Prince Harry settles legal action against news publishers in last minute move

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Prince Harry has settled his legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN) over allegations of unlawful information.

The Duke of Sussex claimed he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for the company, which publishes the Sun, and previously published the now-defunct News Of The World.

The trial, which was expected to last up to 10 weeks, was due to begin at the High Court in London on Tuesday, January 21, but the case remained unopened due to three adjournment requests and a Court of Appeal bid.

On Wednesday morning, Harry's barrister David Sherborne said both parties has "reached an agreement" with NGN offering an apology to the duke and would pay "substantial damages".

Mr Sherbourne 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.

He continued: "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.

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"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.

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

A third request to delay the trial was refused by Mr Justice Fancourt following two previous requests thought to be related to settlement discussions. He believed both sides had been given "ample time to seek to resolve their differences".

Lawyers for both sides asked for permission to challenge the judge's decision to not grant a further delay at the Court of Appeal, the Mirror reports.

While this request was also denied, the lawyers could have gone through the Court of Appeal itself, meaning the trial would be adjourned in any case. In April, the High Court heard that actor Hugh Grant had settled his own case against NGN due to the risk of a £10 million legal bill if it 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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