Prince Harry has reached a settlement with Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN), resolving his claim of unlawful information gathering. The settlement, finalized on Wednesday, came just a day before the trial was set to begin.
The Duke of Sussex’s decision to settle surprised many and raised questions about the outcome, particularly the details of the apology and the financial damages involved. Royal expert Chris Ship revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that the settlement amounted to between £10 and £20 million. However, Ship emphasized that Harry’s focus wasn’t on monetary compensation but on securing an admission of wrongdoing from the publisher.
“This was not about the money for Harry. He wanted The Sun to admit unlawful activity,” Ship wrote. He further highlighted claims from Harry’s legal team that NGN deleted 30 million emails, some of which were reportedly erased after police investigations had commenced.
Harry’s claim was part of a joint case pursued alongside former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson, aiming to hold NGN accountable for alleged breaches of privacy. On Wednesday morning, Harry’s barrister confirmed that the two parties had “reached an agreement,” with NGN offering an “unequivocal apology” and agreeing to pay “substantial damages.”
While the exact figure remains undisclosed, Ship reported that the compensation could stretch into the eight-figure range.
This case marks a significant victory for Prince Harry, who has been vocal about the need for greater accountability within the media. His pursuit of justice in this case underscores his broader commitment to challenging invasive press practices and protecting privacy rights.
