Prince Harry accused of having 'secret Facebook account' where he referred to himself as 'Mr Mischief'

The barrister, representing Associated Newspapers Limited, put it to Prince Harry that this account was used to make contact with Charlotte Griffiths, a journalist at The Mail on Sunday.

According to Mr White, the reporter was part of the duke's social circles.

The lawyer suggested that Harry had used the platform to exchange friendly messages with Ms Griffiths and had shared his mobile telephone number with her through the social media site.

Prince Harry firmly rejected the claims, stating he had "never used the name Mr Mischief" and expressing uncertainty about whether any Facebook exchanges with Ms Griffiths had occurred.

The duke acknowledged meeting the journalist during a weekend in 2011 but maintained he was unaware of her profession at the time.

When Mr White suggested the pair had encountered one another in Ibiza, Harry disputed this account.

The royal said: "I don't think that can be right. I don't believe I have ever been to Ibiza other than with my now wife."

The Duke of Sussex is part of a group of prominent figures bringing claims against ANL, including Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Simon Hughes, Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley.

The claimants allege the publisher engaged in unlawful methods to obtain information, such as intercepting phone calls and deceiving individuals to access private records.

Harry attended proceedings on Monday and Tuesday but departed during the lunch break yesterday. His testimony was originally scheduled for Thursday, though earlier-than-expected completion of opening arguments means he will now appear today.

ANL has firmly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing and is contesting the claims in court.

The publisher's barrister, Antony White KC, told the court on Tuesday that the case against his client was "threadbare" and had been filed outside the permitted timeframe.

He argued that ANL's journalists offer "a compelling account of a pattern of legitimate sourcing" for the more than 50 articles allegedly produced through illicit means.

In written submissions, the barrister stated that ANL "strongly denies" any unlawful gathering of information, including voicemail interception, targeting the duke.

Representing the claimants, David Sherborne told the court that Harry believes he has "endured a sustained campaign of attacks against him" for "having had the temerity to stand up" to ANL.

Proceedings are scheduled to continue until March, when the trial is expected to conclude. A judgment will be delivered in written form at a subsequent date.

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