Prince Harry has won his libel case against the British tabloid, Mail on Sunday, and its publisher, Associated Newspapers. Harry has accepted their apology along with a substantial payment for damages but he's still irritated about how things played out in court.
According to reports, the Duke of Sussex felt that the story, "Top General accuses Harry of Turning his Back on the Marines," which came out on Mail on Sunday's online site in October 2020, was an attack on his character. His lawyer, Jenny Afia, cited that the article was "baseless, false and defamatory" as it also questioned what Harry has done for his country as a former serviceman.
The article alleged that Harry snubbed the Royal Marines after he failed to reply to the letter of former Chief of the General Staff, Lord Dannatt. The story also claimed Harry hasn't been calling nor emailing the Royal Marines since he stepped down as a senior royal in March 2020 and moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex's lawyer argued that the royal, who formerly held the honorary rank of Captain General of the Royal Marines, made efforts to express his support for the group despite losing his ceremonial role. Afia said that Harry "has maintained active links" with his fellow marines but the tabloid story brought about "considerable damage" to the Duke of Sussex.
On Dec. 27, Mail on Sunday printed the retraction and apology to the Duke of Sussex but his lawyer said that the tabloid seemed to have "underplayed" the claims and accusations made against the royal. The tabloid also expressed that their payment for damages will go directly to Invictus Games Foundation, the Duke of Sussex's initiative for wounded and disabled military servicemen, but Harry wanted to personally hand over the donation as a way for him to feel a whole lot better after going through this legal battle. The amount the tabloid paid was not disclosed.
Harry's lawyers read two different statements in court but the first one was called out by the judge as it included criticisms or collateral attacks against the tabloid's publisher. It's no secret that Harry hasn't had a great relationship with Associated Newspapers.
The publisher and Mail on Sunday is also embroiled in a data privacy breach case with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex. That matter is still awaiting a summary judgment at London's High Court. If there will be no summary judgment, the Duchess of Sussex and the tabloid will proceed with the trial this fall.
