday Mirror, and The People) for over ten years," commented Prince Harry.
The judge's ruling today is both validating and affirming. Despite warnings that taking on powerful entities would have consequences, today's victory in the fight for a free and honest press makes any sacrifices worthwhile. And so, the mission carries on.
According to PA Media, an MGN spokesperson expressed gratitude for the judgment, stating that it provides the clarity needed to move forward from events that occurred many years ago. The spokesperson also offered an unreserved apology for any historical wrongdoing, affirmed full responsibility, and confirmed that appropriate compensation has been paid.
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During the legal proceedings, MGN's lawyer, Andrew Green, thoroughly questioned the royal, delving into the specifics of his claims and at times leaving him struggling to recall details from his written statement or provide evidence.
Prince Harry testified in court in June about the distress caused by the press during his youth, describing the articles published by MGN as playing a "destructive role" in his adolescence. This lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions brought by the Duke of Sussex against major UK newspaper publishers, which includes Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers and Associated Newspapers Limited, the publishers of the Daily Mail.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNNs Max Foster contributed to this report.
