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| Sean Coughlan | Royal Correspondent |
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| Welcome to Royal Watch. This was expected to be the week Prince Harry brought a sensational court case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), seeking “accountability”. It was anticipated to be a high-profile courtroom battle over his claims that tabloid papers used unlawful methods to get stories and then covered up the evidence. Except, things didn’t turn out as expected.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne has been on a trip to South Africa, giving her a chance to show off her style icon status.
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Prince Harry claims ‘monumental victory’ | After all the build-up to the legal battle that was going to see Prince Harry pitched against the publishers of the Sun newspaper, the court case in London was over before it even began.
In a dramatic twist, just as the judge was about to hear opening statements, there were calls for a delay, and then another delay, and then another night, as the two sides finalised a settlement that was revealed on Wednesday morning. |
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 | In 2023, Prince Harry gave evidence in a court case against the Mirror Group. Credit: Getty | Prince Harry’s team hailed the outcome as a “monumental victory” as News Group Newspapers (NGN) had given him a “full and unequivocal apology” for the serious intrusion into his private life.
The BBC also understands the settlements to both Prince Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson have cost NGN more than £10m in payouts and legal fees. And there was an acknowledgement that unlawful methods had been used by private investigators working for the Sun - although, NGN highlighted, not by its own journalists. |
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|  | Harry’s barrister David Sherborne said NGN had finally been “held to account for its illegal actions". Credit: Getty | This has always been a very personal battle for Prince Harry. Another part of the settlement that will have been very important to him was an apology to his mother, Princess Diana, for the intrusions into her life. Diana’s brother Lord Spencer posted on social media platform X that “it’s just wonderful that Harry fought for, and gained, an apology to his mother”. |
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|  | Earl Spencer said it had taken “an enormous amount of guts” to take on NGN. Credit: Getty | But a deal has to work for both sides. The settlement meant that Prince Harry didn’t get his day in court, nor did any of the many witnesses who were expected to appear. Claims of a corporate cover-up were never heard in court and NGN continues to strongly dispute such allegations.
Up to the last moment, Prince Harry had appeared determined to go through with the case, with plans to fly over to give evidence next month. “Today’s settlement draws a line under the past and brings an end to this litigation,” said a statement from NGN. They’ll welcome that, having already spent an estimated £1bn on more than 1,300 claims, none of which went to court.
In that context, a payout to Prince Harry might seem good value. And how much does it really hurt a corporation to apologise for something from decades ago?
Now the settlement has been reached, and the court hearing has not happened, who will feel like the winner in the long run? |
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Your Royal Watch | Last week, we asked whether Meghan was right to postpone her Netflix show in light of the LA wildfires.
Julie from the US said: “Airing a show about rich and famous people I think would have been a shock and slap in the face to the people in LA.”
Chrissy also said it “was the sensible thing to do”. She added: “If it went ahead she'd have received a lot of bad press.”
Although many agreed with the decision to air the series later, some of you questioned Meghan’s motives.
Margaret B said: “I think she wants it postponed so she can garner more attention when the programme is released.”
For this week: what you think of Harry’s decision to settle his court case? Was it best to avoid a trial, or should the Duke of Sussex have done everything to have his day in court? Please remember to include your name and the country you’re writing from. Send your thoughts to royalwatch@bbc.co.uk. | |
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Princess Anne remembers South Africa’s forgotten heroes | Princess Anne will reach her 75th birthday this year, and remains one of the hardest-working royals.
This week, she’s been in South Africa and the sunshine gave her the chance to wear her trademark Adidas sunglasses. |
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 | The Princess Royal visited the Royal Cape Yacht Club and spoke with young sailors. Credit: PA | As part of the visit, she recognised the overlooked efforts of hundreds of South Africans, most of them black, who died during World War One working as labourers rather than combatants.
Laying a wreath at the Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, she honoured 1,700 who had lost their lives, working in tough conditions, and whose sacrifices had often not been recognised. |
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 | Princess Anne attended the Commonwealth War Graves Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial inauguration ceremony. Credit: PA | “This memorial is a reminder of a shared but sometimes difficult past,” she said. |
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A piece of royal history | As Donald Trump takes office for the second time, here’s a look back at one of the other 13 US presidents Queen Elizabeth II met during her reign. In 1982, she hosted President Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle, where the pair enjoyed a morning horse ride together. |
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|  | Credit: Getty |
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Answer | The answer is A - Prince Philip. In 1957, The Spectator ran a piece headlined: “Does Prince Philip cheat at tiddlywinks?” The Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club then challenged the Duke of Edinburgh to a match. You can watch the duke’s playful response here. | |
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