In a surprising twist, Prince Harry has settled his long-running legal battle against the publisher of The Sun, just as the trial was set to begin. The Duke of Sussex had accused News Group Newspapers (NGN) – which also ran the now-closed News of the World – of unlawful information gathering targeting him and his family from 1996 to 2011.

During a hearing at London’s High Court, the publisher issued a full apology to Harry. They acknowledged serious breaches of privacy, including phone hacking, surveillance, and other invasive activities carried out by journalists and private investigators. NGN also expressed regret for the impact on his relationships and family, particularly referencing the distress caused during his younger years and the intrusion into the life of his late mother, Princess Diana.

As part of the settlement, NGN agreed to pay substantial damages to the Duke. While they didn’t admit to illegal activity, they described their past actions as “regrettable.”

Tom Watson, a former Labour Party deputy leader and co-claimant in the case, also settled with NGN. He had alleged similar unlawful practices during his time in government, particularly during a high-profile phone hacking scandal that rocked the Murdoch empire in 2011.

The trial was initially scheduled to start this week but was delayed following discussions between both sides. This marks another significant moment in Harry’s ongoing efforts to hold media outlets accountable for their actions.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.