Prince Harry's lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper group commences at the High Court in London on Tuesday. The younger son of King Charles will appear as a witness at the trial next month. The legal action targets News Group Newspapers for alleged unlawful activities conducted by journalists and private investigators working for its papers, the Sun and the defunct News of the World, between 1996 and 2011.
Prince Harry expressed his intention to seek the truth, highlighting his persistence in pursuing accountability. His legal battle with the British press, which began after his marriage to Meghan, has escalated. The lawsuit reflects his and Meghan's decision to step down from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to California due to intrusive media coverage.
The upcoming eight-week trial will delve into various issues, including phone hacking, destruction of evidence, and misleading information provided to authorities. Notably, former prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to appear as a witness. NGN's spokesperson emphasized that Harry's claims would be vigorously defended.
Prince Harry's previous legal victory for privacy violations sets the backdrop for this high-profile trial, which also holds significance for Murdoch's newspaper group. NGN has faced substantial settlements following phone-hacking scandals, with the upcoming trial shedding light on specific allegations against The Sun. Rebekah Brooks, the former editor of The Sun, will not testify, but other NGN current and former staff members will be called as witnesses.