AceShowbiz - Prince Harry has reached an out-of-court settlement with News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun, in a long-running legal battle over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, filed a lawsuit against NGN, alleging that journalists and private investigators hired by the publisher hacked his phone and invaded his privacy between 1996 and 2011. The trial, set to last up to 10 weeks, was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 21, but was delayed due to settlement discussions.

On Wednesday before the trial officially commenced, NGN issued an "unwavering apology" and agreed to pay "substantial damages" to Harry. The publisher acknowledged the "unlawful actions" of private investigators hired by The Sun and apologized for the impact on Harry's private life and the intrusion into the life of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, stated, "NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun."

This marks the first time that NGN has admitted wrongdoing connected to the tabloid. The publisher also apologized for past intrusions by its journalists into the private life of Princess Diana.

Lord Tom Watson, a former Labour Member of Parliament, also launched a lawsuit against the company and was scheduled to give evidence alongside Harry before they agreed to settle the case. Harry praised the determination and bravery of Watson, who he said "has brought accountability to a part of the media world that thought it was untouchable."

Several high-profile figures, including Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, also settled with NGN over similar allegations in past legal battles.