Prince Harry Withdraws Libel Claim Against Mail on Sunday Publisher
Prince Harry has withdrawn his libel claim against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail, on Sunday, according to the PA news agency.
The Duke of Sussex had sued the company over a February 2022 article about his legal battle with the Home Office after he was told he could no longer use their security while visiting the U.K. following his exit from royal duties.
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According to The Telegraph, Prince Harry’s lawyers informed the High Court at 10 a.m. on Friday that he would not be continuing with the case. By dropping the suit, Prince Harry could have to pay £250,000 for Associated Newspapers’ legal fees, in addition to his own.
A representative for Prince Harry did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
The Mail on Sunday article in question claimed that the Duke had attempted to keep his disagreement with the Home Office a “secret” and had tried to manipulate public opinion in his favor, which Prince Harry alleged was libelous. In its defense, Associated Newspapers argued that the story had expressed an “honest opinion.” In December, a judge refused to throw the case out based on Associated’s defense, as Prince Harry’s lawyers had requested.
Prince Harry is currently in the middle of another suit against Associated Newspapers regarding privacy. In November, a judge ruled that the suit could proceed. The case also involves six other celebrities, including Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Sir Simon Hughes and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, who are all claiming that Associated Newspapers has partaken in “gross breaches of privacy” and unlawful information gathering. According to the lawsuit filed by Harry and his fellow claimants, this includes allegations of listening into and recording phone calls, bugging cars and illicitly obtaining private financial and medical records.
Associated Newspapers has consistently denied the allegations and sought to have the case dismissed because some of the claims happened years ago, falling outside the limitation period.
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