Prince Harry Reaches Settlement with Rupert Murdoch's Newspapers After Apology for Privacy Intrusions
Prince Receives Apology Over Unlawful Practices by News Group Newspapers, Ending Long-Running Legal Battle
LONDON — Prince Harry has reached a settlement with Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group, resolving his claims of unlawful activities at the publisher, which owns The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World. The Duke of Sussex received a "full and unequivocal apology" from News Group Newspapers (NGN) over serious privacy intrusions affecting both his life and that of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The settlement marks the end of Harry’s ongoing efforts to expose alleged misconduct at the publisher through a public trial. Harry and former lawmaker Tom Watson had filed lawsuits against NGN, accusing the company of illegal practices carried out by journalists and private investigators, including phone hacking and surveillance.
In its apology, NGN expressed regret for "serious intrusion" into Harry’s private life between 1996 and 2011, and acknowledged similar offenses targeting Princess Diana. NGN also apologized to Watson for the invasion of his privacy during his time in government, offering an apology and substantial damages.
David Sherborne, Harry's lawyer, read a statement outside the London court, condemning NGN’s history of legal battles and alleged cover-ups. “After endless resistance, denials, and legal battles, News UK is finally held to account for its illegal actions,” Sherborne said. He also noted that Harry and his family had endured aggressive coverage throughout the five-year legal process, which had raised concerns about their safety.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2019, had been scheduled to go to trial this week, with Harry set to testify. However, just days before the trial, both parties reached a last-minute agreement. A delay request was made by both sides, stalling the start of the trial, which angered Judge Timothy Fancourt.
Sherborne had previously alleged that NGN’s journalists had used underhanded tactics to obtain Harry’s personal information, including medical records, phone records, and flight data. He further claimed that surveillance equipment had been used on homes and vehicles, and that documents had been destroyed to conceal the misconduct.
In a statement, NGN confirmed its apology and also emphasized that “strong controls and processes” are now in place to prevent such activities. The publisher reiterated that the unlawful activities had been carried out by private investigators, not journalists, and denied allegations of phone hacking after 2007 due to security upgrades by telecom companies.
The settlement also includes legal costs being covered by NGN, with both Harry and Watson receiving compensation. However, the deal ends Harry’s mission to fully expose the practices of the Murdoch-owned newspapers in open court.
In a separate statement, NGN denied that Watson’s phone had been hacked, stating that they would have presented telecoms expert evidence to defend the claim if the case had gone to trial. Watson, who played a pivotal role in the early investigation into phone hacking, had been under surveillance by News of the World journalists during his time in office.
Harry’s lawsuit against NGN had been seen as part of a broader effort to hold British tabloids accountable for their methods, though it also highlighted the ongoing tensions between him and his family, particularly regarding their differing views on public legal action. Despite his father, King Charles III, reportedly opposing the lawsuit, Harry maintained that his goal was to uncover the truth, not to seek financial compensation.
NGN has already paid out millions to other victims of phone hacking and privacy violations linked to News of the World, but it has denied any wrongdoing at The Sun. The publisher’s legal battle has drawn attention to the use of illegal practices by some British newspapers, sparking debates about accountability and the rights of individuals in the public eye.
While the settlement brings closure to Harry’s legal battle, it also marks the end of his public crusade to expose the full extent of media malpractice in British tabloids. As part of the deal, both Harry and Watson have received public apologies, but the broader conversation about the responsibility of media companies continues.