The Duke of Sussex has settled his legal action against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information-gathering shortly before the start of a weeks-long trial.
Prince Harry, 40, brought legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), which also published the now-defunct News Of The World, over allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators between 1996 to 2011.
A trial – that was expected to last for up to ten weeks – 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”, NGN had offered an apology to the duke and would pay “substantial damages”.
He 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.”
He continued: “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 were regrettable.”
Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, was also taking legal action against the publisher, but also settled his claim.
Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year.
In April, the High Court heard that actor Hugh 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”.
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