While his trial against The Sun magazine, owned by Rupert Murdoch, is due to begin before a judge in London (United Kingdom) this Tuesday, January 21, the prince will be absent in court.
The Duke of Sussex will not appear in London (United Kingdom) this Tuesday, January 21, for the first day of his trial against the tabloid The Sun, which he accuses of illegal collection of information by journalists and private investigators , according to People.
Prince Harry is, however, expected in February to testify in this case, carried out jointly with former Labor MP Tom Watson. Last month, Meghan Markle’s husband affirmed his determination to continue this trial, motivated by the conviction that certain journalistic practices compromise public trust in the media.
“I will not let these journalists ruin journalism for everyone,” he said. “Because we depend on it,” he said during his appearance at the New York Times DealBook Summit, a day of interviews with top leaders in business, politics and culture, last December . News Group Newspapers (NGN), the magazine’s publisher, has denied any wrongdoing.
-A long-running legal battle
Once one of 40 plaintiffs against the publications of Rupert Murdoch, owner of The Sun, Prince Harry is now one of only two continuing the fight (the other plaintiff being a former Labor Party leader, Tom Watson), while the majority of others, including Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, reached out-of-court settlements. The actor admitted last April to having resolved to an agreement because of the considerable financial risks, which could exceed 10 million dollars, even in the event of victory.
This upcoming testimony will refute recent rumors that the Duke of Sussex is receiving “limited protection” from the Metropolitan Police, despite his court defeat over his request for increased security. He also turned down an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace this week, according to a source cited by the Mirror.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is embroiled in another legal battle over the removal in February 2020 of his automatic right to police security for himself and his family following his retirement from royal duties. Although he lost a first judgment last April, he appealed, and the case is expected to be re-examined in the spring of 2025. This dispute, which has lasted for more than four years, has contributed to the deterioration of relations between him and his father, King Charles.
