The Duke of Sussex’s legal battle with Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid publisher sparked headlines. Prince Harry has filed a lawsuit against the publisher regarding allegations of illegal information gathering. And guess what? The court has approved proceeding to trial on Friday next year. The Duke didn’t hold back this time. He alleged that journalists and private investigators working for The Sun tabloid repeatedly targeted him. But hold up, there’s more!
Prince Harry: The Duke Navigates The Legal Tides!
News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher, has refuted the accusations of illicit activities, requesting the court postpone a potential trial. The legal proceedings are due to commence next January. Moreover, the publisher sought a preliminary trial to determine whether the cases were filed too late and exceeded legal time constraints.
However, Judge Timothy Fancourt brushed off this request in his ruling. A small victory for Prince Harry? The judge cited a “considerable risk” of increased costs and prolonged delays to a full trial. Additionally, the preliminary trial can extend the full one by up to two years. “That is unsatisfactory,” Fancourt added.
The decision comes two days after celebrity Hugh Grant settled his own claim against NGN. The actor also accused the publisher of illegal information gathering. But he backed off, stating his desire to avoid potentially exorbitant legal expenses. The details of his settlement didn’t come to light, but Hugh spilled tea on social media. The media bigwigs are ready to offer him an “enormous sum of money” to forgo court proceedings.
The Prince Call Out More Publishers!
Meanwhile, David Sherborne, representing Prince Harry, said the Duke faces similar challenges. The offered settlements make it “impossible for them to go ahead.” Likewise, Hugh didn’t wish to accept the money from the Rupert Murdoch-owned group. However, he would’ve ended up paying the legal costs of both sides had things gone south.
Furthermore, NGN stated that both parties struck a settlement “without admission of liability”. Hence, they will be mutually beneficial in avoiding the expenses associated with a trial. Earlier this year, Prince Harry resolved a prolonged lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). He accused them of deceptive and unlawful practices, including phone hacking.
Currently, Prince Harry fighting a legal battle against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. Will Harry emerge victorious in this chain of press battles? Let us know your thoughts below! Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out TV Season & Spoilers for more royal dramas!