Key Points:

• Prince Harry settles lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspapers, claiming a "monumental victory."
• The settlement includes a rare public apology from News Group Newspapers (NGN) for unlawful activities at The Sun.
• The apology acknowledges significant intrusions into Harry's and Princess Diana's private lives.

In a landmark development, Prince Harry has settled his long-running legal dispute with Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers (NGN), securing a transformative apology and substantial damages for the intrusion into his private life and that of his late mother, Princess Diana. The settlement comes at the conclusion of a five-year battle, with Harry emphasizing the importance of accountability in the media for its past unlawful practices.

On January 22, 2025, as the trial was set to begin, Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, announced that NGN had made a "full and unequivocal apology" for the severe invasion of Harry's privacy by The Sun and acknowledged similar misconduct involving private investigators working for the now-defunct News of the World from 1996 to 2011. This marks the first time NGN admitted to any wrongdoings at The Sun, a publication that has repeatedly denied allegations of any unlawful activities over the years.

The formal statement from NGN conveyed, "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." Sources indicate that the settlement is worth over £10 million, which includes legal fees.

Harry's legal actions have been informed by his personal history; the royal family’s battle with the press is a deeply-rooted issue shaped especially by the tragic death of his mother, who was famously pursued by paparazzi before her fatal car crash in 1997.

The apology also reflected on the intrusive practices faced by Diana during her life. Commenting on the result, Harry and his co-claimant, former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, expressed their satisfaction, asserting, "Today the lies are laid bare. Today, the cover-ups are exposed." They emphasized that this development is a step toward accountability in the media landscape.

Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, expressed pride in Harry's determination, stating that his sister would have been "rightly proud" of his commitment to seek justice and accountability against significant media forces.

This settlement comes as part of a broader backdrop of over 1,300 claims settled against NGN, which has spent upwards of £1 billion on related lawsuits. The implications of this public admission of fault will likely resonate through the media industry, prompting discussions about transparency and ethics in journalism.

In light of this development, Harry's allies are calling for further investigations into the practices of various media entities, hoping to shed light on the unlawful methodologies employed in the past.