Room 76 of the High Court is small. Tired. Cramped. Beige.
Cables dangle precariously from a cracked ceiling. There are simply six rows of chairs.
But right this moment it hosted pop and precise royalty. Prince Harry and Sir Elton John have been in courtroom to tackle one of many UK’s strongest newspaper teams.
The sun-kissed prince had slipped quietly into the UK, catching the media off guard.
He arrived in a London black cab, smiled and mentioned “good morning” to the press pack who had hurriedly scrambled outdoors the Royal Courts of Justice after being alerted by an elevated police presence.
As it occurred: Prince Harry case vs Daily Mail writer
The Duke of Sussex walked within the entrance door of the central London Court – eager, clearly, for right this moment’s authorized proceedings to make headlines.
He wasn’t a proper witness right this moment however a claimant – one in all seven high-profile people who’re bringing circumstances towards Associated Newspapers, writer of the Daily Mail.
In courtroom, the Duke of Sussex sat simply three chairs away from a line of journalists.
Alongside him, actress Sadie Frost – one other claimant – had a thick wad of courtroom paperwork. Both appeared engaged within the proceedings.
Harry nodded at factors and diligently made notes in a black leather-based pocket book. This was a royal throughout the authorized particulars.
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mom of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, additionally made an look in courtroom – as a present of solidarity among the many claimants turned obvious.
None of the seven claimants was formally required to be there right this moment. It was their lawyer, David Sherborne, who was doing the speaking.
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As a worldwide music celebrity, Sir Elton is used to being the headline act.
He arrived on the central London courtroom at lunchtime by a aspect entrance. The musician, who sang at Princess Diana’s funeral and carried out at Harry’s wedding ceremony, was positioned behind the prince on a flimsy, fold-out plastic chair.
He too needed the world to learn about his half on this authorized problem and was accompanied by his husband, David Furnish.
They have been there with out ceremony, within the public gallery, eager to listen to how the case was progressing.
Today was the primary of a four-day preliminary listening to to resolve whether or not the case goes to trial.
The shock courtroom appearances are a surefire means to make sure all of us are speaking about it.
Source: information.sky.com”