The Duke of Sussex was unavailable to testify because he’d taken a flight from Los Angeles after the birthday of his 2-year-old daughter.

His appearance and cross-examination during the London trial will be the first by a senior British royal in any court case in modern times.

Prince Harry’s years-long battle against Britain’s tabloid media reaches its most dramatic stage so far this week, as the royal prepares to face questions in a London court as part of his case against a major newspaper publisher.

Prince Harry has blamed the paparazzi for causing the car crash that killed his mother, Princess Diana. He also said the U.K. press has prompted him and Meghan Markle to leave the country.

Unlawful information-gathering "acted like a web" around Prince Harry, a court has heard during his trial against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). His barrister told London's High Court no aspect of his youth was safe from press intrusion - citing stories about his relationship with Chelsy Davy appearing in the Mirror.

Prince Harry is expected to appear in court this week to give evidence in the phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers. CNN’S Nada Bashir reports from London.

Media wait outside the Rolls Building of the High Court on the day, when Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is set to arrive, in London Britain June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay