Katie Nicholl Says Prince Harry Invited Her Into Private Party
The Duke of Sussex’s privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers heard fresh evidence on Thursday as journalist Ms Katie Nicholl told the High Court that Prince Harry once invited her into a private party with his friends. Ms Nicholl, a former Mail on Sunday royal editor, gave evidence for the defence as the trial continues in London.
Ms Nicholl said she met the Duke in April 2003 at Kensington Roof Gardens and recalled him asking her to join his gathering, The Telegraph reported.
The court previously heard Prince Harry dispute Ms Nicholl’s characterisation of their contact, saying in January that she was not part of his social circle and that his friends knew “exactly who she was and what her capabilities were”. Under cross-examination by Mr David Sherborne, the Duke’s barrister, Ms Nicholl rejected the suggestion she had merely “managed to gain” her way into the room, telling the court: “I absolutely remember that moment… He not only invited me in, he introduced me to his friends and I stayed there for the whole evening.”
Ms Nicholl also said she had “very good access” to some of Prince Harry’s friends and insisted she did not rely on unlawful methods to gather information, adding that she had “real sources close to Prince Harry who were willing to talk to me”, a point that echoes earlier coverage in which the court heard a journalist claim to have ‘real contacts’ close to him.
She told the High Court she had never intercepted voicemails and said one of her sources was the late Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin and confidant of Queen Elizabeth II, whom she described as having close connections to the Legge-Bourke family. The trial, brought by the Duke, Sir Elton John, Baroness Lawrence and others against Associated Newspapers, is set to continue with further evidence.
