Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 6

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This is the sixth thread discussing the case Prince Harry (and 6 others) brought against the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Limited; ANL) for alleged unlawful information gathering (UIG).
The claimants were: Prince Harry (PH); Doreen Lawrence (DL); Liz Hurley (EH/LH); Elton John (EJ); David Furnish (DF); Simon Hughes (SH); Sadie Frost (SF). They were represented by David Sherborne (DS).
The defendant (ANL) was represented by Anthony White (AW).

Judgement was handed down by Judge Nicklin on 7th July 2026.
All claims were dismissed.
Links to the summary and full judgement are below.
We are currently awaiting decisions around costs, following the Consequentials hearing on 29-30th July.

The threads to date were thorough discussions of the evidence (so far as we were able to obtain it), with posters giving links and explaining their views.
Following the judgement, we discussed the judgement itself, the reaction, statements made by different parties and ongoing relevant issues.

We have mostly kept things civil by avoiding more general discussion on Royal Family members, which can become partisan, and trying not to be derailed from the main topic of the thread.

We have occasionally included (when things slowed with the title case) other cases or discussions with a specific theme of free speech/press freedom, particularly when related to those with money or power preventing others from speaking.

Links to previous threads
Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5

There was limited direct reporting from court after the celebrities gave evidence; what there we followed on this link, which also includes reaction to the judgement
Sky news link to court case

Summary judgement

Full judgement

@AutumnCrowOfTheBailey I was thinking that! I’m out for the day!

I hope you're right - specially because if you are, I will be too!

check the news. FML. If he moves in next door to me I shall be cross.

They’ve lost everything. Everything, I tell you. And Charles is bailing them out.

I can’t believe M is agreeing to come back and put the kids in UK schools for their education!

I don’t know why I’m cross. Bloody hypocrites, the pair of them.

No choice maybe? 🤔

I wonder if the insurers are paying out (or too busy moving their shareholdings around).

I guess it’s a bad costs ruling for Harry, then?

Must be. Otherwise no chance they’d be coming back with their tails between their legs. The pair of them and their fans, must think we are stupid.

He’s no doubt got the judgement. After all his fuss about the press and security!! Pa is definitely bailing them out as USA work has dried up. America can educate dc too! Such shallow hypocritical people!

I still think it’s such a speedy u turn that Harry’s visa must be a factor. Although I do think they have realised that they can’t support themselves forever - too many legal costs! - and they need to build bridges somehow with William or they will be out in the cold forever once Charles isn’t around.

What a need they have made of everything, surely even Harry will let this be his last anti press court case?

The bridge with William is down, never to be raised again.

There are many new threads re the HAM's move back to the UK and I think it would be a shame if this excellent and informative thread went the same way - only my opinion, obviously. I can't wait for the legal stuff to come out and hope who pays what is transparent!

I feel very sorry for Catherine. She will be under immense strain at the moment anyway. I know she boarded at her own school but it’s different when it’s your own kids (speaking from experience). Having HaM around the corner wondering what stunt they’ll pull next will keep her in high alert and her cortisol levels will shoot through the roof. Not good for her own health.

Well, let’s see what happens today.

Noted! I take your point and understand but the two are entwined.

But back to the judgement.

If Harry announced this last night I think he knows the judgement is coming out publicly today. 🤞

Yes agree, Harold knows already and knows he’s going broke. Pa bailing them out.

Will nobody think of the Montecito chickens?!!

Anyway, yes I agree that the press release to that People rag / the Sun /the Sussex WhatsApp group / someone’s nan’s neighbour’s friend was timed to distract from a bombshell ANL costs ruling this morning.

The BBC are very much avoiding the costs hearing verdict! This is the interesting bit!

Astute!

I think Camilla’s emotional comments about KC and cancer yesterday morning, suggest that they knew and were trying to get a toehold press story out first.

I also think this suggests that they have come to a deal re the ANL settlement. My guess is that KC is paying the UK school fees.

Now that is interesting - then the move has absolutely nothing to do with the result, no, nothing At All.

I am also very busy at work today, so will really appreciate the conversation on here as much easier to click on and read here than on news pages.

Times radio have alluded to it a few times, I think they have seen an embargoed judgement and know what’s coming.