Prince Harry. Credit: Instagram @sussexroyal
Prince Harry has settled his long-standing legal claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, marking the end of a bitter battle over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The settlement, announced today January 22 at London’s High Court, comes after NGN issued an apology and agreed to pay “substantial damages” to The Duke of Sussex.
According to Sky News, the agreement was reached on the same day the trial was set to begin, avoiding what would have been a 10-week examination of alleged illegal procedures within Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
Intrusions of Prince Harry
Prince Harry accused NGN of unlawfully gathering private information through phone hacking and surveillance from 1996 to 2011. He also alleged that the publisher engaged in a corporate cover-up to conceal these activities. NGN admitted to “serious intrusion” into Harry’s private life during this period and apologised for the distress caused, particularly regarding his late mother, Princess Diana.
Barrister David Sherborne, representing Harry, described the settlement as a “monumental victory,” adding that NGN has been “finally held to account for its illegal actions and blatant disregard for the law.”
News Group Newspapers (NGN)
The financial impact on NGN has been significant. Settlements and legal fees have reportedly cost the publisher over £1 billion (€1.18 billion) across multiple cases, with more than £10 million (€11.85 million) attributed to payouts for Prince Harry and other claimants, according to live reports by Sky News today.
A statement from NGN claimed the settlement “draws a line under the past” while denying allegations of hacking after 2007, citing enhanced telecoms security as a safeguard.
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, who also settled with NGN, called for Rupert Murdoch (owner of NGN) to issue a personal apology.
The Royals vs British tabloids
Prince Harry’s legal actions stem from a deep mistrust of the British tabloid press, which he blames for contributing to the death of his mother Diana, and the breakdown of relationships within the royal family. In recent years, Harry has pursued other lawsuits against major publishers, including Mirror Group Newspapers, which he settled a claim last year.
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