Prince Harry blamed the media for the death of his mother in 1997. (Reuters: Dylan Martinez)
Prince Harry has reached a surprise settlement with News Group Newspapers (NGN), including a reported eight-figure sum and a public apology over allegations of unlawful activities.
But it wasn't just Harry that received an apology.
The statement from NGN went beyond the scope of the lawsuit to acknowledge intruding on the life of Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana.
Here's why that admission is a significant moment for the prince.
Why did NGN offer an apology to Diana?
The battle with the tabloids intruding on his childhood as well as his adult life has always been personal for the prince.
He has been very vocal about blaming the media for the death of his mother, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 while being chased by paparazzi in Paris.
The Duke of Sussex also said the tabloids' unlawful intrusion into his life began in the mid to late 90s as a means of obtaining stories about his mother.
Prince Harry has another major lawsuit filed against publishers of the Daily Mail. (Reuters: Bing Guan)
So it's significant that the apology includes an admission of intrusion into his mother's private life — something Harry has sought justice for.
Per a statement read in court, NGN apologised for 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".
It also acknowledged the "distress caused to the duke" as well as the "damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family".
Shortly after the news broke, Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, shared his reaction on social media.
"It takes an enormous amount of guts to take on opponents like News Group Newspapers, and great tenacity to win," he posted on X.
"And it's just wonderful that Harry fought for — and gained — an apology to his mother.
"She would be incredibly touched at that, and rightly proud."
Last year, Harry said his decision to fight against intrusion from the tabloid press had been a "central piece" behind the breakdown of his relationship with the rest of the royal family.
Why did he sue NGN?
Harry's history with the British tabloid press is well documented.
He has previously described his crusade against tabloid journalism as a mission to rid the British press of senior executives and editors he accuses of abusing their power, and fight for a more "responsible media".
Prince Harry settles lawsuit against British tabloids
Photo shows Prince Harry in a navy blue suit with a silver tie.
His memoir, Spare, also offered insight into his deep resentment of some outlets.
So Wednesday's rare apology from NGN is years in the making.
Speaking to a media event in New York last year, Harry said the goal of taking on the tabloids was for accountability.
"The scale of the cover up is so large that people need to see it for themselves," he said.
"One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability because I'm the last person that can actually achieve that."
On Wednesday, local time, News Group Newspapers acknowledged its private investigators and journalists targeted Harry with phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information.
The company offered him a "full and unequivocal apology" for intrusion by the now-defunct News of the World and its sister tabloid The Sun.
Prince Harry's lawyer David Sherborne speaks outside the High Court. (AP: Alastair Grant)
Although Harry will not get his day in court, his lawyer said he achieved the accountability he sought for himself and hundreds of others, including ordinary people, who were snooped on.
"This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them," Harry said in the statement read by David Sherborne outside the High Court in London.
Of all the cases that have been brought against the publisher since a widespread phone hacking scandal forced Rupert Murdoch to close News of the World in 2011, Harry's case got the closest to trial.
How much did Prince Harry get?
Sources familiar with the deal said the settlement totalled more than 10 million pounds ($19.6 million), mostly in legal fees.
Who else is Harry suing?
Of the three major lawsuits Harry has filed against British news groups, there is now one remaining.
This case is against Associated Newspapers (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail.
Harry joins others, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, who allege they are "victims of abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy".
It involves similar illegal tactics such as placing listening devices inside people's cars and homes, private phone calls being recorded, and medical and bank accounts being accessed, of which ANL denies any wrongdoing.
The case is expected to go to trial in 2026.
In 2023, the prince's case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror ended in victory, when the judge ruled that phone hacking was "widespread and habitual" at the newspaper and its sister publications.
