Prince Harry’s High Court Defeat: Claims Press Made Meghan’s Life ‘Absolute Misery’

The Duke of Sussex has faced a setback in his High Court case, during which he accused the media of subjecting his wife to an “absolute misery”. In January, while providing evidence against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Prince Harry expressed his frustration to the judge, stating, “They continue to come after me”. On Tuesday, July 7, Harry, who is currently in the UK participating in events leading up to the Invictus Games, found his allegations of unlawful information gathering by Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) dismissed by the High Court.

The youngest son of the King appeared visibly emotional during his January court appearance, labelling the proceedings as a “recurring traumatic experience” and a “repeat of the past”. He firmly rejected claims that he had “leaky” social circles or that he had used the pseudonym “Mr Mischief” to communicate with a female journalist from the Mail on Sunday. Furthermore, he condemned the press for asserting that he had no right to privacy, calling such allegations “disgusting”. Prince Harry contended that 14 articles published by ANL between 2001 and 2013 were based on unlawful information gathering, a claim that ANL has categorically denied.

High Court Ruling and Evidence Considerations

Mr Justice Nicklin, in his ruling announced on Tuesday, acknowledged the limited evidence presented by the Duke of Sussex during the January trial. However, he concluded that neither Harry nor the other claimants, which included Baroness Lawrence and Sir Elton John, had successfully established their allegations of unlawful information gathering. In a comprehensive 436-page written judgment, the judge noted the apparent desire of Prince Harry to convey the personal impact of the issues at hand. He remarked, “As I indicated to Prince Harry at the time, that is not uncommon: many litigants feel a strong instinct to argue their case themselves. However, when giving evidence, that is not a burden they are required to carry. The responsibility for advancing the party’s case rests with the advocate.” He further added, “Overall, this did not affect the quality of Prince Harry’s evidence, which I accept. As with each of the claimants, Prince Harry has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters in dispute.”

Details of the Allegations

Among the Duke’s allegations was that a private investigator named Mike Behr was employed to unlawfully obtain flight information and seating details for Harry’s then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy during her trip to South Africa. Furthermore, he claimed that Mr Behr suggested to journalists the possibility of “planting someone next to her”. Other articles in question pertained to “intimate family matters”, including Harry’s selection as godfather to the child of his former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke. Additional reports focused on Harry’s “intimate relationship” with television presenter Natalie Pinkham, where he asserted his “privacy was violated” through unlawful information gathering. The Duke described it as “beyond cruel” for ANL to publish details about “confidential discussions” with his brother, the now-Prince of Wales, especially following the release of a photograph of their late mother in the Italian press.

Response from Associated Newspapers Limited

ANL characterised the dismissal of all 97 allegations put forth by the claimants as a “magnificent vindication of the Daily Mail’s journalism”. Prince Harry has consistently described his relationship with the press as “uneasy”, stating that the royal family’s mantra of “never complain, never explain” left him with “no alternative”. Growing up as a prince, he was acutely aware of the severe effects of relentless media intrusion on his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Harry was just 12 years old when Diana tragically died in a car crash, which was exacerbated by paparazzi chasing her vehicle through the streets of Paris.

The Ongoing Battle Against Media Intrusion

Decades later, the late Queen’s grandson has earned the reputation of a formidable opponent of the “big beasts of the tabloid jungle” through his persistent legal actions against certain media outlets. In 2025, he reached a settlement with News Group Newspapers (NGN), securing significant damages alongside a “full and unequivocal apology” for both “serious intrusion” into his private life and “unlawful activities” conducted by The Sun. He hailed it as a “monumental victory”, with NGN also issuing a notable apology for the “extensive coverage and serious intrusion” into both his and Diana’s lives during his childhood. Lord Watson, a co-claimant in the NGN case, remarked, “I once said that the big beasts of the tabloid jungle have no predators. I was wrong; they have Prince Harry.”

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