Prince Harry has achieved what he calls a “monumental victory” in his legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN). The publisher, responsible for British tabloids The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, has agreed to pay substantial damages and issued an official apology to the Duke of Sussex. This settlement follows Harry’s allegations of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and surveillance, between 1996 and 2011.
Years of Intrusion and Apologies
During a statement at London’s High Court, Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, confirmed NGN admitted to serious intrusions into the prince’s private life. The settlement included acknowledgment of harm caused to Harry, his family, and even his late mother, Princess Diana. NGN also apologized for its use of private investigators and acknowledged the distress caused by its actions.
Sherborne described the result as a significant triumph, not just for Harry but for countless others who were coerced into settling similar claims in the past. He emphasized the role of this case in exposing the scale of illegal practices within Murdoch’s UK media empire.
A Call for Accountability
Prince Harry and his co-claimant, former politician Tom Watson, have called for a renewed investigation into NGN’s actions. Speaking outside the court, Sherborne urged police and Parliament to examine not only the unlawful practices admitted by NGN but also the alleged cover-ups and false testimonies presented during previous inquiries.
Watson highlighted the “industrial scale” of these practices and expressed gratitude for Harry’s determination to seek accountability. He called on Rupert Murdoch to personally apologize to those affected, including King Charles III.
Financial and Legal Impact
The settlement reportedly involved an eight-figure sum, covering damages and legal costs. This adds to the estimated $1.24 billion the phone hacking scandal has cost NGN to date. Before Harry’s case, NGN settled over 1,300 claims related to unlawful information gathering.
Despite NGN’s public apology, it denied allegations of destroying evidence and maintained that The Sun did not engage in voicemail interception. However, critics, including press accountability group Hacked Off, have described NGN’s admissions as a “humiliating climb down.”
Broader Legal Challenges
This victory is part of Harry’s ongoing fight against media intrusion. In 2023, he won $179,000 in damages after successfully proving extensive phone hacking by Mirror Group Newspapers. Another case, targeting Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), accuses the publisher of the Daily Mail of criminal activities, including planting listening devices and recording private calls. That case, involving multiple high-profile claimants, could go to trial in 2026.
A Milestone in Harry’s Advocacy for Media Accountability
Prince Harry’s legal battles reflect his long-standing mission to hold the media accountable for unethical practices. In his memoir and public statements, Harry has been vocal about his distrust of the press, linking their actions to the tragic death of his mother. With this recent settlement, the duke has demonstrated his commitment to fostering a more responsible media environment and ensuring that no one is above the law.
