Prince Harry’s Legal Setback: High Court Orders Payment to Mail on Sunday
Prince Harry, 39, has been directed by a High Court judge to pay nearly £50,000 to the publisher of the Mail on Sunday (TMOS) after losing a crucial stage in their ongoing legal battle.
The Duke of Sussex sought to have the case decided without a trial, but the judge ruled against him.
High Court Decision on Legal Costs
Mr. Justice Nicklin ordered Prince Harry to cover the legal costs incurred by The Mail on Sunday, and specified that if the two parties couldn’t agree on a sum, the costs would be assessed. The Duke has been instructed to pay £48,447 ‘on account’ before the end of this year.
Background of the Legal Battle
The legal dispute revolves around an article published in February 2022 by TMOS, which claimed that Prince Harry’s PR aides attempted to ‘spin’ his disagreement with the Home Office over the downgrading of his taxpayer-funded police protection.
Prince Harry’s Requests Denied
Prince Harry had requested the High Court to prevent the newspaper from using the legal defense of ‘honest opinion’ and sought a judge to rule in his favor without a public trial.
However, Mr. Justice Nicklin found that Associated Newspapers, the publisher of TMOS, had a ‘real prospect’ of demonstrating misleading statements issued on Harry’s behalf.
Implications for Future Trial
With the judge’s decision, a full libel trial is now scheduled for the coming year. The case is centered on the alleged briefing by PR advisers and the subsequent article’s claims about the timing and nature of Harry’s legal action against the Home Office.
Prince Harry’s Libel Claim and TMOS Defense
Prince Harry initiated legal action, alleging that the article attacked his honesty and integrity, potentially harming his charity work and efforts against online misinformation.
TMOS contested the claim, asserting that their article expressed an honest opinion and did not cause serious harm to Harry’s reputation.
Separate Hearing on Security Downgrade
In addition to the libel case, a separate hearing was conducted last week regarding Harry’s judicial review claim challenging the ‘unlawful and unfair’ decision to downgrade his security by the Home Office.
Conclusion: Ongoing Legal Battles for Prince Harry
The recent High Court ruling adds a financial burden to Prince Harry’s legal challenges, emphasizing the complexity and intensity of the ongoing legal battles he faces, both in terms of reputation and security decisions.