The defense team for the Mirror group opened its lines this Tuesday in the high profile case brought by Prince Harry against the tabloid press. The lawsuit centers on allegations that personal information was obtained illegally over decades. In the questioning of the Duke of Sussex that began amid intense media attention, Mirror’s counsel spoke at length. Andrew Green contended that 33 articles were dismantled piece by piece, illustrating alleged wiretapping and access to private detectives as the backbone of the reporting.
The son of Charles III declined to name specific cases where wiretapping might have occurred and redirected questions toward the journalists who authored the stories. Mirror’s defense underscored that facts support their stance, arguing that much of the coverage lacked originality and sourcing repeatedly pointed to earlier publications. They noted that royal spokespeople had already provided details cited in the articles. The defense remained steadfast even after a public apology from Mirror over a prior episode in which the publication admitted spying on Harry.
Psychological harm
Beyond denying the use of illegal methods, the Mirror defense emphasized that the aim in obtaining information about Harry was to show that the Prince’s psychological distress did not stem from the articles themselves, but from ongoing public exposure of private life. Green expressed empathy for the intrusion Harry has faced over the years, yet insisted the distress was not caused by unlawful information gathering. He also noted that some articles appeared before Harry entered the court process, suggesting that earlier reporting could not be tied to the most recent legal action.
Harry acknowledged difficulty recalling the exact dates of the articles he believed were obtained illegally, a point that may complicate the defense’s narrative. Green challenged this by asking how the prince could be upset by material he could not recall reading at publication time, highlighting the involvement of trusted aides and staff in monitoring media coverage and its impact on personal and professional relationships.
harsh testimony
Just before proceedings resumed, the prince took the stand as the trial’s first witness, bringing forward a 55-page document that framed the case. Harry accused the press of “holding their hands” in a manner described as bloody and pointed to those responsible for aggressive reporting and what he termed violent and unfair behavior. He recounted relentless scrutiny, with sensational details about his private life that he believed contributed to episodes of depression and paranoia. He linked those experiences to alleged illegal wiretapping of phone calls and messages.
Harry asserted that tabloid coverage sought to portray him as a damaged young man and an easy target for sensationalism intended to boost sales. Looking back, he described some reporting as deeply condemnable, noting how some outlets cast him as an underage drinker or a drug user, portraying him as an irresponsible youth. The testimony underscored the emotional toll of ongoing media intrusion and the impression left by stories that appeared to be built on unlawfully obtained information.
historical event
The struggle of Prince Harry against British tabloids has drawn significant media attention and is notable as one of the rare royal family cases where a member appears as a trial witness. The last similar occasion occurred in 1891 when Edward VII stood as Prince of Wales during a landmark dispute. The Duke of Sussex has described the litigation as a defining effort in his life and intends to see it through to a final resolution. The interrogation is scheduled to continue on the next day, with further testimony expected as the case unfolds.