The judge overseeing the Duke of Sussex's dispute with Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) has made an order temporarily preventing the reporting of the names of journalists linked to allegations against the publisher.
Harry, the younger son of King Charles, has brought a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers (ANL), along with John - one of the biggest-selling artists of all time - his husband David Furnish, and actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost.
The prince, who flew in from his California home, sat just feet away from a large group of reporters, watching intently and occasionally taking notes. His spokesperson said he had wanted to be there to show his support, and that he might attend for much of the four-day preliminary hearing.
Harry's lawyers claimed in court documents that he was "deprived of important aspects of his teenage years" by the "unlawful actions" of Associated Newspapers and was left full of "suspicion and paranoia" following the publication of articles containing information the duke says was only known to his trusted circle.
Elton John and Furnish arrived during a break for lunch, while Frost was also in court on Monday. None of the claimants are expected to speak during the hearing.
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They allege they were victims of "numerous unlawful acts" carried out by ANL titles the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, their lawyers said in extracts of submissions made to the court.
The group of high-profile individuals announced in October they were bringing claims for misuse of private information against ANL.
On Monday, Mr Justice Nicklin permitted a bid by ANL to have a reporting restriction imposed while the publisher attempts to have the claims from Prince Harry and others against it dismissed without a trial.
The judge said it was "not usual for the court to impose reporting restrictions at such an early stage of proceedings" but concluded in this instance it was "in the interests of fairness and the administration of justice".
The court heard that with ANL yet to file a formal defence in the cases, there was not yet a full response to any "adverse comments" that might be made about the journalists.
Mr Justice Nicklin said it would not be in the public interest "for one side of a series of allegations to be put when one side is absent".
The judge also granted reporting restrictions over certain information in court documents that ANL alleges lawyers for the Duke of Sussex and others are using in breach of orders made by Lord Justice Leveson in his inquiry into press standards.
Mr Justice Nicklin said the temporary reporting restrictions would be revisited once he reaches a judgment over the preliminary issues being argued in court this week.
In October, lawyers for the high-profile individuals said the group had "become aware of compelling and highly distressing evidence that they have been the victims of abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy" by ANL, which is also the publisher of The Mail on Sunday and MailOnline.
In a statement announcing the launch of the legal action, released by Hamlins law firm, it was alleged the unlawful acts included hiring private investigators to secretly place listening devices inside cars and homes and the recording of private phone conversations.
The publisher hit back at the allegations, describing them at the time as "preposterous smears" and a "pre-planned and orchestrated attempt to drag the Mail titles into the phone-hacking scandal".
A spokesperson for ANL also said the allegations were "unsubstantiated and highly defamatory claims, based on no credible evidence".
The case is believed to be the first time Prince Harry has been back in the UK since the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September.
His surprise return comes nearly three months after he laid bare his troubled relationship with his father King Charles III and brother the Prince of Wales in his controversial autobiography Spare.
Source: Press Association
