Media Admits Fault, Apologizes To Prince Harry For Violating Princess Diana’s Privacy

Prince Harry’s phone-hacking lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), has been settled, with the Duke of Sussex set to receive "substantial damages" for what has been described as a “serious intrusion.” Alongside the settlement, The Sun issued a "complete and unequivocal apology" to Prince Harry, admitting to using private investigators and phone hacking in their reporting. The publisher also apologized for its “severe intrusion” into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana.

According to the BBC, this marks the first time The Sun has publicly admitted to engaging in illegal activities.

In 2019, Prince Harry, along with former Labour MP Tom Watson, sued NGN—which publishes The Sun and previously News of the World—for alleged phone hacking, use of private investigators, and other illegal information-gathering practices. While the court proceedings were scheduled to begin in London on Wednesday morning (AEDT), last-minute negotiations led to a settlement.

The apology from NGN specifically referenced "illegal activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun" between 1996 and 2011. It also addressed “phone hacking, surveillance, and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.”

In its statement, NGN expressed regret for the distress caused:
“NGN further apologizes to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life, as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, particularly during his younger years. 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.”

A History of Legal Battles

Prince Harry’s recent time in UK courts has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he testified as part of a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail, alongside other celebrity claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley.

What Were the Allegations Against NGN?

Harry’s lawsuit initially included allegations of phone hacking and unlawful information-gathering (UIG) against NGN, the publisher of The Sun. However, NGN argued that the case was brought too late due to a six-year statute of limitations. In July 2023, the court ruled that Harry could not proceed with the phone hacking claims but allowed him to pursue allegations of UIG, including the use of private investigators for unlawful information-gathering practices.

The trial would have been significant for NGN, as it would have required the company to defend itself against allegations of widespread corporate wrongdoing, challenging its previous defense that phone hacking was the result of a few "rogue reporters."

The allegations date back to 1996 and concern over 200 articles published between then and 2011. The trial was expected to focus on 30 key articles to analyze how the information was obtained.

Prince Harry has been clear about his motivation for pursuing these cases, stating at a New York Times event in December, “The goal is accountability. It’s really that simple.”

Why Couldn’t Harry Proceed With Phone Hacking Allegations?

NGN argued that Harry could not proceed with the phone hacking claims due to the six-year statute of limitations. Harry’s legal team countered by alleging the existence of a "secret agreement" between the royal family and NGN, which delayed legal proceedings in exchange for an apology. However, NGN denied the existence of such an agreement.

The court sided with NGN, ruling that Harry could not prove he "did not know and could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered information" that would substantiate his claims. Judge Justice Fancourt stated that Harry "could easily have found out by making basic inquiries that he was likely to have a similar claim in relation to articles published by The Sun."

Following the ruling, NGN called the decision a “significant victory,” stating it "substantially reduces the scope of [Prince Harry’s] legal claim." The remaining claims will be subject to further hearings.

What’s Next for Prince Harry?

Prince Harry is set to receive a substantial settlement from the case, reportedly around £10 million (approximately AMD 500 million). While the settlement concludes this chapter, Harry’s ongoing fight for media accountability is unlikely to end here, as he continues to advocate for transparency and reform within the UK press.