The Duke’s legal team announced today that he had accepted damages from the publisher in a deal that ends a four-year legal battle and will negate the need for a second trial.
The details of the settlement were not revealed.
An MGN spokesman said: “We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which gives our business further clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago and for which we have apologised.”
In a statement read out on the court steps by David Sherborne, the Duke’s barrister, the Duke again singled out Morgan for criticism, insisting that he “knew perfectly well what was going on” regarding hacking.
He suggested the former Mirror editor’s “contempt” for the ruling vindicated his decision to go to court and obtain such a detailed judgment.
Piers Morgan said, “I think that invading the privacy of the royal family is utterly reprehensible. And on that I share Prince Harry’s opinion. I just wish he’d stopped doing it.” Photo / AP
The Duke also reiterated his call for a police inquiry.
His statement said: “After our victory in December, Mirror Group have finally conceded the rest of my claim, which would have consisted of another two trials, additional evidence and 115 more articles.
“Everything we said was happening at Mirror Group was in fact happening, and indeed far worse as the Court ruled in its extremely damaging judgment.
“As the judge said this morning, we have uncovered and proved the shockingly dishonest way in which the Mirror acted for so many years and then sought to conceal the truth.
“In light of this, we call again for the authorities to uphold the rule of law and to prove that no one is above it.”
“That includes Mr Morgan, who as editor, knew perfectly well what was going on, as the judge held.
This court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook shows Britain's Prince Harry (left) with his counsel David Sherborne giving evidence at the Rolls Buildings in central London on June 7, 2023. Photo / AP
“Even his own employer realised it simply could not call him as a witness of truth at the trial. His contempt for the court’s ruling and his continued attacks ever since demonstrate why it was so important to obtain a clear and detailed judgment.
“As I said back in December, our mission continues. I believe in the positive change it will bring for all of us. It is the very reason why I started this, and why I will continue to see it through to the end.”
Morgan said in response to Prince Harry’s claims: “I think that invading the privacy of the royal family is utterly reprehensible. And on that I share Prince Harry’s opinion. I just wish he’d stopped doing it.”
Duke’s barrister says settlement was ‘substantial’
Sherborne told Justice Fancourt that MGN had agreed to pay the Duke “a substantial additional sum by way of damages” as well as his costs.
Harry was motivated by a desire to protect his wife, Meghan. Photo / Getty Images
The Duke, 39, sued MGN over 148 articles he alleged had been obtained illegally. Giving evidence last June, he revealed he was motivated by a desire to protect his wife, Meghan.
In December, he was awarded £140,600 ($288,937) in damages after the judge found that 15 of 33 articles selected for examination at trial were the product of phone hacking or unlawful information gathering. The court threw out the remaining 17, branding one of them “hopeless”.
