Photo: Neil Mockford/GC Images
Prince Harryis back in court for the final day of the hearing that will determine whether his lawsuit against Associated Newspapers goes to trial.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Thursday and gave a small wave as he made his way in. Harry’s attorney David Sherborne and fellow claimant David Furnish also attended the hearing.
Prince Harry, Furnish, his husbandElton John,Elizabeth Hurleyand more are suing Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publisher of theDaily MailandMail on Sunday, for illegal information gathering. The four-day hearing began Monday to consider legal arguments from both sides, as ANL argues that the case should be thrown out. It will conclude with a judge’s ruling on whether the case should go to trial.
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Reutersreports that Justice Matthew Nicklin, who is presiding over the case, is not expected to make a decision for a few weeks.
According to the outlet, in conversation with Sherborne, Nicklin said that if the case did advance, it would be a “massive trial” lasting a “substantial period of time.”
PHOTO: Belinda Jiao/GettyPHOTO: Neil Mockford/GC Images
The Duke of Sussex made asurprise appearanceat court on Monday, his first time in the U.K. since the funeral of his grandmotherQueen Elizabethin September. PEOPLE understands that Harry traveled to London to show his support for the case and informedKing CharlesandPrince Williamthat he would be in the U.K. and attending the proceedings.
However, it’s unlikely that the father and sons got together. King Charles, 74, is currently abroad in Germany withQueen Camillafor thefirst overseas visitof the new reign, while Prince William, 40, spends time with wifeKate Middletonand their three children —Prince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — who are on school break.
Harrystepped outat High Court again Tuesday butskipped the proceedingsWednesday. In witness statements released this week, he alleged that the palace “without a doubt” withheld information from him about the phone hacking and that he never thought anyone “would be so stupid as to hack my own phone” given the implications and consequences of such an unlawful act.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty
Powerhouse publisher ANL denies the allegations, calling them “preposterous smears,” the BBC reported.
In other litigation, the Duke of Sussex is also undertaking aseparate libel lawsuitagainst Associated Newspapers centering on aMail on Sundayarticle about his legal battle with the British government over his police protection in the country.
Meanwhile, he is also one of several high-profile figures bringing damages claims against Mirror Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering. The trial is set to begin on May 9 — just three days after his father’s coronation. It is unclear if Harry will appear as a witness in that case.
source: people.com
