Prince Harry pulls libel claim against Mail publisher

STORY: Britain's Prince Harry on Friday withdrew his libel claim against the Associated Newspapers, with his spokesperson saying he wanted to focus on his family's safety.The youngest son of King Charles sued the Mail on Sunday newspaper publisher after a 2022 article stated he only offered to pay for police protection after bringing a separate legal fight against the British government.Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and their two children now live in California after they stepped down from royal duties in 2020 with his protection removed from that moment.The report accused the royal of attempting to mislead the public about his willingness to pay for the policing himself. London's High Court had ruled last July that the report was defamatory.But in December the Prince lost his appeal to have the paper's defense thrown out, meaning he would have likely had to give evidence at London's High Court later this year.The Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday's sister title, says Harry abandoned the case hours before a document deadline and is obliged to pay their costs of 250,000 pounds ($316,900.00) along with his own fees.His claim against the British government – over the decision to strip him of automatic police protection – was heard in December with a ruling expected in the next few months.The prince's spokesperson said the case against the government was Harry's focus and not the libel action which would (quote) "give a continued platform to the Mail’s false claims all those years ago."Both Harry's lawyer and a spokesperson for Associated declined to comment.