Harry phone hacking; lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers set to go to trial in May

Prince Harry might be returning to the United Kingdom before King Charles III’s coronation after all, as reports have emerged that a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, is set to go to trial in May. Harry could be set to give evidence in person as part of a larger lawsuit regarding phone hacking undertaken by the publisher between 1996 and 2011.

Judge Timothy Fancourt ruled this afternoon that Harry’s case, which alleges unlawful information gathering on behalf of the then GMD journalists between 1996 and 2011, should be part of the trial at London’s High Court. Both Harry and Meghan are one of several public figures who have cases considered, alongside former Girls Aloud member Cheryl, the estate of the late singer George Michael, ex-footballer and television presenter Ian Wright and actor Ricky Tomlinson.

David Sherborne, a lawyer representing Harry and the other claimants, earlier told the court that Harry would be "the only witness" relied upon in his case – raising the prospect of the prince entering the witness box to give evidence. Which, being close also to King Charles III’s coronation, might also mean double duties for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, should they accept a rumoured invitation to the coronation received by email.

Harry’s case alone contends that 148 articles published between 1996 and 2010 included information allegedly obtained through unlawful means, including phone hacking. In making his decision, Judge Fancourt said Harry’s case is also one which "will not settle", on the basis of what he has read and heard in court, adding: "So it will have to be tried at some stage and might as well be tried now."

The trial is set to begin on 9 May 2023 at London’s High Court.