In London on Jan 22, Prince Harry settled his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged illegal information gathering, according to his legal representative.
Harry's lawyer announced that an agreement had been reached after NGN consented to pay substantial damages and acknowledged that Harry, the younger son of Britain's King Charles, was the target of illicit activities by The Sun and had endured phone hacking by the News of the World.
Both Harry and former senior lawmaker Tom Watson were involved in the lawsuit.
NGN issued an apology to the claimants as follows:
"NGN extends a complete and unreserved apology to the Duke of Sussex for the severe intrusion carried out by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including instances of illegal activities conducted by private investigators hired by The Sun.
NGN also offers a full and unreserved apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance, and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators acting on their behalf at the News of the World.
Furthermore, NGN apologizes to the Duke for the significant impact of the extensive coverage and profound intrusion into his private life, as well as that of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, particularly during his formative years.
We recognize and apologize for the distress caused to the Duke, the harm to relationships, friendships, and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.
Additionally, it is acknowledged, with no admission of wrongdoing, that NGN's handling of the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions was regrettable.
NGN also extends a full and unreserved apology to Lord Watson for the unjustifiable intrusion into his private life while serving in Government by the News of the World from 2009 to 2011.
This includes him being put under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those acting on their orders. NGN also acknowledges and apologizes for the negative impact this had on Lord Watson's family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.
Furthermore, in 2011, News International received misinformation about confidential information being secretly passed to Lord Watson from within News International. We now understand that this information was inaccurate, and Lord Watson did not receive any such confidential information. NGN offers a full and unreserved apology for this."