High Court judge orders Prince Harry to pay UK newspaper legal fees in libel case

He also said a full hearing in the case would be heard between May and July next year, lasting three or four days.

His lawyers argue that the article, which claimed to reveal contradictions about Harry’s willingness to pay for security himself, was “an attack on his honesty and integrity”.

The publisher disagrees, and has submitted that the article was an “honest opinion”, and did not cause him serious reputational damage.

Prince Harry, Elton John can take case against Daily Mail publisher to trial

Judge Nicklin refused to “strike out” Associated Newspapers’ defence on Friday.

The case against the publisher is one of several involving Harry and British newspaper groups, for issues including breach of privacy and illegal information-gathering.

In his case against the UK government, Harry said the changes to his security detail made it unsafe for him, his American wife Meghan and their two young children to visit the UK.

The Home Office disputes that he has been treated less favourably and said “bespoke” arrangements were in place for whenever he visits from the United States.

A decision was made not to provide him with the same level of protection because he had quit royal duties in early 2020 and moved to the United States, its lawyers have said.