Prince Harry made headlines yesterday as he took the stand in court for the phone hacking trial against the Mirror Group newspapers.
During the six-hour grilling, the Duke of Sussex dropped a series of bombshell claims about his life, repeatedly stating, “I don’t know.”
While cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom, Sky News decided to recreate the scene by enlisting a royal lookalike to repeat what the prince said.
The clip was posted on Twitter, causing a stir among the public.
In the phone hacking case, Prince Harry testified that every single article published by the Mirror Group played a destructive role in his life.
Sky News, unable to film inside the courtroom, recorded an actor resembling the Duke to reenact part of his cross-examination.
This unconventional approach garnered mixed reactions on Twitter, with some expressing disbelief and others finding it cringe-worthy.
Many suggested that a simple transcript or someone reading it out in their own voice would have sufficed.
During his testimony, Prince Harry made dramatic claims about the detrimental impact of press coverage on his relationship with Chelsea Davy.
He also revealed his fear of being ousted from the royal family due to rumors surrounding his paternity and expressed his belief that the British government had reached rock bottom.
In a submission consisting of 200 points, he further alleged that he was subjected to derogatory labels during his teenage years, such as “the thicko,” “the cheat,” “the underage drinker,” and “the irresponsible drug taker.”
Reflecting on this, he stated, “I thought that I might as well do the crime, so to speak.”
Mirror Group lawyer Andrew Green questioned Prince Harry extensively during the trial, to which the Duke repeatedly responded with, “I don’t know.”
He described the experience as stressful.
At one point, Prince Harry was asked whether reporters could have obtained information on flight times during a holiday with Chelsea Davy through sources rather than hacking phones.
His response was uncertain, suggesting that it could be either phone hacking, blagging, or a result of security breaches, as Chelsea and numerous other people would have been aware of the details.
Prince Harry even attempted to turn the tables on Mr. Green by stating, “I’m here to cross-examine you, I’m afraid that’s the way this works,” when the lawyer suggested directing questions to others.
In another development, Prince Harry appeared to declare war against Piers Morgan, as he criticized the TV presenter for his relentless attacks and intimidation towards him and his wife, Meghan Markle.
In his witness statement, Prince Harry expressed his disgust upon discovering that eight private investigator payments were made in relation to his late mother, Princess Diana.
He condemned Piers Morgan and his team of journalists, likening their invasion of his mother’s private and sensitive messages to what they have done to him.
Piers Morgan, who served as the editor of the Daily Mirror from 1995 to 2004, previously dismissed Harry’s claims against the Mirror Group.
However, the Duke retaliated, stating that he hoped to hold Morgan accountable for his unlawful activities.
In response to the allegations, the Mirror Group stated that they have admitted to historical wrongdoing, taking full responsibility and offering an unreserved apology.
However, they vowed to vigorously defend themselves against any allegations of wrongdoing where their journalists acted within the law.
Piers Morgan, in turn, hit back at Prince Harry, expressing his indifference towards the Duke’s comments and sarcastically wishing him luck with his privacy campaign, anticipating that it would be featured in his next book.
Prince Harry’s testimony in the phone hacking trial has sent shockwaves through the public, shedding light on the destructive impact of press intrusion on his life.
As the trial continues, the revelations and confrontations between the Duke and those involved will undoubtedly captivate the nation, further fueling debates on privacy, media ethics, and the responsibilities of the press.