Prince Harry Withdraws Libel Claim Against Mail on Sunday, Focuses on Family’s Safety and Government Activism

Britain’s Prince Harry has withdrawn his libel claim against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday newspaper, stating that he wants to focus on his family’s safety. The libel claim related to a 2022 article about Harry’s security arrangements, which alleged that he only offered to pay for police protection after taking legal action against the British government. The article also accused Harry of misleading the public regarding his willingness to cover the costs, which were later withdrawn when he stepped back from royal duties in 2020. While the prince’s spokesperson did not comment on the legal costs of withdrawing the claim, it was reported that Harry may now be required to pay the Mail on Sunday’s costs of £250,000 ($316,900) in addition to his own fees of £500,000. The prince’s spokesperson explained that Harry wanted to prioritize the safety of his family and his ongoing case against the British government over the decision to remove his automatic police protection in the UK. Harry, along with his wife Meghan and their two children, currently resides in California after stepping down from royal duties. This libel claim is one of several legal actions Harry has taken against British tabloids, with another high-profile case involving allegations of phone-hacking by journalists. A judge ruled that this case can proceed to trial after the publisher’s attempt to dismiss it was unsuccessful. As a result, the focus of Harry’s legal actions is on this ongoing trial and his case against the British government, rather than continuing the libel case against the Mail on Sunday.