Prince Harry apologized for passing confidential material to a politician in a highly sensitive case about his police protection being removed, a judge has highlighted.
The Duke of Sussex twice sued the British government in an effort to get back his Metropolitan Police bodyguards but lost both times.
Judge Peter Lane ruled he would have to pay 90 percent of Home Office costs and rejected his application to appeal. Harry's team have indicated he will now go to the Court of Appeal.
During his judgement, however, Lane referenced complaints that Harry had sent material to Member of Parliament (MP) Johnny Mercer, the government's minister for veterans affairs.
While Mercer is technically a member of the same government Harry is suing, he is also a former serviceman and outspoken advocate for veterans.
Mercer sat next to Prince Harry at the duke's Invictus Games for forces veterans in September, two months before the breach. He is also spearheading the government's attempt to host the 2027 games, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Lane's judgement read: "In November 2023, the claimant [Prince Harry] breached the terms of the confidentiality ring order by emailing certain information to a partner of Schillings, who was not within the confidentiality ring, and to the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP.
"Fortunately, the breach was almost immediately detected by Ms Fatima KC [Harry's barrister], who acted promptly to inform Ms Afia of Schillings [Harry's solicitor]. She in turn informed the defendant (via the Government Legal Department) as well as taking action to minimise the effects of the breach.
"The defendant nevertheless says that these breaches (for which the claimant has apologised) caused the defendant to incur unnecessary costs, as can be seen from the correspondence which ensued."
The saga does not appear to have swayed the court's decision on what percentage of the government's costs Harry would have to pay, though he also did not get the reduction he asked for.
The prince's lawyers argued he should only have to pay 40-50 percent but will have to pay 90 percent instead, leaving him with a substantial tab if he does not succeed with his appeal.
A recent Freedom of Information Act request put Home Office costs at £514,000, 90 percent of which would be £462,600 [around $575,000].
Harry will have his own costs to pay on top of that, which U.K. lawyer Mark Stephens, of law firm Howard Kennedy, previously told Newsweek could be even higher. That leaves a potential final price tag stretching toward approximately £1 million, unless Harry is successful with his appeal.
Quoted in The Times, a legal spokesman at law firm Schillings, which represents Harry, said: "The Duke of Sussex will be seeking permission from the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of Mr Justice Lane."
The Home Office said in a statement: "While we are pleased with the decision of the Court to refuse permission to appeal, it would be inappropriate to comment further on ongoing legal proceedings."
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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