Prince Harry's legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) persists, with his legal team seeking a judge's order for MGN to pay nearly £2 million in legal fees.
Despite being awarded £40,000 in damages in December, following a ruling that 15 out of 33 examined articles resulted from phone hacking or unlawful information gathering, this amount was only a fraction of what Prince Harry had initially sought. This ongoing legal saga is just one of several cases Prince Harry has against various publishers.
In a notable turn of events in 2023, Prince Harry became the first senior member of the royal family in over a century to testify in court. His appearance aimed to protect his wife, Meghan Markle, in the aftermath of the MGN ruling. Describing himself as a "dragon slayer," Harry expressed his commitment to continue challenging the tabloid press.
It's worth noting that Harry recently dropped a legal case against the publisher of the Daily Mail after an unfavorable pre-trial ruling. The recent hearing focused on legal fees for a trial involving Harry as one of four claimants, alongside Coronation Street cast members. While the judge found the privacy of all four claimants had been violated, he dismissed cases brought by others for being filed too late. Actor Michael Turner was awarded £31,000.
During the hearing, Harry's barrister, David Sherborne, argued that the case was overwhelmingly successful, and his client deserved reimbursement for legal fees. MGN's lawyer, Roger Malalo, contended that they should only pay for the portions of the claims they lost. The decision on legal fees was deferred, with the judge, Timothy Fancort, indicating that he would rule at a later date.
The legal battles have not been without criticism, with some royal fans expressing skepticism and slamming Prince Harry for alleged delusions and jealousy of Prince William. Comparisons were drawn to the damages awarded to William, which he donated to Harry's charity, highlighting a perceived disparity. Some critics labeled Harry's pursuit as driven by financial motives, suggesting that his lawyers were pushing for payment, aware of the challenges in collecting from a financially strained individual.
In court papers, MGN mentioned making a settlement offer to Prince Harry, though the details remain undisclosed. These legal entanglements contribute to the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding Prince Harry's actions and his relationship with the media.
