Prince Harry has been accused by a senior British journalist of placing a small white pill on her tongue during a country house gathering in 2011, in claims published after the Duke of Sussex lost his legal case against Associated Newspapers.

 

 

Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large of the Mail on Sunday, alleged the incident occurred when they first met at a shooting weekend in Hampshire. She claimed Harry placed the pill in her mouth before telling her, “Now I know I can trust you.” Griffiths said she discreetly removed the tablet and later concluded it was “almost certainly paracetamol” rather than any illicit substance.

 

 

The journalist made the allegations in a lengthy article responding to Prince Harry’s evidence during his recently concluded High Court case against Associated Newspapers. Harry had testified that he met Griffiths only once before ending contact after discovering she was a journalist.

 

 

However, Griffiths disputed that account, claiming they remained in contact for several weeks afterward. She cited Facebook messages allegedly exchanged between them, including one sent from an account under the name “Spike Wells,” which she claimed Harry used.

 

 

According to Griffiths, Harry also referred to their “movie snuggles” in messages, a phrase she said referred only to the pair sharing a blanket while watching a film with other guests present, insisting there was never a romantic relationship.

 

 

She further alleged that Harry sat beside her under the blanket during the gathering and, during a film, loudly said “Allahu akbar” during a scene involving Islamic extremists. Griffiths said she found the remark inappropriate but believed it may have been influenced by Harry’s military service in Afghanistan.

 

 

The claims come after Prince Harry and six other claimants lost their case against Associated Newspapers, with the High Court ruling they failed to prove allegations that the publisher obtained information through unlawful means.

 

 

Griffiths said the court proceedings led to her private messages with Harry becoming public, resulting in widespread online attention and abuse. A spokesperson for Prince Harry has reportedly been approached for comment on the allegations.