Prince Harry and several other high-profile figures have been ordered to pay an initial $13 million toward the legal costs of Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail, MailOnline, and The Mail on Sunday, after losing their high-profile privacy lawsuit against the media company.

The ruling comes as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children prepare to relocate from California back to the United Kingdom. Under Friday's court order, the group must pay £9.54 million (approximately $13 million) by August 28 as an initial contribution toward ANL's legal expenses. A final hearing will determine the total amount they ultimately owe, and the judge declined to place any cap on the overall costs.

Harry, musician Elton John, filmmaker David Furnish, actress Elizabeth Hurley, and several other claimants filed the lawsuit accusing ANL of unlawfully gathering private information through practices including phone hacking, voicemail interception, deception, and other alleged privacy violations.

After a lengthy legal battle, the court dismissed all claims against the publisher in July. ANL consistently denied the allegations, arguing its journalists relied on lawful reporting methods and legitimate sources, including palace aides.

Following the ruling, Prince Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence criticized the decision, describing it as a "whitewash" and expressing disappointment with the outcome.

In Friday's costs ruling, the judge emphasized that the claimants never voluntarily withdrew any of their allegations, despite the court rejecting their case.

"Serious allegations of criminality or grave impropriety cannot properly be left hanging over individuals in that way," the judge stated, noting that none of the accusations had been retracted during the proceedings.

Associated Newspapers said it spent approximately £35 million (about $48 million) defending the lawsuit. According to reports, the claimants' insurance policy covers up to £16.2 million of the publisher's legal costs, potentially leaving the group responsible for an additional £18 million if the court awards the full amount.

The judge also ruled that the legal costs should be paid on an indemnity basis, a standard that generally allows the successful party to recover a greater proportion of its legal expenses.

The claimants have until October 2 to decide whether to appeal the court's decision. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and his family are expected to return to the United Kingdom within the coming days, with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet reportedly scheduled to begin school in Britain in September.