Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Close-up of Prince Harry from Tabloids on Trial© ITV

Prince Harry to appear in new TV interview on phone hacking

The Duke of Sussex has brought legal action against several newspaper publishers

Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: July 10, 2024
Share this:

The Duke of Sussex has given a new sit-down interview as he appears in a documentary around phone hacking.

Prince Harry, 39, will all discuss his "mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain's tabloid press" in ITV's new programme, Tabloids on Trial, which airs on 25 July.

The Duke, who now resides in the US, will feature alongside Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church and Paul Gascoigne.

It marks Harry's first major interview since the conclusion of his court case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in February.

The Duke sued the newspaper publisher for damages, claiming journalists at its publications were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called "blagging" – gaining information by deception – and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.

Prince Harry interviewed by ITV News' Rebecca Barry © ITV
Prince Harry interviewed by ITV News' Rebecca Barry

In December, he was awarded £140,600 in damages after Mr Justice Fancourt concluded there was "extensive" phone hacking generally by MGN from 2006 to 2011, "even to some extent" during the Leveson Inquiry into media standards.

A trial found 15 articles were the result of unlawful information gathering, and MGN and the Duke also settled the remainder of his claim in February with "a substantial additional sum by way of damages" and Harry's legal costs.

Prince Harry during his interview on Tabloids on Trial© ITV
Harry settled his case against MGN in February

The Duke's barrister, David Sherborne, shared a statement from Harry outside court, saying: "We have uncovered and proved the shockingly dishonest way in which the Mirror acted for so many years, and then sought to conceal the truth.

"Our mission continues. I believe in the positive change it will bring for all of us. It is the very reason why I started this, and why I will continue to see it through to the end."

WATCH: Harry's lawyer reads statement as Duke settles with Mirror Group Newspapers

ITV said in a press release: "Featuring Prince Harry's first major interview since the conclusion of his court case with Mirror Group Newspapers, this documentary hears about his mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain's tabloid press and explores what those in charge at Fleet Street really knew as this scandal unfolded."

It added: "ITV News's Rebecca Barry meets high-profile celebrities including Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church and Paul Gascoigne as well as people catapulted into the public eye, whose lives were ripped apart by newspapers."

Harry's legal cases

The Duke is also one of a group of high-profile people, including Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, bringing legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations it carried out or commissioned unlawful information-gathering.

They have accused Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) of allegedly carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, "blagging" private records, burglaries to order and accessing and recording private phone conversations.

Prince Harry arrives at the High Court© Alamy
Harry during a court appearance in his legal case against ANL in March 2023

ANL has firmly denied the allegations. The legal claims are in the preliminary stages.

Meanwhile, Harry's claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World over alleged unlawful information-gathering but not allegations of phone hacking, is set for a full trial in January 2025.

NGN has previously denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.

Tabloids On Trial airs on ITV1 & ITVX at 9pm on Thursday 25 July.

LISTEN: Inside the monarch's relationship with the PM

LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!

Princess Kate wearing black and white polka dots and a hat

If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…

What is it?

Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.

Member benefits

  • Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
  • Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
  • Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
  • Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
  • Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
  • Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
  • Invitations to in-person and virtual events
  • A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
  • Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits

By royal decree

You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle 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