Prince Harry is taking legal action against some of Britain’s most prominent tabloid newspapers, alleging that journalists illegally accessed his cell phone voicemails. Buckingham Palace confirmed that claims have been filed on behalf of the Duke of Sussex at the High Court concerning the unlawful interception of voicemail messages. This action marks the latest development in the ongoing battle between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the British tabloid press.
The phone-hacking scandal, which originally came to light in 2005, involved journalists at several British newspapers illegally accessing the voicemails of celebrities, politicians, and other public figures.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Among the victims of the phone-hacking scandal were Hollywood actors like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, rock stars like Mick Jagger, author JK Rowling, and even former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. While the scandal initially targeted the royal family, they chose not to provide evidence to avoid further public scrutiny and potential embarrassment.
News Group Newspapers, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who also owns Fox News, acknowledged the legal claim brought by Prince Harry. Similarly, NBC News has reported that the Mirror Newspaper Group is aware of the legal proceedings.
This latest legal action has rekindled old tensions, with actor Hugh Grant, a prominent voice against tabloid intrusion and a victim of phone hacking himself, weighing in on the matter. Grant, who won a legal battle against the Mirror Newspaper over phone hacking, suggested on Twitter that former tabloid editor Piers Morgan should be worried. In response, Morgan accused Grant of spreading “disgusting lies.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attending the Endeavour Fund Awards
Meanwhile, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is pursuing separate legal action against Associated Newspapers, the parent company of the Mail on Sunday. Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, revealed in an interview with the Mail on Sunday that he had allowed the publication to print excerpts from a private letter she had sent him. He claimed he did so to defend his reputation against allegations made in the media. The Duchess of Sussex is suing the Mail on Sunday for breach of privacy, alleging misuse of private information, infringement of copyright, and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018.
In a statement released last week, Prince Harry expressed his unwavering support for his wife and condemned the intrusive actions of the tabloid press. “I have been a silent witness to her private suffering for too long,” the Duke stated. “To stand back and do nothing would be contrary to everything we believe in.”
The legal actions undertaken by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex highlight the ongoing struggle for privacy in the digital age, particularly for high-profile individuals. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen what impact these legal battles will have on the future relationship between the British monarchy and the tabloid press.
