Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has officially discontinued his libel lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd., the publisher of the Daily Mail. This development marks the latest turn in the prince’s turbulent relationship with the British press and his broader efforts to hold media organizations accountable.
The decision to drop the suit was confirmed by Harry’s legal team at the High Court in London. It comes on the heels of a judge’s ruling that suggested Harry’s chances of success at trial were slim and just a day after the deadline for him to submit case documents. While no specific reason was publicly stated for the withdrawal, it follows a recent order for Harry to pay nearly 50,000 pounds ($60,000) in legal costs to the publisher after failing to secure a win without proceeding to a full trial. This initial legal setback, coupled with the prospect of further expenses, likely contributed to the Duke’s decision to halt the proceedings.
This move means Prince Harry will now be liable for Associated Newspapers’ legal fees, which the Daily Mail estimates to be around 250,000 pounds ($316,000). A spokesperson for the Duke has indicated that discussions regarding costs are still premature.
Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, has adopted a confrontational approach towards the media, setting him apart from traditional royal family conduct. His willingness to engage in legal battles has made the courtroom a central arena for his campaign against what he perceives as relentless media intrusion throughout his life.
Associated Newspapers is one of three major tabloid publishers currently facing legal action from Prince Harry. These lawsuits allege unlawful information gathering practices, including deception, phone hacking, and the use of private investigators to unearth damaging information. The cases against Associated Newspapers and News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, are still proceeding towards trial, indicating Harry’s continued commitment to his fight against certain sections of the British press.
In a related but separate case against Mirror Group Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mirror, Harry achieved a significant victory last month. The court ruled in his favor, concluding that phone hacking was “widespread and habitual” at the Daily Mirror and that senior figures at the media group had actively concealed these activities. He was awarded 140,000 pounds ($177,000) in damages in this landmark ruling that underscored the issue of tabloid misconduct.
The now-dropped libel case originated from a Mail on Sunday article that Harry claimed misrepresented his efforts to maintain publicly funded security protection in the UK after stepping back from his senior royal duties.
Harry’s legal team argued that the article was defamatory, attacking his honesty and integrity. They contended that it falsely suggested court documents contradicted his public statements about being willing to pay for police protection while in the UK. Furthermore, they asserted the article would negatively impact his charitable work.
However, the Daily Mail publisher defended the article, arguing it presented an honest opinion and did not cause serious harm to Harry’s reputation.
In March, Harry’s attempt to secure a summary judgment, aiming for a win without a trial, was unsuccessful. He also sought to dismiss the Mail’s defense, but the judge sided with the publisher.
Justice Matthew Nicklin, in his ruling on December 8, determined that the publisher had a stronger case for proving that statements made on Harry’s behalf were misleading. He also agreed that the February 2022 article reflected an “honest opinion” and was not libelous. Justice Nicklin critically noted the approach taken by Harry’s team, stating, “The defendant may well submit that this was a masterclass in the art of ‘spinning,’” when rejecting the attempt to dismiss the honest opinion defense.
Adding to his legal engagements, Harry also has an ongoing lawsuit against the UK government concerning the level of security protection he receives when visiting Britain. He argues that the intense public and media scrutiny, including hostile social media commentary and relentless press intrusion – factors he cited in his decision to step down as a senior royal and relocate to the United States – pose a significant threat to his and his family’s safety.
According to his spokesperson, Prince Harry’s primary focus remains on his case against the government regarding security arrangements and ensuring the safety of his family, as he navigates these complex issues within the framework of royal family dynamics and media relations.
