Prince Harry barred from saying Kate and family were victims in privacy claim

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A judge has ruled that the Duke of Sussex cannot say in his High Court case that the Princess of Wales was a victim of unlawful information gathering by newspapers

The Duke of Sussex has been barred from alleging that the Princess of Wales and her family were victims of unlawful information gathering as part of his own privacy claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail newspaper.

Prince Harry’s lawyers told the High Court earlier that the duke’s “associates” including the Prince and Princess of Wales had been targeted by private investigators paid by journalists.

The duke, 41, later complained that he had not been aware that William and Kate, both 43, would be identified in his High Court case. The Prince of Wales has avoided becoming embroiled in litigation with newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering.

Harry’s lawyers said that private investigators were paid for information about Prince William’s 21st birthday party, a mobile telephone conversation about Kate and details of her family’s homes.

Mr Justice Nicklin ruled on Friday that the allegation relating to Kate had been added to Harry’s claim too late. The allegation about William’s party was never formally part of the claim but the judge struck out allegations that three private investigators were paid for information about William.

The judge said he was rejecting irrelevant allegations to stop the case “descending into an uncontrolled and wide-ranging investigation akin to a public inquiry”.

The duke is suing Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, as part of a group of celebrities including Sir Elton John, Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley. The group claim to be victims of unlawful information gathering including blagging and hacking.