According to newly surfaced documents, Prince William reportedly received a substantial financial settlement from a confidential agreement with The Sun newspaper. The specifics of the intricate relationship between the British royal family and the UK press have historically been shrouded in secrecy.
Consequently, Prince William’s private settlement with The Sun holds significant implications, as it could potentially influence his brother Prince Harry’s ongoing legal proceedings against the same tabloid publication. This revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics between the monarchy and the media, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in such high-profile matters.
Prince Harry is currently engaged in an ongoing legal battle against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the parent company of The Sun and other UK tabloids. The lawsuit alleges that NGN unlawfully obtained Harry’s private information and details about his whereabouts through phone hacking practices, as reported by the BBC. However, NGN’s legal team argues that the prince’s claim is time-barred, suggesting it has been filed too late.
In a recent development, Harry’s lawyers have presented new documents that allege a “secret agreement” was made between officials at Buckingham Palace and the tabloid. This alleged agreement purportedly aimed to prevent members of the royal family from pursuing legal action against The Sun. Furthermore, the documents claim that Prince William privately settled with The Sun in 2020, receiving a substantial sum of money related to the phone hacking scandal.
These revelations add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings, potentially shedding light on the intricate dynamics between the royal family and the British tabloid press.
The Independent reports that Prince Harry stated the alleged agreement, “including the promises from NGN for delayed resolution was, obviously, a major factor as to why no claim was brought by me at that time.” According to Reuters, the documents reveal that Prince Harry claims NGN settled with his brother Prince William “for a huge sum of money in 2020…without any of the public being told, and seemingly with some favourable deal in return for him going ‘quietly’ so to speak.” He further adds, “This goes to prove the existence of this secret agreement between the institution and senior executives at NGN.” Prince Harry is seeking a public apology from NGN.
Prince Harry’s decision to pursue legal action against tabloids has drawn attention to the often-concealed relationship between the royal family and the media. Traditionally, the royals have preferred to keep such matters discreet, adhering to protocol. However, Harry’s allegations in the legal documents appear to substantiate claims made in his memoir, “Spare.”
According to an insider quoted by Harper’s Bazaar in January, there was an initial perception that the book’s revelations would be short-lived. However, the level of detail provided regarding specific media relationships has now placed the entire matter under intense scrutiny. It seems that this scrutiny may be more extensive than palace officials had anticipated, potentially shedding light on aspects of the royals’ media interactions that have long remained opaque.