Prince Harry loses High Court case against Daily Mail publisher
A UK High Court dismissed Prince Harry's privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, finding insufficient evidence of unlawful information gathering, and the ruling may affect his relations with the royal family.
Prince Harry's High Court privacy claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail was dismissed on Friday. The judge said the plaintiffs had not provided enough proof that the newspaper obtained private information unlawfully.
In a joint statement, the duke and Baroness Doreen Lawrence called the decision a "whitewash" and said it failed to address earlier findings that private investigators had acted illegally in similar cases.
The ruling also leaves the claimants, including Harry, actress Elizabeth Hurley, and philanthropist David Furnish, liable for a share of the legal costs.
Former royal household staff member Grant Harrold told a media outlet that the outcome could have lasting repercussions for Harry's relationship with the royal family, noting that the prince's public criticism of the institution may strain ties with his brother, Prince William.
Harry, who is currently on a UK visit that includes public engagements such as speaking at the Invictus Games, has previously spoken openly about his concerns with the monarchy in televised interviews and a Netflix documentary series.