Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Prince Harry attending an event in Amsterdam © Getty

Why is Prince Harry not at the High Court today?

Discover why the Duke of Sussex is not present in court today alongside his barrister Mr David Sherborne

Rachel Avery
Homes Editor
June 8, 2023
Share this:

Prince Harry, 38, attended court on Tuesday and Wednesday, facing a total of almost eight hours of questioning on the stand, but he wasn't present on Thursday alongside his barrister Mr David Sherborne.

So why did the Duke not show up for Thursday's court proceedings? Well, he has now finished giving his evidence in court so there was no official obligation for him to be there.

WATCH: See Prince Harry speak to the press ahead of first court appearance

After he was dismissed from the stand on Wednesday, around 2:30pm, he did remain in the room to watch the start of questioning against journalist Jane Kerr, who was formerly Daily Mail's royal correspondent.

It is not believed that Prince Harry will make another appearance in court now, and that he could depart the UK soon to get back to his family in the US. His wife Meghan Markle remained at home with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, just as she did when the Duke came over for his father King Charles' coronation in May. 

Prince Harry waves as he arrives at High Court© ADRIAN DENNIS
Prince Harry appeared at the High Court on two days

What is Prince Harry's court case about?

Prince Harry is among a number of high-profile names suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) with claims that they used illegal methods such as phone hacking to gain information for stories over a ten-year period.

WOW: Inside Princess Eugenie's £6.7k per night delivery suite where she gave birth to royal baby

On Wednesday, the royal said: "I believe that phone hacking was (done) on an industrial scale across at least three of the papers at the time … that is beyond any doubt."

Prince Harry gets out of car in suit
Prince Harry has given evidence

He went on to say: "For my whole life the press has misled me and covered up the wrongdoing.

"For me to be sitting here in court knowing the defence has the evidence in front of them, and Mr Green suggesting I’m speculating, I’m not entirely sure what to say."

The proceedings touched on Prince Harry's childhood and extensively focused on his former relationship with Chelsy Davy.

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy sat smiling watching rugby together© Getty Images
Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy's relationship was featured heavily in evidence

"These kinds of articles made me feel as though my relationship with Chelsy was always set to be doomed," he said. 

"Ultimately, these factors led her to make the decision that a Royal life was not for her, which was incredibly upsetting for me at the time," he continued.

Harry compared his own experiences with his mother's © Getty
Harry compared his own experiences with his mother's

Harry also drew parallels between his experience and his mother Princess Diana's. "I've always heard people refer to my mother as paranoid, but she wasn’t. She was fearful of what was actually happening to her and now I know that I was the same," he told the court.  

SOCIAL: Charles Spencer hits out at comment on Prince Harry's 'obsession' with ex Chelsy Davy

ROYAL NEWS: Sarah Ferguson opens up about 'beautiful' grandson Ernest - and why she cried over name

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry smiling© Getty
Harry will head back to the US to be reunited with his wife and kids

After cross-examination, Mr Sherborne asked Harry: "Finally, Prince Harry, you have been in that witness box for over a day and a half.

"You have had to go through these articles and answer questions knowing this is a very public courtroom and the world’s media are watching, how has that made you feel?"

Harry paused, looked emotional and eventually answered: "Erm, it’s a lot."

Make sure you never miss a royal story! Sign up to The Royal Explainer newsletter to receive your weekly dose of royal features and other exclusive content straight to your inbox.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best royal coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information please click here.

More Royalty

See more