Prince Harry and Elton John Ordered to Pay $13 Million in Failed Privacy Lawsuit
Prince Harry, Elton John, and six other individuals have been ordered to pay an initial $13 million to the publisher of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper following a failed invasion of privacy lawsuit.
Raleigh Durham, NC, August 21, 2026 —
Prince Harry, alongside musician Sir Elton John and five other individuals, has been ordered to pay an initial sum of $13 million to the publisher of The Daily Mail newspaper. This payment follows the dismissal of their privacy invasion lawsuit.
The group had accused Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, and MailOnline, of unlawfully gathering information about them. Their legal action, which sought damages, was part of a broader trend of celebrities and public figures taking legal action against media organizations over allegations of phone hacking and other privacy breaches.
However, a High Court judge ruled that the claims brought by Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, and the other claimants lacked sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial. The judge stated that the claimants had failed to present a sufficiently strong case to justify the significant cost and time associated with a trial.
The $13 million figure represents an initial payment towards ANL’s legal costs. The total costs awarded may be subject to further assessment and potential adjustment. The specific breakdown of the payments among the seven individuals involved was not immediately provided.
Representatives for Prince Harry and the other claimants have not yet issued a public statement regarding the ruling or the order to pay legal costs. This case is one of several legal battles involving members of the British royal family and media outlets, focusing on issues of privacy and the conduct of tabloid journalism.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on abc7.com, see more information here.
