In a landmark ruling, a British judge declared Prince Harry victorious in his lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). The judge found that MGN journalists had engaged in unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, targeting Prince Harry and his inner circle between 2004 and 2009.
The lawsuit, one of three filed by Prince Harry against British tabloid publications, centered around allegations that MGN journalists had accessed voicemails and employed other illicit methods to obtain information, causing significant distress to the prince. The judge reviewed 33 articles submitted as evidence and determined that 15 of them contained information obtained through unlawful means.
Prince Harry leaving the High Court in London
Although Prince Harry was not present in court for the ruling, his lawyer read a statement on his behalf, emphasizing the significance of the victory: “This case is not just about hacking, it is about a systematic practice of unlawful and appalling behavior followed by cover-ups and destruction of evidence.” The statement continued, “Today’s ruling is vindicating and affirming. I’ve been told that slaying dragons will get you burned, but in light of today’s victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay. The mission continues.”
MGN has publicly accepted responsibility for their actions, issuing a statement expressing their “full responsibility and apologize unreservedly.” The judge awarded Prince Harry approximately $180,000 in damages.
This ruling marks a significant development in Prince Harry’s ongoing battle with the British tabloid press. It underscores the importance of privacy and sets a precedent for holding media organizations accountable for unethical and illegal practices. The outcome of this case is likely to have a lasting impact on the relationship between public figures and the media.
