Prince Harry affirmed his ongoing crusade against tabloid newspapers following a substantial settlement in his case against Mirror Group Newspapers. The High Court previously ruled in December that the prince was a victim of unlawful journalistic practices, including phone hacking, by several tabloids.
The court awarded him £140,600 in damages, acknowledging the pervasive illegal activities within the media outlet. Further negotiations led to Mirror Group Newspapers agreeing to pay additional substantial damages and legal costs, estimated at £400,000, to resolve remaining claims.
In a statement delivered by his lawyer outside the court, Prince Harry expressed satisfaction with the settlement, emphasizing that it vindicated his accusations against the newspapers’ misconduct.
The court’s damning judgment confirmed the severity of the unlawful practices that occurred at Mirror Group Newspapers over several years. Notably, Prince Harry’s case is among many lawsuits against the publication, with approximately 100 claimants alleging similar wrongdoing.
Since stepping back from royal duties and relocating to California with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry has made press reform a focal point of his advocacy efforts. The Mirror case represents a significant triumph in his quest to hold media executives accountable for unethical practices.
He continues to pursue similar legal action against other media conglomerates, including Associated Newspapers and News Group Newspapers.
Prince Harry reiterated his commitment to the cause, emphasizing that his mission to reform the press would persist until its conclusion. He also criticized former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, who was implicated in the court’s findings.
Morgan, a vocal critic of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, denied involvement in phone-hacking and reiterated his condemnation of intrusive media practices.
Despite the legal victories, Prince Harry remains estranged from his family, making a brief visit to Britain to see his father, King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Their meeting lasted less than an hour before King Charles returned home for further recuperation. Prince Harry promptly returned to California following the visit, underscoring the ongoing complexities within the royal family.
