Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have decided to withdraw from their legal battle against the British tabloid Mail on Sunday, terminating the defamation process related to an article concerning their police protection during visits to the United Kingdom.
This announcement comes after Prince Harry had initiated legal action against the British Government's decision to withdraw his police security equipment while in the UK and prohibit him from personally covering the costs.
Published in February 2022, the article accused Prince Harry, allegedly falsely, of "lying" and attempting to keep his request for police protection from the UK government a secret. Harry, represented legally, argued that the withdrawal of his security measures in the UK left him feeling unsafe, preventing him from returning home to his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
In an attempt to resolve the matter without going to trial, Prince Harry filed a petition, but it was rejected in December, leading to a payment of £48,000 ($61,000) to the newspaper's editor. Faced with the daunting prospect of a court battle, the Duke of Sussex decided to abandon the case, leading to additional costs, including the newspaper's legal fees, totaling over £750,000 ($951,000).
The Daily Mail reported that Prince Harry, having "thrown in the towel," will now focus on the safety of his family rather than engaging in prolonged court proceedings that perpetuate false claims. A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex emphasized that speculation about the final legal costs is premature.
It is noteworthy that Meghan and Harry, having severed official ties with the royal family and relocated to the United States, no longer qualify for police protection funded by British taxpayers. The couple, now responsible for their own security expenses, had previously requested police protection during their UK visits at their own cost, a plea rejected by the courts in May.
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