Princess Diana’s brother praises Prince Harry for taking on the UK media and winning substantial damages.
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has publicly praised his nephew, Prince Harry, after his “monumental” victory in a long-running lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN). Six years after filing the case, the Duke of Sussex secured a public apology from the media giant, who admitted to legal wrongdoings and committed to paying substantial damages before their trial even began.
The apology, issued by NGN, acknowledged that the media group had violated the privacy of both Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana, from 1996 to 2011. The statement read, “NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life, as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, particularly during his younger years.” It continued, “We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships, and family.”
Following the announcement, Charles Spencer took to Instagram to express his admiration for Harry’s persistence in taking on such powerful media organisations. In a post alongside a BBC article about the settlement, Spencer wrote, “It takes an enormous amount of guts to take on major media organisations like this, and incredible tenacity to win against them.”
He also noted that Harry’s victory was particularly significant in honour of his mother. “It’s wonderful that Harry also secured an apology for his mother – she would be immensely touched by this, I’m sure, and also rightly proud,” Spencer added. “Well done indeed.”
Prince Harry’s lawsuit against NGN was a pivotal moment in his ongoing battle against the UK press, marking a significant legal and personal victory for the Duke of Sussex. The case highlighted the lengths to which the media had gone in their efforts to invade the privacy of Harry and his family, drawing attention to the widespread issue of press intrusion that has plagued the royal family for decades.
The settlement is seen as a win not only for Harry but also as a broader message about the consequences of unlawful media practices. It underscores the growing willingness of high-profile figures to stand up to powerful media conglomerates, seeking justice for past wrongs.
With the settlement in place, Prince Harry has drawn attention to the ongoing struggle between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy, all while continuing his efforts to hold the press accountable for its actions.
