Prince Harry has been ordered to pay almost £50,000 (MXN 1,223,000) to the Mail on Sunday after an appeal over a dispute with the Home Office over his work as a bodyguard was rejected.

The Duke of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers, the newspaper’s publisher.

The publication said the article expressed an “honest opinion” that did not cause “serious harm” to Harry’s reputation.

Last Thursday, a High Court judge decided the “fair opinion” defense could not be rejected, gave the green light to the trial and ordered Harry to pay legal costs, which must pay the publishing company £48,447 by December 29.

The article was published in 2022 and claims Harry was in conflict with the Home Office, which decided to withdraw his official escort after he was no longer an official part of the royal family.

The headline read: “How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal dispute with the government a secret from his bodyguards, and within minutes of the meeting, his PR machine tried to capitalize on the dispute.”

Harry considered it libelous and contrary to his “honesty and integrity”, according to his lawyers, who claim the newspaper was “lying” and trying to “cynically” deceive public opinion.

If no agreement is reached between the parties, the libel trial will take place in May-July next year. (Europe Press).