A fresh chapter in Prince Harry’s long-standing legal dispute against the British tabloids culminated with a statement few expected to hear: Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) has publicly apologized for its unlawful activities and agreed to a settlement that Prince Harry celebrates as a “monumental victory.” This settlement arrives after years of allegations that journalists at The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World engaged in phone hacking and other intrusive methods that targeted Harry and, heartbreakingly, his late mother, Princess Diana.
Legal analysts say NGN’s public admission carries enormous weight, not least because Harry had insisted on taking the matter to trial before London’s High Court. Observers had braced for a high-profile showdown that could have exposed further troubling details about tabloid activities. Instead, NGN’s capitulation suggests the publishing giant may have feared a courtroom reckoning, one that could have opened the door to potential criminal inquiries. The company’s apology, however, pointedly maintains a stance of “no admission of illegality,” despite conceding that its actions were “unlawful.”
Prince Harry’s lawyer, David Sherbourne, made it clear that the Duke of Sussex considers this outcome both vindication and evidence that the British tabloids are not above the law. Sherbourne read Harry’s statement outside the court, noting that the settlement represents the “complete accountability” Harry has pursued for years. NGN has agreed to pay “substantial damages,” a figure thought to cover Harry’s legal fees and the stress inflicted upon him and his family.
The apology itself addresses the “serious intrusion” Harry endured between 1996 and 2011, acknowledging not only the phone hacking but also the painful reality that Princess Diana was subjected to similar intrusions when Harry was just a child. The statement’s mention of Diana underscores the emotional dimension of this conflict, which Harry has repeatedly said was motivated by a desire to protect his mother’s legacy—and in some sense, defend himself from the tabloid mistreatment she endured.
News Group Newspapers also offered an apology to Lord Watson, the former deputy Labour Party leader, who had joined Harry in bringing claims of unlawful information gathering. While NGN has previously admitted to wrongdoing at the News of the World, it had resisted claims tied to The Sun. Many were surprised by the abrupt nature of this settlement, which was brokered on what turned out to be the very day court proceedings were expected to commence. Even the presiding judge seemed taken aback by the request for a final delay that paved the way for lawyers on both sides to sign the deal.
Prince Harry now turns his attention to another major privacy case involving the Daily Mail’s publisher. Joined by figures such as Sir Elton John and actress Elizabeth Hurley, he has alleged similarly invasive practices that the newspaper vehemently denies, branding them “preposterous smears.” That trial could unfold next year, meaning Harry’s legal battle with the press may not yet be over.
Supporters of the Duke argue that these developments mark a significant milestone in reining in an industry too often accused of overstepping moral and legal boundaries. Critics within the tabloid world have tried to paint Harry as overly litigious, but his resolve remains undiminished. This settlement may very well embolden others who believe the press has trespassed into private realms, hinting at a new era of accountability—one in which even the most powerful media empires must acknowledge their faults.
FAQs
- What was the main issue in Prince Harry’s lawsuit against NGN?
He accused the company’s newspapers of phone hacking and other unlawful methods to gather private information. - Why is Princess Diana mentioned in the NGN apology?
NGN admitted that similar intrusions targeted Diana, highlighting the emotional weight of these revelations for Harry. - Will Prince Harry’s legal battles end now that NGN has settled?
He still has a separate lawsuit against the Daily Mail’s publisher over alleged privacy violations, so more court action is likely. - Did NGN accept full legal responsibility?
They conceded to unlawful acts and apologized but claimed no formal admission of illegality, suggesting legal nuance in their statement. - What did Prince Harry hope to achieve through this lawsuit?
He sought accountability, damages, and a formal admission that unethical and illegal practices were used against him and his family.
