Prince Harry’s Legal Showdown: Seeking Nearly £2 Million in Fees from MGN

Prince Harry is back in the headlines as he battles Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in court, asking a judge to order the tabloid publisher to cover nearly £2 million in legal fees.

This latest move comes on the heels of a December ruling where Harry was awarded £40,000 after the court found that 15 out of 33 scrutinized articles had been obtained through phone hacking or other illegal means.

Despite this victory, the amount awarded was just a fraction of what he initially sought.

The Duke of Sussex is no stranger to the courtroom.

In fact, he made history in 2023 by becoming the first senior royal to testify in court in over a century.

His appearance was motivated by a desire to protect his wife, Meghan Markle, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the royal family and the British tabloid press.

Harry's legal troubles don't stop with MGN; he has multiple cases against various tabloid publishers, reflecting his ongoing fight against what he perceives as invasions of privacy.

Following last month's ruling, Harry took to social media, calling himself a “Dragonslayer” and vowing to continue his pursuit of justice against the tabloids.

However, not all of his legal battles are faring well.

Recently, he dropped a libel case against the Daily Mail after receiving an unfavorable ruling before the trial even began.

This setback raises questions about the strength of his other claims.

The recent hearing revolved around legal fees related to a trial that involved Harry and three other claimants, including cast members from the popular soap opera Coronation Street.

While the judge acknowledged that the privacy of all four claimants had been violated, he dismissed cases brought by actor Nicky Sanderson and Fiona White, stating they were filed too late.

Meanwhile, actor Michael Turner walked away with £31,000 in damages.

Harry's barrister, David Sherborne, argued passionately that Harry's case was overwhelmingly successful and that he deserved reimbursement for his legal costs.

Sherborne even suggested that Harry would be willing to return to the witness stand if necessary.

On the other side, MGN's lawyer, Roger Malauulu, contended that the company should only be responsible for the legal fees associated with the claims it lost.

Justice Timothy Fancourt, presiding over the case, indicated that he would deliver his ruling at a later date.

Harry has alleged that his privacy was invaded in over 148 articles, and Sherborne has requested that a trial be scheduled to address the remaining claims concerning 115 articles.

Interestingly, MGN has hinted at having made a settlement offer to Harry, although the specifics remain undisclosed.

As the legal drama unfolds, royal fans have taken to social media to express their opinions, often criticizing Harry for what they perceive as jealousy towards his brother, Prince William.

Notably, William was awarded a million pounds in damages for being hacked significantly more than Harry, a gesture he reportedly donated to Harry's charity.

This has led some to accuse Harry of seeking double the amount simply out of spite.

Comments from fans have been harsh, with one remarking on Harry's perceived obsession with money and another suggesting that his legal team is pushing for fees because of Harry's financial struggles.

The sentiment among some royal watchers is that Harry's legal pursuits are not just about privacy but also about maintaining his lifestyle, which they argue is becoming increasingly untenable.