Prince Harry vs. Rupert Murdoch has always been a high-profile case with an outcome of losses heralded by both parties in epic proportions. Despite the scandal’s eruption over a decade ago, the drawn-out dispute has only recently come to a settlement with the pedestal favoring the Prince after a battle for the ages. While the Duke was never in it for the cash, the endgame reportedly ended with compensation in big bucks.

Yet, that was not all. The Murdoch empire, despite fighting tooth and nail had to pay the Prince quite a lot in damages.

Prince Harry’s lawyer announced they reached a settlement with Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers on Wednesday, following allegations of unlawful snooping, hacking his cellphone, and intruding into his private affairs. After years of predatory behavior and constant negation, News Group Newspapers offered the Duke “a full and unequivocal apology“ over the conducted practices by private investigators hired by one of its tabloid counterparts, The Sun. Although the amount paid is not disclosed, PEOPLE estimated it to be an eight-figure sum, likely exceeding $12 million. 

In its statement, the group apologized to the Prince for intrusions into Princess Diana’s personal life during her early years, who passed away in a car chase by paparazzi in 1997. In fact, the apology was extended to his fellow claimant, Tom Watson, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party for unauthorized sniffing in his personal sphere during 2009-2011. Although Prince Harry’s act of revenge was never about money, the last-minute deal excuses him of a massive financial risk if the case were to be dragged further. 

Who Is Rupert Murdoch? What’s the Story Behind Hugh Jackman’s Uncanny Friendship With the Business Tycoon?

This loss is not the endgame for NGN because this lawsuit already made Rupert Murdoch spend several billion bucks.

A report by the Financial Times previously underscored the whopping amount, Rupert Murdoch’s media group, shouldered over its decade-long legal challenges with the Prince. Their group back in the day reached a whopping $1.2 billion bill, fighting against Prince Harry’s accusations of phone hacking and probing variably against the now-defunct News of the World Newspapers and The Sun. 

They also encountered losses estimated to be $55 million in the legal battle, with the group spending $1.3 billion in settlements and legal fees. They acknowledged the defunct counterpart’s involvement in the illicit practice but steered clear of The Sun’s hands in the play. However, their recent apology clears the air. Although the losses incurred by the Prince cannot be undone, the settlement favors a triumph for a cause, a cause that took a teary-eyed Duke to trials in the court.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation Makes a Giant Donation Despite Backlash

Did you know about Prince Harry and Rupert Murdoch's settlement? Let us know in the comments below!