Game Changer: Harry's Shocking Return to London
This week Harry flipped the script on the toxic tabloid press.
I was getting ready to serve you a snarky exposé about how the press always has Meghan and Harry in a stronghold, but Harry proved me wrong by taking press matters into his own hands this week.
In this Sunday’s newsletter we're covering Harry's surprise trip to London, his four-day, star-studded court hearing, and the shocking allegations he made against the royal family and publishers of the Daily Mail. Plus, Harry's royal row with Charles and William.
Let's jump in, shall we?
The Plot Twist No One Saw Coming
Under the cover of darkness, Harry secretly left his Montecito mansion, flying into London for a preliminary hearing in his lawsuit against Associated Newspaper group, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.
He wasn't expected at the hearing nor the press, mainly because it implemented the tabloids in gross privacy breaches.
But Harry had already made up his mind - this was one event he wanted the tabloids to cover, so he gave them no choice by making a surprise appearance in London.
Only learning of Harry's arrival after he landed, the press was caught completely flat-footed. For once, Harry had outmaneuvered them.
Harry's Pap Walk
Harry was all smiles as he emerged from a Mercedes to attend the first day of hearings, smartly dressed in a blue bespoke suit and crisp white button-up.
A press pack surrounded him; journalists were shouting his name, and cameras went pop, pop, pop, as a stunned Sky News journalist said, "No one was expecting this."
Harry's sun-kissed skin beamed against the steely gray sky, eyes gleaming, a mischievous grin, and a slight swagger in his step.
This was a moment he wanted the world to see. And the world overwhelmingly wanted to see it.
Even my husband, who has no interest in nor patience for anything royal, was captivated. He watched Harry alongside me with a smile.
"Not gonna lie, Harry's more baller than I anticipated," he said.
"Baller indeed," I thought.
In one fell swoop, Harry had not only beaten the British tabloids at their own game but also drawn international attention to a court case they were trying their damndest to ignore while bending the entire trip's press narrative to his will.
The Charges: Harry vs. The Toxic Tabloid Press
Harry and six co-claimants, a star-studded cast of characters including everyone from Elton John to Elizabeth Hurley, have accused the Associated Newspaper group of "abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy."
This includes:
· Hiring private investigators to bug people's cars and homes.
· Listening in to and recording live, personal telephone calls.
· Paying off police officials for sensitive inside information.
· Impersonating individuals to obtain confidential medical information.
· Hacking into people's bank accounts.
In a bid to have the case thrown out, Associated Newspapers argued the charges against them are "stale" and past the statute of limitations. The publisher’s legal team called the accusations “preposterous smears.”
Rupert Murdoch’s lackey lawyers did a similar song and dance when his now-defunct publication, News International, was accused of illegally intercepting the voicemails of members of the Royal Family.
The four-day hearing, which Charles called a "suicide mission," heard legal arguments from both sides and will conclude when Mr. Justice Nicklis makes a ruling on whether the case should go to trial. His decision isn't expected for a few weeks.
Either party can appeal an adverse outcome. In fact, it's expected.
Wild Card: The Shocking Allegations
On day two of the hearings Harry submitted an extraordinarily damning witness statement that was entered into court records, in which he said he was conditions to adopt his family’s “never complain, never explain” mantra when dealing with the media.
Harry's Witness Statement Testimony:
Called out the Royal Family: "The Institution was without a doubt withholding information from me for a long time about NGN's (New Group Newspapers) phone hacking, and that has only become clear in recent years as I have pursued my own claim with different legal advice and representation."
Blasted Daily Mail Journalists: "The evidence I have seen shows that Associated's journalists are criminals with journalistic powers which should concern every single one of us. The British public deserves to know the full extent of this cover-up and I feel it is my duty to expose it."
Revealed his Biggest Fear: "I am bringing this claim because I love my country, and I remain deeply concerned by the unchecked power influence and criminality of Associated."
A Royal Row
Not so surprisingly, reports rolled in that Charles and William were stunned by the "accusations" in Harry's witness statement.
Never ones to complain or explain, the father-son duo sent a "friend" to leak to the tabloids on their behalf.
A friend of Charles told the Daily Beast, “Harry has torpedoed any remaining bridges with this statement. It is just six weeks until the coronation and the last thing Charles needs."
“Harry has torpedoed any remaining bridges with this statement. It is just six weeks until the coronation and the last thing Charles needs."
Apparently, Harry's witness statement was the last straw for William too, as Charles' friend also said, "William is over it at this stage. If this was about his vendetta with the Mail, that would be one thing. But Harry keeps doing everything in his power to try and embarrass the family. How can you have a relationship with someone who is doing that?"
What an interesting take, considering the embarrassment Charles and William have subjected Meghan and Harry to over the past five years.
Harry's Sweet Fashion Nod to Meghan
I don't want to end on a negative note, so I've saved the sweetest news for last.
On Harry's final day in court, Sussex sleuths noticed an embellishment on his shirt, an 18-carat gold threaded embroidered bee, available on the Dior website for $1,000.
This was a sweet and subtle nod to Meghan and her beloved Dior 'D-Bee' satin clutch, which she has two.
Dior and Meghan have been a match made in fashion heaven since she became a Duchess in 2018.
A royal fashion expert told The Miami Herald that Meghan used Dior to build herself a "fashion armor" to deal with high-pressure events, something it looks like Harry drew inspiration from for his last day in court.
I’ll see you next week! xoxo