Latest Press Release
A statement from Clarence House on the Associated Newspapers court judgement statement
17th March 2006
Sir Michael Peat, Principal Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, said today:
“I am delighted that all the points of principle argued by our lawyers have been upheld by the Judge. He concluded that Associated Newspapers breached The Prince’s right to confidence, infringed his copyright and could demonstrate no public interest in their disclosures. Bearing in mind that this decision was reached on summary application it is emphatic confirmation of the point of principle which The Prince of Wales sought to maintain – the publication of the stolen private diary was not right or justifiable.
“With respect to the other journals, the Judge said that ‘there is every reason for concluding that the Claimant establishes, as much in relation to the other seven journals as he does in relation to the Hong Kong journal, a reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of their contents’. The Judge has indicated that he would like to read the journals before reaching a final decision. This will entail a short further hearing on points of law. The Prince of Wales will not be required to give evidence. In short, an excellent outcome.”