Negotiations between Prince Harry and News Group Newspapers (NGN) appear to be nearing a resolution after days of intense discussions. Lawyers for both parties revealed they are “very close” to a settlement in the ongoing case.
This development follows a joint request by Prince Harry, Lord Tom Watson, and NGN to appeal a High Court decision by Mr. Justice Fancourt, who denied a third adjournment on Tuesday. Anthony Hudson KC, representing NGN, remarked that agreements between the parties have been rare throughout the litigation but noted, “The reality is we are very close.”
David Sherborne, representing the Duke and Lord Watson, echoed this sentiment, explaining that further time could potentially save significant court resources. Despite the delay requests, Mr. Justice Fancourt refused permission to challenge his decision at the Court of Appeal, though he acknowledged the parties’ right to approach the Court of Appeal directly.
The trial, which could last up to 10 weeks, is set to resume at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Prince Harry, 40, has accused NGN of engaging in unlawful information gathering between 1996 and 2011, alleging that journalists and private investigators illegally accessed his personal information.
The case is one of the few remaining against NGN, as many claimants—including Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller, and Melanie Chisholm—have already settled. Harry has stated that his pursuit of the case is about accountability, calling himself “the last person that can actually achieve that.”
The Duke launched his legal action in 2019, coinciding with Meghan Markle’s lawsuit over the publication of a private letter. NGN has consistently denied liability, asserting that the allegations concern historical events from over a decade ago.
A spokesperson for NGN emphasized that settlements in some cases have been made for commercial reasons without admitting liability. They clarified that Harry’s claims of phone hacking have been dismissed by the court, with the trial focusing instead on alleged unlawful information gathering by inquiry agents and private investigators.
In 2023, Harry settled a phone hacking claim against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), receiving £140,600 in damages. Mr. Justice Fancourt concluded that phone hacking by MGN was “extensive” between 2006 and 2011, even during the Leveson Inquiry into media practices.
This ongoing case marks a significant chapter in Harry’s efforts to hold media organizations accountable for their practices.
