Prince Harry is at the center of a high-profile lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, alleging serious breaches of privacy, including phone hacking.
Alongside a group of notable figures, the Duke of Sussex seeks to hold the media company accountable for what they describe as illegal tactics to obtain personal information.
How Much Will Prince Harry’s Lawsuit Cost?
The stakes are high, both legally and financially, as the total cost of the lawsuit could reach a staggering $48 million, according to a report by Reuters.
The case, which is expected to go to trial in early 2026, involves seven claimants, including Harry, who allege that journalists and private investigators working for Associated Newspapers intercepted voicemail messages, tapped landlines, and unlawfully gathered private data.
Harry explained that the decision to pursue legal action came after learning that private investigators had been specifically hired to target him.
“My claim is that Associated’s journalists and/or private investigators engaged by it targeted me and those closest to me via unlawful methods,” Harry stated, citing techniques such as hacking voicemails, landline tapping, and obtaining private flight information.
The Financial Stakes
Court filings reveal that Associated Newspapers anticipates spending $25 million on their defense. Meanwhile, lawyers representing Harry and the other claimants estimate their costs to be around $23 million.
If Harry and his fellow claimants lose the case, they may be required to pay a significant portion of the legal costs. However, Harry would only be responsible for his share, which could total approximately $6.8 million.
To put this in perspective, that amount is less than half the cost of the Montecito mansion he shares with Meghan Markle, which they purchased for $14.7 million in 2020.
Allegations Against Private Investigators
Harry’s claim includes allegations against two private investigators. He identified Dan Hanks as someone who was regularly hired by journalists at The Mail on Sunday to obtain personal information.
Another investigator, Gavin Burrows, admitted to targeting Harry, his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and close friends like Guy Pelly and Natalie Pinkham.
Burrows allegedly used methods such as landline tapping, voicemail hacking, and even hardwiring phones. Harry said he was “astounded and very troubled” when he discovered the extent of the alleged surveillance.
Denial From Associated Newspapers
Associated Newspapers has categorically denied the allegations. In court filings, their lawyer described the claims as “firmly denied,” and the company called the accusations “preposterous and without foundation.”
The company also criticized the lawsuit, stating it was “an affront to the hard-working journalists whose reputations and integrity, as well as those of Associated itself, are wrongly traduced.”
High-Profile Co-Claimants
Prince Harry is not alone in this legal battle. Other claimants include Baroness Doreen Lawrence, whose advocacy for justice following her son’s murder exposed systemic racism in the Metropolitan Police; actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost; Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish; and former U.K. lawmaker Sir Simon Hughes.