Elton John, Liz Hurley, and Prince Harry Take On the British Press
Prince Harry isn't backing down in his fight against the British tabloids. Fresh off a major courtroom victory, he's now taking on another media giant in a high-stakes legal battle — this time, with a group of A-list allies by his side. Shocking allegations, millions at stake, and a trial that could change everything — here's what we know so far.
Spying, Hacking, and Burglaries — The Allegations Against ANL
Harry and his co-claimants accuse The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday of using unlawful tactics to obtain personal information for their stories. The alleged methods include tapping phone lines, secretly recording conversations, obtaining medical and financial records through deception, and even breaking into private property.
Among the most shocking claims:
Elton John and David Furnish say their home landline was illegally tapped, and their child's birth certificate was obtained without permission.
Elizabeth Hurley alleges a private investigator placed a secret recording device outside her home, while her ex-boyfriend Hugh Grant's car was bugged to track his finances and medical information.
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered in a 1993 racist attack, says The Daily Mail monitored her bank accounts while publicly claiming to support her fight for justice.
ANL has denied all allegations, dismissing them as "preposterous smears," as reported by PEOPLE.
Prince Harry's Personal Battle With the Press
For Harry, this lawsuit is deeply personal. His lawyer, David Sherborne, stated in court documents obtained by BBC that The Daily Mail's alleged unlawful tactics stripped Harry of key moments in his teenage years, leaving him isolated and distrustful. The prince reportedly developed "suspicion and paranoia" after reading articles based on illegally obtained information, believing those closest to him were leaking details to the press.
This sense of betrayal, Sherborne said, was especially painful after the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997. "The claimant regards Associated's unlawful acts to amount to a major betrayal given promises made by the media to improve its conduct following the tragic and untimely death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997," he said, according to BBC. Instead, documents claim the tabloid continued invasive practices for decades, further fueling Harry's determination to hold them accountable.
This latest lawsuit is just one in a series of legal actions Harry has taken against British newspapers. In early January, he secured a settlement from The Sun's publisher, receiving at least $12 million in damages and "a full and unequivocal apology," PEOPLE reported.
What Happens Next?
Despite ANL's efforts to dismiss the case, the lawsuit is moving forward, with a trial set for 2026. In a recent ruling, judges set a $5.1 million limit on legal expenses for Harry and his co-claimants, while ANL's spending is capped at $5.6 million. The decision comes after a pre-trial hearing revealed that both sides had initially planned to spend more than $23 million each, with the two judges ultimately ruling that "such sums were manifestly excessive," according to PEOPLE.
If Harry and his co-claimants win, it could be a game-changer for press accountability in the U.K. But if ANL successfully defends itself, it could mean yet another uphill battle for public figures trying to fight back against the tabloids. Either way, this case is shaping up to be one of the biggest media battles in recent history.
References: Prince Harry's Next Major Case Against British Newspapers Gets New Update, Legal Costs Ordered to Be Slashed | A 'monumental victory', an 'unequivocal apology' and a trial cut short | Prince Harry and Elton John appear at High Court in Associated Newspapers hearing | Planned costs of Harry and Mail publisher legal battle 'excessive,' judges rule
