King doing ‘extremely well’ under circumstances, says Queen
The Queen has given a health update on the King as Prince Harry’s lawyer announced he had settled the remainder of his phone hacking claim against the Mirror publisher.
Barrister David Sherborne said the Duke of Sussex has been awarded “substantial damages” in his case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which includes an interim payment towards the costs of £400,000.
Harry, 39, vowed his “mission continues” amid ongoing legal battles against the UK tabloid media.
The settlement comes shortly after the duke gave a speech at an event in the US, filled with a number of jokes but no mention of his father, who on Monday disclosed he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Meanwhile, Camilla told well-wishers Charles is “doing extremely well under the circumstances” as she celebrated the work of charities at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday evening in her first public engagement since her husband’s health announcement.
Following the news, Harry dashed to the UK to reunite with his father – but he reportedly spent less than an hour with the 75-year-old monarch before returning home to California the next day, having had no contact with his estranged brother Prince William.
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What is the status of the Duke of Sussex’s High Court claims?
The Duke of Sussex has settled the remainder of his claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror in the latest stage of multiple High Court legal battles with newspaper publishers.
Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in December last year that Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) used unlawful information gathering in 15 articles about the duke after a High Court trial, and awarded Harry £140,600 in damages.
On Friday, Harry’s barrister, David Sherborne, told the court that MGN had agreed on an offer to settle the claim, with the publisher to pay “a substantial additional sum by way of damages” and Harry’s legal costs.
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 16:00
Piers Morgan hits back at Harry in response to criticism
Piers Morgan has issued a response to the Duke of Sussex, who hit out at the former Daily Mirror editor following the settlement of the remaining parts of his phone hacking claim against the newspaper’s publisher.
Writing on X, Morgan said: “I totally agree with Prince Harry that ruthless intrusion into the private lives of the Royal Family for financial gain is utterly reprehensible… and I hope he stops doing it.”
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 15:46
William’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony to be held in Cape Town
The Prince of Wales’ 2024 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony will be held in South Africa, raising the prospect of a royal visit to the country.
William is the driving force behind the annual environmental competition and has attended all the presentation events since launching the initiative, with the latest host city announced as Cape Town.
Singapore staged the most recent awards ceremony last November, after prize-giving events were held in Boston in 2022 and London’s Alexandra Palace in 2021.
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 15:41
Watch: Harry’s lawyer reads statement after Mirror Group phone hacking claim settled
Prince Harry’s lawyer reads statement after Mirror Group phone hacking claim settled
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 15:36
Recap: Piers Morgan’s scathing response to Harry’s phone hacking victory in December
Mr Morgan said in a statement that he never hacked a phone and never told anyone to do so, before launching seering attacks on Prince Harry, royal author Omid Scobie and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 14:58
Harry vows his ‘mission continues’ as he pushes on with legal battles against tabloid media
The Duke of Sussex said “our mission continues” after settling his phone hacking claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror.
Reading a statement from the duke, Harry’s barrister David Sherborne said: “As I said back in December, 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.”
The Duke of Sussex (left) with his barrister, David Sherborne, leaving the Rolls Buildings in central London after giving evidence in the phone hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) last year
(PA Archive)
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 14:05
‘King Charles has given a voice to all us cancer sufferers’
After somewhat of a public reckoning with an advanced stage of prostate cancer, which forced me to miss Duran’s induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022, my dear friend, the music executive Merck Mercuriadis, said to me: “Try not to worry, you’ll feel differently once it’s public, your world won’t seem such a lonely place, people really do care.” He was right.
I vividly remember the day – five and a half years ago – when the results of my biopsy were revealed to me. The news was not good, within a millisecond our world turned upside down, not unlike when my father first told me of his cancer diagnosis. I could barely speak and he died aged just 67 in 2005.
In a moving letter, Andy Taylor reflects:
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 14:00
Duke of Sussex takes swipe at Piers Morgan after reaching settlement with MGN
The Duke of Sussex has criticised Piers Morgan’s “continued attacks” against him after he reached a settlement with Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).
In a statement read outside the High Court by his barrister David Sherborne, Harry said: “In light of this, we call again for the authorities to uphold the rule of law and to prove that no one is above it.
“That includes Mr Morgan, who as editor knew perfectly well what was going on, as the judge held.”
Mr Sherborne added: “Even his own employer realised it simply could not call him as a witness of truth at the trial.
“His contempt for the court’s ruling and his continued attacks ever since demonstrate why it was so important to obtain a clear and detailed judgment.”
The Duke of Sussex’s barrister, David Sherborne speaking to the media outside of the Rolls Building in central London
(PA)
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 13:54
Prince Harry slams ‘shockingly dishonest’ actions of Daily Mirror
The Duke of Sussex has said his case has uncovered the “shockingly dishonest way” the Daily Mirror acted “for so many years”, after settling the remaining parts of his phone hacking claim against the paper’s publisher.
Speaking outside the High Court, Harry’s barrister David Sherborne read a statement from the duke: “After our victory in December, Mirror Group have finally conceded the rest of my claim which would have consisted of another two trials, additional evidence, and 115 more articles.
“Everything we said was happening at Mirror Group was in fact happening, and indeed, far worse, as the court ruled in an extremely damaging judgment.
“As the judge has said only this morning, 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.”
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 13:52
What is Sandringham? Where King is recovering after cancer treatment
After receiving his first cancer treatment, King Charles III has taken up residence at Sandringham House, which is located along the North Sea coast of eastern England.
Earlier this week, the King was flown by helicopter to Sandringham, after appearing in good spirits as he smiled and waved to the gathered crowds as he left Clarence House in central London. He is understood to have boarded a helicopter with wife Queen Camilla from Buckingham Palace.
Tara Cobham9 February 2024 13:30