Plot twist: the Prince Harry has decided to withdraw its defamation case against the publisher of the Chron and the Mail On Sunday, Associated Newspapers Limited. However, this would not be the end of the Duke's crusade against the tabloids. Just a small step back. In fact, King Charles III's second son would have. simply blocked court proceedings over an article in the Mail On Sunday about his dispute with the Home Office over the return of the escort. The problem is that Harry may now be forced to pay all the legal fees.
“An honest opinion”
In February 2022, the Mail On Sunday published an article reporting on Harry's battle against the British Home Office to regain the security service, which had been withdrawn after the war Megxit. The very telling title of the article was: “How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal battle with the government over bodyguards secret…then, shortly after the story broke, his PR machine tried to put a positive spin on the dispute. “ .”
The prince accused the newspaper of defamation and pointed out that the content of the article was “inaccurate” and “misleading.” The Mail On Sunday had written that the Duke's suggestion of paying for the escort was just “a lie” to gain the sympathy of the British, who pay for the Windsors' security through taxes. There Associated Newspapers Limited He defended himself, claiming the tabloid was simply publishing “an honest opinion.”
Last December, the prince tried to dismiss the lawsuit before it went to trial. L'Supreme Court, London, but rejected the request on the grounds that the editor would have “a real prospect” of explaining his reasons in court, while Harry would not provide valid and sufficient evidence to support the charge of libel. For this, the Duke was ordered to pay compensation of £48,447 to Associated Newspapers. An initial setback for him, but the “game”, let’s call it that, remained open.
The charges were dropped
“Attention [del principe] “remains focused on protecting her family and not on the legal proceedings that continue to arise from the Mail’s false claims from several years ago,” a spokesperson told the Mail Sussex, quoted by the Guardian, explaining why the prince intends to withdraw the charges against the Mail. In truth, with these words we could argue that it was Harry begins the diatribe.
In any case prince He would have decided to focus solely on the legal process to try to restore supply. However, the statement would not have completely convinced the tabloids, almost certain that there could be another, much more important and profound motivation behind the speaker's statements.
Furthermore, the matter would not have been settled so easily and quickly: according to the Chron, the prince could be forced to pay the legal fees that Associated Newspapers have incurred so far, namely £250,000. Added to this is the legal fee, which would dramatically increase the amount to £750,000. Spokesman of Dukes believes it would be “premature” to speculate on the cost, but the risk of Harry having to shoulder such a costly compensation would not be so abstract.
Harry He would have left one of the battlefields in the great war he waged against the tabloids. Depending on your perspective, it could be a defeat or a strategic retreat. Be that as it may, the prince would not have finished the fight yet. However, it will be necessary to understand whether and how much this personal conflict will cost his image, his legacy and his future.