From US visa controversy to lawsuit against British tabloids: 5 times Prince Harry made the headlines for his legal battles

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is making headlines for more than just royal family drama. His recent legal troubles have put him in the major spotlight. From US visa controversy to high-profile lawsuits against British tabloids here are the key legal battles involving Prince Harry.

In a significant case about his US visa, Prince Harry is set to appear in court on February 5, 2025. This case began when the Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2023, asking for access to Harry's visa records. They claim he may not have disclosed his past drug use when applying for his visa. But in his memoir ‘Spare,’ he admitted to using drugs like cocaine and cannabis, which are required to be reported on visa applications.

A previous ruling in September 2024 decided there was not enough public interest in revealing Harry's immigration records, protecting his right to privacy. However, this decision is now being challenged as the Heritage Foundation seeks more transparency. The outcome could influence how similar cases are handled in the future.

Status: Court appearance scheduled for February 5, 2025.

Prince Harry is fighting a long legal battle to get taxpayer-funded police security for himself and his family when they visit the UK. This issue started after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in early 2020, which led to losing their automatic security arrangements. In February 2024, a ruling removed their right to security protection, prompting Harry to appeal.

This case has been ongoing for over four years and is set for a hearing in spring 2025. A friend of Harry's stated to the Mirror that his main goal is to ensure the safety of his family during their visits to the UK so that his children can connect with their heritage.

Status: Hearing scheduled for spring 2025

In 2019, Prince Harry took legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), claiming they illegally obtained private information about him from 1996 to 2011 through phone tapping and private investigators. In January 2025, during court proceedings, NGN issued a full apology for these serious privacy invasions.

Harry received substantial damages reportedly to be in the eight-figure range. The apology acknowledged unlawful activities by private investigators working for The Sun newspaper and admitted intrusions into Prince Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana's private life as well. This case marked a significant victory for Harry against unethical British tabloid practices.

Status: Case settled with an apology and damages awarded

Prince Harry has filed not one but a few lawsuits against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), which publishes the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. One lawsuit began because of an article published in February 2022 that revealed that Prince Harry lied about his police protection case. In July 2022, a judge ruled that this article was defamatory, but Harry decided to withdraw this libel case in January 2024.

Other than this, another legal war for Harry is impending against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). That claim, which involves several high-profile individuals, including singer Elton John and actor Elizabeth Hurley, accuses the publisher of the Daily Mail of unlawful information gathering

Status: Trial scheduled for early 2026

Prince Harry’s legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) was based on the allegations of phone hacking and unlawful gathering of information about him. The case came to a conclusion on 9 February 2024, after four long years of legal battle with the MGN over many of the stories it published between 1996 and 2010, Harry agreed to settle the claims.

Harry became the first senior royal to testify in court since the 19th century, providing evidence about widespread unlawful practices used by tabloids during that time. Although a judge found evidence of ‘widespread and habitual’ phone hacking at MGN, it was concluded that Harry's phone was hacked only ‘to a modest extent.’ The settlement included covering all legal costs and approximately £300,000 in damages.

Status: Case settled with damages awarded