Prince Harry arrives in Britain prepared for a lengthy High Court battle over alleged media abuses

Prince Harry has arrived in the United Kingdom ahead of a lengthy and highly charged High Court trial, with sources close to the Duke of Sussex describing him as “confident and ready” as proceedings are set to begin.

The nine-week legal battle, which starts on Monday, sees the Duke among seven claimants taking on Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The case centres on allegations that journalists working for the newspaper engaged in unlawful practices over many years, including the use of private investigators, phone hacking, deception to obtain private information and other intrusive methods.

According to the claims, investigators were allegedly hired to place listening devices inside cars and homes, while private medical, financial and personal records were accessed through deception. The claimants also allege that police officers were paid for information and that burglaries were commissioned to obtain confidential material.

The Duke is expected to remain in Britain until Friday and is scheduled to give evidence on Thursday. Despite his return, there are no plans for him to meet the King, who is currently in Scotland.

The legal action relates to 14 published articles which Prince Harry alleges were obtained unlawfully. These include stories concerning his past relationships with former girlfriends Chelsy Davy, Cressida Bonas and Laura Gerard-Leigh, as well as coverage relating to his relationship with his childhood nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

Also included are reports detailing a private party planned by Prince Harry and Prince William following their mother Princess Diana’s memorial concert, and an article describing the brothers’ anger over the publication of photographs of their dying mother by Italian media outlets.

The litigation is expected to be costly, with estimates suggesting the case could amount to £38.8 million. A source close to the Duke said he felt fortunate to have the resources to pursue the case and was not intimidated by the backlash or criticism directed towards him for taking on the press.

Associated Newspapers is expected to strongly contest the claims. Its legal team is anticipated to accuse Prince Harry’s lawyers of dishonesty, fraud and conspiracy during opening arguments. These proposed allegations have already sparked fierce resistance from the claimants’ legal representatives.

The Duke’s barrister has described the accusations as “exceptionally serious” and “wholly objectionable,” warning that such claims could have significant reputational consequences for legal professionals involved in the case. The court has required the publisher to formally plead these allegations if it intends to pursue them.

One key witness, private investigator Gavin Burrows, is expected to dispute the authenticity of evidence linked to him, claiming his signature was forged. Associated Newspapers has also alleged that witnesses were pressured, harassed and offered large sums of money to support the claimants’ case, including promises of long-term payments.

Prince Harry enters the trial with a history of legal victories against sections of the British press. In December 2023, the High Court found evidence of widespread phone hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers, a ruling the Duke described as vindication. A month later, he accepted a late settlement from another publisher, which he hailed as a major triumph.

The Duke has framed his legal campaign as a broader fight against what he describes as unchecked power and criminal behaviour within parts of the media. In earlier statements, he warned that allowing powerful newspaper groups to evade accountability would have grave consequences for the country.

This ongoing legal struggle has become one of the defining chapters of Prince Harry’s post-royal life. As the trial begins, he faces weeks of intense scrutiny, legal confrontation and public debate. Whatever the outcome, the case is set to reignite long-running tensions between the Duke and Britain’s tabloid press