Prince Harry Secures Apology and Damages from Publisher of The Sun
Image credit: File:Prince Harry arrives at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London 20 January 2020 (49413820711).jpg: DFID - UK Department for International Developmentderivative work: Minerva97, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Prince Harry has settled his legal battle with News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, over claims of unlawful intrusion into his private life. NGN offered the Duke of Sussex an unequivocal apology and agreed to pay substantial damages for the use of private investigators and other unlawful methods to gather personal information.
The settlement, announced in court on Wednesday, comes after Prince Harry accused NGN of using illegal tactics to gather information about him between 1996 and 2011. The Duke had alleged that over 200 articles were based on unlawfully gathered information, causing distress not only to him but also to his late mother, Princess Diana. Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, described the settlement as a "monumental victory" and a step toward holding media organizations accountable for their actions.
Harry had long expressed a desire for the case to go to trial, emphasizing that his legal battle was not about financial compensation but about accountability.
NGN issues apology to Prince Harry and Lord Tom Watson
NGN’s statement included an apology for the "serious intrusion" into Harry’s private life and acknowledged the distress caused by its coverage of Princess Diana. The publisher also admitted to hiring private investigators and engaging in other unlawful activities during the period in question. However, NGN has previously denied broader claims of a corporate cover-up and maintained its stance of no wrongdoing at The Sun.
Lord Tom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader and another claimant in the case, also received an apology and damages for surveillance and intrusion during his time in government. Watson called on Rupert Murdoch, NGN's owner, to issue a personal apology to both Prince Harry and King Charles.
This case follows similar legal battles pursued by Harry. Last year, he settled with Mirror Group Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, securing damages exceeding £300,000. Despite these victories, Harry has consistently highlighted the need for broader reform in how tabloids operate.
Outside the court, Sherborne emphasized that this settlement vindicates other victims of unlawful press practices. He called for further investigations into the admitted activities and the alleged perjury and cover-ups within media organizations.
Experts have called the apology and settlement "extraordinary" and noted its significance for Harry. Royal commentator Jennie Bond said the apology for Diana’s coverage was particularly meaningful, as Harry has often spoken about the impact of the media on his family.
Harry was not present in court for the settlement, remaining at his California home with Meghan and their children. While NGN avoided a lengthy trial, the settlement marks a significant moment in the Duke’s campaign against media intrusion. It also underscores his determination to address the long-standing issues between the Royal Family and the tabloid press.
