British tabloid accused of spying on Prince William

Thursday 02 October 2025 - 09:30

By: Sahili Aya

British tabloid accused of spying on Prince William

The British tabloid Daily Mail has been accused of using private investigators to gather information about Prince William’s 21st birthday party in 2003, according to lawyers representing Prince Harry.

Harry, along with seven other public figures including singer Elton John and actress Liz Hurley, is suing Associated Newspapers (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail, for alleged invasion of privacy. The claimants argue that ANL used illicit practices such as phone tapping, identity theft, and the hiring of private detectives to obtain medical and personal information, primarily between 1993 and 2011, and again in 2018.

At a preliminary hearing at London’s High Court on Wednesday, lawyer David Sherborne cited a Daily Mail article published in June 2003, just before Prince William’s 21st birthday, which contained “numerous details” suggesting they had been obtained illegally. Sherborne also presented an invoice from a private investigator dated August 25, 2003, referencing the birthday celebration, as well as another bill mentioning telephone data linked to “Catherine Middleton.”

ANL has firmly denied all accusations, arguing that the latest evidence was submitted “very late.” Among those present at Wednesday’s hearing were David Furnish, filmmaker and husband of Elton John, and actress Sadie Frost. Prince Harry himself reportedly followed the session online via videoconference.

The full trial is scheduled for January 2026 and is expected to be one of the most closely watched media lawsuits in recent years.