Prince Harry has declared a “monumental victory” after reaching a settlement with News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, had sued NGN, claiming journalists and private investigators targeted him and his family between 1996 and 2011. On Wednesday, just as the trial was set to begin, the media giant offered an official apology and agreed to pay substantial damages.
In a statement read at London’s High Court, Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, revealed that NGN extended a “full and unequivocal apology” for the serious intrusion into the Duke’s private life, including unlawful activities by private investigators working for The Sun. The publisher also acknowledged the impact of these actions on the late Princess Diana, apologizing for the distress caused to the royal and his family.
Reports suggest the settlement, which also includes former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, amounts to an eight-figure sum covering damages and legal costs. This comes after NGN settled 1,300 similar claims out of court.
Sherborne emphasized that the case marks a historic acknowledgment of wrongdoing, calling it a “vindication for hundreds of other claimants who were forced into settlements without uncovering the full truth.”
Despite the legal resolution, Prince Harry is urging authorities to investigate the unlawful practices and alleged cover-ups by Murdoch’s media empire, calling for police and parliamentary action.
The case is part of Harry’s ongoing fight against UK tabloids, having previously won damages against Mirror Group Newspapers in 2023. His battle against The Daily Mail publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), is expected to go to trial in 2026.
