Prince Harry Faces Potential £10 Million Legal Blow After High Court Defeat

Prince Harry could be facing another costly chapter in his long-running legal battle with Associated Newspapers after the publisher of the Daily Mail asked the High Court to order the Duke of Sussex and his fellow claimants to pay an initial £10 million in legal costs.

The request comes only weeks after a judge dismissed the group’s £50 million privacy claim, describing key elements of the case as speculative.

Daily Mail Publisher Seeks Major Legal Costs

During a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, lawyers for Associated Newspapers argued that Prince Harry and the six other claimants should be required to pay costs on an indemnity basis.

If granted, such an order could require the claimants to cover almost all of the publisher’s legal expenses, subject to the court’s assessment of whether the costs were reasonable.

The court heard that Associated Newspapers’ legal bill has reached approximately £34 million.

Publisher Criticizes Claimants’ Case

Representing Associated Newspapers, barrister Antony White KC argued that many of the allegations presented throughout the litigation lacked supporting documentary evidence.

He told the court that the claimants repeatedly altered or abandoned aspects of their case, forcing the publisher to spend significant time and money responding to claims that later changed.

White argued that if this conduct did not justify an indemnity costs order, it was difficult to imagine a case that would.

Claimants Say Costs Are Excessive

Lawyers representing Prince Harry and the other claimants strongly opposed the request.

David Sherborne, acting for the group, described Associated Newspapers’ legal bill as “astonishingly high”, arguing that the publisher had taken a “no expense spared” approach throughout the proceedings.

He also suggested the company was attempting to “teach the claimants a lesson” by pursuing the highest possible costs.

According to Sherborne, forcing the individuals to pay such a large sum would have an especially severe financial impact because they could become personally responsible for costs exceeding the limits of their insurance coverage.

Prince Harry Absent From Hearing

Prince Harry did not attend the latest hearing in person.

The Duke was joined in the original lawsuit by several high-profile figures, including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, all of whom also challenged Associated Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering.

Earlier this month, however, the High Court dismissed the claim after finding the evidence presented by the claimants was insufficient.

Judge Yet to Rule

The hearing on legal costs is expected to last up to two days.

Mr Justice Nicklin has reserved judgment and is expected to deliver his decision at a later date.

If the court ultimately grants Associated Newspapers’ request, Prince Harry and the other claimants could face one of the most significant financial consequences arising from the legal dispute so far.