In a recent courtroom development, Prince Harry, who is currently engaged in a legal dispute with Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), has suffered a setback after a court ruling ordered him to pay more than £48,000 to the Mail on Sunday.
The legal battle revolves around an article that delves into Prince Harry's ongoing legal tussle with the Home Office regarding his security arrangements.
Justice Nicklin, presiding over the case, delivered the judgment, asserting that the publisher had a credible chance of demonstrating that an unbiased individual could view a statement released by the Duke's representatives as "a masterclass in the art of spinning."
Consequently, Prince Harry has been instructed to settle the £48,447 legal costs incurred by Associated Newspapers Limited in connection with a "summary judgment application" by December 29.
The court proceedings saw Prince Harry's attempt to strike out the newspaper's "honest opinion" defense in March.
Represented by his lawyer Justin Rushbrooke KC, the Duke argued that the newspaper's defense should be dismissed due to its reliance on "two provably false premises" linked to a press statement issued by him during the legal challenge.
Associated Newspapers Limited contends that the article in question, published in February 2022, which suggested that Prince Harry attempted to conceal his efforts to maintain publicly funded protection in the UK after relinquishing his working member status within the royal family, simply expressed an "honest opinion" and did not cause any "serious harm" to the royal.
The article in question shed light on the Duke of Sussex's alleged endeavors to retain publicly funded protection even after stepping down from his role as a senior working member of the royal family in 2020.
The government, in response, defended its decision to withdraw full protection for Prince Harry, emphasizing that he was treated fairly and provided with security on a sporadic basis when he visits.
As the legal saga unfolds, Prince Harry faces the financial implications of the recent court order, marking a challenging chapter in his ongoing battle with the media.
