Prince Harry gave his first day of evidence in the witness box yesterday, as part of his case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
In doing so, he became the first senior royal to give evidence in court in over 130 years.
He was cross-examined by the newspaper publisher's lawyer Andrew Green, who asked about his "hostility" towards the press, suggesting to the duke that this pre-dated his discovery that the tabloid press were using unlawful methods to gather information about him.
"I've experienced hostility from the press since I was born," Prince Harry replied, adding that he had his own "long-standing hostility" towards the media.
The publisher's lawyer said while there was sympathy for the "extraordinary level of press intrusion" Prince Harry has faced, "it does not follow that it was all unlawful activity".
In his written statement, the prince accused the tabloid press of casting members of the Royal Family into roles and creating an "alternative and distorted version of me".
Dozens of journalists await Harry's arrival
James Gregory
Reporting from outside the High Court
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The court building is now open and even though there’s over an hour to go until the start of today’s hearing, there is already a queue of around 35 journalists waiting outside the courtroom.
Members of the public have also been queuing, hoping to get a glimpse of Prince Harry outside the Rolls Building in central London.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
What this is all about - in 100 words
EPACopyright: EPA
Prince Harry arrived at court yesterday, the first senior royal in more than 130 years to give evidence in the witness boxImage caption: Prince Harry arrived at court yesterday, the first senior royal in more than 130 years to give evidence in the witness box
Prince Harry, and three other people, are taking a newspaper publisher to court, alleging information about them was illegally gathered to generate stories.
As part of this illegal gathering, they believe journalists from the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People exploited a security gap to access their voicemails and hear messages left by friends and family.
Mirror Group Newspapers has previously admitted phone hacking took place, but says it didn’t in these cases.
This is a test case - if Harry and the other claimants win, the judge will use it to set the level of damages (amount of money) MGN could pay in other cases from other celebrities.
Harry to give second day of evidence in hacking trial
Dulcie Lee
Live reporter
Good morning. Prince Harry will soon begin giving evidence for a second day in his hacking case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror.
He and three others are accusing Mirror Group Newspapers of illegally gathering information on them for stories, including by phone hacking.
Yesterday, Prince Harry told the court he had experienced "hostility from the press since I was born" and said journalists were "desperate for anything royal".
The Mirror publisher's lawyer said many of the stories were gathered via legitimate sources.
He'll continue cross-examining the prince this morning - and our reporters will be in the High Court to bring you all the details.
Live Reporting
Edited by Dulcie Lee
All times stated are UK
Missed yesterday? Catch up here
Prince Harry gave his first day of evidence in the witness box yesterday, as part of his case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
In doing so, he became the first senior royal to give evidence in court in over 130 years.
He was cross-examined by the newspaper publisher's lawyer Andrew Green, who asked about his "hostility" towards the press, suggesting to the duke that this pre-dated his discovery that the tabloid press were using unlawful methods to gather information about him.
"I've experienced hostility from the press since I was born," Prince Harry replied, adding that he had his own "long-standing hostility" towards the media.
The publisher's lawyer said while there was sympathy for the "extraordinary level of press intrusion" Prince Harry has faced, "it does not follow that it was all unlawful activity".
In his written statement, the prince accused the tabloid press of casting members of the Royal Family into roles and creating an "alternative and distorted version of me".
Dozens of journalists await Harry's arrival
James Gregory
Reporting from outside the High Court
The court building is now open and even though there’s over an hour to go until the start of today’s hearing, there is already a queue of around 35 journalists waiting outside the courtroom.
Members of the public have also been queuing, hoping to get a glimpse of Prince Harry outside the Rolls Building in central London.
What this is all about - in 100 words
Prince Harry, and three other people, are taking a newspaper publisher to court, alleging information about them was illegally gathered to generate stories.
As part of this illegal gathering, they believe journalists from the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People exploited a security gap to access their voicemails and hear messages left by friends and family.
Mirror Group Newspapers has previously admitted phone hacking took place, but says it didn’t in these cases.
This is a test case - if Harry and the other claimants win, the judge will use it to set the level of damages (amount of money) MGN could pay in other cases from other celebrities.
Harry to give second day of evidence in hacking trial
Dulcie Lee
Live reporter
Good morning. Prince Harry will soon begin giving evidence for a second day in his hacking case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror.
He and three others are accusing Mirror Group Newspapers of illegally gathering information on them for stories, including by phone hacking.
Yesterday, Prince Harry told the court he had experienced "hostility from the press since I was born" and said journalists were "desperate for anything royal".
The Mirror publisher's lawyer said many of the stories were gathered via legitimate sources.
He'll continue cross-examining the prince this morning - and our reporters will be in the High Court to bring you all the details.