(Left) Prince Harry at King Charles' Coronation on May 6, 2023; (Right) Princess Diana at the reception and preview of her dress auction at Christie’s in London on June 2, 1997.Photo:Andy Stenning WPA Pool/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Andy Stenning WPA Pool/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
News Group Newspapers' apology toPrince Harryfor decades of “serious intrusion” into his “private life” as part of a settlement ending Harry’s legal battle againstThe Sunpublisher also expressed regret for crossing the line in its coverage of his late mother,Princess Diana.
Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in June 2023.Carl Court/Getty
Carl Court/Getty
“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, in particular during his younger years,” the statement said. “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.”
Prince Harry had accused the publisher of illegal information gathering between 1996 and 2011, years during whichThe SunandNews of the Worldallegedly targeted him. That period overlapped with Princess Diana’s untimely death at age 36 in August 1997 following a car accident in Paris in which photographers pursued her vehicle.
The Duke of Sussex recently spoke about hiscomplicated relationship with the pressfollowing his mother’s death when he was 12 during an appearance atThe New York Times' Dealbook Summit in December 2024.
(Left) Prince Harry at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024; (Right) Princess Diana in Argentina on Nov. 24, 1995.Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
“I was always convinced I needed to be angry or frustrated towards the press because of what they did to my mom,” Prince Harry said then, likening later therapy to a “blessing” and somewhat like “cleaning the windshield.”
In the same conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Harry underscored his commitment to seeing the proceedings through.
“They have settled because they’ve had to settle,” the Duke of Sussex said in reference to other claimants, includingHugh Grant, who previously settled their litigation against NGN out of concern for thevast costs at stake.
“One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability because I’m the last person that can actually achieve that,” Harry emphasized,Reutersreported.
Prince Harry at The New York Times Dealbook Summit on Dec. 4, 2024.Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Harry was due to give evidence later in the trial, which was taking place alongside former Labour Member of Parliament Tom Watson.
Outside the court, Sherbourne read a statement on behalf of Harry and Watson describing NGN’s admission of engagement in illegal practices as a “monumental victory,” and the former MP praised the Duke of Sussex for his leadership in the case.
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“His bravery and astonishing courage has brought accountability to a part of the media world that thought it was untouchable. I am sure I speak on behalf of the thousands of victims when I say we are grateful to him for his unwavering support and his determination under extraordinary pressure,” Watson said about Prince Harry.
He further urged Murdoch to “follow this corporate admission of guilt with a personal apology to Prince Harry, to his father our King and to the countless others who’ve suffered the same unlawful behavior at the hands of his media empire.”
source: people.com
