The High Court imposed a hefty fine of one million pounds on Prince Harry, stemming from a debacle where his lawyer mistakenly delivered a confidential legal document to Meghan's PR strategist.
This gaffe followed Prince Harry's unsuccessful attempt to appeal a high court ruling regarding his personal security arrangements in the UK. The Duke of Sussex contested the Home Office's decision to reduce his level of security during visits to the UK, alleging unfair treatment. Despite his legal team's arguments, the High Court deemed the security downgrade lawful and rational, with no procedural unfairness.
Consequently, Prince Harry was instructed to reimburse taxpayers for the legal costs incurred during his unsuccessful legal battle against the Home Office. His potential liability could amount to approximately one million pounds, factoring in his own legal expenses. The judge dismissed his plea to reduce the repayment amount, emphasizing that Prince Harry had unequivocally lost his case. Additionally, the court rejected his application to appeal the ruling, stating it lacked compelling grounds.
This legal setback compounds Prince Harry's previous defeat in a two-year-long battle with the Home Office, which cost the public over £500,000. Despite his lawyer's argument for a reduced share of the public's legal costs, the judge deemed it untenable, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Prince Harry's loss. While acknowledging certain breaches by the Home Office, the judge maintained that they did not mitigate the overall outcome.
Furthermore, Prince Harry faced criticism for breaching confidentiality protocols, prompting a stern rebuke from the high court judge. His lawyer, Shahed Fatima QC, faced scathing remarks for inadvertently disclosing a confidential document to a PR strategist. Despite attempts to downplay the breach, the judge emphasized the severity of the infraction and chastised the failure to report it promptly.
