The Duke of Sussex’s campaign against Britain’s tabloid press has produced one of its most costly setbacks.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Prince Harry and six other prominent figures have been ordered to pay £9.54 million in interim legal costs to Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail. The payment must be completed within seven days following their defeat in a privacy lawsuit over alleged unlawful information gathering. The order comes amid reports that Harry and Meghan are preparing to return to the United Kingdom after six years in California.
The claimants—who include Elton John, David Furnish, Doreen Lawrence, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and Simon Hughes—accused the publisher of practices such as phone hacking, surveillance and improperly obtaining private records. Associated Newspapers consistently denied the accusations. After an 11-week trial, the High Court dismissed all 97 claims because the alleged misconduct had not been sufficiently proven.
Justice Matthew Nicklin said the case involved speculative accusations and serious allegations that continued even when the available evidence no longer supported them. He therefore ordered the publisher’s expenses to be assessed on an indemnity basis, potentially increasing the claimants’ financial exposure. However, the judge did not find that Harry or the other claimants had acted dishonestly.
Associated Newspapers has reported total legal expenses exceeding £34 million, although the judge described that figure as excessive and largely unexplained. The claimants have until October 2 to seek permission to appeal, while their combined insurance coverage may not cover the final amount. In the courtroom, the price of pursuing accountability can become almost as consequential as the verdict itself.
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