Prince Harry queried about royal title amid court case
Prince Harry was questioned about how he should be addressed in court during his ongoing legal battle against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) on Wednesday, creating a light moment in the High Court in London.
When asked by his lawyer David Sherborne if he should be addressed as His Royal Highness, the Duke of Sussex replied that it should be the same as last time, but when pressed for specifics, admitted: “I can’t remember.” This prompted laughter in the courtroom before his lawyer clarified that he had been addressed as Prince Harry previously, as reported by Hello Magazine.
During his evidence, Prince Harry said the press coverage had made his wife Meghan Markle’s life “an absolute misery” and described the experience as a “recurring traumatic experience”. He criticised the commercialisation of his life by the media and stated the claim that he has no privacy rights was “disgusting”. He also recalled an “uneasy relationship” with the press, citing a royal policy of “never complain, never explain.”
The legal proceedings against ANL, which publishes the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, involve allegations of unlawful activities including hacking and unlawful information gathering. The trial is set to conclude in March with a written judgment to follow.
Prince Harry’s testimony is part of a broader group action including figures such as Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and Elizabeth Hurley, challenging the publisher’s practices. The public and royal observers are watching closely as the case may set significant precedents regarding privacy and press conduct.
With the trial underway, the outcome could influence future interactions between the royal family and the media, especially concerning privacy rights and press ethics.
