View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
December 8, 2020updated 30 Sep 2022 9:51am

Prince Harry launches libel action against Mail on Sunday publisher

By PA Media

The Duke of Sussex has launched a libel case against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday over a story claiming he had fallen out of touch with the Royal Marines.

Schillings, the legal firm representing the Sussexes, filed the action against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) at the High Court at the end of last month, PA understands.

It is understood the claim relates to a story published by the newspaper in October which is said to have alleged that Harry had not been in touch with the Marines since quitting as a working royal in March.

Papers setting out the case are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

The Duchess of Sussex has ongoing legal action against ANL over an article that reproduced parts of the handwritten letter sent to her father Thomas Markle in August 2018.

The duchess is seeking damages for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act.

In October, the full trial over the letter was postponed from January 2021 to next autumn for a confidential reason, after a private hearing.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

[Read more: Sun ‘sick’ of ‘woke’ claim Harry and Meghan coverage is racist]

Harry also has an ongoing legal action. He has brought cases against News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers over alleged historical phone hacking.

After stepping away from formal royal duties earlier this year for a new life in the US, Harry gave up his honorary military titles.

His ceremonial roles as Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington, and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Commands’ Small Ships and Diving, were all put on hold following “Megxit”.

The duke spent a decade in the forces and carried out two frontline tours to Afghanistan.

Earlier this month he spoke publicly of how he was “born into a life of duty” but that, during his time in the military, he “committed to a life of service”.

[Sign up for Press Gazette’s must-read newsletters: Media Monitor (strategic insight every Thursday), PG Daily and Marketing Matters]

Picture: PA Wire/PA Images/Simon Dawson

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network