Prince Harry loses initial round in libel case against Daily Mail publisher

Prince Harry faced a setback in his legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail tabloid regarding an article alleging his attempts to conceal efforts for publicly funded protection after relinquishing his royal family working status. London's High Court ruled against Harry's attempt to dismiss Associated Newspaper Ltd.’s defense, which claimed the article expressed an honest opinion. Justice Matthew Nicklin indicated the possibility of the defendant's success at trial, scheduling a hearing to discuss the ruling's implications.

The recent decision follows hearings over the government's decision to remove Harry's security detail after his relocation to the U.S. in 2020. The Duke of Sussex, challenging the government's stance on providing security during his visits to Britain, cited concerns about social media hostility and media intrusion endangering his and his family's safety.

The Mail on Sunday and Mail Online's February 2022 article, titled "How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal fight with the government over police bodyguards a secret," prompted Harry's claim of being falsely portrayed and libeled. While Associated Newspapers defended the article as an expression of honest opinion without significant harm to Harry's reputation, the court had previously ruled it as defamatory without assessing its accuracy or public interest.


The government maintained its decision to limit Harry's security due to his resignation from senior royal duties, citing fair treatment and occasional security provision during his visits. Additionally, Harry's request for private reimbursement of London’s police force for protection during his visits was previously denied, with a government lawyer arguing against using officers as "private bodyguards for the wealthy."

Amid this legal battle, Harry faces four lawsuits against British tabloid publishers, accusing them of employing unlawful tactics such as deception, phone hacking, or hiring private investigators to obtain information about him.