Prince Harry Receives 8-Figure Sum in Damages After Settling Legal Battle Against Rupert Murdoch
Prince Harry has received an eight-figure sum in damages after settling his legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN). The settlement, reached on January 22nd, follows years of legal proceedings and accusations of illegal information gathering by journalists and private investigators.
In a statement released following the settlement, NGN offered “a full and unequivocal apology” to Harry and confirmed they had agreed to pay him “substantial damages.”
Speaking outside the High Court in London, Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, called for a police investigation into the newspaper and highlighted the significant impact this case has had on Harry and his family.
“In a monumental victory today, News UK has admitted that The Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices,” Sherborne stated. “This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling, without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them.”
Sherborne further emphasized that NGN unlawfully engaged more than 100 private investigators over at least 16 years on more than 35,000 occasions. “This happened as much at The Sun as it did at the News of the World, with the knowledge of all the editors and executives, going to the very top of the company,” he added.
Sherborne acknowledged Prince Harry’s resilience in pursuing this case, stating, “Today’s result has been achieved only through the sheer resilience of Prince Harry and Lord Watson, whose willingness to take NGN to trial has led directly to this historic admission of unlawfulness at The Sun.”
He also highlighted the significant impact on Harry and his family: “As a direct result of him taking a stand, Prince Harry and his immediate family have also had to repeatedly withstand aggressive and vengeful coverage since starting his claim over five years ago. This has created serious concerns for the security of him and his family.”
Sherborne concluded by calling for accountability: “The rule of law must now run its full course. Prince Harry and Tom Watson join others in calling for the police and Parliament to investigate not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted, but the perjury and cover-ups along the way.”
Lord Watson, co-claimant with Harry, praised the Prince’s courage and determination. He also called upon Rupert Murdoch to issue a personal apology to Prince Harry, his father, the King, and the countless others who have suffered due to his media empire’s unlawful behavior.
The settlement follows years of legal battles and accusations against NGN, including phone hacking and other forms of unlawful surveillance. Harry had accused the publisher of illegal information gathering between 1996 and 2011.
In their statement, NGN acknowledged and apologized for the distress caused to the Duke of Sussex and the damage inflicted on his relationships, friendships, and family.
