Wiretapping scandal
Prince Harry agrees to settlement with tabloid “Sun”.
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Surprise in the trial about illegal research methods: Prince Harry was actually expected to be on the witness stand in the trial against the “Sun”. But nothing comes of it.
Prince Harry (40) has agreed to a settlement with the publisher of the British tabloid “Sun” in the trial over illegal research methods. Both sides announced this before the start of the second day of the trial.
The younger son of King Charles III. (76) and his co-plaintiff, ex-Labour politician Tom Watson, accused the Sun journalists of spying on them, including by listening to voice messages and other illegal research methods. The publisher has now apologized to both, but without admitting the direct involvement of “Sun” journalists.
Prince Harry receives substantial compensation
The last-minute agreement is a big surprise. Harry had announced that he would carry out the procedure on behalf of other people affected and bring the paper’s alleged machinations to light. He even wanted to take the witness stand himself. That’s not the case now. But Harry will receive “substantial compensation,” according to a statement from publisher NGN (News Group Newspapers).
The publisher also apologized in a statement “fully and unreservedly” for “serious violations of his private life, including illegal practices committed by private investigators working for The Sun.”
Illegal methods were common
The publishing house of US media mogul Rupert Murdoch is now avoiding a detailed examination in court as to whether and to what extent employees of the “Sun” were involved in illegal activities.
This covers the period between 1996 and 2011. It is undisputed that illegal methods such as listening to voice messages were widespread in some British newspapers at the time. So far, however, the publisher has always managed to avert lawsuits by making payments in advance.
Big financial risk
Actor Hugh Grant (64) and others who initially joined the lawsuit had already accepted an offer from the publisher NGN (News Group Newspapers) in advance. Grant cited financial risk as the reason for this. According to his own statements, he was threatened with costs of ten million pounds (currently around 11.8 million euros).
In the UK, even if plaintiffs win in court, they will still have to pay legal costs if they are awarded a lower sum than was previously offered in a settlement.
Prince Harry turns 40: from rebellious rascal to royal superstar

On September 15, 1984, Prince Henry Charles Albert David, better known as Prince Harry, was born in London as the second child of the then Prince Charles and Princess Diana. As per royal tradition, Diana posed with her newborn on the steps of the Lindo Wing of London’s St. Mary’s Hospital shortly after giving birth. At the time, no one suspected that Prince Harry would break this tradition together with his future wife Meghan 35 years later
© Capital Pictures / Imago Images
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Harry is leading a real crusade
Prince Harry actually consciously wanted to take the risk. The royal is leading a real crusade against the “tabloid press”, as the tabloid press is called in Great Britain. He wants to show that the methods were systematic.
“No one is better suited to pull this off than me,” he once said in the documentary “Tabloids on Trial” on the British TV channel ITV. He fought it out on behalf of everyone, the royal said at the time.
In an earlier case against the publisher of the tabloid Daily Mirror, Harry was largely right. Another case against the publisher of the “Daily Mail” is pending.
What drives Prince Harry?
He had also made it clear again and again that he blamed the accidental death of his mother Princess Diana in Paris in 1997 on the paparazzi who were on her and her companions’ heels at the time. He indicated several times that he feared that his wife Meghan (43) could suffer a similar fate.
He also blames the exit from the inner circle of the royal family, which he and Meghan completed a good five years ago, and the falling out with relatives on both sides, in part, on the tabloid media, which has followed him wherever he goes since he was a child.
Note: This article has been extensively updated to include further information.
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Source: Stern

I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.