Prince Harry will not be attending the first day of his high-profile legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun tabloid, contradicting recent reports that suggested he was set to receive “limited police protection” during his stay in London. According to People, the Duke of Sussex will not be present for the trial’s opening on Tuesday, January 21, but is expected to testify in court in February, debunking the rumors surrounding his security arrangements.
The trial centers on Harry’s allegations against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun. He has accused the tabloid of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and other privacy violations that allegedly occurred between 1996 and 2011. These actions were reportedly carried out by journalists and private investigators hired by the publication, targeting Harry as well as other prominent figures. NGN has denied all accusations of wrongdoing.
Harry’s legal challenge has also been intertwined with his ongoing fight to regain security protection after stepping down as a working royal in 2020. Recent reports suggested that Harry had been offered “limited police protection” by the Metropolitan Police, following his legal defeat over a request for security earlier in the year. However, sources have denied these reports, stating that no such offer was made.
The Duke of Sussex has also been subject to rumors that he was offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace during his time in London, but declined the offer. A source reportedly shared that while Harry was extended an invitation to stay at the royal residence, he chose not to accept.
This trial follows a years-long legal battle involving Harry’s right to security, which was revoked by the British government after he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from their royal duties. Harry has been fighting to restore his family’s automatic right to protection, and the case is expected to be heard in full in spring 2025.
While many public figures have settled their claims in similar lawsuits against Murdoch’s publications, Harry remains one of the last prominent individuals to continue pursuing his case in court. The Duke has made it clear that his lawsuit is about more than just personal grievances; he is determined to hold the media accountable for unethical practices. At The New York Times’s DealBook Summit in December, Harry stated, “I will be damned if those journalists are going to ruin journalism for everyone, because we depend on it.”
As the trial unfolds, the Duke of Sussex continues to stand firm in his commitment to achieving justice and accountability for those harmed by illegal practices in the press. His case, which has captivated the public’s attention, will likely have broader implications for the future of media ethics and privacy rights.
