Prince Harry has achieved a significant legal victory after settling his case with News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of Sun and now-defunct News of World, over allegations of unlawful information gathering. Duke of Sussex, who had been embroiled in a years-long legal battle with the media giant, received a public apology and a “substantial damages” settlement on Wednesday, just before trial was set to begin.
Duke and his legal team had accused NGN journalists and private investigators of targeting Harry and his family between 1996 and 2011, through unlawful activities such as phone hacking and surveillance. Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, read a statement in the London High Court where NGN issued a full apology for serious intrusion into Harry’s private life, acknowledging the use of illegal practices by private investigators working for Sun and News of World.
NGN also expressed regret over the negative impact of the intrusions on Harry’s relationships, including harm to the late Princess Diana, Harry’s mother. Apology acknowledged distress caused to Duke and damage inflicted on his personal life.
The settlement, reported to be in the eight-figure range, comes after a long period of legal resistance and legal battles surrounding the infamous phone-hacking scandal. As part of the resolution, NGN admitted to illegal practices in its publications, marking a major turning point in the ongoing legal saga. A source close to Harry’s legal team confirmed that the settlement amount, which includes both damages and legal fees, is substantial.
In response to the apology and settlement, Prince Harry’s legal team called for further action. “Time for accountability has arrived,” Sherborne declared outside court, urging police and Parliament to investigate unlawful activities admitted by NGN. He also emphasized the need for further scrutiny regarding allegations of perjury and cover-ups that have surrounded the scandal.
The case, which had been delayed for days ahead of its trial, had been expected to take several months. Harry, along with his co-claimant, former British MP Tom Watson, is calling for a full investigation into events that have shaped an ongoing legal saga. Watson, who was also targeted by unlawful activities while investigating Murdoch newspapers, has demanded Murdoch personally apologize to the royal family for the impact her actions had on him.
“This is not an isolated incident,” Watson stated, describing unlawful practices as “industrial in scale.” He praised Harry’s bravery in helping expose the media empire’s actions and pledged to provide police with additional evidence for further investigation.
British press accountability organization Hacked Off echoed Watson’s sentiments, calling the settlement a “humiliating climb-down” for NGN. The group, which has long pushed for greater accountability in media, also called for a new government investigation into the matter. “It has taken a prince to get see things aired,” said Emma Jones of Hacked Off. “Public and Parliament were lied to, and it’s time the truth comes out.”
“Despite the settlement, the Metropolitan Police have yet to launch an active investigation into the claims, stating that they are awaiting further correspondence from the involved parties.”
Prince Harry’s legal battle with the press has been widely reported, with the Duke vocal about his disdain for the media, particularly regarding its role in his mom’s tragic death. This latest victory marks another chapter in his fight for accountability and media reform.
