Prince Harry is set to return to a London courtroom next week, where he will personally give evidence in a high-profile privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the 'Daily Mail', marking another
chapter in his long-running legal fight with the British press.
According to court documents, the Duke of Sussex is due to take the witness stand on January 22 at London’s High Court. The case is being brought by Harry alongside singer Sir Elton John, actor Liz Hurley and several other prominent figures, who accuse Associated Newspapers of unlawful information gathering stretching back as far as three decades.
The nine-week trial begins on Monday and represents Harry’s final remaining legal action against UK media organisations. Now living in California after stepping back from royal duties, the prince is not expected to meet King Charles during his visit to Britain.
This will be Harry’s second appearance as a witness in recent years. In 2023, he made history as the first senior British royal to testify in court in more than a century during a separate phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers — a case he ultimately won.
Associated Newspapers, which publishes the ‘Daily Mail’ and ‘Mail on Sunday’, has strongly denied all allegations. The company insists there was no illegal activity and has dismissed the claims as “preposterous smears” against its journalists.
The list of claimants also includes Elton John’s husband David Furnish, actors Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley, former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes, and anti-racism campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence. John and Furnish are expected to give evidence in February and have requested permission to testify remotely.
A bitterly contested trial
The legal battle is shaping up to be particularly combative. Associated plans to argue that members of the claimants’ legal team were involved in a conspiracy to hide evidence of alleged wrongdoing from some of their own clients. Lawyers for the claimants have rejected the accusation, calling it unfounded and inflammatory, though the judge indicated it could be raised if formally included in the publisher’s written defence.
Another point of contention surrounds former private investigator Gavin Burrows, a key witness who has withdrawn an earlier statement claiming he carried out unlawful acts for Associated. His lawyer told the court that Burrows fears appearing in person could put him at “personal risk.”
Harry’s last stand against the UK press
Associated previously tried — and failed — to have the case dismissed in 2023 on the grounds that it was filed too late. For Harry, the lawsuit is the culmination of years of legal action against British tabloids, which he has described as a personal mission to hold powerful media figures to account.
After winning his case against Mirror Group Newspapers, Harry last year reached a settlement with News Group Newspapers, the UK arm of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire. That deal included an apology and damages over privacy breaches involving both Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana.
Harry has repeatedly blamed aggressive paparazzi tactics for contributing to Diana’s death in a 1997 car crash in Paris, an experience he says continues to shape his determination to challenge the press.
As the trial begins, all eyes will be on the High Court next week when the duke once again steps into the witness box — a rare and symbolic moment in the ongoing clash between royalty and the British media. Photo. by DoD News, Wikimedia commons.