Prince Harry has issued a short statement after giving evidence to the High Court today. Speaking after taking to the witness box in his claim against the publishers of the Daily Mail, Harry said: “Today we reminded the Mail Group who is on trial and why.”
A spokesman for Prince Harry said: “Today’s cross-examination was revealing in its weakness: assertive in tone, but collapsing immediately under scrutiny from Prince Harry. Associated couldn’t wait to get him off the stand, questioning him for just two hours and avoiding 10 of his 14 articles entirely.”
It comes after the Duke was on the verge of tears as he concluded his evidence at the High Court this afternoon, describing the experience of recounting the highly personal stories written about him as a “recurring traumatic experience”. The Duke of Sussex, who is one of seven high-profile individuals bringing legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering, described his life as being “open season” to be commercialised.
He ended his testimony by saying: “They (ANL) continue to come after me, they have made my wife’s life an absolute misery my Lord.”
The duke’s voice broke and he appeared visibly emotional as he delivered the final sentence. Bowing to the judge and leaving the witness box, Harry continued to appear upset, sniffling as he exited through the door.
During his two and a half hours on the stand yesterday, the King’s youngest son spoke repeatedly about being unable to complain about intrusive press coverage while he was a member of the Royal Family.
He also insisted that none of his close friends would speak to the press.
Giving evidence at the High Court, Harry appeared to get frustrated by lawyers acting on behalf of ANL, snapping: “My social circles were not leaky, I want to make that absolutely clear.”