This is fast becoming a disastrous week for Prince Harry, whose bitter row with the British tabloids over alleged unlawful information gathering (UIG) and the UK Government over security has distracted him from the very thing that could earn him respect from the British public.
On Tuesday, he and other high-profile claimants spectacularly lost against the publisher of the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Limited) in a privacy lawsuit.
It was the last in a series of High Court fights, thought to be a personal crusade for the King’s son to challenge what he sees as unfair journalistic practices.
However, ANL’s boss Paul Dacre accused the claimants of attempting to destroy press freedoms: “Today’s verdict is not just a victory for Associated’s magnificent journalists – several of whom have had a terrible toll imposed on their health and lives – but a free press generally. Make no mistake. This was a conspiracy, supported by Hacked Off, to destroy a paper.
“It was also a sinister bid to resuscitate Leveson Two and impose statutory regulation on the press.”
Earlier this year, I watched Prince Harry close to tears in court, emotionally telling the judge the impact the British tabloid press had taken on him.
Unfortunately for the Duke of Sussex, the judge felt that was not sufficient evidence to rule in his favour.
Fast-forward to Tuesday, I was in the room with Prince Harry again, during an event marking one year until the Invictus Games heads to Birmingham.
The Duke of Sussex faces a crucial decision over whether to continue fighting or focus on the cause that made him popular
|
GETTY
By now, he had learned of the true extent of his loss, even though the world had not been told.
He remained calm and composed, but had a stern look on his face.
We had discovered the judge’s ruling by the time he took to the stage to deliver his speech – championing sick and injured veterans and serving personnel.
His voice was shaking slightly at the start, despite making a joke about air conditioning, but he strived to deliver his speech as confidently as he could.
LATEST ROYAL DEVELOPMENTS
Prince Harry pictured leaving The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation on Tuesday
|
GETTY
A couple of hours after the Duke of Sussex had left the event held at Chatham House, Prince Harry and co-claimant Baroness Lawrence released a joint statement: “It is a complete and obvious whitewash, but sadly not altogether unexpected. However, the lengths to which the court has gone to exonerate the Mail is as shocking as it is totally unwarranted.”
It is clear Harry is still seething, and his team have not ruled out an appeal, but I’m not sure how much good that will do in the long term for both his family relationships and popularity with the British public.
Prince Harry has previously said on the record that one of the primary causes of the breakdown in his relationships with the King and the Prince of Wales was his legal battles.
Continuing to pursue what seems an impossible fight might not be the best option if he truly wants to reconcile.
He and other claimants are already facing the prospect of a £50million legal bill. Does Prince Harry really have the funds to demand a rematch?
The whole purpose of Prince Harry’s visit to the UK has also been completely overshadowed by this continuous fighting.
It is not Harry’s fault the High Court ruling was published at exactly the same time as his Invictus speech; sources close to him question whether this was a coincidence.
Yet, on Friday, Prince Harry will be in Birmingham for the official one-year Invictus Games countdown.
He will be surrounded by courageous athletes from across the world, taking part in a Paralympic-style competition.
If the Duke of Sussex stays laser-focused on supporting these brave men and women, perhaps the British public will begin to remember the old Prince Harry they once adored.