Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, News Group Newspapers . The publisher has admitted to unlawful actions at its tabloid, The Sun, and agreed to a substantial damages payment. Harry had accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. The settlement is reported to be over £10 million, mainly covering legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life, acknowledging the actions of private investigators, not journalists.
This settlement marks the first time NGN has admitted to unlawful activity at The Sun, avoiding a potentially damaging trial. The publisher has faced significant financial repercussions from prior lawsuits involving phone hacking and other illegal information-gathering activities. While NGN admitted wrongdoing at The Sun, it maintained that there was no senior-level cover-up. No comment was provided by Buckingham Palace or Prince William’s office.
Prince Harry's legal team is seeking additional correspondence involving Murdoch's employees and the Royal Household. This lawsuit is one of three major lawsuits Harry has pursued against British media, including successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
The phone-hacking scandal emerged in 2006, leading to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. NGN has settled claims from over 1,300 people, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
This legal victory is seen as a significant moment in Prince Harry's ongoing efforts to hold the media accountable for unlawful practices. It also highlights the broader issue of privacy invasion by the press and the need for stricter regulations to protect individuals' personal information.
