Prince Harry Lawsuit: Tabloid Issues Apology For False Story

Britain's Prince Harry scored a win in his fight with the tabloids this week as Mail on Sunday issued an apology and a correction for a story published in October claiming the Duke of Sussex had abandoned his military connections.

According to USA Today, Harry filed the lawsuit against Mail on Sunday and its publisher, Associated Newspapers, in November for a false and defamatory story. Harry said the report falsely claimed he was no longer in contact with his military friends when he left London to live in California with wife Meghan Markle.

Harry was Captain-General of the Royal Marines before he and Meghan moved to the States. His position remains vacant.

Mail on Sunday reported Harry failed to reply to a letter from former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt. The paper alleged Harry snubbed his military friends.

Mail on Sunday issued a retraction and said the Queen's grandson had been in touch with friends "in a private capacity." The tabloid said Harry did reply to Lord Dannatt's letter after "becoming aware of it" after some administrative issues. 

The publication made a donation to the Invictus Games Foundation in lieu of damages.

Associated Newspapers continues to contest allegations of breaching the privacy of Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. She claims its newspapers published private letters to her estranged father, Thomas Markle, in an attempt to harm her. The trial will begin late 2021.

Markle requested a delay from January. However, a summary judgment hearing is expected Jan. 19.

Earlier in December Splash News and Picture Agency settled with the couple over a violation of son Archie's privacy. 

Harry and Meghan sued the company for invasion of privacy after photographers took pictures of the family during a private outing at a public park in Vancouver, Canada in January.

Splash News' U.K. affiliate has been in administration since July. The company agreed to refrain from taking unauthorized photos of Archie.