Prince Harry demands 440,000 pounds (approx. 80.7 million yen) in damages from the publisher of a British tabloid newspaper

Last Updated on 07/04/2023 by てんしょく飯

Prince Harry’s lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (“MGN”), the publisher of the newspaper, over allegations of wiretapping by a British tabloid, has reached its final day of trial.

Documents released on the day of the trial revealed that Prince Harry intends to demand up to 440,000 pounds (approximately 80.7 million yen) in damages from MGN if he wins the case.

Prince Harry, along with several celebrities, has filed a lawsuit against the newspaper’s publisher, “Mirror Group” (“Mirror Group”), alleging that the reporters of the British tabloids “Daily Mirror,” “Sunday Mirror,” and “Sunday People” used illegal means to gather information, including phone tapping, deception, and use of private investigators. Newspapers (“MGN”), the publisher of the newspaper, for illegally collecting information through phone tapping, deception, use of private detectives, and other illegal means.

The trial began on May 10 local time at the High Court in London, and on June 6 local time, Prince Harry appeared in court and took the stand himself.

In the courtroom, a 55-page statement submitted by Prince Harry was made public. The document detailed a paranoid life in which he said that his family and friends could no longer trust him as a result of the exposure of his personal life by the tabloids, and included a fierce criticism of Piers Morgan, the former editor-in-chief of the Daily Mirror.

In addition, Prince Harry, in response to cross-examination by MGN’s imperial attorney, Andrew Green, stated that “some editors and reporters were responsible for causing much pain and upset, and in some cases death.”

Prince Harry took the stand on June 7 and was again cross-examined by Mr. Green. At the end of the lengthy and severe cross-examination, Prince Harry appeared to be choking back tears and replied, “It was difficult.

Prince Harry did not appear in court after that day, but the trial continued, reaching its final day on June 30 (local time).

On the same day, a new legal document by Prince Harry’s lawyers was released, revealing the proposed amount of money he might receive if the judge ruled in favor of Prince Harry’s side.

Previously, Prince Harry had claimed that 147 articles published by MGN from 1996 to 2010 used information obtained through illegal means. These articles covered topics such as the prince’s relationship with his family and ex-girlfriend Chelsea Davy, his injuries and illnesses, drug allegations, and his military service years.

The trial court then selected 33 articles published between 1996 and 2009 for consideration.

In a new document released on the afternoon of June 30, Prince Harry’s lawyer suggested that if the trial regarding the 33 articles is successful, Prince Harry’s side could be awarded up to 320,000 pounds (about 58.7 million yen) in damages.

In addition, according to another document released later this year, Prince Harry asked for 120,000 pounds in damages. This would mean that Prince Harry is demanding a total of approximately 440,000 pounds (approximately 80.7 million yen).

MGN, on the other hand, denies that the articles complained of by Prince Harry did not result from phone tapping and claims that the majority of the articles did not result from other illegal activities.

A verdict in the trial is expected in the fall of this year.