Prince Harry Takes Stand in UK Tabloid Lawsuit, Criticizes Government
Prince Harry made a rare appearance in court on Friday, becoming the first royal in a century to take the stand in a legal case. The Duke of Sussex is suing British newspaper publisher Associated Newspapers for alleged invasion of privacy and copyright infringement. At a court hearing in London, Harry testified that he felt “trapped” and “controlled” by the media, and criticized the government’s lack of action against media harassment.
According to the Today Show Australia, Harry’s testimony was “emotional and passionate.” The Duke accused the tabloid press of “bullying and intimidation,” and described how he and his wife, Meghan Markle, had felt “hunted” by the media during their time in the UK. “Every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back,” he said.
During cross-examination, however, Harry was reprimanded by the judge for refusing to answer certain questions, including whether he had authorized his staff to speak to the media about his family. The New York Post reported that Harry’s lawyers objected to the questioning, arguing that it was “irrelevant and prejudicial.”
In his testimony, Harry also criticized the government’s response to media harassment, describing it as “woefully bad.” He accused the government of failing to protect his family and other individuals from intrusive media coverage. “It’s not just about us, it’s about every single person out there who is being harassed, who is being chased, who is being pursued,” he said.
The Express reported that Harry’s criticism of the government had sparked controversy, with some commentators accusing him of overstepping his role as a member of the royal family. However, others praised him for speaking out on an important issue.
The legal case centers around a letter that Meghan Markle wrote to her father in 2018, which was published by the Mail on Sunday. Harry and Markle argue that the publication of the letter was a breach of their privacy and copyright.
The case is expected to last for several weeks.
