The total legal costs are expected to be more than 38 million pounds (almost 45.5 million euros), according to a written statement from Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne, which was quoted by the British news agency PA.
The budget of the fifth in line to the British throne, the musician Elton John, the actresses Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley and other celebrities is around 18.4 million pounds. Sherborne said almost £3.9 million of this had already been paid. How much money Harry personally pays is unknown. According to the lawyer, the publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) is planning a total of 19.85 million pounds, of which 8.1 million has already been paid.
The plaintiffs, including Elton John’s husband David Furnish and civil rights activist Doreen Lawrence, accuse the publisher of using bugs to wiretap them for years. Harry surprisingly followed a hearing on the case that lasted several days in court at the end of March 2023. ANL strongly denies the allegations and argues that they are already time-barred.
Process possible in 2026
Judge Matthew Nicklin indicated a trial could take place in 2026. A start on January 14, 2026 is possible, said Nicklin. However, he emphasized that the appointment was a “goal”. “I don’t know what will happen at the various stages of the litigation,” he said. “This goal could ultimately be thwarted.”
The hearing, which is scheduled to continue this Wednesday, will focus on documents, costs and an attempt to dismiss part of the case without a trial.
Harry has also accused other British tabloid media of unlawfully obtaining information since he was a teenager, including hacking his phone. He has already been awarded damages in a lawsuit against the publisher of the “Mirror”.
