Prince Harry, Elton John lose case against UK tabloid

Prince Harry and Sir Elton John have lost their legal battle against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, concerning allegations of unlawful information gathering. The High Court in London delivered a ruling on Tuesday, dismissing the claims after an 11-week trial earlier this year. The written judgment stated that the "claimants failed to prove their pleaded allegations… the claims are therefore dismissed."

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The claimants failed to prove their pleaded allegations… the claims are therefore dismissed.

Associated Newspapers welcomed the decision, with Judge Matthew Nicklin presiding over the case. The publisher declared it an "overwhelming victory" and a "magnificent vindication of the Daily Mail’s journalism." They highlighted that the court's dismissal of "every single one of the 97 allegations made by the claimants" demonstrated the judge's acceptance of their journalists' evidence regarding story sourcing. Associated Newspapers characterized the accusations, which included claims of placing bugs in cars, listening to calls, and illicitly accessing bank accounts, as "lurid" and "preposterous," asserting that no "credible evidence" was ever presented.

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overwhelming victory

This ruling marks the third and final case brought by the Duke of Sussex against British tabloids, further intensifying his strained relationship with the royal family. Prince Harry had provided emotional testimony during the proceedings, joining other high-profile figures like Sir Elton John and actress Elizabeth Hurley in accusing the publisher of privacy invasion. Harry's legal team had sought "substantial" damages for articles published between 1993 and 2018. The prince, who now resides in California, was in Britain for a five-day visit, reportedly without his wife Meghan and children, after the family was denied police protection.

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magnificent vindication of the Daily Mail’s journalism