Prince Harry, Elton John Face $13 Million Initial Legal Bill After Losing UK Tabloid Case

Prince Harry, Elton John and five other high-profile figures face an initial legal bill of £9.5 million, or about $13 million, after losing a high-stakes case against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

A UK High Court judge ruled Friday that the group must make the initial payment to Associated Newspapers Limited by 4 p.m. on August 28. The amount is not expected to be the final total the claimants will have to pay.

The case centered on allegations that Associated Newspapers used unlawful methods to gather information for stories published between 1997 and 2015. The claimants alleged activities including the use of private investigators to intercept voicemails, tap phones and obtain private records through deception.

Judge Matthew Nicklin rejected those claims in July, ruling that the group had not proved the information used in the articles had been obtained unlawfully.

The other claimants include Elton John's husband, David Furnish, campaigner Doreen Lawrence, actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, and former politician Simon Hughes.

The publisher estimated its legal costs at £34.5 million, or roughly $47 million. The court described that figure as exceptionally high but declined to place a cap on the amount Associated Newspapers could ultimately seek.

The claimants' insurance policy has a £16 million cap. Iain Wilson, managing partner at Brett Wilson, told CNN that any award above that amount could have to be paid personally by the claimants.

Associated Newspapers welcomed the ruling, describing it as an “overwhelming victory for the Mail.”

Harry returned to the UK earlier this year to testify in the case. He became emotional while discussing the impact of coverage by British tabloids on his family.

After the July ruling, Harry called the decision a “whitewash,” while Associated Newspapers described it as a victory for the Daily Mail and its journalists.

The case was Harry's third major lawsuit against British tabloid publishers in recent years. He has previously won legal challenges involving News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers.

CNN Newsource contributed to this report.

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