Prince Harry Withdraws Defamation Lawsuit Against UK Publisher, According to Report

Prince Harry has retracted his libel lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail on Sunday, regarding a disputed article about his security funding.

Previously, the newspaper had reported that Harry offered to finance his police protection only after instigating a separate legal dispute with the UK government.

The article also implied that Harry, who is the second son of King Charles, misled the public about his intentions to pay for security services, which were revoked when he withdrew from royal duties in 2020.

After failing to have the newspaper's defense dismissed in court last December, Harry faced the prospect of testifying at the High Court later in the year.

The Duke of Sussex decided to drop the case shortly before a deadline to submit relevant legal documents. As a result, he must cover the newspaper's legal costs, estimated at £250,000, along with his own, purported to be £500,000.

No comments were made by Harry's lawyer or Associated's spokesperson. The High Court had previously found the article potentially libellous, allowing the case to proceed. However, Harry's request for a summary judgment was denied.

This is among multiple legal actions Harry is pursuing against UK tabloids. He, along with celebrities like Elton John, is also suing Associated for alleged illegal practices such as phone hacking. A judge has allowed this case to proceed after the publisher's attempt to have it dismissed was rejected.