Prince Harry and a group of other high-profile figures who lost their High Court privacy case against the Daily Mail's publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), face a potential legal bill running into millions of pounds. The claimants, who also included Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Elizabeth Hurley, had sued ANL over allegations of unlawful information gathering, but all their claims were dismissed by Mr Justice Nicklin earlier this month after an 11-week trial. A two-day hearing has now begun to determine who bears the legal costs.

Lawyers for the claimants said ANL's costs, almost £34.5m as of 9 July, were "eye watering" and that the publisher had overspent its approved budget by more than £18.6m. The group holds insurance cover of £16.2m, which they say would be insufficient to meet their full exposure. ANL is seeking indemnity costs, arguing the claimants acted unreasonably despite court warnings, while the claimants maintain they acted "honestly and in good faith" under the weight of intrusive media scrutiny. The hearing continues.