Prince Harry has secured a full apology and substantial damages from the publisher of The Sun after settling his claim over allegations of unlawful information-gathering.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, alleged that journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) – which also published the now-defunct News of the World – had unlawfully targeted him.
On Wednesday, his barrister confirmed that the parties had “reached an agreement”, with NGN offering an “unequivocal apology” and agreeing to pay “substantial damages”, reportedly an “eight-figure” sum.
Delivering a scathing rebuke on the steps of the High Court, Harry’s barrister, David Sherborne, described the settlement as a “monumental victory”.
He declared: “The lies are laid bare, the cover-ups are exposed, and today proves that no one is above the law.”
Mr Sherborne excoriated NGN for its “illegal actions and blatant disregard for the law”, claiming that the publisher had resisted accountability for years.
A trial of up to 10 weeks was set to begin on Tuesday, but three requests for adjournments and a Court of Appeal bid meant that the case remained unopened.
This morning, Mr Sherborne said: “I am pleased to announce to the court that the parties have reached an agreement. As a result of the parties reaching an agreement I would ask formally that the trial is vacated.
“NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.
“NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone-hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.
“NGN further apologises 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.”
He continued: “It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions was regrettable.”
Tom Watson, former deputy leader of the Labour Party, was also engaged in legal action against the publisher, but he too has settled his claim.
After two earlier requests for adjournments on Tuesday, thought to be related to settlement discussions, Mr Justice Fancourt refused a third request to delay as he said both sides had had “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.
Following a short break, lawyers for both sides asked for the green light to challenge the judge’s decision not to provide a further delay at the Court of Appeal.
While Mr Justice Fancourt denied the request, the lawyers sought permission to go to the Court of Appeal itself, meaning Tuesday’s hearing was adjourned in any event.
Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year.
Harry had been expected to return to the UK in February to give evidence over several days in support of his claim that journalists and private investigators working for The Sun had targeted him.
He and Lord Watson were the final remaining claimants in the case against NGN, which denied the allegations, after a number of high-profile figures – including actor Hugh Grant – had already settled similar claims.
In April last year, the High Court heard that Grant had settled his case against NGN because of the risk of a £10m legal bill if his case went to trial.
Mr Sherborne said at that hearing that “the Duke of Sussex is subject to the same issues that Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant have been subject to, which is that the offers are made that make it impossible for them to go ahead”.
