Prince Harry is facing a potentially significant legal bill after losing his privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, with a London court set to hear arguments over costs later this month. The financial fallout has also fueled unverified claims from commentators that Sir Elton John could help cover Harry's legal expenses.
The High Court dismissed the lawsuit on July 7, when Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that the claimants had failed to prove their allegations that Associated Newspapers obtained information through unlawful methods. A further hearing scheduled for July 29 and 30 will determine disputed issues, including legal costs.
Harry, Elton John and several other claimants filed the lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited in 2022, alleging the publisher engaged in unlawful information gathering. Mr Justice Nicklin rejected those claims, finding the evidence did not establish that the disputed articles had been obtained illegally.
In his judgment, the judge also addressed allegations involving private investigators, stating there was no evidence connecting payments to investigators with the articles relied upon by Harry. He wrote that "temporal proximity alone is insufficient to establish the necessary connection."
Following the ruling, Associated Newspapers said it would seek to recover its legal costs. The publisher said it would "look to resolve outstanding issues, including the recovery of the costs we have incurred while defending ourselves against this egregious litigation."
Attention has since shifted to the potential size of those costs. On her Reading Royals YouTube show, commentator Schofield claimed insurance covered only £11 million while Associated Newspapers' legal costs had exceeded £25 million. Those figures were presented as commentary and have not been confirmed by the court.
Additional speculation came from commentator Paula Froelich during a YouTube broadcast. Froelich told viewers, "Harry doesn't have any money. Elton John has the money," adding that the singer was "on the hook" for Harry's legal expenses. Those claims have not been independently verified.
The original report noted that nothing in the High Court's ruling identifies who will ultimately be responsible for paying the legal costs. While commentators have speculated about Elton John's potential role, the issue has not been addressed by the court.
Associated Newspapers has also reportedly said the litigation cost the company more than £50 million, underscoring the scale of the case before the court has ruled on who should bear the final financial burden. The July 29 and 30 hearings are expected to determine the remaining issues, including any disputed costs orders arising from the unsuccessful lawsuit.
