Prince Harry testified that Associated Newspapers’ pursuit of his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy felt like “full-blown stalking,” detailing 14 articles he claims were built on unlawfully obtained private information.
At a Glance
- Prince Harry took the stand Jan. 21 in his lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday
- He accuses the group of tapping phones, hacking voicemails and tracking flights to expose his relationship with Davy
- The duke says the coverage destroyed Davy’s privacy and strained their romance
- Why it matters: The royal is demanding accountability for intrusive practices he says endangered both their safety and mental health
Harry, 41, is one of several claimants suing Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful newsgathering between 2001 and 2013. In a 23-page witness statement released before his two-hour testimony, he singled out stories that revealed Davy’s name, quoted private calls and disclosed holiday plans.
First Story ‘Blew Up’ Davy’s Life
The earliest article, printed in 2004, identified Davy as Harry’s girlfriend.
> “The Mail was the first to publicly disclose Chelsy’s name,” Harry said. “From that point onward, everything blew up, and her life as she knew it was over.”
Photographers soon tracked the couple on what they believed were secret trips. Harry told the court he initially suspected friends of leaking details but now believes the paper obtained information illegally.
Phone Records and ‘Army or Me’ Headline
Harry says reporters hacked voicemails in which Davy expressed fear about his plan to enter the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A January 2005 Mail on Sunday piece titled “It’s the Army or me, Harry” quoted those private conversations.
> “It added pressure and created a massive strain,” Harry wrote. “It’s never going to end well if this happens all the time.”
Safety Fears Echoing Princess Diana
Harry linked the constant surveillance to safety concerns, recalling how paparazzi chased his mother. He cited a December 2007 article that revealed the couple’s secluded African holiday and claimed a reporter was “planted” near Davy.
> “It threatened my personal security and those around me,” he said. “It made my relationships impossible.”
Emotional Plea to Judge
While Harry remained calm during most of the session, his voice cracked when he told Justice Nicklin that coverage has worsened during the litigation.
> “They have made my wife’s life an absolute misery,” he said, referring to Meghan Markle.
The duke left court vowing to continue challenging the tabloid giant.
Key Takeaways
- Harry’s lawsuit focuses on 14 specific stories, many centering on Davy
- He alleges phone hacking, voicemail interception and flight tracking
- The royal says the press intrusion mirrored the harassment that preceded Princess Diana’s death
- The case is part of a broader legal fight against U.K. publishers
