Britain's Prince Harry settles High Court claim with The Sun publisher

Britain's Prince Harry alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers which also published the now-defunct News Of The World

The Duke of Sussex was among a number of people to bring cases against the publisher. Picture: Yui Mok/PA

Britain's Prince Harry has settled his legal action against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information-gathering shortly before the start of a weeks-long trial.

Harry, 40, alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.

NGN has denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.

An up to 10-week trial was set to begin at the UK's High Court in London on Tuesday, but three requests for adjournments and a Court of Appeal bid meant that the case remained unopened.

On Wednesday morning, Harry’s barrister David Sherborne said that the parties had “reached an agreement” and that NGN had offered an apology to the British prince and would pay “substantial damages”.

Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, was also taking legal action against the publisher, but also settled his claim.

After two earlier requests for adjournments on Tuesday, thought to be related to settlement discussions, Mr Justice Fancourt refused a third request for a delay as both sides had had “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.

Following a short break, lawyers for both sides asked for the green light to challenge the judge’s decision to not provide a further delay at the Court of Appeal.

While Mr Justice Fancourt denied the request, the lawyers could go to the Court of Appeal itself, meaning Tuesday’s hearing was adjourned in any event.

Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year.

In April, the High Court heard that actor Hugh Grant had settled his case against NGN because of the risk of a £10m (€11.8m) legal bill if his case went to trial.

Mr Sherborne said at that hearing that “the Duke of Sussex is subject to the same issues that Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant have been subject to, which is that the offers are made that make it impossible for them to go ahead”.