Prince Harry Wins Historic Privacy Settlement from Murdoch's Tabloid
In a landmark ruling, Prince Harry has secured an unprecedented apology and substantial damages from Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids, following a lawsuit over numerous privacy invasions spanning almost two decades. The settlement, announced on Wednesday, represents a significant acknowledgment of wrongdoing by News Group Newspapers, which operates The Sun.
The company issued a "full and unequivocal apology" for serious intrusions into Harry's private life from 1996 to 2011, admitting to practices including phone hacking and surveillance. Harry’s lawyers highlighted that this apology extended to acknowledging the distress caused to his family, including the late Princess Diana, due to similar intrusive behaviours.
In a joint statement, Harry's lawyer stated that the case not only vindicates him but also brings accountability for countless others who faced similar media intrusions. The settlement follows years of denial from News Group regarding allegations of misconduct by its journalists and private investigators.
The settlement talks were finalized just before the case was set to go to trial, making this instance rare as it is the first acknowledgment of misconduct by The Sun, although the publisher continues to deny reports that evidence was destroyed.
Prince Harry's case is part of larger litigation involving over 1,300 claimants who alleged phone tapping and illegal information gathering by tabloids. He is one of the last claimants to reach a settlement, solidifying a trend of payouts that have exceeded 1 billion pounds since the News of the World's closure in 2011.
As the saga unfolds, further implications loom, particularly concerning his ongoing legal battle with the publisher of the Daily Mail, scheduled for next year.
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