- Prince Harry and six other claimants must pay £9.54 million (around €11 million) as an initial payment towards the Daily Mail publisher's legal costs, following their defeat in the case against Associated Newspapers.
- Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin ruled that the seven must pay £9.54 million as an advance on legal costs, while the publisher had asked for £34.5 million, a demand the judge described as excessive.
- Associated Newspapers must submit a detailed breakdown of costs within three months, and the final bill could be significantly higher than the initial £9.54 million.
- The claimants have insurance cover of up to about £16.2 million, and they have until 2 October to lodge any appeal, though permission is not automatic.
- The judge dismissed the allegations against the Daily Mail group, and the publisher welcomed the verdict as a powerful vindication, calling it a devastating rebuke.
- Prince Harry returns to the UK as the legal bill lands, amidst ongoing discussions about his family's future in the country.
- Harry lost his automatic right to state-funded protection after stepping back from duties, and a security detail could cost up to £5 million (around €5.8 million), fueling debate about public money.
Prince Harry's return to the UK comes as he faces a significant legal setback. The High Court has ordered him and six other claimants, including Elton John and Liz Hurley, to pay £9.54 million in legal costs to Associated Newspapers after their privacy case ended in defeat.1234
The ruling, described by the publisher as a devastating rebuke, follows allegations that the Daily Mail group used unlawful methods to obtain private information about the claimants. Mr. Justice Matthew Nicklin ruled that the claimants must pay the initial amount as an advance on the legal costs incurred by the publisher, which had sought a total of £34.5 million, a demand the judge deemed excessive.
The claimants have until October 2 to appeal the decision, although permission is not guaranteed. The final bill could exceed the initial £9.54 million, as Associated Newspapers must provide a detailed breakdown of costs within three months.
Despite this legal turmoil, Harry and his family plan to spend more time in the UK, enrolling their children, Archie and Lilibet, in a British school. However, they will maintain their residence in Montecito, California, and Harry's return does not signify a return to royal duties, as he lost state-funded protection after stepping back from official roles.
The costs of a security detail for Harry could reach £5 million, raising concerns about the use of public funds.
“The judge dismissed the allegations against the Daily Mail group, which welcomed the verdict as a powerful vindication. The claimants have insurance cover of up to about £16.2 million and until 2 October to appeal, though permission is not automatic.”
Euronews.com
