Prince Harry has been handed a hefty bill of nearly £50,000 ($60,000) by a High Court Judge, adding to his woes as the year comes to a close.

The Duke of Sussex lost the later stage of a legal battle and has now been ordered to pay the legal costs incurred by the Mail on Sunday (TMOS).

In an attempt to have the case decided without a trial, Harry failed and now faces the financial consequences.

Mr Justice Nicklin stated that if the two parties cannot agree on a sum, the legal costs will be assessed.

However, he has instructed Harry to make a payment of £48,447 before the end of this year.

The written order from the Judge outlines his ruling on the Summary Judgment Application, detailing his decision regarding costs and providing a timetable for further hearings.

According to the order, a trial is scheduled to take place between May 17th and July 31st, 2024, with an estimated duration of three days.

Prince Harry’s lawsuit against TMOS stems from an article that alleged his PR aides attempted to manipulate public opinion during his dispute with the Home Office over the downgrading of his taxpayer-funded police protection.

Harry sought a ruling from the High Court that the newspaper could not use the legal defense of honest opinion and requested a judge to rule in his favor without a public trial.

However, the Judge ruled in favor of Associated Newspapers, the publisher of TMOS and the Daily Mail, stating that they had a real chance of proving that statements made on behalf of Harry were misleading.

Mr Justice Nicklin also rejected Harry’s requests, asserting that an honest person could have held the opinion that the Duke was responsible for attempting to mislead the public.

At this point, settlement appears to be Harry’s best option to salvage his reputation in this lawsuit.

However, he has repeatedly stated his unwillingness to settle.

The decision ultimately rests on both parties involved.

If a settlement is reached, it is likely to be a meager sum, considering the defendant’s advantageous position.

Nevertheless, Harry and his wife seem to relish the opportunity to engage in legal battles.

Only time will tell how this situation unfolds, but it is expected that Harry will face further losses and financial obligations.

Royal expert Kinsey Schofield has offered a cautionary message to Harry, advising him to carefully consider which battles are worth fighting.

She highlights that this has been an arduous year for Harry and Meghan, and receiving a £50,000 bill from the court during the Christmas season only adds to their troubles.

Schofield suggests that they reassess their strategies going forward, as not every battle is worth pursuing.

She also points out the stark contrast between Harry’s legal battles and the charitable efforts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are organizing donation boxes for the truly underprivileged.

Schofield expresses her concern over Harry’s lack of self-awareness and apparent resentment, which seems to have intensified rather than diminished since becoming a father.

She criticizes the couple’s initial claims of building a billion-dollar global brand, only to witness their reputation tarnished by alleged deceit, staged paparazzi photos, and ongoing lawsuits.

As Harry continues to grapple with these challenges, one can only hope that he reevaluates his approach to life and finds a more constructive path forward.