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Britain's Prince Harry, along with singer Elton John and several other high-profile individuals, face substantial legal costs after their privacy lawsuits against the Daily Mail's publisher were dismissed. A judge ruled that the claimants conducted their case in an "unreasonable" manner, ordering them to make an interim payment of £9.54 million towards Associated Newspapers' legal expenses.

Judge Matthew Nicklin's judgment on costs, published recently, was highly critical of the claimants' legal strategy. He noted that serious allegations were based on "speculative and inferential" foundations and were not withdrawn even when no longer being pursued. Nicklin stated that the "cumulative effect of these matters takes the case well outside the norm" and that the conduct was "unreasonable to a high degree."

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In my judgment, the cumulative effect of these matters takes the case well outside the norm. The conduct was unreasonable to a high degree.

In a further blow, the costs are to be paid on an "indemnity basis," meaning Associated Newspapers does not need to prove the expenses were reasonable and proportionate. The full extent of the payments is yet to be determined, with Associated's costs to be assessed in separate proceedings if the parties cannot agree.

This ruling comes shortly after news emerged that Prince Harry, his wife Meghan, and their two children are reportedly planning to move back to Britain from California. The judgment represents a significant defeat for Harry in his ongoing battles with the media, following previous legal victories against other publishers. A spokesperson for Associated Newspapers hailed the ruling as "another overwhelming victory for the Mail and its journalism."

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another overwhelming victory for the Mail and its journalism