What is the status of the Duke of Sussex’s legal claims
The Duke of Sussex has settled his legal action against News Group Newspapers, receiving an apology and damages
Duke of Sussex, Harry, News Group Newspapers, London, UK
London: The Duke of Sussex, Harry, has recently settled his legal battle with News Group Newspapers. This happened on Wednesday, and it’s a big deal. NGN offered a full apology for serious privacy invasions, including phone hacking.
Harry had been involved in three legal cases in the English courts. He claimed that journalists and private investigators from NGN targeted him, which also published the now-defunct News of the World.
There was supposed to be a trial starting soon, but it got delayed due to multiple requests for adjournments. Then, on Wednesday, Harry’s lawyer announced they reached an agreement, and NGN would pay substantial damages.
Interestingly, Lord Tom Watson, a former Labour deputy leader, also settled his claim against NGN. He received a similar apology for the unwarranted intrusion into his life while he was in government.
Many other celebrities have settled their cases against NGN too. Notable names include Sienna Miller, Paul Gascoigne, and Hugh Grant, who settled to avoid a hefty legal bill.
Looking ahead, Harry still has some legal matters to tackle. One involves challenging the Home Office over security arrangements for him and his family in the UK. A judge had previously dismissed his claim, but he’s been given the go-ahead to appeal.
Additionally, Harry is part of a group of high-profile individuals suing the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations of unlawful information-gathering. This includes claims of hiring private investigators to plant listening devices and accessing private records.
In a recent ruling, the judge allowed these legal challenges to continue, meaning the full trial could happen as early as 2026. So, there’s still a lot going on for Harry in the legal world.