LONDON — The legal battle involving Prince Harry against the publisher of The Sun faced a new development on Tuesday as the trial encountered delays due to unexpectedly intense settlement discussions. This case is part of a broader saga with roots extending over two decades, highlighting the contentious relationship between the British press and the royal family, especially during an era when print media wielded considerable influence and reached millions of readers.
The saga has been marked by significant controversy and scandal, leading to the downfall of a tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch and costing him substantial amounts—amounting to hundreds of millions—in settlements with various individuals subject to tabloid scrutiny. Harry has frequently placed blame on the British media, asserting that their relentless coverage has contributed to familial rifts, personal distress, and the tragic experiences faced by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as his wife, Meghan Markle.
Several crucial events stand out in this ongoing drama:
In November 2005, the News of the World, part of Murdoch’s empire, reported on a knee injury suffered by Prince William. This prompted a complaint from Buckingham Palace, leading to a police investigation that uncovered that the story stemmed from a hacked voicemail.
By January 2007, Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator associated with the News of the World, was sentenced to six months in prison for his role in the phone hacking scandal, alongside royal editor Clive Goodman, who received a four-month sentence. Goodman later acknowledged having unlawfully accessed William’s voicemail on multiple occasions—35 times—and that of Kate Middleton, William’s girlfriend at the time, over 150 times. Murdoch’s organization initially suggested these were the actions of a couple of rogue staff members acting independently.
A new investigation commenced in January 2011, reopening scrutiny into the tabloid’s phone-tapping activities following claims of “significant new information.” A few months later, in April 2011, the News of the World admitted liability for unlawful phone tapping and agreed to compensate actress Sienna Miller with £100,000 to resolve her legal claim. In the ensuing years, Murdoch’s companies have faced numerous claims from various high-profile figures while consistently denying any wrongdoing on behalf of The Sun.
Public outrage escalated dramatically in July 2011 when it was revealed that journalists from the News of the World had hacked into the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered schoolgirl, during the police’s search efforts. This bombshell prompted Murdoch to shut down the newspaper that had been in operation for 168 years.
By November 2012, a judge-backed inquiry into media ethics led by then-Prime Minister David Cameron denounced the excesses of certain media outlets, describing their behavior as “outrageous.” Judge Brian Leveson recommended the establishment of a robust regulatory body for the press, though only parts of his suggestions have been put into action.
Fast forward to October 2013, and the trials of former News of the World editors Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks began, alongside several other defendants facing accusations of phone tapping and inappropriate payments to officials. Following a lengthy trial, Coulson was convicted while Brooks was acquitted, later assuming a leadership role in Murdoch’s publishing business.
In December 2015, the head of England’s prosecution service announced the cessation of further criminal cases against Murdoch’s UK entities or their staff, despite ongoing settlement payments to resolve claims related to hacking. From 2019 onwards, Prince Harry initiated lawsuits against several newspaper groups, including Murdoch’s News Group, alleging that his personal stories were derived through illegal means.
In February 2021, Meghan, Harry’s wife, successfully won a privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers concerning the publication of a private letter she had sent in 2018 to her estranged father. June 2023 marked a milestone when Harry became the first British royal in a century to testify in court against the Mirror Group, and by December, he won a significant ruling where a judge determined that Mirror newspapers had engaged in systematic illegal phone tapping, which led to £140,000 in damages and the recovery of legal expenses.
January 2024 saw the Mirror Group settling Harry’s outstanding claims through undisclosed damages, with Harry expressing a sense of vindication and affirming his commitment to continuing his fight.
The trial concerning Harry and former Labour Party member Tom Watson against The Sun is set to commence on January 21, 2025, with Harry expected to take the stand in February. They are among the last of numerous claimants, as many have opted for settlements to avoid the risk of expensive legal battles. Meanwhile, Harry’s ongoing case against Associated Newspapers continues to unfold.
