Blow to Prince Harry as he withdraws libel case against Mail on Sunday over security row – & now faces paying costs

PRINCE Harry has withdrawn his libel case against the Mail on Sunday over a security row.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, sued the newspaper’s publishers, Associated Newspapers Limited, over an article written about his fight with the Home Office for full royal security protection.

The duke’s lawyers claimed the story, published in 2022, “purported to reveal, in sensational terms” information from court documents “contradicted public statements he had previously made about his willingness to pay for police protection for himself and his family whilst in the UK”.

ANL contested the claim, arguing the article expressed an “honest opinion” and did not cause “serious harm” to his reputation.

In a ruling last month, the wayward Duke lost a bid to have ANL’s “honest opinion” thrown out by a judge.

He was ordered to pay £48,447 towards the publisher’s lawyers’ bills.

A spokeswoman for the publisher confirmed on Friday that Harry had withdrawn his case.

reported that he could face legal costs of up to £750,000.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the duke was focusing instead on the safety of his family and his legal case against the Home Office over security arrangements for himself, his wife and children when they are in the UK.

“As is the nature with legal proceedings, years have lapsed since this complaint was first filed,” the spokesperson said.

“In the time since, the main hearing relating to the duke’s Judicial Review has taken place and we are awaiting the final decision as to whether RAVEC acted lawfully with regard to his security.

“His focus remains there, and on the safety of his family, rather than these legal proceedings that give a continued platform to the Mail’s false claims all those years ago.”