As Prince Harry is ordered to pay millions of pounds in legal bills over his failed invasion of privacy case, there are reports his wife Meghan may be returning to ‌acting.

The Hollywood Reporter said the duchess, who starred ⁠in the US TV ​drama Suits, was in advanced talks to appear in a third season of the Netflix series The Gentlemen created by Guy Ritchie.

However another Hollywood ‌publication, Deadline, ‌said ⁠the discussions were “hypothetical” given the show has ​not yet been renewed for a third season.

It comes as Prince Harry, Elton John and other high-profile claimants are ordered to cover the legal costs of the Daily Mail‘s publisher after a ‌judge ruled their failed privacy lawsuits were conducted in an unreasonable way.

Elton John is among several high-profile claimants who may have to cover a publisher’s legal costs. Photo: AP

The publisher has said it incurred more than 34 million pounds ($65 million) during the case. Should it pursue the claimants for the remainder of the costs, and get the necessary legal approval to do so, then Harry and the six others will be liable for a further 25 million pounds ($47 million).

Last month, judge Matthew Nicklin comprehensively rejected the case brought by King Charles’ younger son, John and five other figures, rejecting allegations that the Mail titles had engaged ‌in widespread ‌unlawful activities such ⁠as phone hacking.

The judgment delivered a damaging blow to Harry ​and the others by ruling that the outstanding amount should be paid on an “indemnity basis”.

This means that as the losing party the prince and the others must pay towards Associated’s costs without the publisher needing to show these were reasonable and proportionate.

Explaining his decision, Nicklin was highly critical of ⁠the way the claimants’ case had been put, including ‌that ​serious allegations had rested on “speculative and inferential” foundations.

A court artist’s sketch of the Duke of Sussex being questioned during his trial brought against Associated Newspapers Limited. Photo: PA Wire

The reports follow the ​surprise news that Harry, who stepped down from official duties in 2020, will return with Meghan ​and their ​two children to ​live in Britain from their current ‌home in California.

-with AAP