After years of legal wrangling, Prince Harry has reached a significant milestone in his fight for justice against intrusive media practices.
Today, he secured a “substantial” payout and a public apology from News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun.
The admission marks the end of a lengthy and emotional legal battle that also involved his late mother, Princess Diana.
NGN Admits to Unlawful Intrusion
The settlement comes after NGN acknowledged using private investigators to unlawfully gather information about Prince Harry between 1996 and 2011.
In court, the publisher issued an “unreserved apology” for its actions, which caused immense distress to Harry and his family.
The company also admitted to using similar tactics against Princess Diana during her lifetime.
A statement read in court outlined the impact of these actions on Harry, acknowledging the serious intrusion into his private life, particularly during his formative years.
NGN also extended its regrets for the damage caused to his relationships and agreed to pay him significant damages.
A Historic Admission of Guilt
Speaking outside the High Court, Prince Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, described the settlement as a “historic admission of guilt.”
He praised Harry’s resilience, stating, “Today, the lies are laid bare.
The cover-ups are exposed. And today proves that no one stands above the law.”
Sherborne emphasized the broader significance of the case, calling it a turning point for accountability in the media industry.
He noted that such an outcome was achieved only through Prince Harry’s determination to pursue justice, despite his initial reluctance to settle.
The Cost of Justice
While the exact amount of the payout has not been disclosed, it is understood to exceed £10 million.
However, a substantial portion of this sum will go toward covering Harry’s legal fees, highlighting the financial toll of his six-year legal battle.
Interestingly, Harry had previously vowed not to settle, insisting that he wanted to face the publisher in court.
But as the trial loomed, an agreement was reached just hours before proceedings were set to begin.
NGN’s Apologies and Settlements
In its statement, NGN apologized not only for the intrusions related to The Sun but also for phone hacking by its now-defunct newspaper, News of the World.
However, the company stopped short of admitting any wrongdoing by its executives.
The settlement also included an apology to Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, for similar intrusions during his time in government.
NGN acknowledged its mistakes, including placing Watson under surveillance, and agreed to pay him substantial damages as well.
The Judge’s Remarks
Following the settlement, Mr. Justice Fancourt addressed the courtroom, which was filled with press and public attendees.
He expressed regret that the trial had been delayed and acknowledged the significant resources spent on its preparation.
However, he noted that reaching a settlement was the parties’ prerogative and emphasized that some details of the agreement would remain confidential.
Justice Fancourt added that it was unlikely other claimants would pursue similar cases, given the scale of this settlement and the admissions made by NGN.
A Chapter Closes, Questions Remain
As Prince Harry closes this chapter of his fight against media intrusion, questions linger about the broader implications for press accountability.
Will this landmark case set a precedent for others? For now, Harry has achieved a victory that goes beyond financial compensation—it’s a statement that privacy matters, and no one is above the law.
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