Prince Harry’s Privacy Case Takes A Public Text Turn

Prince Harry argued that the media outlets obtained information about his life through illegal means like phone hacking. The Prince Harry’s Privacy Case Takes A Public Text Turn first appeared on The Blast

Cracks in Prince Harry‘s defense have surfaced amid his ongoing legal battle.

The Duke of Sussex had been embroiled in a months-long battle against the Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Mail titles, over unlawful invasion of privacy claims.

Prince Harry argued that the media outlets obtained information about his life through illegal means like phone hacking. However, a major flaw in that argument recently surfaced in court.

Prince Harry’s Past Ties To A Journalist Revealed In Privacy Case

According to new reports, Harry’s connection to the former Mail on Sunday deputy diary editor, Charlotte Griffiths, emerged in the evidence provided at the High Court case in London. The duo’s recovered Facebook messages supported the Associated Newspapers’ argument.

The media outlet argued that the information published about Harry came from sources within his friend group, such as Griffiths. In her witness statement, Griffiths recalled meeting Harry through mutual friends, claiming they all knew she was a journalist working for Katie Nicholl at the Mail on Sunday.

Griffiths told the court Harry contacted her first through Facebook in 2011, where he provided his phone number. He reached out to her after a night out in London, with their messages shared by Newsweek, detailing a flirty exchange between the pair.

The Pair’s Exchanges Radiated Chemistry

Griffiths dubbed Harry “Mr. Mischief” and “H Bomb” in her messages, with the Duke responding with similar affection. In a January 2012 exchange, Griffiths noted their friend group missed Harry at a party, to which he partly replied, “I WISH I was there, sugar.”

Harry explained that he couldn’t meet Griffiths anytime soon because he was stuck at the army. He lamented missing the opportunity to spend time with Griffiths, writing, “Hope you’re really well Griff…Miss our movie snuggles!!”

Additionally, the former working royal did not want Griffiths to have any misunderstandings, explaining that he would be unreachable due to his Army engagements. Although these messages showed a strong connection between the pair, Harry argued that it only happened because he didn’t know about Griffiths’ job.

Prince Harry Allegedly Ended Things Once The Cat Was Out Of The Bag

The “Spare” author tried to downplay the significance of the Facebook messages, stressing that he broke off contact with Griffiths once he realized she was a journalist. He alleged that none of his friends knew, a claim she refuted in her statement.

In their messages, Harry asked Griffiths about work in general without ever mentioning journalism. The privacy trial has officially ended, but Judge Matthew Nicklin has reportedly deferred judgment until further notice.

The legal empire’s decision is expected to take months, not weeks. The trial has been an emotional experience for Harry, with The Blast reporting in January that he fought back tears while recounting the negative impacts of the Mail’s invasion of his privacy and that of his family.

Meghan Markle’s Life Was Miserable Due To Incessant Reports

According to Harry, his wife, Meghan, had to endure the pain of having the Mail report their every move. “They continue to come after me. They have made my wife’s life an absolute misery,” the Duke of Sussex recounted on the stand, noting that the incessant reports started early in their relationship.

Harry explained that he had initially considered filing a lawsuit against the media outlets when he and Meghan began dating in 2016. The desire to take action only grew with time as he could not stand the “vicious, persistent attacks, harassment of, and intrusive, sometimes racist articles concerning Meghan.”

Harry wasn’t the only public figure fighting against the intrusive media outlets, with the lawsuit including notable names such as Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, and politician Sir Simon Hughes. They collectively argued that the information reported about them was obtained through unlawful means.

Prince Harry’s Pal Defends His Right To Taxpayer-Backed Security

Besides the privacy case, Harry has been trying to regain his rights to taxpayer-funded protection. The Blast reported in March that his friend, Alex Rayner, who served alongside him in Afghanistan, argued that he deserved the royal treatment.

Rayner noted that Harry’s achievements in the army should be considered as well as his ongoing Invictus Games efforts. He believed his pal shouldn’t be expected to cover his own security costs, while other royals continue to receive taxpayer-backed protection.

Harry and his family lost their rights to taxpayer-funded protection when he and Meghan stepped down from their position as senior royals. They also relocated to the United States, where they have lived to date in Montecito, California.

Will Prince Harry win his invasion of privacy lawsuit?

The Prince Harry’s Privacy Case Takes A Public Text Turn first appeared on The Blast