Prince Harry has settled a legal action against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information-gathering shortly before the start of a trial.
The Duke of Sussex alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers.
NGN has denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.
The trial related to the Royal's claims, was set to begin at the High Court in London on Tuesday, but there requests for adjournments, meaning the case remained unopened.
After two earlier requests for adjournments, Mr Justice Fancourt refused a third request for a delay as both sides had been given “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.
Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases , with 39 people doing so 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 the matter went to trial.
David Sherborne, the prince’s lawyer, said a deal had been struck, agreeing to pay significant damages and admitting his client had been the victim of unlawful activity and phone-hacking by the News of the World.
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”.
The Full Apology
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 offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009- 2011.
This includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson's family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.
In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International. We now understand that this information was false, and Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this.
