Prince Harry settles lawsuit with Murdoch papers after apology

News Group Newspapers offered what it called a “full and unequivocal apology” to the prince serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales,”.

Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson brought legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN) over allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators between 1996 to 2011.

NGN, which also ran the now-defunct News Of The World, has denied any unlawful activity took place at The Sun.

An up to 10-week trial was set to begin at the High Court in London on Tuesday, but three requests for adjournments and a Court Of Appeal bid meant the case remained unopened.

On Wednesday morning, Harry's barrister David Sherborne said the parties had "reached an agreement" and that NGN had offered an apology to the 40-year-old and would pay "substantial damages".

Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, was also taking legal action against the publisher, but also settled his claim.

NGN apologised to Harry in a statement read out in court.

It said: "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.

"We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.

"It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN's response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable."

NGN also offered Lord Watson a "full and unequivocal apology" for the "unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in government" by the News Of The World during the 2009-2011 period.

"This includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News Of The World and those instructed by them," it added.

"NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson's family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages."

NGN said information received in 2011 that details were being "passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International" was "false".

"Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this," it added.

Outside the court, Prince Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, said it was a "monumental victory" and proves nobody "stands above the law" - and accused newspaper executives of running a "criminal enterprise".

He said: "At her trial, in 2014 Rebekah Brooks, said 'when I was editor of The Sun we ran a clean ship'.

"Now, 10 years later when she is CEO of the company, they now admit, when she was editor of The Sun, they ran a criminal enterprise.

"Far from being relics of a distant past, many of those behind these unlawful practices remain firmly entrenched in senior positions today, both within News UK and other media outlets across the world, wielding editorial power and perpetuating the toxic culture in which they continue to thrive."

He added: "After endless resistance, denials and legal battles by News Group Newspapers, including spending more than £1bn in payouts and in legal costs, as well as paying off those in the know in order to prevent the full picture from coming out, News UK is finally held to account for its illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law."

Experts called this a "huge victory" for Prince Harry.

Royal commentator Jennie Bond told Sky News: "When you read that apology, albeit without an admission of illegality, it is extraordinary.

"It allows him to move forward with his life now, which I think is where he's going. He's trying to not always look backwards."