In a surprising development, Prince Harry settled his lawsuit against The Sun before the trial officially began, marking a significant turn in his long-standing battle with U.K. tabloids. Harry had accused the publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), of using unlawful methods like phone hacking and private investigators to gather personal information about him and his family.
The settlement, reached on January 22 at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, followed days of negotiations, including a one-day delay to the trial’s start. NGN issued a full apology to Harry, acknowledging the serious invasion of his privacy and unethical practices. The statement expressed regret for the harm caused to Harry, his relationships, and the distress inflicted upon his late mother, Princess Diana, due to the intrusive media coverage.
As part of the settlement, NGN agreed to pay substantial damages to Harry. The media house stated that both parties had settled in their financial interests, but Harry’s victory was clear with the apology and compensation. This outcome follows similar settlements by other plaintiffs who had accused NGN of unlawful surveillance. Despite the settlement, Harry remains steadfast in his efforts to hold the press accountable for their unethical actions.