Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers , the publisher of The Sun. The settlement, announced in January 2025, marks the first time NGN has admitted to unlawful activities at The Sun, including phone hacking and other privacy breaches. The publisher issued a public apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life and agreed to a substantial damages payment, reportedly over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. This case is part of a series of legal actions Harry has pursued against British media outlets for similar unlawful activities. The settlement is seen as a victory for Harry, who plans to pressure politicians and police to revisit the scandal.
The phone-hacking scandal, which emerged in 2006, led to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. NGN has faced significant financial repercussions from prior lawsuits involving phone hacking and other illegal information-gathering activities. The company has settled claims from over 1,300 individuals, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion.
This settlement is significant as NGN admitted unlawful activity at The Sun for the first time and avoids a potentially damaging trial. Harry's legal team is seeking additional correspondence involving Murdoch's employees and the Royal Household, indicating a continued effort to uncover the extent of the unlawful activities.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of media ethics and the protection of individual privacy. Prince Harry's victory is seen as a step towards holding media organizations accountable for unlawful practices and safeguarding the rights of individuals against intrusive journalism.
