Prince Harry is gearing up for a legal battle against the British tabloid media, specifically targeting The Sun’s former editor, Rebecca Brooks, in connection to the ongoing phone hacking scandal.
This comes hot on the heels of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News settling a massive defamation suit in the U.S. for a staggering $777.5 million (£635 million), adding to the mounting pressure on his media empire.
The royal is seeking damages amounting to at least £200,000, alleging that The Sun newspaper engaged in illegal voicemail hacking and employed private investigators to unlawfully obtain confidential information about his personal relationships dating back to the 2000s, a period during which Brooks held editorial responsibilities.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2019, outlines over 100 alleged payments made by The Sun to private investigators for obtaining information about him and his relationships, as well as stories that emerged from phone hacking incidents.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Prince Harry is anticipated to provide fresh testimony detailing the detrimental impact of these stories on his family life, with potential references to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
The timing of the court hearing, just a mere ten days before King Charles’s coronation, adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
Harry has previously hinted at a covert agreement between the royal family and Murdoch’s media conglomerate to abstain from pursuing legal actions against the British press.
In a similar fashion to the recent Fox News defamation case, Murdoch’s media empire is bracing itself for the revelation of internal communications pertaining to the allegations, a development that could prove uncomfortable for Brooks, who currently holds a prominent position within Murdoch’s British media holdings.
Prince Harry’s public disdain for Brooks is no secret, as evidenced by scathing remarks in his autobiography characterizing her as a blight on journalism.
Despite being acquitted of phone hacking charges in a criminal trial back in 2014, Brooks now faces a civil lawsuit from Prince Harry, a move that potentially reopens old wounds.
The Sun’s parent company, News Group Newspapers, is striving to dismiss the case on grounds of delayed legal action by Harry, while the prince’s legal team contends that crucial evidence was deliberately concealed, justifying the delayed filing.
The upcoming court hearing will serve as a pivotal juncture, determining whether the case progresses to a full trial slated for January next year.
The financial stakes are high, with Prince Harry’s commitment to seeking justice against the media intrusion mirroring the sentiments expressed by other celebrities who settled similar claims against The Sun and Brooks due to exorbitant legal costs.
The prince’s unwavering determination to pursue this legal battle underscores the profound impact of media scrutiny on his personal life and relationships, drawing parallels to the experiences of his late mother, Princess Diana.
As the saga unfolds, the question looms large: How far is Prince Harry willing to go in his quest for justice?
Share your thoughts on this unfolding royal drama in the comments, and stay tuned for more updates on the royal front.