Kaylah Walton
Rupert Murdoch’s Tabloid Apology to Prince Harry:
In a significant development, Prince Harry has received a noteworthy apology from Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids following a settlement regarding his lawsuit over privacy violations. This was announced by his attorney on Wednesday.
Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, disclosed in court that News Group has issued a “full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex” for years of unlawful intrusion into his life.
This surprising news emerged as the Duke prepared to start his case against the publishers of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World for decades of prying into his affairs.
Of the original claimants, Harry, 40, and one other individual remain, while over 1,300 others have already reached settlements over allegations related to phone hacking and other intrusive tactics.
Harry’s lawsuit is the furthest along compared to other legal challenges stemming from a widespread phone hacking incident that prompted Murdoch to cease operations of News of the World in 2011.
The closure followed a scandal in which it was revealed that reporters had hacked the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered 13-year-old, while she was missing.
As the trial was set to begin, Harry’s legal representative sought a brief break, which turned into an extended pause as discussions of a settlement took place.
This case is one of three lawsuits that Harry initiated against British tabloids, alleging breaches of privacy, including eavesdropping and unlawful hiring of private investigators.
His suit against the Daily Mirror concluded successfully, with a ruling confirming extensive phone hacking practices at that publication.
During that trial, he made history by becoming the first senior royal to testify in court in over a century, contradicting the monarchy’s preference to avoid public scrutiny of its issues.
From a young age, Harry has had a contentious relationship with the tabloids, which have reported extensively on his life, including personal struggles.
His grievances are compounded by the media’s role in the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car accident while being pursued by paparazzi. Additionally, he expresses anger over the treatment of his wife, Meghan Markle, which has contributed to their decision to relocate to the United States in 2020.
Harry shared insights into how this litigation has led to strife within his family, as noted in the documentary “Tabloids On Trial.”
He disclosed in court documents that his father was against his lawsuit, and stated that his brother, Prince William, had resolved a separate issue with News Group involving a settlement exceeding 1 million pounds ($1.23 million).
“I’m pursuing this for my reasons,” Harry mentioned in the documentary, while expressing a desire for family support.
Initially, he was one of many claimants, including actor Hugh Grant, who accused News Group of privacy violations from 1994 to 2016 through methods like voicemail interception and phone tapping.
Ultimately, Harry and former Labour MP Tom Watson remained as the only claimants heading to trial.
Denials from News Group
News Group has previously denied these allegations, offering sincere apologies to victims of voicemail hacking and settling numerous claims. However, The Sun has refrained from accepting liability.
This recent development may impact the outcome of Harry’s impending case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, scheduled for the next year.
