Prince Harry, Elton John, 5 others ordered to pay Daily Mail $13 million over failed privacy invasion case

Prince Harry and six others were reportedly ordered on Friday to pay an initial 9.5 million pounds, which amounts to $13 million, to the publisher of Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper.This order for Prince Harry and others ordered to pay Daily Mail $13 million, came following their failed invasion of privacy case. (File Photo/AP)Justice Matthew Nicklin, in a judgment on Friday, said that the payment will be made by August 28, according to AP. This order came following their failed invasion of privacy case.Also Read | Elizabeth Hurley describes 'monstrous' privacy invasion by Daily Mail in British media hacking caseWhat the judge saidNicklin was critical of the way the claimants' case had been put."In my judgment, the cumulative effect of these matters takes the case well outside the norm. The conduct was unreasonable to a high degree," Reuters quoted Nicklin as saying.What happened in court?The claimants lost a High Court case in London after alleging malpractice, including illegal phone hacking, by Associated Newspapers, which owns Daily Mail. The publisher stated it accumulated cost of over £34 million during the case. The remainder of the costs will have to be reimbursed by a later date by the claimants, who are insured for around half that total, said the court, according to AP.The publisher strongly denied the allegations during the 11-week trial, which ended on July 7. Nicklin said there was insufficient evidence to support the claims and found that the reporting may have come from legitimate sources.The remainder of the costs will have to be reimbursed later by the claimants, who are insured for around half that total, the AP report said.Also Read | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle planning to relocate to UK with family: ReportHigh-profile names in the caseThe high-profile figures in the case are:Prince Harry, King Charles' younger sonPolitician Simon HughesElton John's film producer husband David FurnishDoreen Lawrence, anti‑racism activistActors Sadie Frost and Liz HurleyHarry and a history with tabloidsThe AP report stated that Harry blames the press for the death of Princess Diana, his mother. She died in a car crash as she was being pursued by paparazzi in Paris.Notably, he won a judgment in 2023 that condemned the publishers of the Daily Mirror for “widespread and habitual” phone hacking.Harry, Meghan moving back to UKAccording to the report, this ruling of the court comes just two days after the reports surfaced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving back to the UK.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, his wife, are no longer working royals.(with inputs from agencies)