Speculations arose regarding Harry's absence, with some suggesting that he deliberately skipped the hearing to seek additional legal advice from trusted individuals before making any statements in the witness box. Others theorized that Harry's absence was a means to taunt his royal relatives, potentially dragging them into the legal battle through his testimony.
However, Harry's attorney, David Sherborne, informed the court that the Duke would not take the stand until Tuesday. Sherborne explained that Harry had been celebrating his daughter Princess Lilibet's second birthday and had flown to the UK late Sunday, hence the delay.
During the court proceedings, Sherborne emphasized that his client had been the target of illegal information-gathering since his school days. He highlighted that stories about the prince had been lucrative for tabloids and had started when he was just 11 years old.
Despite a considerable gathering of photographers and camera crews awaiting Harry's arrival for the opening speeches, the Duke skipped the hearing, further frustrating Judge Timothy Fancourt with his absence.
This week, the 38-year-old Prince is slated to become the first senior British royal in over a century to provide evidence in court. He will testify against Mirror Group Newspapers, accusing them of engaging in illegal activities, including phone hacking, across their publications. Prince Harry, along with other prominent individuals, is seeking damages. The trial, which commenced shortly after Charles's coronation on May 6, is expected to last up to seven weeks.
It is worth noting that in March, Archie and Lilibet's father made a surprising appearance at the High Court for a privacy claim launched against Associated Newspapers (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail, along with others.
