The Duke of Sussex “is one of two claimants whose claims are still live” against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
A hearing on Friday was told that Harry and former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson are now the only people continuing their claims against News Group Newspapers (NGN).
The court was told 39 cases have been settled since a previous hearing in July.
The two remaining cases are expected to go to trial in January 2025, with Harry alleging he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for NGN, which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.
The publisher has previously denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.
Read more:
Prince Harry ‘cannot expand case’ against Sun’s publisher
Prince Harry comforts Afghanistan war widow
Speaking on Friday, David Sherborne, for the claimants, said: “The reduction of the live claims to just two is a pretty recent development.”
Prince Harry says he ‘understands’ impact of losing parent at young age in letter to bereaved children
Prince Harry receives gifts from inspirational girl, 10, at WellChild Awards in London
Boris Johnson considered raiding Dutch warehouse during pandemic to retrieve COVID-19 vaccines
The two sides have returned to court in London asking a judge to rule on preliminary issues before the trial in the two remaining cases, with Lord Watson in attendance at the hearing.
This includes whether Harry can be given access to “relevant emails sent between five email accounts of NGN employees and five employees of the Royal Household” between January 2013 and September 2019, which Mr Sherborne said would be “highly relevant” to his case.
In written submissions, the barrister said that the NGN employees included Rebekah Brooks, the CEO of News UK from September 2015, Robert Thomson, the CEO of News Corp from 2013, and Mike Darcey, the CEO of News UK until September 2015.
Read more:
Prince Harry at 40 – what will next chapter of his life hold in store?
Prince Harry takes aim at leaders of social media companies
The Royal Household employees “are those involved in Royal Communications and the Private Secretaries to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
Anthony Hudson KC, for NGN, said in his written submissions that the bid to see the emails was opposed.
The trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks, the court heard, with a further hearing due to be held in December.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Keep up with the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The judge overseeing the case, Mr Justice Fancourt, said on Friday: “It is disappointing to me that the parties have been unable to progress things in the way that the court would expect.
“It is unsatisfactory that so little progress has been made.
“There needs to be further work done on both sides.”
Many others have settled their claims in recent years including actor Hugh Grant, actress Sienna Miller, ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne, comic Catherine Tate and Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm.
