Prince Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, has come forward in support of his nephew amidst the ongoing court battle with Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).
The Duke of Sussex filed a lawsuit against the publisher, alleging unethical practices and the use of private investigators and phone-hacking tactics to obtain information.
While the rest of the royal family has remained silent on the matter, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, took to Twitter to defend Harry against the publisher and rebuke Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell.
In response to Platell’s tweet questioning Harry’s alleged obsession with his former love interest, Chelsy Davy, Charles Spencer condemned her remarks, accusing her of lacking credibility and misrepresenting significant legal evidence. When asked to clarify the evidence mentioned by Harry in the phone hacking claim, Spencer pointed out the huge amounts paid by the Daily Mirror group to settle hacking cases, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Mirror Group Newspapers has maintained that it legally reported on the royal using documents, public statements, and sources. This case marks the first of Harry’s several lawsuits against the media to go to trial, with three alleging unlawful intrusions by tabloid publishers.
During his court appearance, Harry expressed how hurtful it was to come across headlines celebrating his break-up with Davy, rather than offering sympathy. The Duke described the surveillance he endured and found it disturbing that the payments were referred to as “Project Harry.”
As the legal battle continues, Charles Spencer’s public support serves as a testament to his commitment to his late sister’s wishes of protecting and caring for her sons. Harry’s testimony in court has made him the most senior royal family member to be cross-examined since the 1890s, shedding light on the intrusive practices of the tabloid media.