The High Court's hammer blow to Prince Harry's 'Dragon Slaying' mission has left him reeling. In a devastating setback for the Duke of Sussex, his lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publishers of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, has been dismissed. The ruling delivered this week found overwhelmingly in favour of ANL, with Judge Mr Justice Nicklin concluding that the claimants had not provided sufficient proof of unlawful information gathering – a crushing blow to Prince Harry's bid for justice.
The A-list heavyweights among the co-claimants, including Doreen Lawrence, mother of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, and music legend Elton John, were left reeling by the judgment. In his scathing verdict, Judge Nicklin noted that while suspicion might exist, it didn't equate to proof – a harsh reality check for Prince Harry's crusade. The Duke's personal testimony was also scrutinised, with the judge pointing out that his desire to convey the emotional impact of the issues often led him to advance arguments rather than stick to cold, hard facts – a tendency not uncommon among litigants.
The financial fallout from this comprehensive loss will be severe. With potential insurance coverage factored in, Prince Harry and his co-claimants are staring down a combined legal bill that could top £50 million. A hefty price to pay for what he sees as 'victories' against Mirror Group Newspapers and News Group Newspapers – where he received apologies and settlements for unlawful information gathering and serious intrusion by private investigators.
Adding insult to injury, the High Court's judgment coincided with Prince Harry's rare visit to the UK. His request for accommodation at Buckingham Palace ahead of his Invictus Games one-year countdown event in Birmingham was sensationally declined – citing insufficient notice as the reason. As the Duke celebrated the Invictus Games at Chatham House in central London, the news from the High Court was delivered remotely.
Prince Harry has long been vocal about his family's approach to the media, labelling it a 'suicide mission'. He accused them of complicity and alleged leaking to the press. In a joint statement with Doreen Lawrence following the judgment, he expressed outrage, calling the ruling a 'complete and obvious whitewash but sadly not altogether unexpected'.
Source: The Guardian