Britain’s Prince Harry has withdrawn his libel claim against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Associated Newspapers. The legal action, stemming from a 2022 article concerning Prince Harry’s security arrangements, has been the focus of an ongoing dispute. The Duke of Sussex, King Charles’ younger son, had filed the lawsuit in response to the newspaper’s assertions regarding his role in financing police protection and his alleged attempt to mislead the public.
The libel claim centered around a Mail on Sunday article published in 2022, asserting that Prince Harry had only offered to pay for police protection after initiating a separate legal battle against the British government. The report also accused the Duke of Sussex of providing misleading information to the public regarding his willingness to cover the costs of policing, a commitment that was reportedly withdrawn after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
In December, Prince Harry faced a setback when his attempt to have the Mail on Sunday’s defence to the libel lawsuit dismissed was unsuccessful. This meant that the case was set to proceed to trial at London’s High Court later this year, with Prince Harry likely having to provide evidence in the proceedings.
According to the Daily Mail, Prince Harry abandoned his libel claim just hours before his legal team was obligated to submit relevant documents. The decision to withdraw the case means that Prince Harry will be required to cover the Mail on Sunday’s legal costs, estimated at £250,000 ($316,900.00), in addition to his own legal fees, amounting to £500,000.
London’s High Court had previously ruled that the Mail on Sunday’s report was defamatory, opening the path for Prince Harry to pursue the libel case against one of the UK’s major media publishers. However, his attempt to secure a favorable judgment without going to trial was unsuccessful.
This libel claim is just one among several legal actions initiated by Prince Harry against British tabloids. Alongside six other prominent figures, including singer Elton John, Prince Harry is suing Associated Newspapers, alleging widespread unlawful behavior such as phone-hacking by its journalists. In November, a judge ruled that this broader case could proceed to trial, rejecting the publisher’s attempt to have it dismissed.
Prince Harry’s withdrawal of the libel claim against the Mail on Sunday marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles between the Duke of Sussex and British tabloids. The decision to abandon the case has financial implications for Prince Harry and sheds light on the complexities and challenges associated with pursuing legal actions against media organizations. As the legal landscape evolves, the outcome of these cases will continue to shape discussions surrounding privacy, media ethics, and the legal boundaries of reporting on public figures.
