Prince Harry, Elton John lose explosive UK tabloid spying battle after judge dismisses claims

LONDON, ENGLAND: Prince Harry's years-long campaign against the British tabloid press suffered another significant setback after the High Court dismissed his privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

The ruling also dealt a blow to fellow claimants including music legend Elton John, actress Elizabeth Hurley and filmmaker Sadie Frost, with the court finding there was insufficient evidence to support allegations of unlawful information gathering.

The decision ends one of Harry's most closely watched legal battles outside his ongoing disputes with the royal family. Since filing the lawsuit in 2022, the Duke of Sussex has accused ANL of orchestrating widespread invasions of privacy spanning decades. The publisher consistently denied the allegations, calling them baseless.

Judge rejects spying allegations

Justice ruled that Harry and the six other claimants failed to establish their case against Associated Newspapers.

The lawsuit alleged that the publisher hired private investigators who illegally obtained personal information during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The claimants also accused ANL of planting listening devices in homes and vehicles, paying police officials for confidential information, and using other unlawful methods to obtain private details.

Associated Newspapers strongly denied every allegation throughout the proceedings, arguing the claims were unsupported by credible evidence and highly defamatory.

After reviewing the evidence presented over the four-year legal battle, the court dismissed all claims.

Harry invoked Meghan and Diana

Harry personally traveled from California to London earlier this year to testify, describing the emotional impact he said the alleged media intrusion had on his family.

During his evidence, the Duke referenced both his wife, Meghan Markle, and his late mother, Princess Diana, whose death in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi has remained central to Harry's criticism of Britain's tabloid culture. 

He told the court the claimants sought accountability and an apology rather than prolonged litigation, adding that the legal process had continued to make his wife's life "an absolute misery."

Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and other celebrity claimants also gave evidence during the proceedings.

Ruling marks setback in Harry's campaign

The ruling marks one of the most significant courtroom defeats in Harry's broader effort to challenge British newspaper publishers over alleged privacy violations.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has launched multiple legal actions against sections of the UK press, arguing unlawful reporting practices caused lasting harm to him and his family.

Tuesday's judgment, however, represents a clear victory for Associated Newspapers, which maintained throughout the litigation that the allegations lacked factual support.

Although Harry continues to pursue other media-related legal cases, the dismissal narrows one of the highest-profile fronts in his long-running battle with Britain's tabloid industry.