The Prince and the Press: Continuing the Discussion on Prince Harry and the UK Media

[MrsMaxDeWinter]

A few weeks ago, there were three really great long running threads about Prince Harry and his battles against the UK "popular press."

I thought I would do one that looks at Harry's current court action.

For those interested in the kind of balanced view you won't get from the tabloids, all of whom face conflicts of interest, here is the Guardian take, which is the springboard for this discussion.

It is not possible to take any of the tabloids seriously when they report on Harry's legal cases. Former editor Alan Rusbridger, now of Prospect, has observed that all tabloids covering this story are acting unethically as they have not declared their conflicts of interest: Harry is suing all of their media houses.

The only papers with no conflict of interest are the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Financial Times.

So I will be following this from the Guardian live page.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/04/diana-meghan-and-the-tabloid-press-harry-finally-gets-his-day-in-court

Unfortunately, there is a lot of bias involved with Harry and the reporting on his claims so I do not think that comparing the claimants is always done so in a fair and impartial way.

@Iwantcakeeveryday

I don’t think any supporting evidence was provided by Harry for example a supporting witness statement, phone records, a police report on the ‘listening device on his car’

if you think Harry’s a truthful person perhaps his word on it’s own is enough, but if you don’t think ‘his truth’ and ‘the truth’ are the same, it’s perfectly reasonable to want something else to support his allegations.

If he didn't have a case, he wouldn't have been there in the first place. I doubt Sherborne would've taken him on

An article headlined "Suitor you, Sir" and discusses the relationship between Ms Wightman and comedian Paul Whitehouse.

It includes details about Whitehouse's feelings on the marriage.

The article was written by James Scott - who is described by Mr Sherborne as a "prolific hacker" and who had Mr Whitehouse in his Palm Pilot.

Mr Sherborne says Mr Whitehouse and Ms Wightman were in "constant contact during this time" - and that it is therefore "inevitable" their messages were being listened to.

While some posters think Sheborne is revered by his peers, articles have shown that his peers look down on his ‘showy antics’ , I’m sure adding a week case to add buckets of publicity would fall into the ‘showy antics’

I do not believe in such a thing as 'the ultimate truth' in circumstances relating to personal relationships, there are things that are true to the individual.

I don't think these cases can be won on only someones word, whether or not you might think its likely based on the behaviour of the press at the time and the fact they've admitted to hacking his family and many many others. I have seen other people state he does have evidence like the ones you would want, phone records, PI invoices at the same times as certain stories were published... If there is a link to something official that shows us each peice of evidence for each claim, so we could compare, I would definitely be interested in seeing that.

That's what some barristers do
But of course he needs to be criticised because of the Harry connection

From what Ive read he's doing a stellar job holding MGN to account

I hope the four win

Will Harry or his alleged examples of hacking play any further part in the overall case or is that it regarding him?

Quite how simplywonderfuk

Harry might have proof.

He may just have suspicions.

But the very nature of this beast is that the court proceedings are pretty much being touted as’Prince Harry’s court case’ with the usual frothy opinions and inevitable publicity.

It would be a touch galling to be effectively sidelined to a bit part in a case which was so very personal and important.. More so when it could arguably be shown that their private life was indeed just that before the alleged illegal invasion of privacy.

It doesn’t make the intrusion into Harry’s life less awful. But to make it appear all about Harry is deeply unfair.

That isn’t the fault of Harry or the barrister of course.

But you can see how it could be perceived as conveniently showy.

I don't know, but there will probably be a summing up

money + publicity

Revered?

hahahahahahaha

I find it very distasteful to be knocking this lawyer who is representing people who have been through hell with illegal practices.

But just carry on
It says more about those doing this than it does him. Even his physical appearance was mocked yesterday in an extremely insulting way

Would you be saying the same if Harry wasn't part of this case?

No you wouldn't. You probably would be cheering him on.

If he didn't have a case, he wouldn't have been there in the first place. I doubt Sherborne would've taken him on.

I don't think that's true at all. Sherborne arranged for Elton John to introduce them so he literally went after Harry's business. Win or lose, Sherborne still gets paid. Harry's name gives the case publicity which Sherborne loves. And, honestly, when does a royal ever lose a case? Judges won't rule against Harry. He's going to win his case with evidence that the ordinary person would be laughed out of court for.

His actions during the Levenson enquiry weren’t great. Heading off with his attractive opposing counsel (later his girlfriend) for ‘discussions on the case ’to Greece 😜

I did say he was quite witty, but there’s no doubt he loves a camera lens

If he didn't have a case, he wouldn't have been there in the first place. I doubt Sherborne would've taken him on.

Isn’t it all decided together? Harry said that he was there to hear the evidence too

So he didn’t say yes I have it to the judge when asked directly

I can see why he’s there, but the case is from four complainants not just him. So it could still be ruled in their favour even if his part would not win alone

It's not his case. These four are together as a test case

I did links about that earlier on in the thread

It certainly is NOT just his case.

But there is no doubt that is what it is being touted as.

A liberty and a shame.

Prince Harry court case latest

That's. because he's Prince Harry and the first member of the RF to testify in over 100 years
He doesn't write the headlines
Not his fault if they focus on that

It's what Sherborne intended. It's why he wanted Harry on board. He could have found someone with better evidence but not someone with a bigger name. That's why he went after Harry to join in the rest if them.

Harry said that he was there to hear the evidence too

But he's gone back to the US hasn't he so how will that work?

And if Harry wanted to?

Didn’t say that he wrote the headlines or that it was his fault.

As for being the first member of the Royal family to testify in over 100 years.

Still doesn’t stop it being likely that it was a considered move for the publicity with this kind of headline in mind.

I think it is unfair on the others involved.

It feels showy to me.

And if PH wanted to? I would wonder why he wanted to. I would doubt it was altruism…

I agree @ArcaneWireless !