Prince Harry and six other high-profile figures have been ordered to make an initial payment of £9.54 million to the publisher of the Daily Mail after losing their High Court privacy case. The claimants, who also include Sir Elton John and Liz Hurley, sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering, claims ANL denied.
In a ruling on July 7, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the claims, stating that the public figures had failed to prove their allegations. The seven claimants ordered to pay the interim sum are Prince Harry, Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, Sir Simon Hughes, Sadie Frost, Liz Hurley, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.
ANL had requested more than £9.9 million as an interim payment ahead of detailed hearings to determine final legal costs. Lawyers for the claimants, however, proposed an interim payment of just over £7.9 million. Mr Justice Nicklin previously directed that the claimants must make the interim payment by August 28.
During the trial, numerous individuals provided evidence, including Prince Harry, who traveled from the United States to attend court in person. Associated Newspapers' journalists and executives also testified, denying any illegal activities.
Following the judge's ruling, Prince Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered in 1993, issued a joint statement: "We came to Court seeking justice and accountability. But we have received neither." They added, "It is a complete and obvious whitewash, but sadly not altogether unexpected."
This development follows recent announcements regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plans to return to the UK, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, expected to start school in September.