Prince Harry’s attempt to pursue a phone hacking claim against The Sun’s publishers was thrown out today by a High Court judge. Mr. Justice Fan Court delivered a scathing ruling, questioning the credibility of Harry’s witness statement and pointing out that he could have brought the case forward much earlier, considering his awareness of the phone hacking Scandal.
The judge’s verdict also rejected Harry’s attempt to rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch. This alleged secret deal was deemed “implausible” by the judge, dealing a significant blow to the prince’s case.
However, the legal battle is not entirely over for Prince Harry. The judge allowed his legal action over other allegations, including the use of private investigators, to proceed to trial. The scheduled trial will begin in January next year.
Royal Experts Analyze the Impact on Prince Harry’s Reputation
Leading royal experts, Lady Colin Campbell and Phil Dampier, weighed in on the judge’s scathing comments about Prince Harry’s witness statement and the credibility of the alleged secret agreement.
Phil Dampier expressed concerns about the damage to Harry’s reputation, stating that the prince’s credibility had been questioned, and that he might have taken on more than he can handle in these legal battles. He even suggested that Harry’s wife, Meghan, should consider advising him to withdraw some of the cases.
Lady Colin Campbell echoed the sentiment, highlighting that the judge’s language was damning, essentially implying that Harry was not being truthful in his claims. She also dismissed the idea of a secret agreement, attributing it to Harry’s legal team rather than the prince himself.
The Future of Harry’s Legal Battle
Despite this setback, Prince Harry remains determined to push forward with his legal crusade against the media. The trial in January will address other allegations, and the outcome will be closely watched by the public and the media.
The prince’s commitment to seeking accountability from the press and social media platforms is undeterred, but questions arise about the toll these costly and emotionally draining court battles may take on him and his family.
As the legal drama unfolds, the world waits to see how Prince Harry’s ongoing battle with the British tabloid press will continue to shape his public image and his relationship with the media.
