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High Court Dismisses Prince Harry’s 97 Daily Mail Claims

7/8/2026

44 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The High Court dismissed all 97 claims by Prince Harry, Elton John and five others against the Daily Mail.
Harry rejected the court’s reliance on inference, saying press intrusion destroyed his friendships and his relationship with Chelsy Davy.
He accused editors Paul Dacre and Piers Morgan of fostering misogynistic and racist coverage of Meghan.
Legal fees for Daily Mail case totalled about £50 million, adding strain to the royal family dispute.

History

Historical Context

After the Metropolitan Police linked royal voicemail leaks to News of the World reporter Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in August 2006, The Guardian kept probing and in July 2009 disclosed that the paper had paid over £1 million to victims such as Gordon Taylor, indicating thousands of hacked phones. The fallout led to the 2011 closure of the tabloid and the Leveson Inquiry.

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Story summary

The High Court dismissed all 97 claims by Prince Harry, Elton John and five others against the Daily Mail.
Harry rejected the court’s reliance on inference, saying press intrusion destroyed his friendships and his relationship with Chelsy Davy.
He accused editors Paul Dacre and Piers Morgan of fostering misogynistic and racist coverage of Meghan.
Legal fees for Daily Mail case totalled about £50 million, adding strain to the royal family dispute.

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