Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloids have issued a rare apology to Prince Harry in connection with his lawsuit over privacy violations, agreeing to pay him a significant amount as part of the settlement, his lawyer confirmed Wednesday.  

News Group Newspapers (NGN) offered a “full and unequivocal apology” to the Duke of Sussex for the extensive invasion of his privacy by “The Sun” newspaper between 1996 and 2011, including unlawful activities carried out by private investigators, AP reports.

David Sherborne, Harry's lawyer, read the statement in court, revealing that this marked the first acknowledgment of wrongdoing by NGN in relation to “The Sun”. 

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The apology included admissions of phone hacking, surveillance, and the misuse of private information against Harry, allegations NGN had previously denied. The statement even extended to acknowledge intrusions into the life of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi. 

“We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships, and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages,” the statement said. 

The announcement was made in London’s High Court just before Harry’s trial was set to begin, accusing “The Sun” and the now-defunct “News of the World” of illegal surveillance over several decades.

Harry, 40, and one other claimant were the only remaining individuals from a group of over 1,300 people who had settled claims against NGN related to phone hacking and unlawful privacy breaches. 

This lawsuit had come closest to trial compared to others involving NGN since the phone hacking scandal that led to the closure of “News of the World” in 2011, following revelations that the tabloid had hacked the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. 

As Harry’s trial was about to begin, his lawyer requested a brief recess, which ultimately led to a longer delay before the settlement was reached. 

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Harry’s legal battle with the tabloids includes three lawsuits, one of which he won against the “Daily Mirror” publisher, which was found guilty of widespread phone hacking.

Harry’s feud with the British press is rooted in his childhood, with tabloids often reporting on his personal struggles. He has also blamed the media for the car crash that killed Princess Diana and for the ongoing harassment of his wife, Meghan Markle.