Prince Harry’s private messages with journalist revealed in court: Inside the trial and flirtatious exchange

Fresh controversy has emerged in the ongoing legal battle involving Prince Harry, after a series of decade-old, reportedly flirty Prince Harry messages exchanged with a journalist were revealed in court, drawing renewed attention to his relationship with the media.

The messages, which surfaced during closing arguments in the High Court trial against a British tabloid publisher, are now being closely examined as part of the broader privacy lawsuit.

Flirty exchanges revealed during proceedings

The Prince Harry messages, exchanged between late 2011 and early 2012 with journalist Charlotte Griffiths, reportedly included playful and informal language, with references such as “movie snuggles” and light-hearted banter, as per a report by The Daily Mail.


The two are said to have connected socially after meeting at a gathering hosted by film producer Arthur Landon. The conversations, carried out over Facebook, suggested a friendly rapport, including invitations, jokes and personal remarks.

The resurfacing of these exchanges has added a new dimension to the case, particularly given the prince’s earlier assertions regarding his distance from journalists.

Context: Timeline of personal relationships

The reported exchanges took place after Chelsy Davy and Prince Harry ended their long-term relationship in 2011, and before his subsequent relationship with Cressida Bonas, which began in 2012, as per a report by Page Six.

Years later, the Duke met Meghan Markle in 2016, with the couple marrying in 2018.

While the messages are from a period prior to his marriage, their emergence in court has triggered debate over the nature of his past interactions with media professionals.

Lawsuit against tabloid publisher

The case was filed in 2022 by Prince Harry along with several prominent figures, including Elton John and David Furnish, against Associated Newspapers Limited.

The plaintiffs allege that the publisher engaged in unlawful activities such as phone hacking, surveillance and “blagging”, the practice of obtaining confidential information through deception, between 1993 and 2011.

The publisher has strongly denied all allegations, arguing that its journalists relied on legitimate sources, including individuals within the prince’s social circle.

Contradictions and courtroom scrutiny

During earlier testimony, Prince Harry maintained that he was not friends with journalists and had cut ties upon discovering Griffiths’ profession.

However, the Prince Harry messages presented in court appear to indicate a more informal and friendly interaction, which legal observers say could be used to challenge aspects of his claims.

Griffiths, now an editor-at-large, has stated that she and the prince moved in similar social circles at the time and were acquainted through mutual friends.

Trial concludes, verdict awaited

The nearly 11-week trial concluded its arguments on March 31, with presiding judge Matthew Nicklin indicating that a verdict would be delivered after a short recess. He cautioned, however, that the judgment may take time.

The outcome is expected to have significant implications not only for the parties involved but also for broader debates around media ethics and privacy rights in the United Kingdom.

Ongoing battle with the press

The lawsuit forms part of a wider campaign by Prince Harry against sections of the British media. In recent years, he has pursued multiple legal actions alleging intrusion into his private life.

In 2025, he secured a settlement with a media group linked to Rupert Murdoch, which included an apology and acknowledgment of unlawful practices by investigators associated with a tabloid newspaper.

Harry has maintained that his legal efforts are aimed at ensuring accountability and preventing similar conduct in the future.

FAQs

What are the Prince Harry messages revealed in court?

They are reportedly flirty Facebook exchanges between Prince Harry and journalist Charlotte Griffiths from 2011–2012.

Why are these messages significant?

They have surfaced during a privacy lawsuit and may impact how the court views Harry’s relationship with journalists.