Court Rules Publisher Has a “Real Prospect” of Proving Misleading Statements
A younger individual has filed a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd., claiming that an article published about him contained misleading statements. The article suggested that he had attempted to conceal his efforts to retain publicly funded protection after leaving his role as a working member of the royal family in the United Kingdom. On Friday, Justice Matthew Nicklin of London’s High Court ruled that the publisher had a “real prospect” of demonstrating that the statements issued on behalf of the 39-year-old were indeed misleading. Notably, the court found that the article was presented as an “honest opinion” and thus did not constitute libel.
Duke of Sussex Alleges Defamation
The Duke of Sussex, as the younger individual is known, has alleged that the article in question was “fundamentally inaccurate” and defamed him. Specifically, he took issue with the newspaper’s suggestion that he had lied in his initial public statement regarding his efforts to challenge the government’s decision to remove his security detail. In 2020, the prince and his family stepped back as senior royals and relocated to California. They cited issues such as alleged insensitivity from palace officials towards the mental health struggles of the prince’s wife, who is a former American actress, as well as racist attitudes from the U.K. press. As a result of their move, the Duke of Sussex lost his security detail.
Ongoing Lawsuit Against Government Decision
In addition to the lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd., the Duke of Sussex has a pending lawsuit against the government’s decision to provide him with protection on a case-by-case basis whenever he visits the U.K. He argues that the hostility he and his wife face on social media and from the media at large poses a threat to their safety. The Duke expressed his desire for his children to feel at home when they are overseas, which is not possible if there is no possibility of ensuring their safety on U.K. soil. He stated, “I can’t put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I’m reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
It is worth noting that the Duke of Sussex considers the U.K. to be his home and an integral part of his children’s heritage. He expressed his sadness at having to step back from his royal role and leave the country in 2020. The outcome of both lawsuits will have significant implications for the Duke and his family’s future.
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash and The Associated Press contributed to this report.