Prince Harry Takes on The Sun: Legal Battle Set for January 2025

Prince Harry is gearing up for a significant legal showdown against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun.

This trial, set to commence in January 2025, revolves around serious allegations of unlawful information-gathering practices employed by journalists and private investigators.

Harry's attorney, David Sherborne, confirmed the timeline for this high-profile case, which also includes former Labour MP Tom Watson as a claimant.

The Duke of Sussex has accused NGN of engaging in phone hacking and other privacy violations during a troubling period from 1996 to 2011.

This was when The Sun and its now-defunct sister publication, News of the World, allegedly targeted him.

Despite these claims, NGN has firmly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that their practices were lawful.

In a recent ruling, the High Court granted Harry's legal team access to additional emails exchanged between senior NGN staff and members of the royal household.

These emails, previously withheld or selectively disclosed, are considered pivotal by Harry's lawyers.

They argue that this information could bolster their case significantly.

Sherborne pointed out that NGN's earlier submissions were incomplete, claiming they cherry-picked evidence while omitting documents that could support the Duke's allegations.

Justice Fancourt agreed, stating there was a credible basis for believing that a complete picture was essential for justice to prevail.

Harry's case is part of a broader wave of lawsuits against NGN, which features serious accusations, including phone tapping and the illicit gathering of private information.

Among the claimants, Harry and Watson stand out as two of the few still pursuing their cases after 39 others opted for settlements.

While many celebrities, including Spice Girls' Melanie Brown and actor Alfie Allen, have resolved their disputes, Harry's situation remains one of the most contentious.

His quest for justice against the press reflects a deep-seated desire to confront issues that have plagued his family for years.

In a candid reflection, Harry acknowledged the personal toll that this legal battle has taken on him.

He expressed the importance of seeking justice against the media, despite the backlash he often faces from the press regarding his family.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has relocated to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Meanwhile, Harry's recent paperback release of his memoir, “Spare,” has not fared well in sales.

After an explosive debut, the book has slipped to 73rd place in UK charts, selling only 3,000 copies in its second week.

This stark contrast to its initial success raises eyebrows, especially since it previously broke records upon its hardback release.

The paperback edition, published by Penguin Random House, contained no updates or new revelations, which some observers interpreted as a peace offering to his family.

However, the lackluster sales figures highlight a growing disconnect between Harry's narrative and current reader interests, especially when compared to competing titles.

Despite the disappointing sales, the original hardback version of “Spare” had a remarkable run, selling over 700,000 copies in the UK alone and achieving global sales exceeding six million.

It even earned a Guinness World Record for being the fastest-selling non-fiction book upon its release.

In other news, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed the Festival of Remembrance, opting instead to send a message from their home in California.

Their absence from this significant event, alongside the royal family, further underscores the ongoing strain in their relationships with the monarchy.

As Prince William and Princess Kate attended the event, it highlighted the contrasting paths of the two couples.

The Princess of Wales made her return to public duties following her chemotherapy treatment, while Harry and Meghan's ties to royal engagements continue to weaken.

Despite the distance, Prince Harry has made several trips back to the UK, with his most recent visit in September for the WellChild Awards.

However, the couple's fractured relationship with the royal family has resulted in fewer in-person appearances, raising questions about their future connections with the monarchy.