Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers , the publisher of The Sun. The settlement, announced in January 2025, marks the first time NGN has admitted to unlawful activities at The Sun, including phone hacking and other privacy breaches. The publisher issued a public apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life and agreed to a substantial damages payment, reportedly over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, 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. This settlement is seen as a significant victory for Harry, who plans to pressure politicians and police to revisit the scandal.
NGN has faced numerous lawsuits over the years related to phone hacking and other unlawful information-gathering activities. The company has settled claims from over 1,300 individuals, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The publisher aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
This case highlights the ongoing issues within the British tabloid press regarding privacy violations and the need for stricter regulations to protect individuals from unlawful information gathering. The settlement may also have broader implications for other high-profile figures who have been victims of similar practices.
Prince Harry's legal battle against NGN is part of a series of actions he has taken against British media outlets. He has previously pursued successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and has a pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail. These legal actions underscore the ongoing tensions between the British royal family and the press over issues of privacy and ethical journalism.
