“Hurning and mean”: Prince Harry shoots testimony against the media and government Pope Francis is taken back to hospital

In historical testimony, the son of King Charles III. criticized the British “tabloid press”, accusing reporters of using illegal methods to obtain intimate stories which they then exaggerated. Even now, the tabloid would still try to tear up his marriage to Duchess Meghan, Harry complained on Tuesday. Along with other celebrities, the 38-year-old publisher accuses Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) of eavesdropping on him.

All aspects of his life are affected, Harry said under oath in London. The fifth in line to the British throne became the first royal to be cross-examined in more than 130 years. “Incredibly sensitive and private information” has come to light since his childhood, in part due to reporters from the MGN newspapers “Daily Mirror”, “Sunday Mirror” and “People” his voicemail – a popular means of communication in the late 1990s and early 1990s had 2000. For a long time he did not know where the information in the reports came from. He had become “paranoid” and suspicious friends, Harry stressed. “Unfortunately they are no longer friends.”

33 articles are discussed

The Supreme Court examined a total of 33 articles from the MGN newspapers. The first is from September 16, 1996. “Diana so sad on Harry’s big day,” headlined the “Mirror,” a report that mother Princess Diana would have spent little time with her son on his twelfth birthday. Again and again in the picture: the love life of the prince. “People” reported in April 2009 that Harry “bombarded” his old girlfriend Chelsy Davy with messages to win her back.

For Harry, his testimony and the lawsuits against a total of three tabloid media publishers – one pending in the other two cases – are part of his stated life goal to reshape the press landscape. He has long accused the tabloid press of being responsible for the accidental death of his mother Diana in 1997.

In the case of civil class action lawsuits, cases involving multiple celebrities are tried as an example. It should also be clarified to what extent the management level of the publishing house was involved in illegal practices. MGN rejects the allegations. The process began on May 10 and is expected to be completed by the end of June. A ruling is not expected until later this year. If Harry and the other plaintiffs are right, the court could award them damages.

The prince finds clear words

The Supreme Court in London, room number 15: in a midnight blue suit, with light reddish hair, Harry takes a seat on the witness stand. In front of him is a screen on which documents can be seen and folders are piled up next to him. In the long hall with neon lighting on the ceiling, there is only room for about 50 spectators and journalists at the very back. Harry speaks softly, during a pause the audience asks to move the microphone closer, but the sound remains subdued. Again and again Harry sips from a glass of water and pours himself more from a carafe.

The 38-year-old answers questions from MGN lawyer Andrew Green kindly and politely but briefly. While the lawyer, hailed as a “beast in court” by a client, asks for concrete evidence of illegal intelligence gathering, Harry replies in broad terms. A little nervous at first, he gradually gains confidence. When Green asks him to pull out several bundles of documents, Harry jokes, “You make me train.”

The plaintiff’s content is clear. “They were hurtful, mean and cruel,” he says of the reporters and their alleged investigative methods. In return, Green reproaches him that certain information was already available in other newspapers before it was published. Harry’s answer: The media, allied in fierce competition, would have tried to continue stories or get even more scandalous details through eavesdropping.

testimony full of anger

Just in time for the hearing, the court released Harry’s written testimony. Sky News spoke of “50 pages full of anger, resentment and childhood trauma”. Harry leads a vendetta against the press. “But that is his position, there is no evidence,” said the British TV channel.

In the document, Harry emphasizes that the press assigns each royal a role. “You start out as a blank canvas as they figure out what kind of person you are and what problems and temptations you have,” it says. Then the media tried to get you to play the part so they could sell as many newspapers as possible. One in his case is labeled as “imposter”, “idiot” or “underage drunkard”.

The British government is also getting its fat off. You’re at the “rock bottom” writes Harry. “Democracy fails when the press fails to monitor and hold government accountable, and instead chooses to sleep with it to maintain the status quo.” This is an unprecedented move, as members of the royal family are generally silent about the government.

Presenting externally actually also means that processes do not matter. In 1891, the future King Edward VII was the last royal to testify in a cross-examination about fraud in card games. Harry now clearly shows that he doesn’t care about tradition when it comes to his personal concerns. (saw/sda/dpa)