Judge orders Prince Harry and Elton John to pay up to £34.5 million in Daily Mail legal costs after hacking case thrown out

On 21 August 2026, Judge Mr. Justice Nicklin made an exceptional order allowing Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers to recover up to its full £34.5 million ($45.8 million) in legal fees, citing how the case was brought and criticising the claimants' legal team for "unsupportable" allegations. An interim £9.54 million payment is due by 28 August. The seven claimants have until 2 October to appeal.