London: In an unexpected resolution, Prince Harry has settled his yearslong legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World. The settlement came just before the trial was set to commence, marking a significant turn in the Duke of Sussex’s pursuit of justice over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
Apologies and Acknowledgment
Representing Prince Harry in London’s High Court, barrister David Sherborne announced that NGN had extended a “full and unequivocal apology” to the Duke. The apology addressed serious intrusions into Harry’s private life between 1996 and 2011, including phone hacking, surveillance, and the misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators employed by NGN.
NGN also acknowledged the impact on Prince Harry’s personal life, as well as the distress caused to his late mother, Princess Diana, during his childhood. They further admitted to causing damage to Harry’s relationships, friendships, and family dynamics.
“We apologize for the distress caused to the Duke of Sussex and acknowledge the damage inflicted,” Sherborne read in court.
NGN also agreed to pay substantial damages to Prince Harry, although the settlement terms included no admission of illegality.
The case also involved Tom Watson, a former Labour Party deputy leader and co-claimant. Watson accused NGN of phone hacking and unlawful information gathering during his time in government, particularly between 2009 and 2011. Watson, who had led investigations into media malpractice during the 2011 phone-hacking scandal, also received an apology from NGN for the unwarranted intrusion into his private life.
The Impact of the Settlement
This settlement comes amid a broader reckoning over unethical journalistic practices within Murdoch’s media empire. The high-profile phone-hacking scandal previously forced the closure of News of the World in 2011 and led to public apologies from Rupert Murdoch himself.
The decision to settle marks a significant conclusion to Prince Harry’s ongoing legal challenges against the British press, underscoring his commitment to holding media organizations accountable for invasive practices.
A History of Legal Battles
Prince Harry has long been vocal about the harm caused by media intrusion, particularly in his youth. This settlement adds to his efforts to protect his privacy and demand accountability from powerful media entities.
While the exact amount of damages remains undisclosed, the settlement reaffirms the importance of ethical journalism and respect for personal boundaries, especially for public figures.
