Prince Harry Engages in Settlement Talks with Rupert Murdoch’s Newspaper Group in Privacy Case
The trial, set to expose alleged unlawful activities at The Sun and News of the World, faces delays amid last-minute negotiations.
Prince Harry’s highly anticipated legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) was unexpectedly delayed at London’s High Court on Tuesday as both sides entered last-minute settlement discussions.
Harry, along with former lawmaker Tom Watson, has accused journalists and private investigators working for The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World of engaging in unlawful information-gathering, including phone hacking, between 1996 and 2011.
Courtroom Chaos and Delays
The trial was set to begin on Tuesday and last eight weeks, but Harry and Watson’s lawyer, David Sherborne, asked the presiding judge, Timothy Fancourt, for additional time.
"I’m sure your lordship can understand why that might be needed," Sherborne said, declining to provide further details.
After an initial one-hour delay, Sherborne requested further time to continue negotiations. NGN’s lawyer, Anthony Hudson, supported the request, citing “time difference difficulties,” a likely reference to Harry, who resides in California.
However, Judge Fancourt denied further adjournments, instructing that the trial would proceed while settlement discussions could continue behind the scenes.
When Hudson requested a private hearing on the matter, Fancourt rejected the idea, stating, “I’m not going to start having secret hearings about what’s going on.”
Prince Harry’s Fight for Accountability
Prince Harry has previously stated that his case is not about financial compensation but rather seeking justice for himself and others impacted by unlawful press tactics.
"One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I’m the last person that can actually achieve that," Harry said last month.
His lawsuit follows NGN’s previous settlements—the company has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to over 1,300 claimants, including celebrities, politicians, and sports figures, affected by phone hacking and illegal surveillance.
Court documents have also revealed that Harry’s older brother, Prince William, secretly settled his own lawsuit against NGN in 2020 for a “very large sum of money.”
A Legacy of Media Scandal
Murdoch’s News of the World was shut down in 2011 following the notorious phone-hacking scandal. However, NGN continues to deny allegations that similar unlawful activities took place at The Sun, vowing to “fully defend” itself against the claims.
Harry’s legal team, however, argues that top newspaper executives and editors were complicit in covering up the misconduct, misleading the police and public inquiry into media ethics, and deleting millions of emails to obstruct investigations.
NGN has strongly denied these accusations, stating: “This allegation is wrong, unsustainable, and is strongly denied. NGN will be calling a number of witnesses including technologists, lawyers, and senior staff to defeat the claim.”
What’s Next?
The trial’s opening arguments will focus on broader claims—such as the extent of unlawful practices across Murdoch’s newspapers—before shifting to Harry’s specific allegations.
Harry is expected to testify in February, marking another historic moment in his ongoing battle against the British press.