LONDON — In a significant turn of events, Prince Harry has declared a “monumental” victory following a groundbreaking apology from Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. tabloid newspapers for their long-standing intrusion into his personal life. This acknowledgment came as a settlement to a lawsuit he filed regarding privacy violations, with the tabloids agreeing to pay substantial damages.
News Group Newspapers, the organization behind the tabloids, conceded that its private investigators and reporters engaged in illegal activities specifically targeting Harry, including phone hacking, surveillance, and other forms of private information misuse. They issued a “full and unequivocal apology” for the invasions perpetrated by the now-defunct News of the World and The Sun, another popular publication in their portfolio.
During a statement presented at the High Court in London by Harry’s attorney David Sherborne, the apology extended to include recognition of the impact on Princess Diana, Harry’s mother, and his family’s struggles due to media interference. The settlement affirmed, “We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships, and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.”
Harry, 40, who is the son of King Charles III, had previously vowed to take his allegations to trial, aiming to shed light on The Sun’s transgressions and secure a judicial ruling that validated his claims. The legal proceedings were anticipated to begin shortly, but were postponed due to last-minute negotiations that led to this unexpected settlement.
Though the settlement means Harry may not approach the courtroom, his legal representative stated it serves as a means of accountability for himself and the many others who experienced similar breaches of privacy through methods such as hacked voicemails, tapped phones, and other invasive tactics. Previously, News Group had denied these allegations but ultimately admitted to the targeted actions against Harry.
“This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them,” said Sherborne following the announcement outside the court.
The tension between Harry and the press began in his formative years, as tabloids frequently reported on various aspects of his life, including personal injuries and relationships. However, the animosity runs deeper for Harry, who holds the media responsible for the tragic death of his mother, killed in a car crash in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris. His anger has also been fueled by the ongoing harassment of his wife, Meghan Markle, that prompted them to step away from royal duties in 2020.
Harry’s legal actions have created friction within the royal family, noted in the documentary “Tabloids On Trial.” He disclosed that his father opposed his lawsuit, and his brother William, the Prince of Wales, had settled a private grievance with News Group worth over one million pounds. “I’m doing this for my reasons,” Harry explained to the filmmakers, adding he wished his family had supported him.
The ongoing struggle highlights significant issues within the tabloid landscape. Watson, a former Labour MP who was also targeted by News Group during his inquiry into tabloid misconduct, acknowledged the toll the media’s intrusion has taken on him and his loved ones. He credited Harry for being a force against the tabloids.
The resolution signifies a potential end to more than a decade of litigation for News Group Newspapers, which has resolved over 1,300 claims, expending more than one billion pounds on legal fees and settlements. However, Harry’s attorney contended that the company still has much to explain regarding the circumstances behind the privacy violations, alleging attempts to cover up truths, including the deletion of millions of emails.
While News Group acknowledged wrongdoing from private investigators, they refuted claims against their journalists, asserting there was no voicemail interception on The Sun.
Prince Harry’s legal principle against News Group is one of three lawsuits he filed alleging intrusive practices by British tabloids. His previous case against the Daily Mirror concluded with a ruling that indicated widespread and habitual phone tapping within the publication. In a notable moment during that trial, Harry became the first senior royal to testify in court in over a century.
The favorable outcome in the News Group case raises critical questions about the future of his ongoing lawsuit against the Daily Mail, which is set to take place next year.
