Prince Harry and co-claimants ordered to pay £9.54m toward Daily Mail publisher’s legal costs

London, United Kingdom. Prince Harry, Elton John and other high-profile claimants have been ordered to make an interim payment of £9.54 million towards the legal costs of the Daily Mail publisher after losing privacy lawsuits.

High Court costs ruling

London’s High Court ruled on Friday that the outstanding amount should be paid on an “indemnity basis”.

The ruling means that Harry and the other claimants, as the losing parties, must contribute towards Associated’s costs without the publisher having to demonstrate that the costs were reasonable and proportionate.

Privacy claims dismissed

Last month, Judge Matthew Nicklin rejected the case brought by King Charles’ younger son, singer Elton John and five other figures.

The claimants had alleged that Mail titles engaged in widespread unlawful activity, including phone hacking.

Responses to the judgment

Associated said after the initial ruling that it was an overwhelming victory for its newspapers and journalists, and “for a free press generally”.

Harry, 41, described that ruling as a “complete and obvious whitewash”.