LONDON — Prince Harry’s quest to reshape the relationship between the British media and public figures has seen some courtroom victories, though the overall impact on the media landscape remains uncertain. His recent wins have spotlighted long-standing issues with tabloid conduct but may only serve as another chapter in the saga of problematic press behavior.
On Wednesday, Harry secured a rare public apology from Rupert Murdoch’s prominent U.K. tabloid and achieved significant success in a legal battle against the Daily Mirror’s publishers, who were condemned for engaging in “widespread and habitual” phone hacking practices. These developments mark a noteworthy moment for Harry, who characterized his agreement with The Sun’s publisher as a “monumental victory,” one that included a recognizably significant financial payout and acknowledgment of wrongdoing related to both his life and that of his late mother, Princess Diana.
Despite this progress, many contend that Harry has not yet achieved the broader accountability he sought concerning accusations against high-ranking Murdoch associates, including claims of a cover-up involving the deletion of 30 million emails. Supporters of Harry view these legal outcomes as a beam of hope. Following the acknowledgment of wrongdoing by News Group, advocates are pushing for renewed investigations into media malpractice. They are aiming for a revival of the 2011 Leveson Inquiry, which was initiated to delve into the phone-hacking scandal, or for police inquiries into potential perjury committed by media executives during previous questioning about the matter.
Dr. Evan Harris, a former politician and consultant for Harry’s legal team, emphasized the importance of truthfulness in public inquiries, stating, “Having public trust in investigations relies on honesty under oath.” Harris noted that Harry’s efforts to expose unlawful information gathering are setting a precedent for accountability within the media. Nevertheless, some observers believe the court victories may not lead to systemic changes within the British press. Media lawyer Kishan Pattni remarked that despite Harry’s notable achievements, the current government does not seem inclined to undertake further inquiries into press practices, given that their focus is elsewhere and much of the past media conduct is viewed as historical.
The Labour government has previously indicated a lack of interest in a follow-up to the original Leveson Inquiry, which was abandoned by the preceding Conservative administration. Harry’s legal battles stem from the 2011 phone-hacking scandal, which prompted widespread scrutiny of Murdoch’s operations, culminating in the closure of The News of the World after it was found that reporters had hacked the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered teenager. Further investigations revealed that journalists also employed private investigators to engage in unlawful practices, including tracking individuals, wiretapping, and accessing confidential records through deception.
The motivation behind Harry’s campaign against the British press is deeply personal. He has long attributed blame to the media for the tragic death of his mother, who died in a car accident in 1997 while being pursued by photographers in Paris. Additionally, he holds the press accountable for the incessant scrutiny and targeting of his wife, Meghan, which ultimately led the couple to forego their royal duties and relocate to the United States in 2020.
Patience Wheatcroft, a former editor for notable publications, expressed doubt that Harry’s legal pursuits would alter journalism culture, suggesting that significant changes have already transpired since the phone-hacking scandal emerged. She advocated for police to reconsider previous investigations into potential perjury or related offenses. “It’s clear that criminal acts were afoot,” Wheatcroft noted, pointing out that past police inquiries may have overlooked critical aspects of these issues, which forced individuals like Harry to resort to legal action.
Previous investigations into phone hacking led to prison sentences for key figures associated with The News of the World, yet in 2015, legal authorities announced that there would be no further criminal prosecutions against Murdoch’s U.K. division or its personnel. Harry, alongside Tom Watson, a former Labour MP, intends to submit a new collection of evidence to the Met Police regarding his ongoing litigation. The police have stated they would respond to any received correspondence but have no active investigations at present.
Looking ahead, Pattni emphasized that public attitudes on revisiting the media’s past misconduct could shift, particularly if Harry proceeds with his remaining case against the Daily Mail next year. The outcomes of Harry’s recent legal successes raise questions about the potential ramifications for other media outlets, especially as the Daily Mail may be concerned about its own reputation amid this growing scrutiny.
