Huge blow for Prince Harry as he is faced with $13m demand in privacy case defeat
Huge blow for Prince Harry as he is faced with $13m demand in privacy case defeat
Jasmine Carey, Hollie Beale Wed, July 29, 2026 at 2:26 PM UTC
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Prince Harry could face a financial blow (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Prince Harry is facing a potential major financial setback as The Daily Mail's publisher has requested an initial £10m ($13m) payment from the Duke of Sussex and co-claimants following their unsuccessful legal action against Associated Newspapers.
This development follows the High Court judge's recent dismissal of the claimants' "speculative" £50m ($66m) privacy lawsuit, in which they alleged that the publisher engaged in unlawful information-gathering.
All claimants were unsuccessful in their case earlier this month, with the High Court judge determining that none of their evidence met the required standard.
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The High Court heard today that the Mail's publisher is seeking payment of costs on an 'indemnity basis' from the claimants and their legal representatives.
This would enable the judge to order the claimants to cover the complete legal expenses for both parties.
This would be subject to a 'reasonableness' test, the Daily Mail reports. The court heard that Associated Newspapers' costs were around £34 million ($45 million).
Associated's lead barrister, Antony White KC, said that the claimants' individual cases were 'pursued for the most part without any supporting documentary evidence". He argued: "The extent of this shifting case was highly unreasonable and inexcusable.
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"It led to significant costs and time being wasted by Associated in preparing to meet allegations, only to find them being subsequently abandoned or changed at trial."
Prince Harry gave evidence several times (Image: Getty)
Mr White told the judge: "If the claimants' conduct in these proceedings does not attract an order for indemnity costs, then it is difficult to see what case would."
The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, which commenced today, is expected to continue for up to two days.
The claimants' legal representatives described Associated's legal bill as "astonishingly high" and argued that the publisher sought to "teach the claimants a lesson" by seeking the maximum possible financial redress.
David Sherborne, representing the claimants, stated: "Associated has adopted a "no expense spared" approach to this litigation and such costs should not be condoned by the court from an inter partes perspective.. 'It would have a particularly harsh impact on the seven individual claimants in these proceedings, who will bear personal liability for Associated's costs in excess of their [insurance] cover. They have approached this litigation in good faith, under the burden of decades of intense, intrusive media scrutiny into their private lives."
Prince Harry and the remaining six claimants, including Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, were not present at the court hearing. Mr Justice Nicklin is anticipated to deliver his judgment at a subsequent date.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
