Prince Harry has secured a significant victory against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, following a settlement that prevented a high-stakes trial. The agreement included crucial admissions from NGN, marking a milestone in the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing battle with the media over privacy violations.
Together with Lord Tom Watson, Prince Harry was ready to go head-to-head with NGN in an eight-week trial, pushing the publisher further than any previous claimants. Their unwavering determination to hold the media group accountable ultimately led to a settlement that Prince Harry hailed as a "monumental victory."
This outcome was not without risk. Had the trial proceeded and Prince Harry been awarded less than NGN's settlement offer, he could have faced substantial legal costs, as UK laws often require claimants to cover both sides' fees in such situations.
Prince Harry’s legal team highlighted that his persistence, even in the final days leading up to the trial, resulted in critical admissions from NGN. These acknowledgments revealed the use of unlawful methods by private investigators working for The Sun between 1996 and 2011.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry emphasized the significance of the apology provided by NGN, stating that "The apology provides all the insight you need" and underscoring the importance of this acknowledgment in the case.
Among the key claims, Prince Harry secured an apology for the invasion of his privacy and that of his late mother, Princess Diana. He has long maintained that Princess Diana was among the initial victims of unethical practices by the tabloid press.
The case also sheds light on Prince Harry’s frustration with media coverage of his family, which he cited as a primary motivation behind his legal actions. He criticized what he described as "aggressive and vengeful coverage" of his immediate family, particularly following his and his wife Meghan Markle's decision to step down as working royals in 2020.
This settlement, reached after years of legal battles, not only validates Prince Harry’s assertions but also underscores his commitment to holding the media accountable for their past transgressions.
