In a landmark legal development, Prince Harry has secured a significant 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. This admission comes after years of legal battles initiated by Prince Harry and other public figures who alleged that their private information was illegally obtained by journalists and private investigators working for NGN between 1996 and 2011.
The settlement is reported to be over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees. NGN issued a public apology for the serious intrusion into Prince Harry's private life, acknowledging the actions of private investigators employed by the newspaper. However, the apology stopped short of admitting that journalists at The Sun were involved in these unlawful activities. This development is seen as a significant step in holding media organizations accountable for unethical practices and may pave the way for further scrutiny of the press's conduct in the UK.
Prince Harry's legal team hailed the settlement as a monumental victory, emphasizing the importance of protecting individual privacy against unlawful media intrusion. The case has also brought renewed attention to the broader issue of press ethics and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar violations in the future. The settlement is expected to have far-reaching implications for the media industry, prompting discussions about the balance between press freedom and individual rights.
The phone-hacking scandal, which first emerged in 2006, led to the closure of the News of the World in 2011 and prompted a public inquiry into the culture, practices, and ethics of the British press. Despite the closure of the newspaper, legal actions have continued, with NGN settling claims from over 1,300 individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and sports figures. The total payouts have exceeded £1 billion, highlighting the scale of the issue and the financial repercussions for the media company.
While this settlement marks a significant milestone, Prince Harry's legal battles are ongoing. He has also pursued lawsuits against other media organizations, including Mirror Group Newspapers and the publisher of the Daily Mail. These cases underscore the ongoing challenges in addressing media malpractice and the importance of legal avenues in seeking justice for those affected by unlawful press activities.
