Prince Harry Breaks Down in London Court, Says UK Tabloids Have Made Meghan Markle’s Life ‘Absolute Misery’
During emotional testimony in his lawsuit against a major British publisher, the Duke of Sussex describes the toll of intrusive media coverage on his family
Prince Harry delivered deeply emotional testimony in London’s High Court on January 21 as part of his ongoing legal battle against Associated Newspapers Ltd., the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.
Speaking about the intense media scrutiny faced by his family, the Duke of Sussex said that tabloid coverage had made his wife, Meghan Markle’s life “an absolute misery,” and that the pressure from the British press had worsened over the course of the litigation.
His voice broke as he addressed the court, underscoring the personal toll that relentless media intrusion has taken on him and his family.
Harry, 41, appeared as one of seven high-profile claimants, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, in a case alleging that the publisher engaged in systematic, unlawful information-gathering tactics over two decades.
He recounted how intrusive press coverage intensified after his relationship with Meghan became public in 2016, worsened during her pregnancy and persisted after the birth of their son, Archie.
Harry characterised the continued coverage in the context of his legal challenge as not only distressing but fundamentally unfair, and said that his family had endured what he described as “a horrible experience” that merited an apology and accountability from the media group.
In testimony that spanned nearly two hours, Harry rejected defence arguments that information about him stemmed from his own associates and maintained that unlawful methods had been used to obtain personal details.
He also linked the pressures of media intrusion to longstanding personal anxieties dating back to his childhood and the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana.
The publisher has denied the allegations, asserting that its reporting relied on legitimate journalistic sources and disputing the claims of unlawful conduct.
The trial, expected to run for several weeks, marks a significant chapter in Harry’s efforts to hold parts of the British tabloid press to account.
Concluding his testimony, he appealed for recognition of the human impact of press practices, arguing that the pursuit of intrusive stories had inflicted deep emotional harm on individuals and families.
Further witness evidence, including from other claimants, is anticipated as the case progresses through the London court system.
Speaking about the intense media scrutiny faced by his family, the Duke of Sussex said that tabloid coverage had made his wife, Meghan Markle’s life “an absolute misery,” and that the pressure from the British press had worsened over the course of the litigation.
His voice broke as he addressed the court, underscoring the personal toll that relentless media intrusion has taken on him and his family.
Harry, 41, appeared as one of seven high-profile claimants, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, in a case alleging that the publisher engaged in systematic, unlawful information-gathering tactics over two decades.
He recounted how intrusive press coverage intensified after his relationship with Meghan became public in 2016, worsened during her pregnancy and persisted after the birth of their son, Archie.
Harry characterised the continued coverage in the context of his legal challenge as not only distressing but fundamentally unfair, and said that his family had endured what he described as “a horrible experience” that merited an apology and accountability from the media group.
In testimony that spanned nearly two hours, Harry rejected defence arguments that information about him stemmed from his own associates and maintained that unlawful methods had been used to obtain personal details.
He also linked the pressures of media intrusion to longstanding personal anxieties dating back to his childhood and the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana.
The publisher has denied the allegations, asserting that its reporting relied on legitimate journalistic sources and disputing the claims of unlawful conduct.
The trial, expected to run for several weeks, marks a significant chapter in Harry’s efforts to hold parts of the British tabloid press to account.
Concluding his testimony, he appealed for recognition of the human impact of press practices, arguing that the pursuit of intrusive stories had inflicted deep emotional harm on individuals and families.
Further witness evidence, including from other claimants, is anticipated as the case progresses through the London court system.
