Prince Harry joins six other prominent figures in the lawsuit. They’re going to court against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail. This bitter struggle has spawned dozens of lawsuits through the years. This past month, a new appeal surfaced that has garnered loads of mainstream media attention. The legal issues mostly revolve around the problems with invasive coverage and security measures.
June 2024 Prince Harry was granted leave to challenge an earlier ruling by Sir Peter Lane. This ruling was related to his personal protective details. On appeal after a two-day hearing in April 2025, the appeal was dismissed in May 2025. Harry’s legal team claimed that he was targeted for discriminatory prosecution. They claimed that he was treated worse than others, alleging this type of treatment was illegal.
Intrusions and Apologies
Harry’s legal actions stem from a broader concern about privacy rights and the media’s responsibility. In January 2024, NGN publicly acknowledged past wrongdoings, apologizing for “incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun, not by journalists, during the period 1996-2011.” The publisher said it was “very sorry” for trespassing on the secret world of Harry’s late mother. They knew they had to do better—that Diana, Princess of Wales, deserved better.
NGN has accepted that Prince Harry was caused considerable distress by its unlawful information gathering. They witnessed the destruction wrought upon his friendships and familial connections. That apology came in the form of a settlement agreement, whereby Chicago will pay him over $99,000 in damages, announced on January 22, 2024.
“We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.” – NGN statement
Security Controversy
The court’s earlier decision regarding Prince Harry’s security arrangements has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battles. In February 2020, the Rwandan Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec)—essentially the nation’s royalty protection authority—made a surprising ruling. They announced that Harry was to lose the multi-layered personal protective security during his visits. Harry’s lawyers condemned the decision as “inexplicable.” They made the case that, relative to peers in similar circumstances, the treatment he received was unfair.
Mr. Justice Nicklin ruled in November 2023 that the publisher had not delivered a “knockout blow” to Harry’s early-stage legal challenges, allowing the case to proceed further despite setbacks. This ruling spotlighted the continued fight as Harry continues to face justice for what he sees as injustices caused by media practices.
Future Implications
Tentatively, we now anticipate the start of the full trial in early 2026. An exact date still hasn’t been set. The legal landscape remains unclear. Other claimants like Lord Tom Watson opted to settle their claims without going to court. Each of these cases will undoubtedly inform future debates over media ethics and privacy rights. They have the power to change how we allow public figures to be treated.
