Prince Harry to be paid 'substantial damages' by Sun owner as it apologises for 'serious intrusion'

Prince Harry has received an apology for 15 years of “serious intrusion” by the Sun newspaper, including the use of private investigators who acted unlawfully. He’s also got an apology not just for the invasion of his privacy but also that of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The owner of the Sun newspaper offers a "full and unequivocal apology" to Prince Harry for "serious intrusion" into his private life from 1996 to 2011, and agrees to pay him "substantial damages".
It settles a long-running legal battle between the prince and the newspaper group, moments before a trial was due to begin in the High Court.
News Group Newspapers (NGN) also apologises for serious intrusion into the private life of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana - read the apology in full here.
In a further statement, NGN says there are "strong controls and processes in place at all our titles today to ensure this cannot happen now".
The BBC understands the legal fees for the Sun's owner, Prince Harry and Tom Watson totals £10 million - which is expected to be paid by NGN.
Prince Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, calls it a "monumental victory" - and accuses current NGN executives of "obstructing justice".
Prince Harry will feel vindicated, but NGN has avoided its worst-case scenario of a full-blown trial, said BBC correspondent Dominic Casciani from court.
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson also receives an apology for "unwarranted intrusion" - and calls on the police and Parliament to investigate further. But NGN says "today's settlement draws a line under the past".
Speaking from court a few hours ago, the board director of Hacked Off said “it is a humiliating day for the Sun and the senior executives at News Group Newspapers, who have finally admitted that allegations of illegality made against the publisher are true".
Emma Jones, who is part of the campaign set up in 2011 in response to phone-hacking revelations, added that today "the Sun’s targets have been vindicated".
“The Sun’s claims of innocence formed part of the broader press campaign against independent regulation and Leveson Part Two," she added.
"Now we have confirmation – from the publisher itself – that this was fabrication, the Prime Minister must get on with robust policy on press accountability without further delay."
Nathan Sparkes, who is the chief executive of Hacked Off, said in a later statement that over the last 15 years, the news group has faced over 1,300 claims.
"They've paid out to build over £1bn, denying essentially that the Sun was responsible for any kinds of illegal activity. So to finally get an admission that we've all been effectively lied to about that is a really significant development," he said.
Timeline: Harry's case against the Sun
March 2020: The High Court is told the Sun unlawfully obtained phone records of Harry's then-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, in 2005, and hears these were sent to the Sun's then-royal correspondent, Duncan Larcombe. NGN did not respond to the allegation in court.
June 2020, Mr Justice Mann rules victims of phone hacking can sue NGN for alleged unlawful information gathering between 1996 and 2011.
April 2023: NGN applies for the case to be thrown out, arguing it was brought too late, as the court hears a "secret agreement" was reached between the institution of the royal family and NGN - stopping them from bringing legal claims.
July 2023: Justice Fancourt ruled that Harry could not bring his claim relating to phone hacking. He ruled other claims, including the use of private investigators, should go ahead to a trial.
May 2024: Fancourt rules that claims made against Rupert Murdoch as part of Harry's legal action could not be tested at trial, but ruled some other amendments could be made. Harry's barrister accuses Murdoch of "turning a blind eye" to allegations of phone hacking at the News Of The World.
June 2024: Justice Fancourt orders Harry to explain the deletion of exchanges via the Signal messaging service between himself and the ghost writer of his memoir, Spare.
January 2025: The trial fails to begin as expected after barristers for both sides asked for delays for "discussions", stating they were "very close" in negotiations.
Today: Harry settles his case against News Group Newspapers as they offer a "full and unequivocal apology" for "serious intrusion" and agree to pay him "substantial damages".