Prince Harry, others to pay initial £9.54 mln over failed lawsuit

Prince Harry and other high-profile claimants must make an interim payment of £9.54 million towards the legal costs of the Daily Mail publisher after losing their privacy lawsuits, London’s High Court ruled on Friday.

Last month, judge Matthew Nicklin comprehensively rejected the case brought by King Charles’ younger son, singer Elton John and five other figures, rejecting allegations that the Mail titles had engaged in widespread unlawful activities, such as phone hacking.

Associated said it was an overwhelming victory for its newspaper and journalists, and “for a free press generally”, while the prince, 41, described the ruling as a “complete and obvious whitewash”.