by Christos Zambounis
It was a bittersweet visit. The day after the Duke of Sussex arrived in England, on July 7 of this year, the High Court in London dismissed the lawsuit he had filed against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail, alleging phone hacking, the use of private investigators, and the unlawful gathering of personal information. In its 436-page ruling, Judge Matthew Nicklin found that there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations, stating that “suspicion, however understandable, is not enough.” Furthermore, during the proceedings it emerged that some of the information used in the newspaper’s reports had been obtained through lawful means. “How did the newspaper know that my then-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas, was on a private island?” the estranged prince asked, only to learn that the source was a press officer at… Buckingham Palace. Three days later, he crossed the threshold of the King’s private country residence, Highgrove House, to meet his father. Present were Queen Camilla, Meghan Markle, and, for the first time in four years, the King’s two grandchildren, seven-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet. King Charles III prohibited the publication of what he described as a “private family moment,” wishing to make it clear that this did not constitute a concession to the whims of his wayward son. Harry, for his part, pledged that he would not disclose what had been discussed. This marks a significant development in the relationship between the two sides, although it does little to dispel the mistrust that has lingered ever since Charles and Diana’s younger son abruptly left both his homeland and the Royal Family. His latest troubles, however, are financial. Within the next few days, the exact amount of the legal costs – estimated at £50 million – will be determined. Harry will be liable to pay them jointly with the seven other claimants, among them Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley.
